I’m pregnant with your husbands child, declares my best friend at the bachelorette party.
You’ve lost your mind! This gown costs as much as a secondhand car! I stare at my friend, eyes wide, unable to believe the price tag.
No, youre the one whos gone mad if you think Ill marry anything that doesnt make James forget how to breathe! Emily twirls before the mirror, holding the luxurious train. A wedding happens only once!
I want to be hopeful, I mutter, glancing at the dresss price. But seriously, Emily, why spend so much? James loves you, not your dress.
Emily freezes, her expression turning serious.
You know, when my parents died I realised how precious every moment is. I want this day to be perfect, so Mum and Dad, looking down from above, could be proud.
I soften instantly, regretting my harsh words. Emilys parents died in a car crash three years ago, and since then she has learned to hide her pain behind smiles and a façade of carefree joy.
Im sorry, I say, pulling her into a hug, careful not to crease the expensive fabric. If this is the dress you need, then its worth it.
Funny thing, Emily grins, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. James suggested we dip into our travel fund. He says Venice isnt going anywhere, but a bride in a perfect dress is a onceinalifetime thing.
I smile, thinking of James tall, composed, with kind eyes and a shy smile. He and Emily make a perfect pair shes vibrant and impulsive; hes steady and thoughtful.
Emily, Im so happy, she whispers as the shop assistant steps away to fetch the veil. It still feels surreal. James is the best thing thats ever happened to me.
After me, of course, I tease, and Emily laughs.
Naturally! By the way, have we sorted the bachelorette? Only two weeks left.
Everythings set, I assure her, having taken on the planning myself as maid of honour. A cosy cottage in the Cotswolds, with a pool, sauna, karaoke and your seven best friends. No strippers, just as you asked.
Thats a relief, Emily winks. Id feel sorry for Jen; she still cant see past her divorce.
Ive got a special surprise for Jen, I grin.
The assistant returns with a fan of lace veils, and we start debating length, style and fastening.
I drive home, exhausted but content. Emily finally picks out her dress and accessories; the last wedding details remain. I indulge in a hot bath, thinking about the upcoming weekends bachelorette.
A message pings as I step out. Anna, another guest, texts that she cant make it her son has a sudden fever.
What a pity, I murmur, wishing the boy a swift recovery. My gut tells me more cancellations are coming. And indeed, later Svetlana apologises, saying work wont let her get time off.
Dont worry, I reassure her. As long as were all at the wedding, thats what matters.
Friday evening, my Jeep, packed with snacks and drinks, rolls out of town. Of the seven invited friends, only four remain me, Jen, Katie and Victoria. Emily isnt upset at all.
Fewer people, more fresh air, she declares, settling into the front seat beside me. And more champagne per head!
The girls hum in agreement. Jen, the divorced friend for whom Ive prepared a special surprise, already uncorks a bottle of bubbly and pours it into plastic cups.
To the bride! she proclaims. To the most beautiful, happiest, luckiest woman!
And to her amazing groom! Katie adds, working with James at the construction firm. Any woman would be lucky to have a man like him.
Ive been unlucky, Jen sighs. My ex turned out to be a real scoundrel.
Not all men are the same, I reply softly. James isnt.
Thats for sure, Emily chimes in. Sometimes I feel I dont deserve him. Yesterday he came home, cooked dinner, lit candles, opened a bottle of wine and said, Youve been working so hard on our wedding, I want you to relax today.
Now thats a man, Victoria says with a hint of envy. Mine never even managed to fry an egg in three years.
The conversation drifts to the ageold topic of mens flaws and virtues. When the Jeep pulls up to a modest twostorey cottage by a lake, the champagne is gone but spirits stay high.
The rented cottage is spacious and cosy. The ground floor combines a large kitchenliving area with a terrace housing a heated plunge pool; upstairs are three bedrooms and a bathroom with a sauna.
Incredible! Emily exclaims, taking in the place. Youve outdone yourself, love!
I smile, proud. Ive spent weeks searching for the perfect bachelorette spot. Here theres beautiful countryside, water, a barbecuing area and total privacy.
Evening begins with dinner prep we all chop salads, grill meat and roast potatoes. Jen, surprisingly, stays unusually quiet, checking her phone often and rarely joining the chatter.
Everything alright? I ask softly as the others head to the terrace to set the table.
Jen flinches, then replies:
No, just tired. Works a nightmare and the babys fussing.
If you need to talk, Im here, I squeeze her hand, and she manages a faint smile.
The terrace dinner lifts everyones mood. We open another bottle of bubbly and start swapping stories. Emily, flushed from wine and attention, beams.
Remember how we first met? she asks, scanning the group. First year, dorms, I walked into a room and there was Izzy with a guitar, Katie clutching a massive teddy
And I was lugging three suitcases of clothes! Jen laughs. We all thought you were some rich brat.
Turns out I was just a shopaholic, I tease.
Thanks to Jens wardrobe we always showed up on dates in different outfits, Katie adds. Remember our swap system?
The night rolls on with jokes, memories and wishes for the bride. When it gets chilly, we move inside. I cue music, Katie pulls out a deck of cards and suggests Truth or Dare.
Lets do Never Have I Ever, Emily suggests. Like the good old days.
The game starts lightheartedly. Never have I ever kissed a girl Katie and Victoria take a sip, laughing. Never have I ever stolen from a shop Jen admits, recalling a childhood gumchewing escapade. Never have I ever dreamed of getting married everyone drinks, even me, who always said a passport stamp wasnt for me.
As the bottles empty, the questions get deeper. Never have I ever had sex in a public place, Never have I ever lied to my best friend, Never have I ever cheated
On the final question Jen breaks down, tears streaming down her cheeks, smearing her mascara.
Jen, whats wrong? Emily asks, alarmed. Its just a game!
Im sorry, Jen sobs. I cant keep it in any longer
Maybe we should stop drinking? Victoria suggests gently.
No! Jen shoves the glass away. I have to say it!
Silence falls. The music seems to dim.
Emily, Jen lifts her tearstreaked face, I Im pregnant with James. With your fiancé.
The room freezes. Emilys mouth hangs open, unable to process. Victoria and Katie stare in disbelief. I feel a chill crawl up my spine.
What nonsense is that? Emily finally gasps. Youre drunk. Or youve lost your mind.
Its true, Jen wipes her eyes, her palm pressing the back of her hand to her cheek. It happened a month and a half ago when you were away in York. I came over to drop off the visa papers you asked for. James was home alone
Shut up! Emily jumps up, flipping the wine glass onto the rug, the red spilling like blood. Dont you dare keep telling this filthy lie!
Im not lying, Jen pulls out her phone, scrolls, and hands it to Emily. Here, the test. And the messages with James.
Emily recoils, as if bitten by a venomous snake.
I dont believe you, she whispers, though doubt flickers in her voice. He would never
He said you have problems, Jen continues, eyes fixed on the floor. That youre sleeping in separate rooms, that the wedding is a mistake, that youre planning to split
Thats not true! Emily shouts. Our marriage is perfect! We love each other!
Then why did he do it? Jen asks, bitterness seeping through. Why did he say hed always wanted me, that I was special
She stops, and Emily slaps her hard. Jen yelps, clutching her cheek.
Enough! I step between them. Calm down, both of you!
Calm down? Emily turns to me, tears glistening. My best friend just told me shes pregnant with my fiancé! How the hell am I supposed to calm down?!
Lets sort this out, I say, trying to keep my voice steady. Jen, are you sure youre pregnant? And that its Jamess child?
Yes, she reply softly. The test is positive. I havent been with anyone since my divorce.
Did you ever consider talking to James about it instead of making a scene at the bachelorette? Victoria asks, finally speaking.
I tried, Jen lowers her head. He said it was my problem, that I was lying, that he only loves Emily but he said other things to me.
Emily, suddenly composed, grabs Jens phone and starts scrolling through the messages. Her face turns paler with each swipe.
Theres nothing in here, she says after a moment. Just Hey, hows it going? and When will you be back? No mention of a pregnancy.
He called me, Jen admits quietly. He didnt want to write it down.
How convenient, Katie remarks venomously.
Emily scrolls further, then freezes, eyes locked on a photo. It shows Jen, halfnaked on a bed that Emily recognises instantly its Jamess bedroom.
When was this taken? Emily asks, voice flat.
The day you went to York, Jen answers. Fifteenth of April.
Emily blinks, trying to steady her racing heart.
I didnt go to York, Emily says finally. My trip was cancelled; my aunt had a heart attack and was hospitalised. James and I stayed home watching films all night.
Jens voice trembles.
But James said you left
Did you believe him? Victoria asks. Or are you making this up now?
No! Jen charges. He came to my flat; thats proof! She points again at the photo.
Emily studies the picture longer, then bursts into hysterical laughter.
Oh my God, she says, tears streaming, half from sorrow, half from nerves. Thats not our bedroom. Thats your own flat. I recognise the ridiculous painting of swans on the wall you brought it from your parents house.
Jen blinks, confused.
But
Look at the date on the photo, Emily continues. Its February fifteenth, not April. 15/02, not 15/04.
A heavy silence settles. Jen slowly sinks onto the sofa, shoulders slumped.
So what does this mean? I ask, trying to keep my voice even. Are you lying to us all?
I Jen covers her face with her hands. Im not lying about the pregnancy. The test is real.
But the father isnt James, is it? Emily asks quietly.
Jen remains silent, then whispers:
I dont know who the father is. Ive been with a few men since my divorce. When I found out I was pregnant, I panicked. None of them wanted anything serious. Then I saw how caring James is, how he loves you, how he wants a family
You decided hed be a good candidate for the babys dad, Victoria finishes for her, and you lied to ruin his relationship with you.
Youre a terrible person, Emily says, her voice cracking with hurt. I thought you were my best friend.
I was desperate, Jen sobs, head falling into her hands. After the divorce I was alone, with a child, now with this pregnancy I didnt know what to do.
I let out a deep sigh.
You could have asked for help. We would have supported you. But now
Emily gathers her things.
Where are you going? I ask, hearing the night grow late. Its too late to stay.
I cant stay here, Emily says quietly, tears streaming down her cheeks. Ill call a taxi and go home.
Ill go with you, I say firmly. I wont let you drive alone.
Jen remains on the sofa, eyes downcast.
Emily, Im sorry. I dont know what possessed me. I was jealous of your happiness Forgive me.
Emily pauses at the door, then turns.
Youve destroyed not only our friendship but also my trust in people. I dont know if Ill ever forgive you.
In the taxi barreling down the dark highway, Emily sits beside me, silent, understanding I need time to recover.
You know whats the scariest part? I finally speak. For a moment I believed you. I doubted James. I doubted us.
Thats natural, I reply gently. Anyone would question things after hearing something like that.
But I shouldnt have, Emily says, clenching her fist on the seat. Ive known James for four years. Hes never given me a reason to doubt him. One accusation, one word, and I was ready to think he was a traitor.
You were just shaken, I say, placing a hand on her shoulder. Its over now. You know the truth.
Yes, Emily mutters, a bitter smile forming. My best friend turned out to be a traitor, ready to wreck my happiness for her own interests.
Jen made a terrible mistake, I sigh. But shes in desperation. Pregnancy, loneliness, uncertainty
Are you defending her? Emily asks, anger flaring.
No, I answer firmly. Im just trying to understand. Theres a difference.
We fall quiet. The radio plays a soft tune.
Im going to call James, Emily says, pulling out her phone.
Now? I glance at the clock. Its almost two in the morning.
It doesnt matter. I need to tell him.
James answers almost instantly, as if he hadnt slept.
Emily? Is everything okay?
Hearing his worried voice, Emily breaks down, recounting the nights events, Jens lies, and her fleeting doubt.
Ill wait for you, James says simply. Come home.
When they arrive at Emilys flat, its well past midnight. I ask the taxi driver to wait; Im about to head to my own place.
Stay? Emily offers. We have a spare bedroom.
No, I shake my head. You need some time alone, talk. Ill call in the morning.
Emily hugs me tightly.
Thank you for being here.
Always, I smile. Dont let this ruin your wedding. It will be perfect, I promise.
Emily nods and heads inside. James is already waiting at the door in a rumpled shirt and pajama trousers, hair tousled, worry in his eyes. He pulls her into a tight embrace.
Im sorry, she whispers into his shoulder. I never should have doubted you.
Its fine, he kisses her crown. The important thing is youre here, together.
I watch them from the taxi window and smile. Despite everything, Im convinced their wedding will indeed be flawless, built on love that can survive any test.
As for Jen I take a deep breath. Tomorrow Ill call her, talk, offer real help the kind that really matters. Even those who commit grave mistakes deserve a chance at redemption.
The taxi pulls away, taking me away from the cottage where two loving souls find comfort in each other. I realise that true friendship isnt about blind support, but about truth, however bitter, and forgiveness when its possible.
Its still too early for forgiveness. The wound is fresh, the pain sharp. Time will heal, leaving scars that simply remind us weve weathered the storm, as long as we have people who truly love us.
