The dress! Youd swear I threw it in the bin myself?
At the kitchen table, lifting the lid of the rubbish bin, Emily suddenly froze. «Whats this dress doing here? Youre telling me *I* put it there?»
Nearly every day, Emily asked herself the same unanswered question: what on earth did she see in Oliver?
He was ordinary-lookingshe was too embarrassed to introduce him to her friends, so as far as they knew, she lived alone.
Only her sister knew she shared her flat with a man, and she kept the secret.
Oliver hadnt achieved much in lifehe worked as a mechanic at a steel plant.
Sometimes, slumped in front of the telly, Emily caught herself thinking it was time to end things with Oliver.
But just as she resolved to do it, hed bring home flowers or some trinket, and shed postpone the breakup.
Before meeting Emily, Oliver had been married. The marriage lasted barely two months but ended with a pregnancy and a daughter.
When they met, Olivers daughter, Sophie, was twelve. Emily had never seen hernor had she wanted to.
The chance came just before her birthday, which shed planned to celebrate with her friends.
«Emily,» Oliver began hesitantly, «my ex has a business trip. Shes asked if I can take Sophie for a while»
«How long?» Emily grimacedthe last thing she wanted on her birthday.
«A month.»
«A *month*?» She scowled. «I hope she realises well have to feed her?»
«No money sent,» Oliver admitted helplessly.
«You *pay* child support. So shell be here a month while her mum pockets the maintenance?» Emily snapped.
«You know my wageswhats she meant to live on?» Oliver gave a weak smile.
«Hows this supposed to work?» Emilys irritation grew. «School runs, looking after her. Why take this on?»
«Im Sophies *father*,» Oliver said, baffled. «Should I just reject her?»
«First, you dont live alone. Second, its *my* flatyou shouldve asked. Third, its my *birthday*, and I wont have it ruined!»
«I dont think my daughters a problem,» Oliver muttered, guilt creeping in.
«Oh, itll all go wrong,» Emily said, folding her arms.
Oliver insisted she shouldnt assume the worst.
The next day, a plump girl with garish makeuplooking at least sixteenstood at their door.
She glared at Emily, then turned to her father without a greeting.
«Where do I sleep?»
«The kitchen,» Oliver forced a smile.
The girl rolled her eyes and fled to the bathroom in tears.
«What was *that*?» Emily hissed. «Rude and spoiled. Good thing Im celebrating at the café. And youre *not* coming.»
«Why?» Oliver frowned. «I thought youd finally introduce me to your friends. Weve lived together six months»
«Youre babysitting,» Emily said, relieved she wouldnt have to show him offher friends boyfriends were all gym-toned and polished.
«Right,» Oliver said stiffly.
The next morning, Emily bustled about preparing for her party. She ironed her dress and hung it up, waiting for evening.
Oliver hadnt spoken to herhadnt even wished her happy birthday.
She pushed it aside, refusing to let it spoil her mood.
After work, she dashed home to changeonly to find the dress gone.
«Wheres my dress?» Emily stormed into the kitchen, where Sophie lounged on the camp bed.
Ignoring her, the girl scrolled through her phone.
«*Listen* to me!» Emily snatched the phone away.
«Give it *back*!» Sophie screeched as Oliver rushed in.
«Whats going on? Give it to her!»
«Wheres my dress?» Emily ground out.
«I didnt take anything!» Sophie sneered. «She just hates me!»
«*Give it back*,» Oliver demanded.
«Of course, shell admit it!» Emily hurled the phone to the floor.
The screen shattered. Sophie burst into tears. Emily marched out, triumphant.
She grabbed another outfit and left for the café, where she forgot everythingand decided to leave Oliver.
She returned at dawn. Oliver stirred as she entered.
«Do you know what time it is?»
«Playing strict husband? Too late. Ive made my choice,» Emily said flatly. «Youre out by morning.»
«So *Im* the villain?» Oliver laughed bitterly.
«You smashed Sophies phone»
«She *stole* my dress!» Emily shrieked.
«My daughter took *nothing*!» Oliver snapped. «Im *sure* of it!»
Emily scoffed and waved him off.
To calm herself, she reached for a half-finished wine bottle in the cupboard.
She took a swigthen gagged and spat.
«*Shampoo?* Youll say I poured this too?» She laughed, then froze as she opened the bin. «*Theres* the dress! Youll swear I tossed it in myself?»
«You wanted an excuse to leave! I *know* youve been planning it!» Oliver shouted. «If not for me, youd have done it sooner!»
Emily arched a brow. She remembered perfectly.
«I *bugged* the flat. I heard you and your sister talking about meI *know* everything!» Oliver said smugly.
«Surprise! I always wondered how you guessed our breakups!» Emily was stunned. «Now *get out*.»
This time, Oliver didnt try to change her mind. He knew it was over.
