Honestly, youve really made a choice, Julia says, shaking her head at her sister, Emma. Have all the single men in the world vanished?
Alex isnt married, Emma replies.
Thats not the point! Hes not exactly free with a little girl on his hands. Hes got a free housekeeper and a nanny, and youre still prattling on!
We love each other, Alex says.
You may love him, but he
Julia is two years younger than Emma, yet she looks after her sister with a patronising streak, convinced she knows more about life and people.
Emma, in Julias eyes, is lively, active and bright. She married a wellpaid sailor early on and lived in his flat. Emma, on the other hand, is calm, responsible and far too kind, at least according to Julia.
Julia feels its her duty to watch over Emma, help her sort out a love life. Emma isnt in a hurry to marry and merely jokes when Julia tries to set her up.
Then, at twentyfour, Emma announces shes marrying widower Alex, who has a oneyearold daughter, Annie, in his arms.
Honestly, youve really chosen, Julia repeats, annoyed. Are there no unattached men left?
Alex isnt married.
Thats not the issue! Hes not exactly single with a toddler. Hes already got a free housekeeper and a nanny, and youre still gossiping!
We love each other.
You may love him, but he
Julia, stop! Emma cuts in sharply. If you dont like it, thats your problem. Stay out of it.
Julia knows when to back off, especially in arguments with the sister she lovesmutually, of course.
Soon she realises Alex is a good mankind, caring, calm, and clearly devoted to Emma. She doesnt have any hopes for him herself, but she quickly starts calling little Annie Mum and bonds with the cheeky child, adding her to her list of nieces since Julia has no children of her own.
The sisters live in neighbouring blocks, pop over for tea often, and talk on the phone daily.
Four years after the wedding, Alex dies suddenly. Julia watches Emma cope, seeing her mechanically run the house, go to work, and hold Annie close with a tenderness that aches Julias heart.
Its a relief I already adopted her, Emma sighs when the sisters are alone. If I still had to sort out guardianship, Id never get through it.
Its right, Julia replies, pitying Emma. She deserves the best, why must she suffer?
That injustice gnaws at Julia, and a year after Alexs death she resumes trying to set Emma up again.
Life goes on. Raising a child alone is exhausting. You have to understand that, Julia urges. Why cling to one thing?
Were fine just the two of us, Emma brushes off.
When Julia finally begs Emma to attend a friends birthday, promising an interesting gentleman will be there, Emma finally gives in.
The interesting gentleman turns out to be Paul Mitchell, a chatty manager a few years older than Emma.
My head hurts from his nonstop chatter, Julia complains to Emma later.
Hes nervous, Julia laughs. Paul isnt usually that talkative, but he just inherited a house, a car and a decent salary. Hes got an exwife and a son, but who can find a cleanslated man at his age?
Emma isnt thrilled with Paul, but she agrees to meet him. Their dates are rarePaul is often on business trips, and he dislikes Emmas focus on Annie over spending time with him.
Three months later Emma overhears Paul on the phone and ends things immediately.
Hes not traveling; he lives with his exwife and son. She learned about the inheritance and turned hostile. I cant see why hed want me, Emma tells Julia.
They divorced two years agoI never guessed hed act like that! Dont worry, well find someone better.
Can you stop matchmaking me? It only brings trouble.
I promise Ill be pickier next time, Julia vows.
Emma refuses any more setups, even online, and soon a kitchen tap bursts, flooding the flat and the hallway. The buildings plumber arrives quickly.
Anthony Reed, a lean, serious man a little older than Emma, declares the tap must be replaced and fetches a new one himself. He refuses any payment or small talk.
Wheres your daughter? he asks, then sheepishly adds, Id like to give her something and pulls a chocolate bar from his pocket.
What are you? Emma jumps back, frightened.
She remembers seeing Anthony around the courtyard, always staring a bit too closely at Annie.
Please leave, she says firmly. Thanks for the work, but thats all.
Dont be scared. Your childs adorable; I just wanted to make her happy.
Leave.
Anthony sighs heavily, places the chocolate on the table, mutters, Its not poisoned, and walks out. Annie continues playing, never seeing him.
The next day Anthony waits for Emma in the stairwell, a modest bouquet in his hand.
Please forgive me, he stammers. I didnt mean to frighten you. I I like you, and I like your daughter too.
Emma takes the flowers mechanically. Shes drawn to Anthony, yet remains cautious about his sudden confessions.
From that day he courts her in an odd waybringing flowers and sweets for both Emma and Annie, fixing everything in the flat, and taking them on walks together. After a month their relationship deepens, though Emma keeps it secret from her sister.
Julia, busy with her husbands return from a flight, mostly chats with Emma by phone. Eventually, however, she discovers Anthony when he drops by Emmas flat unannounced.
Whos this? How long have you known each other? Where did he come from? Julia bombards Emma as Anthony leaves.
Youre nosy, Varsha, Emma jokes, using Julias nickname. Hes my fiancé. At least thats what I hope.
She recounts meeting Anthony: He worked up north, then decided to come back. Hes got no familyhis mother passed two years ago.
What did he do up north that hes now a plumber? Julia asks.
Stop it, Julia. He spent years in terrible conditions; he deserves a break, doesnt he? He treats me and Annie wonderfullythats what matters.
He still seems shady, Julia persists. Are you sure he isnt married with five kids?
Im sure. I saw his passport.
Fine then.
A week later Julia bursts in, eyes wide. I told you Anthony wasnt simple! Did you know hes a prisoner?
No for what?
Who cares? Stay away from that convict!
Emma, however, has truly fallen for Anthony and they plan to marry. She finally confronts him directly.
Yes, he sighs. Ive been too scared to admit it. Theres a lot I need to tell you
Nows the time.
I really worked on a construction site up north, and because of me an accident happened there.
Thank God everyone survived, but I was jailed. I got out on licence after two years, Anthony confesses.
Emma watches him in silence; hes about to say more.
And Annie is my daughter, he finally admits, voice trembling. Her mother was my exgirlfriend. I was drinking and partying, and when I learned she was pregnant I ran away north.
He kept drinking up there, thats why the accident happened. But it gave me time to think, he says, a bitter smile forming. Its good to finally think.
Did you come back just to take my child? Emma asks, eyes narrowed.
No I mean, its not that simple, Anthony sighs deeply. I realised my daughter is the most important thing in my life, not the booze and parties.
Finding her wasnt hardI knew where her mother lived with her husband. I just didnt expect such a good stepmother.
Leave, Emma says.
Wait, please! Anthony chokes up. I really love you! No one else matters but you and Annie. Ill do anything for you both!
Emma pushes him away that day, but later forgives him. They marry three months later, Anthony lands a solid job, and two years on they welcome a son together.
