Black Widow
So, you know, Ive got to tell you about this story I just heardits about Emily. Shes this clever, lovely girl wrapping up her last year at university in London studying journalism, when she bumped into Edward. He was much older than her, but well-respected around the city. Edward Williams, songwriter and a bit of a local celebrityhis tunes were pretty popular on the London circuit, always played at events or buzzing through the radio.
Edward was one of those blokes everyone seemed to know, especially through his connections at the local television studio. It was no problem for him to land Emily a job there as a presenter for his show right after she finished uni. Not long after, her first show called Heart to Heart aired, where she interviewed a famous city psychologist plus a few other guests. The format was all about questions and real-life storiesit went down a treat.
Brilliant job, Emily, Edward praised her after catching the broadcast. We should celebrate that, for sure.
So Edward was about forty-five, had been married three times already, but all that energy and the endless stream of friends never quite fit into family life. He saw himself as a bit of a creative genius, living like he was the nations secret treasure. He was out almost every night, pubs, restaurants, the odd spa, just mingling and, truth be told, drinking more than his share.
Anyway, after a while, Emily became quite well-known around London, eventually married Edward, and her show was watched by loads. She was gorgeous, always well-dressed, kind to everyonebasically, the citys own TV beauty. Nothing devilish about her, the way people would talk. But she knew shed married the wrong man after a bit, especially when her husband was constantly drunk.
Ed, dont push it, his mate Simon once told him when Ed tried to belittle Emily after a few too many at a café. Shell outsmart you one day.
Nah, Simon, Ive never married clever women, Ed said, cheeky and short-sighted, pinching Emilys cheek as they sat together.
When Ed was wooing her, he was all old-world charmflowers, gifts, even wrote her two songs. But after they tied the knot, the attention went missing. He paid her no more mind than the family cat, only bothered when he fancied a shout.
Emily, ever the optimist, thought shed make it big with him. University had taught her Frenchno help when jet-setting. Ed was always giving her grief: Go learn English, you look like youre lost when we travel. Gym isnt worth your time, but youll waste ages there instead of learning English.
Out of stubbornness, she refuseduntil Simon piped up one night at dinner, English for a sophisticated lady is as standard as high heels. Next day, she was signed up for classes with a fab teacher.
Look at you go, Simon, Ed laughed, Emilys bought all these books, English lessons on in the car instead of music.
They lived together in a massive flat Ed inherited from his grandfather, a distinguished doctor. They had a housekeeper, Veraa single, rather bitter woman around forty-three who knew everything about their lives, always lurking in the background. There wasnt any point in hiding things from Vera, really.
One morning, Emily woke up, Ed nowhere to be foundhed crashed on the sofa in his study after rolling in drunk the night before. Down in the kitchen, Vera was clutching an empty brandy bottle.
Full last nightwhat is he going to have for breakfast when he finally wakes?
Just give him some pickle juice, Emily muttered, heading for a shower.
After seven years together, Emily hadnt had childrenEd didnt want any, already had a son from the first marriage. Shed grown totally indifferent to family life with him, focusing on her career. After breakfast, Emily sent Vera to check on Ed. Vera found him lying face down on the pillow, a bright red mark bleeding into the sheets.
Emily! she cried, Get an ambulance.
Whats wrong?
No idea.
Next thing, Emilys in the ambulance with Ed, rushing to hospital. They got him to resus straight away. The doctors were blunt: Things are serious. Cant make any promises yet.
That evening, a phone call: Your husband has passed away.
I justI cant believe it, Emily whispered. He wasnt even old. The funeral was gorgeous, all Eds friends and fellow artists packed in, Simon giving a rousing speech, all warmth and memories.
Lets celebrate rather than mourn, Simon declared. Ed lived a rich life, he earned his resthes finally free.
Whispers reached Emilys ears: He had it all.
The house was suddenly so quiet it echoed, Vera slyly watching, waiting to see if shed be kept on. Colleagues didnt hesitate: Emily, youve nothing to mope about. Young, single now, and youve got the money. Two healthy accounts split between Eds son and Emily, but to be honest, she earned well herself. Still, she hated the loneliness and made an effort to get out, often popping by cafés.
Time went on, and after wrapping up another episode, Emily stopped at a café near home. Sipping Spanish wine, lost in thought, she was approached by a strapping blokebroad shouldered, big smilewho asked to join her.
Mind if I sit? She nodded, and he introduced himself, Im Kenneth. He joked, Cant imagine someone as stunning as you being sad.
Just feeling down, she sighed.
Kenneth was around forty, built like a rugby player but adorable, kindand made Emily chuckle with his warmth. He was a bit of a teddy bear, really. He insisted on treating herwine, cocktails, cakethough she only went for the cake.
Kenneth, looks aside, was absolutely charming, full of fascinating stories and spot-on humour. Emily truly relaxed, laughed loads, and when he walked her home, they agreed to meet up again.
Next morning, she told Vera, Ill be letting you go. I can manage myself nowcooking, laundry, the works.
But Emily, Ive been with you all these years! What will I do? Vera cried.
Youll find something, maybe a new family, maybe a night job.
Youre kicking me out Vera sobbed, her nose red.
Emily hesitated, thinking, Ah well, not the end of the world, plus I wont have to scrub toilets myself.
Vera wiped her tears. Alright, Vera, if youre set on staying, then stay, Emily smiled, letting her keep her job. Vera was overjoyed, gave her a little peck and said she cared for Emily and Ed as family.
Pretty soon, Kenneth, now affectionately called Kenny, was stopping by constantly. He doted on Emily, and after three months, she married him. She wanted a modest wedding, but for the honeymoon Kenny whisked her off to the Maldives. He was a businessman; money wasnt a problem.
Emily assumed the trip would be like the ones with Eddirect flight, half-decent hotel, stock-standard tourist stuff. But Kenny had very different ideas: they flew first class, arrived to private transfers, fireworks, cocktails, and Maldivian dancers at the resort.
Their villa was stunningfour rooms, two baths, pool in the yard, private beach.
God knows how much this teddy bear shelled out, Emily mused.
She never asked about Kennys wealthjust knew he had cash. He was always so gentle, tucking blankets around her, fussing to make sure she ate a decent brekkie before work, never letting her survive just on coffee.
With Ed, shed been belittled and pushed to his level, but Kenny lived for her, not himself. Vera loved him, too, glad to live with them in Kennys massive country house. Only one thing unnerved Emilyshe caught Kenny injecting himself with a fine needle.
Whats this? she fretted.
Just insulindiabetes, but Im fine. Lifes good, he reassured.
There in the Maldives, Emily wondered: Has my luck finally turned?
She enjoyed the five-star relaxation, though sometimes wished her partner was more athleticmaybe a surfing instructor or a blue-eyed tennis coachrather than a cuddly bear.
She teased Kenny about dieting and the gym, but he grew quiet, Ill try if youre set on it, but my body doesnt work that waymetabolism, you know? Apollo was never in the cards. I need insulin.
Alright, forget about it, she decided.
After the honeymoon, she poured herself into work, but loneliness crept in. She started wondering if shed ever find real passion. She wanted to know what it was like to be madly in love, to feel real firenot just contented comfort. Her colleagues joked,
Emily, are you really that loyal to your teddy bear husband? Surely youre not that virtuous?
Not that Emily was all that straight-lacedshe just didnt want to hurt Kenny. But come New Years, after a bit too much champagne at work, her mate Chris phoned his friend Tom to drive her home.
Emily, we can give you a lift, he offered, slurring a bit.
Tom slid into the drivers seat with her, joking with Chris, but Emily was mesmerized by himthe handsome guy with piercing eyes and a fancy car. After dropping Chris, Tom drove Emily home, asked for her number, then, in front of her place, helped her out and kissed her hard and hot against his SUV. She didnt push him awayshe was hooked by his rugged charm.
Tom turned out to be the perfect loverno romance, just passion, met her at his bachelor flat and wasted no time. Afterwards, hed lounge about and just say, Youre amazing.
It suited them both. Kenny was busy, late at work, business heating uphe didnt notice much. One day, Emily sped to Toms flat, sprawled in bed, as he finished showering, when someone hammered at the door. Suddenly, she heard Kenny and Toms voicesheart racing, she scrambled for her clothes. Kenny stood quietly at the bedroom door, not shouting.
Kennythis isnt what
Tom said nothing. He could have locked out Kenny.
Who grassed me up? Emily asked.
Does it matter now? Even though I didnt believe it at first, I had to see.
Emily saw Kenny was ghostly pale, sweatingand then he collapsed. She checked himbreathing was shallow.
Quick, call an ambulance! she barked.
Tom dialed. Emily rummaged through Kennys pockets, found his insulin pen, remembering he always carried it. She injected him.
This might save him. But he didnt come round. The paramedics arrived, and the doctor said simply, Hes gone.
Emily was numb. Tom took her home where Vera greeted her, worried.
Emily, love, you look dreadful.
Emily thought, Maybe Vera tipped Kenny off. She was never keen on Tom, always asking questions but let it go, knowing Vera would never admit it.
The cause of death was heart failureshe got the paperwork, and took ages to recover. Soon after, Kennys daughter with her solicitor husband turned up and kicked Emily out, threatening court if she challengedthough theyd already dropped a fat wad of cash on the table. Emily refused to fight. So, she and Vera returned to the huge flat Ed had left her.
Time passed. With Toms help, she slowly found her feetbut marriage wasnt on his mind, and she knew he wasnt husband material. Then one day Chris called her with bad news.
Emily, sit if youre standing Toms dead. Car crash. Instant.
She sat in shock.
Why do my men always die? Im like some sort of black widow. Soon everyone will call me that
A bit later, a young guy called Matt came on her show, and couldnt take his eyes off her. After filming, he invited her for coffee.
Alright, she repliedtime to live again.
Matt swept her off her feet; Emily was head over heels at last, feeling genuine happiness for the first time.
This is real love, she thought, I cant breathe without Matt, let alone live.
Matt fell for her, toothey spent joyful, easy days together. She didnt worry about details: no siblings, estranged from his dad, just living with Emily. One day, curious, while Matt was at work and she was home before heading to the studio, Emily looked him up onlineher mouth dropped. Her Matt, so down-to-earth, turned out to be one of the countrys wealthiest men.
I cant believe this! she burst out laughing, then suddenly worriedwhat if something happened to him?
When shed calmed down, she went to work. By evening, Matt hadnt called, so she phoned the office.
Hi, could I speak to Matt please? she asked the receptionist.
And whos calling?
Its Emily
Hes been taken to hospital, came the reply, then she gave her the details.
Emily dashed to the hospital.
What happened? she shouted at the doctor on arrival.
The doctor was reassuring: Nothing terriblehis heart played up but hell be fine.
Can I see him? Just for ten minutes?
So she went in; Matt was waiting, smiling, and took her hands in his.
Its all going to be alright, Emily. I love you. When I get out of here, lets get married, shall we?
Absolutely, of course! she kissed him. Weve got a whole life and real happiness ahead.
Thanks so much for listening, love and luck to you!
