5November 2025
Dear Diary,
Why are you up so early? I asked, a little startled.
Emily turned the key in the frontdoor, slipped inside and flicked the hall light on. The first thing that caught her eye were a pair of bright red womens shoes lying by the entrance. Instantly she recognised them they were Sophies shoes
The following morning at the office Emily started feeling awful. A wave of nausea hit her and her head spun. Shed been a bit under the weather for a few days but had brushed it off; now it hit full force.
Are you alright? asked Claire, the colleague sitting next to her, concern in her voice.
Its just a sudden bout of nausea and dizziness, Emily replied, loosening the collar of her blouse and wiping sweat from her forehead.
Could you be pregnant? Claire teased with a sly smile.
No, no, youre joking! Emily waved it off. Probably something I ate that wasnt fresh.
What could you have eaten that wasnt fresh when youre such a health nut? Claire laughed.
Emily paused, wondering what if she really was pregnant. No, that cant be, she thought, or can it?
I think Ill get a test, just in case, she said, standing up and heading for the exit.
Ten minutes later she was in the staff restroom, staring at two pink lines on the test strip. She was pregnant.
She didnt know whether to be delighted or upset. Andrew and she werent ready for children yet. Was this fate stepping in? Her thoughts tangled. Realising she couldnt work properly that day, she went to see our manager, Irene Barnes, to ask for the morning off.
Irene smiled kindly. Of course, Emily. Go home, rest, and get back on your feet. Ill see you tomorrow.
Emily didnt walk home; she raced back to the flat, eager to share the news with Andrew, who happened to have the day off. She imagined the surprise on his face when she walked through the door with such news.
She opened the flats front door, lit the hallway, and the red shoes again caught her gaze. They belonged to her friend Claire.
Whats Claire doing at my place this early? Emily wondered, stepping into the living room. It was empty, but voices drifted from the bedroom. She followed the sound, pushed the door open, and froze.
Andrew and Claire were deep in conversation, laughing. They turned, startled, at the sight of her.
Emily? Andrew stammered. Why are you up so early?
Claire clutched a blanket, eyes wide with shock.
What followed is a blur. Emily screamed, flung bags, chased Andrew and Claire out, then collapsed onto the bed, sobbing uncontrollably. She later sat on the floor, stare fixed on nothing. By the time she regained her senses, night had fallen and the flat was dead quiet.
Five days later Emily walked into a private clinic, determined to arrange an abortion. In those days shed made up her mind. Andrew had only returned once, merely to collect his things and tell her the marriage was over. It turned out he and Claire had been seeing each other for six months; it was love, not just an affair.
Emily didnt tell Andrew about the pregnancy. Shed realised he was serious about the split and didnt want to keep a child tied to a man who no longer loved her. She also knew she couldnt raise a child alone her parents lived in Liverpool, and her salary wouldnt cover a nanny.
She sat in the waiting room, waiting for her turn. A patient left, and a doctors voice called from behind the door, Come in!
Inside, the doctor looked up, surprised. Anthony?! Is that you? Emily gasped. Youre a doctor now?
Anthony was a former classmate and Emilys first love. In Year11 shed harboured a secret crush on him but never confessed. At their school leavers dance hed asked her for a spin, then shyly planted a kiss on her cheek. Her heart had fluttered, but embarrassment stopped her from letting him walk her home, a regret that lingered for years.
After graduation Anthony moved to Manchester to study medicine, and they lost touch. Now, adult and still strikingly handsome, he stood in front of her.
Emily! What a surprise! he exclaimed, hugging her. The encounter was so startling she forgot her troubles for a moment. They talked for about ten minutes, catching up.
Then Anthony snapped back to reality. Right, youre here for an appointment. What brings you in? he asked, his tone sobering. Emily sighed heavily and spilled everything Andrews betrayal, Claires deception, the unexpected pregnancy.
And you want to terminate the pregnancy? Anthony asked, eyes steady.
Yes, she replied firmly.
After the examination, Anthony suggested, Why dont we have dinner tonight? Talk it through. An abortion is a serious decision; you shouldnt rush it.
Alright, she agreed, eager to hear more about his life.
That evening they sat in a tiny café, reminiscing about school, laughing over old jokes. For the first time in a week Emily felt a warm glow. She enjoyed Anthonys company and didnt want to leave.
The conversation turned to her pregnancy. He tried to persuade her to keep the baby, saying the child wasnt at fault for her husbands betrayal.
Do you have kids yourself? Are you married? Emily asked.
I was, Anthony replied quietly. But I cant have children. My wife left when she found out.
A silence fell. Anthony looked away, then back at Emily, tears welling.
I want the child, but Im scared I wont manage, Emily whispered.
Youll manage, Anthony said, smiling, gently squeezing her hand. If it gets tough, Ill be here.
He even offered to act as her personal doctor throughout the pregnancy.
For the first time in days Emily slept peacefully; a weight seemed lifted from her chest.
Later that night a knock sounded on her flats door. Opening it, she saw Anthony holding a bag of fresh fruit.
Just came to check on my patient, he said, a little embarrassed. May I come in?
How did you get my address? she asked.
Its on your medical record, he laughed.
Come in then, she said, smiling.
They sat at the kitchen table, sipping tea.
Emily, I was in love with you back in school but was too shy to say it, Anthony confessed. At the leavers dance I thought I had a chance, but you ran off.
I cursed myself for that, Emily replied, cheeks flushing. I loved you too, just too frightened to act.
After a pause, Anthony met her gaze. Maybe theres still a chance for us. Maybe fate is giving us a second shot.
But Im pregnant with another mans child, she said, bewildered. Why would you want that?
Because Ive never had a child of my own, and Id love to be a father, he answered warmly.
Im willing, Emily whispered, feeling the old schoolgirl blush return. Anthony moved closer, embraced her, and kissed her. She clung to him, tears streaming down her cheeksthis time tears of joy.
—
Looking back, Ive learned that life can turn on a single moment, and the choices we make in panic often haunt us. Yet, when we pause, listen, and open ourselves to unexpected kindness, we may discover a path we never imagined. I shall remember to trust the unexpected and to give compassion a chance, even when the world feels upside down.
