As she opened the bin by the kitchen table, Emily suddenly froze. «And whats this dress doing here? Youre telling me I threw it in myself?»
Nearly every day, Emily asked herself the same unanswerable question: what on earth did she ever see in James?
He was average-lookingshe was too embarrassed to introduce him to her friends, so as far as they knew, she was still single. The only person who knew she lived with him was her sister, who kept the secret.
James hadnt achieved much in lifehe worked as a mechanic at a steel mill.
Sometimes, sitting in front of the telly, Emily caught herself thinking it was time to end things with him.
But just as she made up her mind, James would bring her flowers or a small gift, and shed postpone the breakup.
Before meeting Emily, James had already been married. The marriage lasted just two months, but it ended with a pregnancy. He had a twelve-year-old daughter, Charlotte, whom Emily had never metnor had she any desire to.
The chance came when Emilys birthday plans with her mates were nearly set.
«Emily,» James began hesitantly, «my ex has a business trip and wants me to take Charlotte for a while…»
«*How long*?» Emily grimacedthe last thing she wanted was a child underfoot during her birthday celebrations.
«About a month.»
«A *month*?» She frowned. «Youre telling me well have to cover all her expenses?»
«She didnt send any money,» James admitted helplessly.
«So you pay child support, but now she dumps the kid here while still taking your wages?» Emily snapped.
«Where else would the money go? You know what I earn,» James replied weakly.
«How is this supposed to work?» Emily grew more agitated, realising she didnt want a strangers child in their flat. «Youll have to take her to school, look after her. Why are you even agreeing to this?»
«I *am* her father,» James said, bewildered. «Do you think I should just turn her away?»
«You shouldve remembered you dont live alonethats one. Two, this is *my* flatyou shouldve asked first. Three, its *my* birthday, and I dont want it ruined!»
«I dont think my daughter is a problem,» James muttered, guilt creeping in.
«Everythings going to go wrong,» Emily retorted, folding her arms.
James assured her she was being pessimistic.
The next day, a plump girl with heavy makeuplooking at least sixteenstood at their door. She glared at Emily before turning to her father.
«Where am I sleeping?»
«Youll have to stay in the kitchen,» James forced a smile.
The girl rolled her eyes and stomped off to the bathroom, bursting into tears.
«What was *that*?» Emily hissed. «Rude and spoiled. Good, Im celebrating at the caféand youre *not* coming.»
«Why not?» James frowned. «I thought youd finally introduce me to your friends. Weve lived together six months…»
«Youre staying with the kid,» Emily said, relieved she wouldnt have to show him off. Her friends boyfriends were athletic and well-groomed.
«Right,» James replied stiffly.
The next morning, Emily bustled about preparing for her party. She ironed her dress and hung it up, waiting for the evening.
James still hadnt spoken to hernot even a birthday wish. She ignored it, refusing to let it spoil her mood.
After work, she rushed home to changeonly to find the dress missing.
«Wheres my dress?» she shrieked, storming into the kitchen where Charlotte lounged on the camp bed.
The girl ignored her, scrolling on her phone.
«Are you *deaf*?» Emily snatched the phone from her.
«Give it back!» Charlotte squealed as James hurried in.
«Whats going on? Give her the phone!»
«Where. Is. My. Dress?» Emily ground out.
«I didnt take anything,» Charlotte sneered. «She just hates me!»
«Give it to hernow!» James ordered.
«Of *course* shed admit it!» Emily snapped, flinging the phone to the floor. The screen cracked, and Charlotte burst into tears. Emily marched off, smug.
She grabbed the next best outfit and left for the café, where she drowned her frustration and decided to end things with James.
She returned at dawn. James, hearing her, got out of bed.
«Do you know what time it is?»
«Playing the strict husband now? Too late. Were done,» Emily said flatly. «Youre both out by morning.»
«So its *my* fault?»
«You smashed Charlottes phone»
«*She* stole my dress!» Emily screeched.
«My daughter didnt take anything!» James shot back. «Im *sure* of it!»
Emily scoffed and waved him off.
To calm down, she grabbed an unfinished wine bottle from the cupboard. She took a swigthen spat it out.
«*Shampoo?* Youll say I poured this in too?» she laughed bitterly. Then, opening the bin, she froze. «And *heres* the dress! Youll say I threw it in myself?»
«You wanted an excuse to leave!» James shouted. «I know youve been planning this!»
Emily raised a brow. She remembered perfectly.
«I bugged the flat. I *heard* you and your sister talking about me!» James said triumphantly.
«Surprise! I *wondered* how you knew!» Emily was stunned. «Now *get out*!»
This time, James didnt try to stop her. He knew it was over.
