You know, Emmas been living in her little village up in the Cotswolds for nineteen years now, with her mum and her nan, and she still hopes that someday Jack, the boy shes loved since she was a kid, will turn up. Shed smile thinking back to that lad from next door, five years older than her, and mutter to herself,
Wouldnt it be grand if Jack just showed up here in the village? Sadly his grandmother passed three years ago, and I was the one looking after her
After finishing Year9, Emma went off to the nearest town to train at a medical college, just graduated and now works as a trainee EMT at the local health centre. She often wonders,
What does a womans happiness even look like? Do we even have a word for it? Its just the three of us, an allfemale household, and Mum never seems to know what makes her happy either. She always tells me how my dadwhom I never metbolted off the moment she found out she was pregnant. And my nan, Martha, raised her two daughters alone after being widowed early.
Even though shes still young, Emmas been treating the villagers with a steady handquick with the needle, measuring blood pressure, always polite and kind. Folks respect her because shes one of their own. Shes been a bit of a doctor since she was a child, patching up cats, dogs, slapping green antiseptic on her friends knees, and handling her own scrapes.
Just back from the health centre, lost in thought, Jack popped into her mind again.
Why do I keep thinking about him? she scolded herself. Maybe hes already married, maybe hes got a brood of kids, and hell never know I loved him since I was thirteen.
The last time hed been there was for his grandmothers funeral, but they barely spoke. Hed been with his mum, looking a touch ill, leaning on his sons arm.
Winters grip was still strong, New Years already passed, February was winding down. Emmas mum worked as a postwoman, while Martha stayed at home baking fresh scones, making dumplings and jamfilled pasties.
Turning toward her own cottage, Emma glanced over at the neighbours houseone the key to which old Nan had handed her when she was still caring for Martha. After heavy snowfalls, Emma would even clear a path to that house, hoping Jack might turn up, but
Hey, Gran, wheres mum? She should be home by now, Emmas little niece asked.
She did drop in, but she went to see Mary, her friend, whos feeling under the weather. Shell be back soon, took the medicine with her. Come sit down, Ill get you something to eat. Well keep the old ones warm, Martha cooed.
Right, Im starving, and its freezing today. Springs coming, but winters being stubborn, Emma laughed. Anyway, spring will chase the cold away, pack up its suitcase and head off to the north. I love spring.
She slipped into her tiny bedroom, flopped onto the bed and drifted back to memories of Jack. When he was seventeen, hed helped his granddad Sam fix the roof during a summer break. He slipped, almost fell off, but Sam grabbed his wrist just in timethough a nail nicked his leg. Emma saw it from her garden, grabbed a bandage and some green antiseptic, and rushed over. Jack was sitting there, grimacing, while his nan clapped her hands in panic.
Ow, Jack, let me clean that up for you, the girl demanded, eyes wide. He stared at her, surprised.
Youre a doctor now, huh? he muttered, wincing.
Dont be silly, his nan said. Shes been bandaging everyone since she was a child, a proper medic.
Emma examined the wound, reassuring him,
Its nothing serious, just a shallow nick, Ill have it patched up in a flash, she said, constantly asking, Does it hurt?
Her blue eyes were full of sympathy; she almost sobbed for him. Jack caught her gaze and managed a shy smile.
No pain at all, he replied, watching as she wrapped his leg. Hed never forget those bright blue eyes; hed been about twelve then.
When Jack came home from the army, he saw his mother pale and thin, her lips cracked. He couldnt hide his tears, sitting beside her. She wept with relief, finally having her son back, and whispered,
Thank the heavens youre here, love. Now I can finally rest.
Dont talk like that, Mum, Jack said, I promise Ill look after you. He was a good sonhelped with injections, massaged sore feet, and watched over his mothers weak heart. He found a job and made it his mission to get his mum back on her feet, which he actually managed. Soon she was humming around the house, dreaming again of the old family cottage in the village.
Wouldnt it be lovely to live out there, no stairs to climb, just a chair on the porch and fresh country air. Maybe keep a few chickens
Jack decided to head back to the village on Saturday. He knew driving there in winter to a longabandoned cottage was a bit mad, but he promised his mum hed scout it out over the weekend. Her eyes lit up, and he thought, Better not stallmaybe shes just dreaming, but Ill at least check it out.
When he stepped off the bus, the roadcleared by a tractorled straight to the cottage his nan once ran a farm from. He thought hed have to slog kneedeep in snow, but the path was surprisingly tidy, all the way to the front steps, even a little old broom perched there.
Whos been keeping the path clear? Maybe someones moved in, he mused.
The windows were dressed with light curtains, the kind his nan had sewn herself. Shed love to stare out, never drawing them shut. Jack lifted the front step, pulled the key from his pocket, and turned the lock. A cheerful voice rang out behind him:
Hi there, youve been away a long time. Ive been waiting, feeling youd come back someday.
Startled, Jack almost toppled off the steps. Before him stood a tall, slender girl in a sheepskin coat and a fluffy white hat, her blue eyes sparkling, cheeks flushed with a rosy glow.
Dont you remember me? Im nans granddaughter try to recall.
He recognized the girl whod tended his leg all those years ago, but the name escaped him.
Im Emma, she said. Dont tell me youve forgotten me?
Emma of course, Emma, Jack replied, smiling as if a light had switched on. I remember you patching up my foot back when you were tiny, with those lightblonde pigtails sticking out sideways.
You actually remember?
Emmas face lit up, her grin infectious.
Ive been shoveling snow, waiting for you. Ive got so much to tell you. Come in, have a cup of tea, my mum and nan will be delighted. We can wander around the house later, if you like.
Jack settled in, sipping tea with a dollop of cherry jam, listening to her stories. Martha and the nan slipped into another room after the warm reunion.
My nans been ill lately, and I didnt want to worry you both, Emma said. Ive been caring for her, feeding her. I always wanted to be a medic, and now Im a trainee EMT right here.
I remember you fixing my leg, Jack laughed. You were so serious, you left no scar at all.
Dont be silly, she waved her hand. I was just so worried about you, Id been in love with you since I was a child She blushed, covering her mouth, surprised at herself.
Jack was taken aback.
Yes, you were a lanky girl back then, but I respected you for the way you cared for me, he said, gently shielding her as she confessed.
Emma reached for the old key.
This is the key my nan gave me before she passed. She always said youd come back, maybe even stay, she whispered, eyes dropping.
Keep the key, Jack said softly. Lets go inside.
Inside, the house was spotless, as if the nan had just stepped out. Jack felt a wave of gratitude toward Emma for keeping it that way.
Emma, I have to head back home, but I promise Ill return. Ill bring my mum, and well enjoy this fresh air together. Ill fix up the place, and you wait for me. Ill definitely be back. Your bright eyes wont let me go, he said, his heart fluttering.
Jack realized hed fallen in love with this village, with Emmas gaze, and that life without her felt empty.
How lucky I am that Emma hasnt married yet, how lucky I am to be here, he thought as she saw him off at the bus stop, feeling like laughing and singing.
Getting on the bus, he called out:
My nan was rightI’ll be back, and Ill never let you go.
Emma walked home, smiling, finally understanding what a womans happiness feels like.
