Get out of here, Ive never loved you a bit! Michael bellowed after his young wife, who was hauling their infant son out of the flat.
At last youve found the courage to admit it. Though I understood it perfectly well myself, you could have kept quiet, the woman replied.
Emma glanced at the man slumped in his armchair, a halfempty bottle in his hand. In that instant she realised exactly what the right thing to do was. Any lingering doubt vanished like mist. She smiled at the tiny Sam, gave him a quick kiss, and headed straight for the front door.
Emma had no idea where those doors would lead. It would be generous to say that life after she walked out on Michael was a walk in the park. She shuffled between rented rooms, endless parttime gigs, a baby in her arms, and no one offering a helping hand. Her mother was long gone, her father a distant memory from childhood, and she knew nothing of his whereabouts.
She thought to herself:
If hed wanted to see his daughter, hed have found a way. If he didnt, he simply didnt care.
The story, however, isnt about him; its about Emma.
Michael and Emma had first met at a disco in Manchester. He was goodlooking, welldressed, and handed out compliments like candy. A touch arrogant, perhaps, but Emma didnt mind then a mistake shed later regret.
Michael grew up without a father, but he had plenty of caretakers his grandmother, mother and aunt. Everything revolved around him, for his benefit. That was the pattern: childhood, youth, adulthood. When he married Emma and moved her into his flat, nothing really changed; the world still spun around him, and he enjoyed it.
Their domestic bliss collapsed quickly. Why? Because Emma refused to become his perpetual nanny. They lived together a year before the baby arrived and two years after, then Emma finally had enough, packed her bag and left.
Twenty years have passed since that bitter divorce day. Sam is now a grownup, studying at university. Michael never bothered to talk to him, nor did he bother with Sams fate, but Emma never pressed the issue either. She raised Sam on her own.
One bleak morning, Emma trudged to work in a bad mood. Summer had fled, the oncevelvety season gave way to autumns grip, and the first snowflakes were already crunching under her boots. She walked slowly, no longer sprinting from one shift to another; life had finally settled into a sensible rhythm.
Sam was juggling his studies with a parttime job, while Emma herself had been promoted to department manager, earning a respectable £35,000 a year.
Harriet, where are you racing off to? Its still early, she called to a young colleague.
Oh, MsEmma, hello, Harriet whispered, wiping away a tear and smearing a cheap concealer over a purple bruise.
Harriet, what now? You cant keep living like this, not loving yourself enough, Emma said, halfsmiling.
I dont know Harriet sobbed, the mascara running. Emma saw herself in that girl; shed been there once too.
Look over there, Emma said, pointing to a snowcovered bench.
Where? Harriet asked, glancing around, forgetting her tears for a moment.
See the sparrows? Theyre huddled, cold, not having the best time. Summer will warm them, food will return. In three or four months spring will be here and theyll be chirping again. Emma explained.
Exactly, Harriet replied.
Same goes for you. Bad times pass, but you cant just sit still. You need to grab life by the lapels, want change, and find the strength to do it. Emma urged.
Harriet stared at her boss, then said,
Youre all bright and polished. Im just
Stop it! Youre brilliant and clever, youll turn your life around. Just have the will and dont be scared.
They agreed to think over Harriets situation after work.
The day slipped by quickly. That evening Emma found Harriet.
How are you holding up?
Honestly, I dont even want to go home.
Then dont. Pick up your daughter from nursery and come over. You can stay here for the night, and well sort things out tomorrow.
Its a bit inconvenient
Forget it! Well have tea, I baked a strawberry tart yesterday.
Harriet finally consented. It turned out to be the first quiet evening shed had in ages, and Emma even thought shed become a tad less clumsy.
The next morning Emma helped Harriet find a flat and move in, kicking off a fresh start for her, just as shed once done for herself.
Three months later Harriet asked Emma to look after her daughter while she attended a court hearing about her divorce. Her exhusband was ordered to pay child support, and she welcomed the change.
On a Friday at work, Harriet popped over,
Emma, fancy a cuppa on Saturday? Weve already decked the Christmas tree.
Ill be there.
The following day Emma, true to her word, drifted to Harriets flat, stopping at a corner shop for biscuits and a chocolate bar for little Lucy.
Emma, I cant thank you enough. You literally saved my life, Harriet said, eyes shining.
Oh, darling, you saved yourself. You wanted change, and here it is. I was once in your shoes, too.
Emma showed Harriet a photo album; even Lucy set aside her dolls to look at the pictures. Emma recounted holidays with Sam, trips to the coast, and countless amusing anecdotes. Harriet listened intently, her daughter perched on her lap.
So, have you remarried? Harriet asked, blushing a little.
No, love. Men never quite worked out for me, but Im sure youll find your own happiness.
Thank you! I hope you do too. Harriet replied, hugging Emma.
They said goodbye warmly. Lucy scampered to the hallway.
Aunt Emma, will you visit again? she chirped.
Of course, dear. Just say when.
Emma stepped out into the street, where a proper preNewYear snowstorm was raging. She walked past glittering shop windows when a voice called,
Miss! Wait!
She turned to see a middleaged stranger hurrying after her.
Why are you running away from me? he asked, slightly out of breath.
What do you want? Emma replied.
You dropped your gloves. I saw them when I left the shop, he said, handing them over.
Oh, thank you so much!
Im Edward, he introduced himself.
Emma, she answered dryly.
What a peculiar name! Fancy a lift?
No, Im not far.
Dont be stubborn, its a blizzard
Alright.
Edward turned out to be a pleasant chap. They chatted amiably as he drove, stopping at a pedestrian crossing for a lanky, clearly inebriated man who staggered across. In the headlights, Emma caught a glimpse of her former husband, his face briefly illuminated. She shivered, recognized him, and he slipped away.
Emma, any plans for NewYears Eve? Edward asked.
I havent decided yet, she said.
How about we celebrate together? Ill book a table, promise youll have a laugh.
She smiled.
Deal. I wont let you down.
Deal indeed, Edward grinned.
Why would she say no? Shed earned a slice of happiness, and perhaps, just perhaps, the night before the New Year would bring her the love shed been waiting for all along.
What do you think? Share your thoughts, give a like, and have a chuckle.
