And what exactly are we doing here? Why are we barging into someone else’s house?

Long ago, in a quiet village near Bath, there lived a woman named Eleanor Whitmore. She stood in the doorway of what had once been her home, staring at the man who had just shattered her world.

*”And what are we doing here? Why are we breaking into someone else’s house?”* she had asked, bewildered.

*”Its over, Eleanor. I want a real familychildren. You cant give me that. Ive waited long enough. Ive filed for divorce. You have three days to gather your things. Call me when you leave. Ill be staying at my mothers. HurryI need to prepare the flat for my child and his mother.”*

Eleanor said nothing. What could she say?

Children had never come for her. Michael had waited five years. Three failed attempts in that time. The countless doctors she had seen all insisted she was healthy. Why, then, had it never happened? She had lived carefully, done everything right.

That last time, she had fallen ill at work. They called an ambulance, but it had all happened too quickly

The door slammed behind Michael, and Eleanor sank onto the sofa, drained. She had no desireno strengthto pack. And where would she go?

Before marriage, she had lived with her aunt. But her aunt was gone now, and the flat had been sold by her cousin. Return to her grandmothers cottage in the countryside? Hunt for a rented flat? What about her job?

So many questions, and she had to answer them soon

The next morning, the door creaked open. Her mother-in-law strode in.

*”Not asleep? Good. Ive come to make sure you dont take anything that isnt yours.”*

*”Your sons old underwear is the last thing Id want. Shall we inventory mine as well?”*

*”How rude youve become! You used to be so meek, so polite. See how things have turned out? I told Michael after the first timeyoud never bear a child.”*

*”Did you come just to say that? Then sit quietly and watch.”*

*”Why are you taking the china set?!”*

*”Its mine. My aunt left it to mea memory of her.”*

*”And now the place will feel empty without it!”*

*”That doesnt trouble me. But youll have a grandson.”*

*”Take only whats yours!”*

*”The laptop is mine. The coffee maker, the microwavegifts from colleagues. The car was mine before the wedding. Your son has his own.”*

*”You have everything, except the ability to bear children!”*

*”Thats no longer your concern. Im fineperhaps the Lord willed it so.”*

*”You dont even seem sorry! Did you plan this?”*

*”Youre being absurd. The thought alone pains me.”*

Eleanor scanned the flat. Her things were gone. Toothbrush, cosmetics, slippers Had she forgotten something? Her mother-in-laws glare made it hard to think.

Then she rememberedthe old porcelain cat. Inside it held a secret: a pair of earrings and a ring. Not valuable, but preciousher grandmothers keepsake. Michael had always called it rubbish. Had he thrown it out? His habit was to stash unwanted things on the balcony. She pulled open the door

*”What could you possibly have left out here? Take your things and go!”* her mother-in-law snapped. *”Saying goodbye to the flat? Well, say it. Youll never have anything like this again.”*

At last, she found the cat. Everything inside was untouched. Now she could leave.

*”Here are the keys. Goodbye. I hope never to see you again.”*

She drove to the office. Still on sick leave, she requested holiday time instead.

*”We all feel for you, but how will we manage? Three weeks enough? Just stay reachable. Half our projects rely on your input.”*

*”Fine. The distraction will help. Thank you.”*

*”Need anything?”*

*”No.”*

*”Ill sort your holiday pay and bonus.”*

*”Thank you. Thats a relief.”*

She didnt bother hunting for a flat. She drove hometo the countryside. No one waited for her there. Her grandmother had passed three years prior. Her mother had died in childbirtha fate Eleanor now feared she shared.

An hour later, she pulled up to the cottage. The apple tree. The tulips.

The last time she and Michael had been here, it was autumn. Theyd grilled sausages, laughed, rested.

She parked in the drive. The garage key was inside. She pushed open the door. Silence. Dirty cups and plates littered the table. Had she left it like this?

No. She had cleaned. Someone else had been here.

Two mugs. Plates. Juice cartons. Bottles of Michaels favourite sparkling wine. Not from autumn.

So he had been herebut with whom?

It didnt matter now.

Only she had a key. He must have made a copy. Time to change the locks.

A new life. Cleaning first, then a hot bath. She scrubbed away the past.

As she stepped out, a knock came at the door. Then at the window.

*”Whos there?”*

*”Are you all right?”*

*”Yes”* she answered, startled.

*”Sorry.”*

She stepped outside. A stranger stood there.

*”Apologies if I frightened you. Im your neighbour. Saw the chimney smoke after youd been gone so long. Wanted to be sure nothing was wrong.”*

*”Thank you. Im fine.”*

*”Youre kin to Michael? He was here recently with his wife Sister?”*

*”No. His soon-to-be ex-wife.”*

*”And the cottage?”*

*”Mine.”*

*”Ah. Im just staying nearbya friends place. Divorce pending. Free by tomorrow. If youre all right, Ill go. Need anything, just ask. Im Edward.”*

*”Eleanor. Waitcould you change a lock?”*

*”Aye. Just say when.”*

*”As soon as possible. Ill buy one tomorrow.”*

*”Let me handle it. Might get the wrong sort otherwise.”*

*”Fine.”*

Two weeks passed. One more week of holiday, then back to London. Shed grown used to the cottageno desire to hunt for a flat. Michael hadnt called. Only a message with the divorce date. Perhaps it was for the best. She had no wish to see him.

Saturday dawned early. Edward invited her for a walk by the lake.

A new romance wasnt in her plans, but a stroll was harmless. They returned for lunch to find Michaels car outside. He had just arrived. The door openedfirst Michael, then a very pregnant woman.

Eleanor and Edward reached the gate as Michael jiggled the cottage lock.

*”Whats this?”* Eleanor asked.

*”And what are you doing here? Trespassing?”*

Michael froze.

*”This is our home!”* the woman shrilled.

*”Is it? Did Michael tell you that? This is my cottage. Leave.”*

*”Michael, what is she saying? Who is this? Your ex? Throw her out!”*

Eleanor and Edward laughed. Silently, Michael bundled his wife into the car and drove off.

*”Merry life hell have,”* Edward remarked.

*”But shell give him a child. I couldnt. Three tries. You?”*

*”We divorced because my wife didnt want children.”*

Four years later, at a market in Bristol, Eleanor bumped into her former mother-in-law.

*”Eleanor! I hardly recognised you. Butyoure pregnant?”*

*”Yes,”* she said, resting a hand on her belly.

*”Michaels had it rough. The boy was born weaksomething wrong on his side. His wife left, dumped the child on us. And you? Doing this alone?”*

*”No. I have a family waiting.”*

*”Oh? Im sorry for everything.”*

*”You have my sympathy.”*

As she walked away, Edward held her arm. A little girl, the image of her mother, clutched his other hand.