She first noticed it in Year10, when Jack kept stealing glances at her from across the classroom. Even the back of her head seemed to feel his eyes drilling into her whenever he turned his head, and she could always catch his stare before it slipped away.
Emma, love, laughed her best mate Lucy, that Jack cant take his eyes off you. I keep an eye on him for you.
I know, Emma replied with a grin, it feels like hes boring a hole straight through me with those dark eyes. She was secretly thrilled; the boy did raise her heart rate.
One afternoon, after lessons, Jack lingered by the school gate, nerves obvious in his voice.
Emma, can I walk you home?
Emma hesitated, but Lucy gave her a little push, and she agreed.
Fine, were heading the same way anyway, Jack said, trying to sound nonchalant.
As they walked, Jack jabbered about nothing in particular, they laughed, and Emmas heart fluttered. Thus began a friendship that soon turned into a fullblown school romance. By the end of the term everyone knew they were a couple. Jack was everpresent, and if anyone from another form tried to chat with Emma, he brushed them off in a flash.
Emma had always been a pretty lass. Even when she started primary school, her teacher MrsHughes couldt help but exclaim, Goodness, Emma, what lovely eyes you have!
Near the end of their school days, Emma and Jack decided to apply to the same university. They breezed through the entrance exams and then, with caps tossed and diplomas in hand, declared farewell to school and hello to adult life. After the exams, Jack suggested:
Fancy coming to my cottage tomorrow, maybe staying over? We can celebrate passing all those paperswell done, love.
Emma sensed Jacks growing eagerness for a more intimate relationship. She tried to push back, and he took it as a personal slight.
Were adults now, Emmaforget the old rules. Itll happen sooner or later Youve read Romeo and Juliet, havent you? They were younger than us and nobody judged them. In fact, everyone adored their love, Jack coaxed, his tone syrupy.
Emma listened, halfagreeing, halftrembling. She feared losing her Jack, the boy shed grown so accustomed to, and yet the thought of actually crossing that line frightened her.
Jack grew irritable.
Come on, Emma, just say yes!
Im not surewhat if Mum wont let me go, especially for a night?
And what about my parents? Cant you think of a story?
Getting permission to spend the night at Jacks place turned out to be a saga. When Emmas mother saw her daughters request, she snapped, What nonsense are you cooking up? I wont let you. I know what you two will get up to, and Ill be left picking up the pieces.
Mom, Jacks parents will be there, plus his older sister, Emma lied, eyes steady. You dont trust me?
After a brief pause, Mum waved a hand. Fine, go then. I cant keep tabs on you forever. Its a bit improper for a girl to head to a lads cottage, though.
The whole bus ride was a handinhand affair. Emma was nervous; Jack seemed distracted too, lost in thought. She imagined what might happen, and it turned out exactly as she feared. The moment they stepped inside, Jack grabbed her wrist and hauled her toward a sofa.
Relax, he murmured softly, pulling her onto the couch. Dont be scared.
The room was bright, and Jack pulled the curtains aside, then pounced.
Emma shoved him away with all her strength, leapt from the sofa, and bolted out of the cottage, sprinting toward the bus stop. No bus was in sight, and she ran into Jack on the road.
Just let me see you off, he said. Dont bother with excusesIm not interested in hearing your ridiculous justifications.
At the graduation party he avoided her entirely; Lucy kept asking, but Emma stayed silent. After the night ended, he never called. A week later, pride finally gave way and Emma dialed Jack herself, only to get his sister on the line.
Jacks moved up to London to study. I thought youd know
Fast forward twenty years. Emma married Mark, had a daughter, and settled into a tidy suburban life. Jack popped up now and then in memorynever a call, never a meeting, but he haunted her dreams.
One night he appeared again, their hands clasped as they walked through a field of daisies, a river glinting in the distance. She smiled; he looked at her sadly, as if saying goodbye, then let go and vanished.
Emma awoke, glanced at Mark snoring like a contented hedgehog, and sighed relief.
Sleeps like a log, she muttered. Always loves his beauty sleep.
She wasnt ready for another nights rest, though it was early, so she slipped into the bathroom, pausing at her daughters room. The little girl slept soundly, a halo of blonde hair fanned across the pillow. Under the showers stream Emma thought:
Why does Jack keep showing up in my dreams? I always feel offkilter after them, a twinge of gloom, a urge to pick a fight with Mark Strange. Maybe I shouldnt have married Mark? Weve lived a long, quiet lifeno passion, no romance, but everythings neat, proper, on schedule.
The next morning she prepared breakfast, intending to rouse Mark, but he emerged from the bedroom already awake. They ate together while their daughter enjoyed the school holidays. Suddenly the phone rang.
Emma, love, its Lucy, chirped a familiar voice, sorry for the early callIve got news! Our class is reuniting for the twentyyear reunion.
Emma had missed the last two gatherings.
Hey, Lucy. Still the class clown, I see. Whens it?
Next Saturday.
Saturday? Mark and I were planning to head to the cottage of his relatives
Never mind, we can scrap the plans, Lucy replied decisively. Honestly, youve already skipped twice. No more excuses, or well all show up at your door!
Emma laughed, Youre terrifying me. Wheres it happening? A restaurant?
Right now, a restaurant! Got it right.
Anything else?
Lucy paused dramatically, Were actually throwing the party at Jacks place.
Emmas mind did a doubletake. Hes the one from my dreams?
Can you believe it? Jack built himself a massive twostorey house and invited the whole lot of us.
Is his wife okay with that? Or does he have a family? Emma asked, clueless about his current life.
His wifes off in Turkey with the kids. People do what they do, Lucy said with a hint of envy. Im divorced, so I need a good excuse to get out of the house.
Alright, Ill be there. Send me the address, Emma replied. Marks at work, probably still at the front door.
Mark grumbled as she left, Those schoolmates of yours are a pain. Didnt you see anything?
Its not my fault, Emma shot back. Im not asking permission; Im just saying whats happening. We sit at home, do the dishes, laundry, the whole domestic circus. Sometimes Im bored of it all, like a servant.
Dont whine, dear, Mark said amiably, I might be a home tyrant, but Im fine with you buying a new dress. He smiled.
Thanks, youre a saint. Of course Ill buy something; I have to look presentable.
The night before the reunion Emma lay awake, unable to drift off. Twenty years had slipped by since that final school day, and the thought of meeting old classmates made her nervous.
She stepped out of a taxi, pressed the buzzer at the gates of the sprawling estate, and moments later the door swung open to reveal Jack. Tall, handsome, dressed impeccably.
Welcome, dear guest, he said in a velvety tone, a mischievous glint in his eye. Come in, unless youre still the shy one.
Hey, Emma replied, stepping into the courtyard.
Jack pulled her into a quick hug and planted a kiss on her cheek.
You look stunning! Even more beautiful than I rememberscary, really.
She flushed, stared into his dark eyes, then lowered her head as they walked toward the house. He caught her hand, and they entered together.
Emma! Lucy shouted, leaping forward for an embrace.
Everyone started mingling, catching up, laughing, swapping stories about families and kids. Music played, and Jack asked Emma to dance.
Hows life? she asked between steps.
Good enough, he replied. Seeing the world with fresh eyes now. Ive got a lot on the goexpanding the business, all that.
When the evening wound down and guests began to drift away, Jack lingered.
Stay a bit, help me with a thing, he said, spreading his arms over the kitchen table.
Im not sure, Emma said, uneasy.
Whats not sure? Lucy piped up. Someone has to lend a hand, she said with a sly grin.
Fine, Emma muttered.
As soon as the last guest left, Jack seized Emmas wrists.
This whole washing up was just an excuse to keep you here
Why? she asked, breathless.
I dont know, he whispered, rubbing his nose against her cheek. Seeing you made me realise how much Ive missed you all these years.
His hot breath brushed her neck.
Emma, youre youre something, he said, shrugging off his jacket and flinging her onto the sofa. You know what? Im fed up with the whole routinewife, random flings for money, and here you are, fresh and gorgeous.
Emma felt as if scalding water had been poured over her.
Random flings? Im not some cheap amusement for you. I wont betray Mark, she declared, pushing him away and sprinting out.
She burst through the gate just as her phone rangMarks voice.
Sweetheart, on your way home? he asked.
No, love, Ive just called a taxi. Ill get there myself, thanks. Youre the best, she replied, trying to keep her tone even. Love you, Olegoops, Markmy favourite.
He laughed, Cant wait.
In the taxi, Jacks angry voice crackled through the speaker, Youre still playing the same old game, love!
Emma slammed the door, the car lunged forward, and she thought:
Let him stew, let him blow his top. Im finally free of his gripforever.
