I Will Always Be With You
Oh, dont start again! Weve talked about this a thousand times! Why must we go over it again? Emily brushed her hand wearily and turned back to the cooker.
The day had started as bleak as it could be. It was 5 a.m. when her son, Oliver, padded into her bedroom and gently tapped her shoulder.
Mum! My throat hurts!
Half-asleep, Emily pressed her lips to his forehead, and instantly, sleep left her completely.
Yes, you have a fever, darling. Come on, lets get you sorted. Emily picked Oliver up and left the room, firmly closing the door behind them. The last thing she wanted was another lecture from David, her husband, about disrupted sleep.
After checking Olivers temperature and giving him some Calpol, she settled him back in bed. Glancing at the clock, Emily decided there was little point in trying to go back to sleep. She might as well wait for the surgery to open so she could call the GP. Once assured that Oliver had drifted off, she headed to the kitchen, brewed herself a coffee, and wandered to the window.
This winter had been surprisingly snowy. The garden was buried under a thick, fresh layer of snow that had fallen all night, interrupted only by a few lines of early morning footprints. Out of the corner of her eye, Emily noticed a flash of movement and chuckled. Mrs Greens cat, Percy, was bounding through the garden, leaping into drifts and emerging moments later, completely unfazed by the chill. That peculiar cat would never settle for a litter box and insisted on going outside, no matter the elements. Mrs Green always said it was Percys way or nothingif she didnt let him out sharpish, his yowls echoed through the entire building. Yet, give him credit, he never once made a mess indoors.
Just the day before, whilst collecting Oliver from nursery, Emily had watched Percy stride to the back door, announcing his arrival with a loud meow-moan.
Oh, go on, then! Have a good moan while youre at it! Hello, Emily dear! Can you believe this rascal? Sometimes I think he owns me, not the other way around!
Hello, Mrs Green! He is quite the gentleman!
Indeed! Find another like him, I dare you! I must be destined to raise serious gentlemen
Emily only smiled, nodded, and continued on her way. What could she say? Mrs Greens son, Matthew, was indeed seriousclever, with a dry witbut most people never noticed. To many, he was just an unassuming lad with glasses, not the sort who attracted much attention. But to Emily, he was more than that; theyd been inseparable for as long as she remembered. When her mum had died, Matt was at her side.
Emilys mum, Irene, was hit by a car on a pedestrian crossing. She was simply crossing the street by the book, but it didnt save her. Emily, aged ten, had no idea what losing someone meant, and she spiralled into silence, retreating into any small corner she could find to cry, desperate to be left alone. Her father, John, took her to a child psychologist who immediately sounded the alarmgrief was starting to harm the girls health.
It was Matt who helpedhed lost his dad two years before, so perhaps he understood better than anyone. He all but moved in, with Mrs Green making no objection, always doing what she could to look after little Emily. Friends and neighbours brought food, stayed with her when John had errands, and so Matt could spend his days coaxing Emily out: making her do homework, reading aloud, even taking her to dance and gymnastics, as her mum had wished, hoping shed be healthy and graceful one day.
Slowly, Matts gentle persistence melted the ice around Emilys heart. One day, when they found a half-blind, wobbly kitten in the street and brought it to Mrs Green, Emily spoke for the first time since her mothers passing, asking for milk to feed the little thing. Mrs Green quietly handed her the bottle, whispering a relieved prayer.
The kitten stayed with MattJohn, unfortunately, was allergic.
As the years passed, Matt remained Emilys shadow. She grew so used to his presence it felt natural as breathing. Both only children, they leaned on one another for everythingsupport, understanding, companionshipthe kind rarely seen even among siblings. They could read each others thoughts mid-sentence. The grown-ups watched their unique bond quietly, knowing it was the best medicine for two half-orphaned children.
Trouble first surfaced at the end of secondary school. Emily had blossomed into a beautiful, clever young woman, much admired, while Matt stayed quietly by her side. When David appeareda tall, handsome lad she quite literally fell atop while slipping on icy steps to the gymeverything changed.
Are you alright, miss? Let me help! David offered his hand. These steps are lethal. Did you hurt yourself?
Emily met her rescuers eyes and, for the first time, believed in love at first sight.
I think Im in trouble, Matt! Hes amazing
How so? Matts face darkened, but Emily paid him no mind.
I cant explain Hes just the best! Emily spun around with giddy delight. You could at least be happy for your best mate!
For my best mate? Of course! Matt forced a grin and excused himself.
Deep in a cloud of her own feelings, Emily hardly noticed. She and David dated for over three years, finally deciding, once grown up enough, to get married. Parents were told, the registry office was booked.
Shame Im forced to have a maid of honour, Emily grumbled, adjusting her wedding dress in the tailors mirror. Why cant I have a best man? Matt, youd have made a better maid than any of my mates!
Matt, perched on a waiting-room sofa, watched her quietly, only regaining composure after the tailor fussed that it was bad luck for the groom to see the dress.
Hes not my fiancéjust my friend! Emily had laughed.
Friend, is it? the tailor mused. How interesting
Is it odd for people to be friends? Matt interjected. Come on, Emily, weve plenty to do, havent we? Ive work later too.
Alright, alright! Emily twirled into the changing room while Matt slumped back onto the sofa.
Looking back on her quick-fire marriage and those first few years, Emily often wondered how shed missed all of Davids flawsthe ones that grew so irritating with time. Shed always had her faithful knight and expected to play the rescued princess forever. It turned out, life and roles were never that simple.
The first warning came when she fell terribly ill half a year after the wedding. A bad bout of tonsillitis turned into a much more serious health issue, mostly because Emilywanting to be a good wifehid how poorly she felt. When the doctors recommended a private consultation, David exploded.
What, now? Weve been saving for a holiday! There’s nothing wrong with you, it’s just these doctors trying to rake it in. Dont be silly!
Emily stared in disbelief. Are you serious?
Absolutely!
She bit back tears, A holiday is more important than my health, then?
Youre fine! Some sun, youll feel brand new. You just need a rest!
Privately, her father John paid for her treatmentwithout a word of complaint, but with the air of a man drawing serious conclusions.
A full year passed before she was mostly well againthough heart problems lingered. When Emily learned she was expecting, the GP put her on priority monitoring.
Dont get me wrong, but these are high-risk months, the midwife warned gently. This is a lot for your body, and we just need to be careful.
Theres nothing to consider, Emily replied. Im having this baby.
And so she did. The final months were spent in hospital, but Oliver arrived healthy, if not without cost. Only two people really knew what it took out of her: her dad, and Matt. David, meanwhile, upon hearing shed given birth safely, vanished celebrating with his mates for three days, turning off his phone and leaving Emily frantic.
Had David not adored Oliver at first sight, Emily would have filed for divorce on the spot. Odd as it was, David was a loving fatherwaking for night feeds, changing nappies, even taking Oliver out for walks. Still, sometimes hed get annoyed and ask Emily to take him away for a bit. Yet, soon after, hed be back to playing the doting dad. She didnt know what to make of it all, but at leastat firstthe good moments outnumbered the bad.
But as far as their marriage was concerned, Emily and David now lived parallel lives, barely intersecting except over Oliver.
With Oliver often unwell as a baby, Emily had little time to ponder how odd her married life had become. She hurried from one doctor to the next, rarely asking David for help, never sure what sort of answer shed get. He might be an attentive father, grilling the doctor endlessly with questions, or refuse to come at all, claiming work emergencies. After so many ups and downs, Emily preferred to cope on her own. Her dad had helped her get a driving licence, looking after Oliver while she practised, and then bought her a second-hand, trustworthy car so shed never be stranded again.
John had understood David long ago but kept quiet, waiting for Emily to make up her own mind. Once, when Oliver was two and had been ill, Emily, utterly exhausted, handed her sleeping son to her father and collapsed to the floor, unable even to reach the sofa. When she woke, John simply hugged her and said:
Emily, I wont offer advice or ask questions. Just remember youre not alone. Alright?
Thanks, Dad. I do know. Im just not ready yet, you understand? And I dont want to talk about it, for now. Until I know what I want to do. David is still my husband.
John nodded quietly, holding her close.
All this time, Matt somehow always appeared when Emily needed him. Hed fetch prescriptions if she couldnt leave Oliver and David was busy, run errands, even sort her car when it broke. Emily sometimes worried she relied too much on Matt, but she couldnt help herself. He was the one person in her life she absolutely trusted.
So now, as she gazed out at the snowy garden, she found herself thinking of Matt, due back from a business trip that day. She could ask him for a lift if it came to ither car was broken again, this time possibly for good. Money was getting tight. David claimed he put everything into the business, while Emilys part-time wage only just covered essentialsshed had to cut hours due to Olivers frequent illness. Thank goodness they lived in her dads flathed moved to his cottage in the countryside, preferring the peace.
Emily checked the clock and phoned the surgery. Thankfully, their GP was back from holiday, and Emily got an appointment without fuss.
Phone placed to the side, she started breakfast just as a rumpled David wandered in.
What now? Why did you both stomp around all night?
Olivers unwell, Emily replied stiffly.
So thats reason enough to keep everyone up? Whatever, I didnt sleep anyway. Ill showerget me some breakfast quickly, Ive a busy day.
Wordlessly, Emily returned to the hobshe cooked mostly for Oliver, who liked her getting better food when he was ill. Today she was making drop scones, knowing David liked them too.
So, did you talk to your dad yet?
No.
Why are you dragging this out?
I told you, Im not discussing it, and I wont ask him to sign the flat over to us.
Your stubbornness is ridiculous. I pay for everything, yet Im treated like some lodger! You and Oliver are always after more cash. I work all hours, havent had a real break in years, and what do I get?
David ranted on, but Emily no longer listened. Suddenly, she became aware of a final, sharp snap insidelike a string breaking, the last tie to everything good she remembered about David. She turned off the heat, set the spatula down, and turned to face her husband.
Im saying this oncelisten up. She cut across him. Today, youll pack your bags and go. Were getting a divorce, David. I wont live like this any longer, and youre miserable too. Im not talking about finances or scores. The most important thing is Oliverhe deserves both his parents, even if they dont live together.
David stared in shock. He tried to protest, then gave up, throwing his cutlery onto the table.
Finished? Think about what youre saying until Im home. Maybe youll come to your senses.
Youre not listening. Ive decided, and you know what that meansIm not turning back.
Madness. Who do you think will want you now? Especially with a child? Well talk when youre thinking straight. Ill be at my parents.
Suit yourself. Emily turned away, blinking back tears.
She heard the front door slam, then sat down and cried, letting it all out while Oliver slept. Soon she heard his soft, shuffling steps towards the kitchen and quickly wiped her tears, retrieving a plate.
Well, my favourite poorly young man! Ready for breakfast?
Im not very hungry, Mum. My head hurts a bit.
Drop scones cure all sorts. Especially with jam?
Yep! Oliver grinned. With raspberry, please!
Absolutely.
After the GP left, having prescribed medications, Emily was getting ready to head to the chemist, just about to ring her dad, when there was a knock at the doorMatt, naturally. He was the only one who never used the bell, their little unspoken signal.
Morning!
Hi, how are you? Matt carried a box with a model car; Emily realised with a pang she couldnt remember the last time David had bought something for Oliver. Matt never turned up empty-handed.
Olivers ill again. Could you sit with him? Im popping to the chemist.
Ill go instead; do you have a list?
Emily handed him the slip of paper from her bag.
No sooner had Matt left than Emilys phone rang.
Emily Johnson?
Yes?
This is St Thomas Hospital. Your fathers been admitted.
What happened? Emilys grip tightened on the phone.
“Hes had a heart attack. His condition is serious for now.”
Im coming.
She darted around the flat, uncertain what to do first. Her dad had never had heart problems. Suddenly she realised how easily you could lose what mattered most.
On impulse, she called David.
Yes?
David, my dads in hospital. Heart attack.
And? You want something from me now? You made it clear were splitting up, didnt you?
Emily stared at the phone, then hung up.
Matt returned, arms full of medicine, to find Emily, coat already on, standing in the hallway.
Where are you off to?
Dads had a heart attack.
No more explanation was needed. Matt fetched his mum to watch Oliver, and off he and Emily went.
They waited at the hospital for hours, silently together. At last, Emily broke the hush:
Thank you Im so lucky youre with me right now.
Ill always be here, Em. Always.
I know, Matt. Now I understand it all
Later, the doctor found them, Emily sleeping with her head on Matts shoulder. He gently woke her.
Weve moved your father to a ward. Therell be months of recovery ahead, but the worst is over. Get some rest and come back tomorrow for visiting hours.
Emily hugged Matt, letting tears flow and, with them, the pain shed carried for so long. She realised thena life built on kindness, patience, and true friendship could withstand the storms. Sometimes, the people who hold you up quietly in the hardest times are the ones who truly matter. And in choosing to let go of what hurts, you finally make space for what heals.
