THE POSTAGE STAMP
James has left Emily, Mum sighs heavily.
What do you mean? I dont understand.
I cant quite believe it myself. He was away on business for a month. Came back not himself at all. Told Emily, Im sorry, I love someone else, Mum trails off, staring blankly at the wall.
He actually said that? Theres got to be some mistake. Thats just awful, I start feeling angry at Emilys husband, James.
Sophie called, she said Mum wasnt well and called an ambulance. Turns out Emilys had some sort of neurological swallowing problem, Mum frowns, blinking rapidly.
Alright, Mum, calm down. To be honest, Emily should never have put James on some sort of pedestal, always running circles around him, waiting on him hand and foot. Now shes paying for it. Still, I feel sorry for her. I just hope James isnt serious with this other woman He loves Emily, and he loves Sophie, I refuse to accept any of it.
James and Emily had a whirlwind romanceintense, passionate. They married after just two months together, and soon little Sophie was born. For years, everything ran smoothly, quietly, predictablyuntil suddenly, disaster struck.
Like a boulder rolling down a hill
Naturally, I rush straight round to Emilys place. Its hard to talk about sensitive things, especially with your own sister.
Em, what on earth happened? Did James at least try to explain? Has he lost his mind? I barrage Emily with questions.
Oh, Nina, I cant get my head round it either. Where did this woman come from? Must have put some spell on him! James ran off like a man possessed. You couldnt stop him. All he said was, Emily, life should flow, not drain away. Threw his things in a bag and drove off. Its like someone dragged me along the tarmac by my face. I dont understand, Emilys tears stream endlessly down her cheeks.
Lets wait it out, Em. Maybe your runaway prince will come back to his senses. You never know, I hug my sobbing sister.
But the runaway never returned.
James settled in another citywith his new wife.
Victoria was eighteen years older than James, not that this seemed to trouble them in the slightest. The soul doesnt age, Victoria often says.
James is utterly smitten by his second wife. Shes become his guiding star.
Victoria is quite the character She loves deeply, or not at all. Shes wild, independent, impossible to catch. She can sugar her words one minute and cut right through you the next.
James adores Victoria.
Time and again he marvels, Where have you been all my life, Victoria? Ive spent half of it searching for you
Meanwhile, Emily decides shell get even with men, every last one of them.
She is beautiful. Heads turn everywhere she goes, both men and women cant help but watch her.
At work, she flirts with her boss. Soon, hes completely taken.
Emily, marry me. Ill make you rich. I swear. Youll be my queen, he pleads.
Im done with marriage, David. Had enough of that Lets take my Sophie to the seaside for a bit of sea air, Emily winks playfully.
Lets do it, sweetheart
Stan is simpler. He lends a hand about the house, redecorates Emilys flat. Never asks her to marry himhes a married man himself
So Emily wraps both of them around her little finger.
She feels nothing for either of them. They help her muddle on, tie up her sorrows, thats all.
Still, Emily aches for James. She dreams of him. Wakes up crying, night after night. The memories wont let her go. She cant help longing for him.
How do you tear someone from your heart? What did I do wrong? I was always giving, always patient, did everything he asked. We never even argued
Years pass.
Emily carries on: flashing mysterious smiles at David, occasionally shooing Stan back to his family.
Sophie is twenty when she decides to visit her father.
She buys a train ticket, all the way there wondering how shell begin her conversation with the woman who broke their familyVictoria.
She arrives in the new city.
She knocks on the door.
You must be Sophie, an intriguing woman appears at the threshold.
Mum is so much prettier, Sophie thinks to herself.
And youre Victoria, I suppose? Sophie guesses.
Yes, come in, love. Your fathers not home at the moment. Hell be back soon, Victoria brings Sophie to the kitchen.
How are you? Hows your mum? Victoria fidgets, Tea? Coffee?
Victoria, tell me, how did you manage to take my dad away from us? He loved my mum, I know he did, Sophie looks straight into Victorias eyes.
Oh, Sophie, you cant predict everything in life. Love doesnt come with guarantees. Sometimes passion simply sweeps in, unpredictable as a summer storm. It only takes one encounter Its like the stars arrange themselves. Sometimes you just have to swap dance partnersthats how it is. I wish I could explain, Victoria sits, suddenly weary.
But cant you stop yourself? Didnt you feel a sense of dutyto his family? Sophie cant make sense of Victorias words, she stares holes through this woman shes always disliked.
You cant, pet, Victoria replies simply.
Thank you for your honesty, Sophie declines the coffee.
Sophie, would you like some advice? Victoria grins, a glint in her eyes. A mans like a postage stamp: the more you lick it, the more it sticks. And honestly, darling, youve got to be sometimes steel, sometimes velvet with a man. By the way, your father and I had quite the row this week.
Thanks for the tip. Should I wait for my dad? Sophie asks, worried.
Im not sure. Hes been living at a hotel all week. I can give you the address, Victoria scribbles something on a scrap of paper, Here, take it.
Sophie is actually relieved by this. Now she can talk to her dad in peace, without witnesses.
Goodbye. Thanks for the coffee, Sophie leaves swiftly.
She finds the hotel and knocks on his room.
James is surprised but happy to see his daughter. Hes a bit embarrassed.
Sophie, I was actually thinking of coming home today You know, after an argument, and all that
Dad, its up to you. I just wanted to see you, Sophie gently takes her fathers hand.
Hows your mum? James asks, pointlessly.
Shes fine, Dad. Weve got used to being without you, Sophie sighs.
Father and daughter spend a warm evening in the hotel roomquiet conversation, laughter, even a few tears
Dad, do you love Victoria? Sophie suddenly asks.
Very much. Im sorry, love, James replies firmly.
I see. Well, Id better go. My trains soon, Sophie starts to pack.
Come visit, Sophie. Were still family, James drops his gaze.
Of course, Dad of course Sophie flutters out of the hotel.
Back home, she resolves to take Victorias advice.
No more loving blindly, no more hanging on mens words. Shes finished with it.
Yet, three years later, she meets someone different. Charles. Hes the one, sent by fate, just for her.
It only takes one look for Sophie to know.
When you meet the right one, nothing else will do.
Charles wraps his heart around his woman, never letting go. He touches her soul in ways unseen. Soon, Sophie gives inno strings attached, absolutely, completelyAt Emilys, the kettle whistles. She sits by the window, watching raindrops race down the glass. Theres a card from Sophie on the tablea simple sketch of a postage stamp, and underneath in Sophies handwriting: Sometimes you let go, and the right things find you.
Emily smilesa twist of pain, a twist of hope. Shes not angry anymore: not at James, not at fate, not at herself. Shes learned the quiet bravery of standing alone, the relief in loosening her grip. Sophie is happy; that much she knows. Even James, with his restless heart, seems at peace.
Outside, the sky clears. A shaft of sunlight slips past the clouds, glinting off the stack of unopened mail on the sill. Emily picks up the top envelope. She turns it overnoticing, for the first time, the bright blue stamp in the corner. Something small, but beautifully stuck.
In that moment, Emily breathes deep, sensing the world inching forwardimperfect, unpredictable, yet somehow whole. She pours herself tea, sets her cup beside Sophies card, and decides: tomorrow she will start the painting again. This time, with less fear. This time, with room for the light to get in.
And when the wind rattles the window, begging entrance, Emily finally laughsa sound as crisp and new as spring.
