We think life is already complicated, yet we keep adding to it.
Even back in secondary school, Emily Parker knows that James Clarke likes her; its as plain as day, and he never hides it. After lessons, in Year 10, he waits for her and walks alongside her like a loyal knight. He chats, she bursts into loud laughter, but she treats him only as a friend.
At first, their classmates tease both of them. If James isnt beside her, they ask, Why are you walking alone, wheres your guard? Emily waves them off, laughing, I have no idea. She realises James is headoverheels for her and lets him have his fun. They sit together in class, he helps her with tests, his grades are topnotch while she teeters around the passing mark.
She confides in her best mate Claire Bennett, who insists James is a genuine and honest lad, someone who could make a good husband. Honestly, Emily, I dont fancy Thomas because hes a bit shy and lives with his mother. Hell probably be an ordinary family man forever. I crave passion and excitement, Emily sighs in Year 11. Do you really think Thomas will turn into a proper husband? Claire asks. You cant be so blunt about your feelings. Everyone in the class, including James, knows youre smitten. Oh, and where did you learn how to act around boys? Youve never even dated anyone, quiet thing. Why hide it? Thomas knows, and we keep stealing glances. Claire replies, I read, I watch films My mum always says, let the boy chase you, not the other way round.
Emily and Claire have been inseparable since childhood; there are no secrets between them. Emily is lively, Claire more modest and quiet.
School romance
At the graduation ball, Thomas Hughes spots Emily in a stunning dress, slender and almost ethereal. He steps forward, takes her hand, and leads her to the centre of the hall. They sway together, a striking pair, and many guests stare admiringly. James stands off to the side, looking forlorn, while Claire watches him with sympathy.
Then Thomas leans in and says, Shall we date? Im seeing you in a whole new light tonight. Youre beautiful, and your smile is radiant. Lets, Emily agrees instantly, trying to hide her joy but failing; she feels on top of the world.
Thomas has known for ages that Emily likes him, but there are plenty of other girls and choosing isnt easy, though his heart is wideopen. That night the whole class parties until dawn, and later Thomas walks Emily home. She doesnt think of James at all; he leaves early because his mother is ill, among other reasons. Why dwell on James when Thomas is right there? As the saying goes, We hurt those who love us, never understanding the good.
From that moment Emily starts planning a future with Thomas, even though she still has to finish her studies. Does anyone really think about exams when love sweeps you away? She tells Thomas what their life will look like, and he nods, listening.
Thomas, Im planning to go to a nursing college. What about you? she asks. Im not planning to go anywhere. I barely scraped through my Alevels, he jokes. The teachers were relieved when I finally left school. Ill train as a driver for the Army and then enlist. Youll have to serve, but Ill wait for you, no doubt, Emily promises, holding onto him. Im sure of it. Ill finish my service, come back, and well marry, he declares, embracing her tightly, clearly craving closeness.
Dont rush, Emily urges. When youre back, well file the papers and Ill be yours. Thats how my mum raised me. Thomas agrees, not pressing further, though Emily doesnt know that after she leaves, he will spend a night with the freerspirited Sophie Green before returning home at sunrise.
Emily sees Thomas off to the Army and waits faithfully. James drops by now and then. Emily, Thomas isnt the man you need for a lifelong partnership. Trust me, he says, but she laughs it off, keeping him as just a friend.
James is an only child; his mother has been bedridden for years. He cares for her, sometimes calling their neighbour Margaret Hall to help wash her. Once Mum gets back on her feet, Ill have more time, he tells his friends, studying at a local college instead of travelling to a university in another city.
Waiting and disappointment
Time passes and Thomas returns from the Army. Upon hearing the news, Emily hurries to his house after class. She bursts in, freezes, and sees him in the arms of another girl, laughing carefree. The shock tears her apart; she darts home, ignoring the road.
Her mother tries to soothe her. Darling, Ive told you for ages Thomas isnt right for you. James kept warning you, but youre stubborn. You convinced yourself you only need Thomas.
A while later Emily learns that Sophie is pregnant and about to marry Thomas. Thats when she strides over to James and proposes they marry, just to spite Thomas. Perhaps James had guessed all along.
Two years go by. Emily lives with James, and things are calm; they hardly argue. His mother passes away, leaving them in Jamess family home. Emily feels James love her deeply and expects something more than simple respect, but she cant push herself beyond her shell. She retreats into her own world, occasionally emerging, yet she feels hurt by everyone.
One day, while leaving a shop, she bumps into Thomas. She nods, intending to pass, but he grabs her wrist. Hey, Emily. Im sorry for hurting you. Ive forgiven you ages ago, she snaps, Our paths have split. I have to go. She wants to run, but Thomas, now more mature and handsome, pleads, Wait. Listen. I realise I only love you. I know you waited for me after the Army and never dated anyone else. Sophie and I broke up. The baby isnt even mine; she deceived me. His confession feels sincere, and Emily hesitates. Is that true, Thomas? she asks, disbelief in her voice. Its the truth. I have no reason to lie.
Emily shuts the door on her past and complicates her life further.
Her world turns upside down. All she can think about is Thomas. She confesses everything to James. I met Thomas, hes divorced now. Im filing for divorce, I love him. Emily, what are you doing? his mother scolds, Youll regret this a million times. James loves you truly, Thomas isnt worth it. James echoes the sentiment, Emily, snap out of it. Hes already betrayed you once; why suffer again? You both dont understand, she retorts, I love him, and walks away to Thomas.
Months later Emily feels shes the happiest woman alive. Thomas sometimes comes home a little tipsy from work, and she looks past it, still wearing rosecoloured glasses. One morning, Thomas arrives with a lipstick mark on his shirt. Thomas, explain this, she demands, holding the smudge up. I dont know where that came from, he pretends, Maybe someones trying to drive a wedge between us, and he heads off to his shift.
But his drunken, lipstickstained evenings keep happening. Eventually, after another such night, Emily grabs the divorce papers and leaves him. He doesnt call or look for her. She moves back in with her mother.
My mum warned me, James warned me. I ignored them, love blind! she thinks at night. Why did I hurt James so badly? What a fate. Yet she knows its her own fault, that she shut the door on her marriage. She wants to scream in frustration.
Now she often thinks of James, yearning to apologise, but pride holds her back. She once considered it, but thanks to God she spots James on her doorstep. He looks straight ahead, not meeting her eyes, and says, Emily, maybe this is for the best. Now you finally see who truly loves you. She throws herself at him, Thank you, love. I understand now, thank you for coming. They marry again. Emily changes, grateful for her husband. Their son, Harry, is born, and both cherish him. James supports everything; she feels his love and care.
A disaster strikes unexpectedly
When Harry is five, Emily is returning from nursery when an acquaintance, Mrs. Brown, stops her. Emily, havent you noticed James is cheating? What? No, Ive never seen anything. He could never All men are the same Actually, Ive seen James with my neighbour Helens daughter a few times. He even walked out of her house. Keep an eye on him, the woman says, then walks away.
Emily freezes, Harry clutching her hand. No, that cant be Ill keep watching. She follows him and sees James with a little girl. Shocked, she grabs Harry and flees to her friend Claires flat in a nearby town, files for divorce on the spot, and cant understand how James could do such a thing.
A third marriage, this time forever
Time passes. James finally tracks them down, though even his own mother doesnt know where Emily lives. Hes gaunt, his beard unkempt, and stops at the temporary house. Emily, we need to talk. About what? I dont want to hear anything. Youve got it all wrong Im guilty too. The woman I was with was my friend Igors wife. He died in a crash, and she was diagnosed with cancer. She asked me to look after her daughter when she couldnt pick her up from nursery. When you left with Harry, I thought Id adopt the girl, Lucy, myself. I came to tell you everything now, but its too late. Emily is stunned, but after composing herself, she embraces her former husband. The three of them drive home together. They sign the papers for the third time, this time final.
Lucy is adopted, and the siblings grow up together, close as brother and sister. The children finish school, start families, and now Emily and James sit surrounded by grandchildren. Emily often thanks fate for the love, happiness, and husband she finally has, even if it took three weddingsall with the same man. Such is life.
