We hadnt meant it, it simply unfolded.
Evelyn set a plate of omelette on the table and settled opposite James. The morning light sliced through the sheer curtains, bathing everything in a soft honey glow. She lifted her chin with a hand and smiled.
James tore his gaze away from his phone.
Is she brilliant? What caught you about her? he asked.
Everyone says so! Evelyns eyes brightened. We chatted yesterday and discovered were practically twins. She loves rockclimbing, goes to the same gym I used to frequent, reads the same ragged novels. Its as if theyd cloned my office buddy.
James chuckled and reached for his coffee.
Thats great. Youve been needing a work mate for ages.
Exactly! Evelyn grabbed her fork but didnt eat. She wanted to keep talking. She also adores hiking. Weve already pencilled a trip for next month. She tells everything so earnestly, without any of the usual posturing.
James nodded, tearing off a piece of bread.
Sounds perfect. Can you introduce us?
Of course! Lets host a dinner this weekend. Ill whip up something tasty, well sit and chatter.
Fine by me, James said lightly. Why not?
Evelyn gave a pleased nod and turned back to the omelette. Inside her, everything sang. She had a beloved job, a wonderful boyfriend of three years, and now a friend who fit like a missing puzzle piece. Life seemed almost flawless.
Two weeks later Evelyn arranged the dinner at her flat. She scrubbed the rooms until they shone, prepared Jamess favouriteroast chicken with rosemary. Charlotte arrived carrying a bouquet of tulips and a cake.
Evelyn, your place feels so cosy! Charlotte exclaimed, looking around. I could stay here forever.
Evelyn laughed and took the flowers.
Thanks. James, this is Charlotte. Charlotte, this is James.
James extended his hand, smiling. Delighted. Evelyn has spoken of you so much I feel Ive known you a hundred years.
The feeling is mutual, Charlotte replied, shaking his hand. She tells me youre the most patient man alive.
James winked at Evelyn. Its a necessity. You cant survive a lively lass without patience.
The evening unfolded beautifully. James and Charlotte quickly discovered a shared love of vintage cinema and seventies rock. They rattled off favourite films, argued over which was superior, and laughed until the room seemed to pulse with their energy.
Evelyn perched between them, her smile never fading. Her two beloved people were becoming friends. What could be better?
After that night the trio began meeting regularly: movies, galleries, countryside walks. James even suggested inviting Charlotte more often, insisting that boredom never visited when she was around.
Evelyn delighted in it.
Gradually, however, she noticed odd shifts. James started staying later at work, whereas before he always left on time. He messaged her less during the day, his calls grew sparse. When Evelyn broached plansbuying a home, weddingJames gave short, evasive replies, as if the topics weighed him down.
Charlotte changed too. Occasionally Evelyn caught Charlottes glance lingering on her, quick and assessing, as if something unspoken hovered there, then Charlotte would smile and steer the conversation elsewhere.
One evening Evelyn lingered in the living room while James cooked in the kitchen. His phone lay on the table beside her. The screen flasheda message arrived.
She glanced automatically. Charlotte. Almost midnight. The text was brief: Thanks for today.
Evelyns heart tightened. She set the phone down and stared at the wall. What did it mean? When had they met today? James had said hed been delayed at work.
She brushed the thought aside, convincing herself they were merely acquaintances crossing paths, or discussing a work issuethough James worked for a different firm. She chastised her own jealousy, insisting they were just good friends and she was making a mountain out of a molehill.
Yet a sour taste lingered.
In March the three of them drove to a cabin on the shores of Windermere in the Lake District. They had been planning the getaway for months. Evelyn dreamed of forest walks, evenings by a fire, the crisp lake air. Charlotte was eager from the start, and James was all in. They rented a small house on the water, lugged in tents and climbing gear.
From the first day the atmosphere felt off.
Evelyn watched James and Charlotte exchange glances, fall silent the moment she entered the room. The next day they wandered alone along the lake while Evelyn rested after a climbing session. James explained he was simply showing Charlotte the way to an old chapel the local ranger had mentioned.
Evelyn nodded, but something inside her clenched.
On the final evening they all sat around the fire. Their faces were bewildered, guilty. James avoided Evelyns eyes; Charlotte did the same. Evelyn tried to prod conversation, but they replied in monosyllables.
That night Evelyn lay awake, convinced something had broken beyond repair.
A week after returning, James sent a message: Evelyn, we need to talk. Meet me at the café?
Evelyn was at work, eyes glued to her screen, a knot of dread tightening in her gut.
At five she arrived at the café. James was already at a window table, Charlotte beside him.
Evelyn paused at the door. For a heartbeat she wanted to turn and flee, but her legs carried her to their table. She slipped into the seat, coat still on.
Whats happening? she asked, eyes darting between them, both wearing apologetic expressions.
James sat in silence for a long moment, tearing a napkin into tiny shreds. Finally he lifted his gaze.
Evelyn, I dont know how to say this. We didnt plan it. It just happened.
Evelyn clenched her fists under the table.
In the Lake District we finally realised we fell in love with each other, James whispered. We tried to fight it. We really did. But we cant hide it any longer.
Charlotte began to cry, mascara running down her cheeks.
Evelyn, Im sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. Youre my best friend, but this this is stronger than us.
Charlotte reached out.
Evelyn pulled her hand back. Anger, betrayal, pain swirled into a knot lodged in her throat.
Stronger than us? she demanded, looking at both. You were behind my back while I was planning a wedding, dreaming of children, of a life together? How could you do that? What did I do to deserve this?
Evelyn, we didnt want
Didnt want? she shouted. A few other patrons glanced over, but she didnt care. You met in secret! You wrote to each other at night! And now you act like it wasnt a betrayal? James, this is the worst thing you could’ve done to me.
James stared at the table. I know. I know I was cruel. I cant keep lying to you. I cant pretend everythings fine.
And you? Evelyn turned to Charlotte. You said I was your best friend. How could you?
Charlotte sobbed, covering her face with her hands. Im sorry. I didnt see it coming. We just talked, spent time together, and then it became more than friendship.
Evelyn rose, the chair screeching as it slid back. She snatched her bag and gave them one last look.
I dont want to see you again. Never.
She walked out into the cold night, tears streaming, not wiping them away. She moved forward without looking at the street, until she reached the underground station.
The next day Evelyn filed a transfer request to the London branch of her company. Her manager was surprised but didnt pry. Her reputation was solid, and the transfer was approved swiftly.
Charlotte tried to callEvelyn blocked the number. James sent a few messagesshe deleted them unread. James collected his things while she was out, leaving the flat empty. Evelyn stood in the vacant living room, staring at the space where his shoes had once been.
Two weeks later she was settled in Manchester. She unpacked, her parents disapproved, but she was determined to start anew, far from the shadows of James and Charlotte.
The first months were hard. Evelyn returned to climbing, now alone, and the sport steadied her.
One day a mutual acquaintance from London wrote: James and Charlotte had moved in together, living as a couple for two months.
Evelyn read the note and turned her phone off.
The ache lingered, but it softened. She no longer wept at night, no longer replayed the final café scene. She simply kept moving, day by day.
Evelyn didnt just lose a boyfriend and a friend; she lost faith in peoples honesty, in the notion that friendship could be pure, that love couldnt be betrayed so easily.
Still, she decided to rebuild her life, this time more cautiously letting new people in.
The pain would stay for a long time, but Evelyn knew she would survivebecause she had no other choice.
