3

His expression shifted, like something had been hit squarely, but it smoothed back into that mild look almost at once.

"Ellie, don't spiral. I'll tell her clearly when I'm back."

I stood up, stepped around him, and went to the door.

"Pack your things."

He thought I'd agreed. He let out a breath and went to the bedroom for his suitcase.

I followed and leaned against the doorframe, watching him open the wardrobe and stuff clothes into the case.

He folded everything carefully. He even picked out the new white T-shirt.

"Sophie wants to stay at an airport hotel at Gatwick tonight, in case she can't make it in the morning."

He put the clothes in and pulled the zip.

"She said on her last business trip she stayed at the one right by the terminal — two steps to the check-in desk — and she recommended it. I've already booked a car."

He stood the case upright and turned to me.

"What do you want? I'll bring you something."

I leaned on the doorframe with my arms folded, not loud.

"Lucas, let's break up."

His hands stopped.

The flat went quiet for two seconds, only the fridge humming.

"What did you say?"

"I said let's break up."

I kept my voice flat.

"You go to Santorini with her. I'll move out."

He set down what he was holding and came over, frowning hard.

"Eleanor, can you not make a mountain out of this? When I'm back everything will be fine."

I looked up at him and suddenly laughed.

"Do you genuinely not understand, or are you pretending?"

He said nothing.

"To you, am I just so sensible? So tolerant? So easygoing?"

My voice started to shake.

"When you picked her in front of the whole company, did you think about me? When you agreed to dinner with her, did you think about me?"

"Now you're packing to go stay at an airport hotel with her — do you have any idea what it's like for me, alone at home?"

He opened his mouth and managed only one sentence.

"I don't have a choice."

I actually laughed out loud.

"You never have a choice. You had no choice but to keep us secret. You had no choice but to not say no to her. Now you have no choice but to go on a couple's trip with her."

"Lucas, is there anything you can actually do?"

His face changed and his voice dropped.

"Do you have to do this now? The car's almost here. My flight's first thing tomorrow."

"Then go."

I turned and walked out of the bedroom.

"Go catch your flight."

He followed me and caught my arm in the living room.

"We'll talk when I'm back, all right? You're angry right now. Nothing you say is rational."

I didn't struggle and didn't turn around.

"There's nothing to talk about. When you get back, I won't be here."

He let go and stood there in silence for a long time.

In the end he sighed, as if he were the exhausted one.

"Calm down."

He picked up his suitcase, went to the door, and put on his coat.

"I'll message you when I land."

The door opened and closed.

The corridor carpet swallowed most of the sound. All that was left was the faint, receding rattle of suitcase wheels.

I stood alone in the middle of the living room, looking at that bowl of pho, gone completely cold, and suddenly all the strength went out of me.

The next morning, when the alarm woke me, Lucas's message was already sitting on my phone.

Sent at 5:40 a.m.: "Boarding."

I didn't reply.

In the mirror while I brushed my teeth, the skin under my eyes was dark and bruised. I hadn't slept at all.

When I got to the office, Lucas's desk was empty.

Sophie's desk was empty too.

A little after ten, my phone lit up.

"Landed. Weather's lovely here."

Still nothing from me.

Maggie came over with a coffee and lowered her voice to gossip.

"Have you seen Sophie's Instagram? Sushi last night, flying to Greece today — do you think they're together?"