The office was buzzing with its usual chatter and banter. Suddenly, the manager came in, accompanied by a rather plain-looking girl.
Girls, meet Emilyshell be joining your team and taking over from Tom, whos just been promoted, said Mrs. Thompson, then turned and left.
Emily found her way over to Toms old desk, slipped a dainty china mug out of her bag, and placed a small framed photograph of a man beside her monitor. Without fuss, she dove straight into work, as if shed been there for years.
Lunchtime arrived, and like clockwork, everyone stood up in a wave and headed out for a sandwich. Only Kate lingered, unable to resist peeking at the photo Emily had put up. The man was handsome, with the kind of bright grin you see in toothpaste advertsstraight, white teeth and sparkling eyes.
Who on earth is that? wondered Kate to herself, A footballer? Maybe an actor?
She couldnt help herselfsnapped a sneaky picture on her phone, then hurried off to catch up with the others. All the girls were crowded round one table, listening with rapt attention to the newcomer.
So, Emily, tell us about this handsome man in your photo! someone piped up.
Emily smiled shyly. Well, thats Henry, my husband. We met three years ago, honestly, youd never believe how bizarre it was.
Come on, spill! the others prodded.
Emilys eyes glanced into the distance, drifting back to that odd day three years before. Shed been working for a big London firm, and there was a muddle up with a shipment to this companyHenrys, as it turned out. Maybe it was the logistics, maybe her, but she ended up sent off to sort the mess herself.
Now, Emilys a clever onewell-spoken and quick-witted, but no one ever expects much because theres just nothing flashy about her. No makeup, no fuss, just sort of vanishing into the backgrounda classic wallflower. Yet in meetings, the transformation was always dramatic. Shed gently wrap colleagues round her little finger, persuasive but never aggressive, and always got her way.
Her manager knew this and sent her straight there. When Emily arrived at the reception, she was directed to Room 312. Thats Mr. Henry Edwards, said the receptionist.
She marched right in. Hello, Im Emily, she introduced herself, Im afraid theres been a mix-up with your goods. Logistics got muddled.
She explained everything with steady calmness. Henry just staredhe was convinced hed seen her before, perhaps in some dream. Her auburn hair, her honest green eyesshe was exactly as he remembered.
Emily readied herself to charm her way through another tough negotiation. But surprisingly, Henry simply said, Emily, no hard feelings, these things happen. No need for formal complaints this timelets just make sure it doesnt happen again.
She politely excused herself. Two days later, Henry was waiting for her outside the front door at 5 p.m. She was the last to leave.
Emily! he called, waving enthusiastically, You remember me from the other day!
Good evening, Henry. Of course I do, she replied, completely unruffled.
Well, Ive two tickets to the theatre tonightMums unwell so she cant come. Would you keep me company? he fibbed sheepishly.
Thats convenient! Emily thought, but she accepted his offer. Alright, whens the show? she asked.
Its in two hours. If you want to pop home and change, Ill give you a lift.
He was waiting by her doorstep later. When she came out, he was flooredEmily in a sleek, black dress and heels, hair styled, makeup subtle but elegant. He almost didnt recognize her. She sat next to him at the theatre, clearly a fan who had read the play and knew the cues.
Afterwards, he suggested a late dinner, but she declined with a warm smile, Sorry, Henry, I have a tough meeting tomorrow. Best get home. He drove her back and headed off.
That weekend, he was there again, and before long, they were going for walks every Friday. Two months went by; he was picking her up after work as usual. One evening he asked, Mum wants to meet you, would you mind?
Ive been hoping to meet her too, Emily replied, genuinely pleased.
His mother, Mrs. Edwards, gave Emily the warmest of welcomes. They all sat round the table with pots of English tea, apple and apricot pie, biscuitsjust lovely. The conversation was easy. Emily chatted with Mrs. Edwards about her grans recipes, her dad whod died during the test flight of an aircraft, and her mum, a history teacher at the local secondary. By the end of the evening, Henry drove Emily home.
Mum really liked you. Im so glad, he told her.
They started seeing each other nearly every night from then on. A year later, they were married.
Emily finished her story, and the girls listened in, a bit wistful, a bit envious. Only Kate thought, What does he see in her? Shes nothing specialplain as paper. Meanwhile, I might look good, long legs, great figure, and still, I get the ones who either want to get straight into bed, or who turn out to have wives at home.
The lunch bell rang, and everyone, business as usual, headed back upstairs. Kate nudged her mate, Lucy.
Look, thats her husband! Do you believe any of that? Honestly, I think shes spinning a story. Would a man like him really go for her?
At the end of the day, as the office emptied out, Emily was leaving when a car horn beeped. Henry appeared, waving her over.
Emily, Im here! he called.
It was the man from her desk photohandsome as ever. Kate watched, feeling a little pang. Why not me? she wondered. Whats she got that I havent?
The girls all watched as Henry and Emily walked off together, each lost in her own thoughts.
You know, whenever you spot a couple like that, dont you wonderwhat did he see in her? Maybe he found exactly what he was looking for. Not every man picks the prettiest girl for a wife. They might flirt and joke with them, but in the end, they marry someone else. Who knows why? Only they could ever tell you, really.
