Between Truth and Dream

Between Truth and Dreams

Veronica snuggled deeper into her favourite tartan blanket, savouring the rare peace of her little terraced house. Outside, a steady flurry of snowflakes settled gently onto the windowsill, spinning as though auditioning for the Royal Ballets winter performance. Shed just returned from her wedding dress fittinga moment she’d anticipated with equal parts excitement and sheer terror. Her arms still cradled a bag stuffed with bridal accessories: dainty earrings, a thin tiara, and other trinkets destined to complete her “big day” look. Veronicas mind buzzed as she pictured herself in the dress, imagined the light dancing across her jewellery, the admiring glances of assembled family and friendsoh, the theatrics!

The evening hush was rudely interrupted by a sharp ring at the door. Veronica jumped and clutched her blanket tighter. She glanced at the clock6:50. Who on earth could it be at this hour? A parade of possibilities scampered through her mind: delivery bloke with a forgotten parcel? Mrs Jenkins from number 6, probably locked herself out again? Or maybe the milkman with the wrong house

She tiptoed to the door and squinted through the spyhole. A tall man stood there. But his face was completely obscured, giving her pause. No chance of me whipping that door open, she thought drily.

Whos there? she called out with a reasonable attempt at composure.

Its me, Will, came the slightly muffled, unmistakable voice. Gotta talk. Its urgent.

Veronica hesitated. She hadnt exactly been itching for a chat with Will, but what if something had happened to Emma? Best not ignore him. She flicked the lock and opened the door a crack. Will stood on the step, hair and shoulders dusted with snow, melting unceremoniously on his Midlands-blue wool coat. His face was a shade whiter than the snow, eyes burning with a sort of wild trepidation shed never seen before. Veronica half-wondered if shed just let in someone from the news, rather than her mate.

In you come, she sighed reluctantly, stepping back. There was no dignified way out of it now. Youre soaked.

Will stomped straight in, never mind wiping his feet, leaving a winding trail of slush on her pristine parquet floor. But judging by his distant starefixed somewhere far beyond the bookshelfhe couldnt care less about the state of her flooring. Veronica hovered, anxiety mounting. Whatever this was, it wasnt going to be easy.

Veronica, he finally blurted, fiddling nervously with his gloves. I cant do this anymore. I love you.

She froze. The blanket nearly tumbled to the floor.

Will, you she started, but her voice gave way and hung in the air, unfinished.

He didnt let her get far. Taking a shaky step closer, as though frightened hed run out of time, he pressed on.

I know youre engaged. I know its mad! But I cant keep it to myself any longer! These past months, Ive tried to forget you, tried to move on. Utter failure. I shouldve told you. Emma and Iwell, I started seeing her just to be closer to you! Never loved her. Not once.

Veronica felt something cold settle inside her. Had he really toyed with Emmas feelings just to orbit closer to her? Poor Emma. Shed actually fallen for him.

Dropping the blanket onto the arm of the chair, as if that could somehow restore normality, Veronica struggled for air in the suddenly stuffy living room.

Will she tried again, searching for words. Do you hear yourself? I have a fiancé. I love him. Were planning our wedding. Were happy. And Emma

He nodded, gaze unwavering, burdened yet resolute.

I know, but I cant keep shtum! In two weeks, youll be out of reach. If I dont say it now, Ill regret it forever. And Emma means nothing to me! Shes justwell, no one, really!

Veronicas insides twisted in on themselves. Her words sounded distant, detached:

How can you even say such a thing?

Its true! Will insisted, voice trembling somewhere between desperation and self-congratulation. She was just my excuse to see you. I hoped youd realise what a fantastic, generous man I am. That were meant to be! And now well, life feels meaningless without you.

Will, trembling slightly, knelt clumsily and drew out a little ring box. It gleamed under the lamplight, delicate silver with a modest clear stone.

Leave him! Ditch your fiancé. Be with me. Ill make you happyI swear.

Veronica stared at him, mind overflowing with disjointed memories. Will laughing with Emma at a party, thoughtfully handing her a drink, holding her hand with such fondness it had once warmed Veronica to know her friend had found happiness at last. Was all that a sham?

Get up, she whispered, barely audible. Please, Will. Stand up.

Will rose slowly, hope flickering like a faulty Christmas fairy light.

You dont believe me? His voice faltered.

I believe you, she replied, calm but steady. But it doesnt change anything.

She retreated a step, desperate to put spacephysical and emotionalbetween them. Shed have to speak plainly; subtlety was wasted here.

Youre my friend, Will. Thats it. Im marrying someone else. Hes the one for me. Youre just not my cup of tea.

He edged closer, determination spiking in his posture.

But why? he said, voice thick with wounded pride. I know you feel something. The way you look at me!

Veronica moved, inching strategically toward the door. In truth, his wild-eyed intensity was edging into Hitchcockian territory. She started considering her avenues of escape which, thank God, included a sturdy armchair and a conveniently unlocked hallway.

Theres nothing between us, Will. What you feel isnt loveits obsession. You cooked up a fantasy where Im perfect, and Emmas just collateral damage. Please, lets end this.

He clenched his fistsnot in anger, but impotencetrying to conjure words convincing enough to undo reality.

Youre wrong, he insisted. Ive never felt this for anyone! It’s not a story; its love!

Veronica bit her lip, fighting down a surge of brittle laughter. Would he hear himself if she actually shouted? No. And Emma deserved better.

And what about Emma? she said sternly. Do you even care what you’ve done to her? You led her on, used her, and now you expect me to drop everything for you?

I know Im to blame, Will replied quietly, eyes dropping. But even if I could do it over, Id do exactly the same.

You cant build happiness on someone elses misery, Veronica shook her head, glancing at her mobile, itching to reach for it. And you dont love meyou love an idea.”

She paused, allowing the words to settle in the thickening air.

You need to speak to Emma. Tell her the truth. Apologise.

Will froze, fingers trembling and grasped into fists.

Why should I? I told you, I don’t love her. She winds me up. Youre different.

Will met her eyes, his pain so chasmic for a moment, Veronica almost, almost pitied him. But sympathy was a luxury she couldnt affordnot when he might take it for encouragement.

Theres no future with meor Emma. And if you think Ill keep this quiet, think again.

He stared at her with an intensity that made her shudder before finally replying:

Ill leave. But I wont give up. Ill wait for you to realise we belong together.

Please dont, Veronica said, nervously catching a whiff of threat in his words. Dont wait. Go live your life. Fall for someone real, not a figment of your imagination. Now, out you go.

Will made his way to the door, fighting some internal battle with each reluctant step. On the threshold, he turned.

Thanks for your honesty, he said, simply, no fuss, no drama. But Im still not saying goodbye.

And he left, shutting the door so gently it was almost polite. Veronica stood motionless, eyes glued to the door, the tense energy finally starting to dissipate. She wandered to the window. Outside, the snow-blanketed street glowed under amber streetlamps. Will trudged down the road, hunched, hands stuffed deep in his pockets, his steps arduous and heavy.

Watching him disappear around the corner, Veronicas nerves crackled. She knew this needed dealing withGod knows what hed say to Emma. And what if he lied, just to salvage his dignity? Or worse, persisted?

Snatching her phone, she flicked through her contacts, found Emma, and pressed the call button. Her heart picked up pace, but her voice, when it came, sounded almost as steady as shed hoped.

Emma, hi. We need to talk. Its important.

At the other end there was a bit of rustling, perhaps her friend shifting a stack of books. Emma replied, voice full of concern:

Whats wrong? You sound tense. Are you alright?

Veronica drew a deep breath, choosing her words carefullyenough to be honest, not enough to devastate.

Will was just here. He he admitted he only got together with you to get closer to me. He says he never loved you, that it was all a means to an end.

Utter silence. Veronica imagined her friend gripping the phone, mind spinning. The pause stretched so long, Veronica nearly said something else, before Emmas voice returned, shaking:

What does that mean? He really? How could he

Look, Em, I hate to upset you, but I cant let you walk around oblivious eitheryoure my best mate. Veronicas resolve was pure adrenaline. He said he only loves me, wants me to leave my fiancé for him. Honestly, hes not in his right mind. I was frightened hed go off the rails.

Another pause, then a long, powering-down sigh.

I see, Emma said, keeping pain locked firmly out of her voice, but it seeped through anyway. What now?

Im not sure, Veronica admitted. Hell probably show up, but I cant say what story hell give you. Are you on your own? Im seriously worried.

Emma was quiet, then replied softly:

Dont worry, Ill be fine. Thanks for telling me.

Sorry you had to find out like this, Veronica offered, meaning it.

Its better to know the truth than live a lie, Emma replied, her composure wavering but there all the same.

They said their goodbyes, and once the phone was down, quiet returned. Veronica leant her head against the cold windowpane, watching the lamplit snow swirl. Somewhere out there, two people were unpicking the mess of their feelings, and all she could do now was hope that, in time, everyone would find their own peace.

Her mind whirred, imagining how Emma must feelhow hard it would be to accept this new reality, to question everything that had seemed so solid. But Veronica reminded herself: better a brutal truth than a comforting fairy tale that would, in time, become a disaster anyway.

***

Meanwhile, in her own kitchen, Emma sat numbly at the table. Veronicas words echoed in her mind, tangled up with flitting memoriesWills shy invites, his thoughtful gestures, shy smiles shed taken for real affection. Touches, whispered love yous that, it appeared, had never meant anything at all. It was as if the little world shed carefully built was tumbling down one brick at a time.

She absently touched the side of her mug. The tea had gone cold, untouched. The silence closed inbroken only by the relentless ticking of the wall clock, punctuating the seconds, a reminder that life moves on whether were ready or not.

She drew in a shaky breath, trying to figure out what happened next. Should she call Will? Wait? Ask Veronica to come over? She needed timetime to gather herself, to process the truth.

The doorbell rattled her nerves all over again. Emma was just pouring herself a fresh cuppa, desperate for composure, when she peered through the spyhole. Will.

For a moment she hovered, uncertain. Would he lie? Come clean? When she opened the door, she got a full look at himsnow-mottled coat, damp hair, pale, red-rimmed eyes as if hed held a silent vigil in an igloo.

Emma, he began at once, not bothering to wait for an invitation. I need to tell you everything. I I never

Veronica already told me, Emma cut across him, striving for evenness. Facing bitter truth from the source stung more than from a friend. I don’t imagine you have anything new to add.

Will stalled, his shoulders sagging. He raised a tentative hand as if to comfort her, then, thinking better of it, dropped it to his side, staring fixedly at the carpet.

So, she did call. Id hoped to explain myself first.

Emma folded her arms, anger prickling through the shock. She didnt want to cry, didnt want to show weakness.

Why are you here? she asked, her voice tight. For a repeat performance? To make me feel like nothing? To confirm I was just your stepping stone to someone better?

No. He moved towards her, stopping as she stepped carefully back. I came to say sorry. For lying. For using you. For not being honest.

He stopped, seemed to wade through his vocabulary, looking for words that wouldnt leave permanent scars.

I know it doesnt make it better. I know I cant expect forgiveness. But I couldnt just vanish without apologising. I am sorry.

Emma said nothing. She looked hard at the man shed once trusted. Rage, resentmentno, mostly contempt for someone so clumsy with anothers heart.

You could have told me. Didnt have to wait until the end. You could’ve just said you didnt feel anything. But instead, you ran straight to Veronica, desperate to get her to dump her fiancé. She shook her head. And now youre sorry?

Will gave a tragic little shrug, shoving his hands in his pockets, trying to recapture dignity.

I just realised it was now or never. Veronica was just about to slip through my fingers. I wasnt thinking about you.

He produced a small jewellery box from his pocketthe same one from before. Hands trembling, he opened it and held it out.

Here. Take it. To show Im sorry.

Emma looked at the ringplain, understated, a narrow band of gold with a modest stone. Was this supposed to be a grand gesture? As if a leftover token would somehow right the wrong?

Keep it, she said, crisp and cold. Theres nothing you can give me that would mean anything.

Wills knuckles whitened as he clenched the box, but the fight went out of him. He stowed it away.

Emma, please His voice quivered, but he kept himself together. I know I ruined everything. But I want to put things right.

She studied him, searching for the man she had thought she loved, seeing only a stranger who had built a relationship on lies.

Put things right? She gave a brittle laugh. How? Marry me out of guilt? Fling yourself in front of a bus so I carry the blame? Save your drama.

Will recoiled, but said nothing. Hed lost his right to self-pity.

I want to start again, he whispered. No games, no lies.

Emma shook her head, her tone final.

You can only start over with someone you trust. I dont believe a word from you now. You didnt just lie to meyou crushed everything I thought we were. Even if you mean it now, its too late.

She paused, drawing strength.

I need time. Lots. I need distance. I dont want to see you or hear about you. Theres nothing left to fix.

Will nodded, defeat etched in every line, and pocketed the ring.

I do get it. I am sorry.

He turned to go, but paused at the door.

If ever you want to talk

I wont, she interrupted, voice steady. Just go.

Before he could reply, the doorbell rang again. Oh, for heavens sake. She lookedit was Alexander, Veronicas fiancé, tall, trim, and sporting a look of calm, efficient grimness. He glanced straight past small talk.

May I come in?

Emma nodded dumbly and stepped aside. The air in the room thickened as Alexander clocked Will, edging backwards towards the wall.

I know whats happened, Alexander said, eyes locked on Will. I know what you did to both these women.

Wills mouth opened, ready to deny, to explain, but Alexander cut him off with a raised hand.

Save it. Veronica told me everything. Do you know what I thought? That sometimes, people only learn a lesson the hard way.

He moved closer, Will pressed further against the wall, all bravado gone.

Ash, dont Emma started, but Alexander waved her off.

This is between us, Emma. Learn your lesson and move on. Hell get what’s coming.

Emma wavered, wanting to intervene but unable to move. This was overdue.

Will started to plead, but Alexander delivered one efficient punch that sent Will slumping to the floor, clutching his bleeding mouth.

Thats a warning, Alexander said calmly, face unreadable. Come near either of them again, itll be worse. You understand?

Will didnt answer, simply wiped the blood from his chin, looked at Emma (who stared back, cool and unmoved), and slunk to the door. For a moment, he looked like he might say something, but he caught Alexanders glare and thought better of it, vanishing into the night.

Alexander turned to Emma; his expression softened.

Im sorry, Emma. I dont like violence, but he deserved that.

Emma just stared, her head swirling. She hadnt expected any of this, but couldnt deny that part of her felt protected.

You didn’t have to… but maybe you did. Thank you, actually.

Alexander tried for a smile.

I know how it feelsbetrayal like that. Youre stronger than you think.

She nodded, feeling a glimmer of truth in his words. She would get through this. She knew it.

Thank you. Andfor looking out for me. Even like this.

Veronica was worried sick about you, he added. She wouldve come herself, butwell, sometimes you need to let blokes sort out other blokes.

Shes my best friend, Emma replied, warmth returning.

A hush settled. The snow outside fell heavy and slow, covering the streets, softening the edges of this particular disaster. Emma breathed in deeply, feeling the faintest stirrings of peace. It would take a while, but she wasnt aloneand that was enough.

When Alexander left, Emma closed the door and slumped onto the sofa.

Its over, then, she thought. The idea, clear-cut and certain, felt more liberating than painful. There was hurt, naturally. But she realised: this wasnt the end, just the beginning of something else. A chance to rebuild, to trust again, to yearn for better things.

***

Meanwhile, Will trudged through the snow, ignoring the biting air and the throbbing in his lip. The numbness in his chest dwarfed any physical ache. He knew hed lost both womenEmma, irrevocably, and Veronica long before, when hed first started spinning daydreams out of other peoples affections.

The next day, Will appeared at work with a split lip and a black eye. His colleagues whispered, but he ignored them. He just needed to survive the day.

Within a week, hed requested a transfer to another cityManchester, perhaps, or Leedsany place not shadowed by memories. The manager raised his eyebrows, but Wills silent misery made him sign off on it without fuss.

Before leaving, he went back to the jewellers and returned the ring. The saleswoman, professional as ever, asked no questions. He accepted the cash and funnelled it straight into Emmas account, with a brief note: Sorry. Its yours by right.

On the day of his departure, Will lingered outside the block of flats, snow dusting his shoulders, the city blurring behind gauzy curtains of white. He looked up, took a deep breath.

I made a mess of it all, he admitted, not as a complainant, but finally, at last, as a contrite man. Past was past, and consequences had to be faced.

The taxi pulled up. Will took a final, measured glance at the house where hed once hoped for happiness. Now, it was just bricks and mortar. He climbed in. Railway station, please, he said quietly.

As the cab pulled away, the snow swirled faster, shrinking the city from view, carrying Will forward into an unknown futurea future that, with any luck, hed live more honestly.

At the same time, Emma sat in a cosy café with Veronica and Alexander. Three mugs of hot chocolate steamed invitingly on the table.

The mood was calm, the conversation gentlesketching out plans for future, talking about new beginnings. Veronica recounted wedding plans, blushing and laughing, while Alexander contributed cheerful asides. Emma listened, and for the first time in days, the world felt full of hope, not loss.

You know, Emma said, staring out at the snow in gentle free-fall, I dont feel angry at him anymore. Just sad that it turned out this way.

Her words were steadynot defensive or forced; just an honest truth.

Veronica smiled warmly and squeezed Emmas shoulder.

You have nothing to be sorry for, she said, conviction bracing every syllable. You deserve the real thingnot fairy tales and fibs.

Emma nodded, hearing the truth in her friends voice.

I will find it, she replied, looking from the window to her friends. I know I will.

She meant it, quietly and completely. The past was done. There was a whole new chapter aheada future that belonged to her alone.

The snow kept falling, blanketing the city in a fresh start. In the café, laughter and warm chocolate filled the chilly evening, while three friends, in their own kind, human way, proved that life inevitably moves onand, given time, so do we.