**Held a Grudge**
After finishing school, Emily graduated from medical college and returned to her home village in Yorkshire. Shed always dreamed of working as a nurse practitioner at the local clinic, especially since theyd recently built a new one with modern equipment. And old Margaret Thompson was retiringshed spent her whole life as the village medic and was relieved when Emily came to take her place.
«Oh, love, Ive waited so long for this,» Margaret said. «Im long past retirement, but your father, William, asked me to hold on till you got your diploma. Now I can pass everything over with a clear conscience.»
«Dont worry, Auntie Marg,» Emily replied. «Ill manage, but Ill call if I need adviceIm still green.»
«Of course, pet. You know where I am.»
Emily settled into her new role. Villagers came with aches and pains, sometimes just to check their blood pressureothers testing if she knew her trade. But after a year, people began trusting the young nurse. She was thorough and kind to everyone.
Then Daniel started dropping by the clinic more oftenback pain one day, a sore knee the next, a cut finger the week after. Emilys assistant, Joan Harris, no spring chicken herself but still working, noticed.
«Daniels making a habit of these visits,» Joan teased. Shed seen how the lad looked at Emilyand how Emily glanced back.
Love blossomed between them. Soon they were walking hand in hand, inseparable. Daniel proposed, and Emily happily accepted. What she didnt see was Michael, the handsome farmer, watching her too. Once, he even tried to walk her home, but she refused firmly.
«Michael, havent you heard? Im marrying Daniel soon.»
«Oh, Ive heard,» he muttered. «The whole village wont shut up about it. But I fancy you more than Daniel ever could. Whats he got that I dont?»
«Leave it, Michael. I love Daniel, and he loves me. Plenty of girls herefind one and be happy.»
She didnt realise how deeply shed wounded Michaels pride. Her thoughts were all for Daniel. The wedding came, a grand affair with the whole village celebrating.
A year later, Emily gave birth to a son, Oliver. He was adored by his parents and grandparents alike. Emily stayed home with him while Joan managed the clinic, sending urgent cases to the nearby hospital or calling an ambulance if neededthough she sometimes rang Emily for advice.
Lost in motherhood and chores, Emily didnt notice Daniel pulling away. By the time she did, it was too late. One evening, he came home grim-faced.
«How long have you known Michael?»
«Of course I know himhes from the village. Came to the clinic once with an injury.»
«Straight to you, was it?»
«To the clinic, not me. Joan treated him. Why? Are you jealous?» She laughed.
«The whole village is saying Oliver isnt minethat hes Michaels,» Daniel muttered, eyeing the baby.
«Have you lost your mind? What nonsense is this?»
«Your own father went to Michael, and he admitted you two were involved.»
Emily reeled. Now she understood why her parents hadnt visited. Shed been too wrapped up at home to notice.
Michael had spread the lie, painting Emily as unfaithful. The village buzzed with gossip.
«That quiet little nurse had a fling with Michaelthe boys not Daniels,» the women whispered. Even the men joined in.
«William, my sons leaving your daughter,» Daniels mother hissed. «Who does this? Having another mans child?»
«Dont talk rot,» William snapped, though doubt gnawed at him.
«Ask Michael yourself.»
Furious, William confronted Michael. «Is it true? Youre saying my grandson isnt Daniels?»
«Why would I lie? Your daughter threw herself at me, wanted to leave her husband. But whod take a woman like that?»
William was speechless. He nearly stormed to Emilys but hesitated. Meanwhile, Daniel packed his things and left.
«God, what did I do? I love him,» Emily whispered, watching him go.
Days passed. Emily sat by the window, Oliver asleep in his cot. The sunset blazed over the village.
«Oh, Ollie,» she sighed, wiping tears. «No one wants us now.»
She didnt know how to fight the lies. Her heart achedbetrayed by everyone. Only her friend Lucy stood by her, bringing groceries.
«Daniels a fool for believing gossip. And Michael» Lucy sighed. «Ive fancied him for years, you know. He claims you chased him. I dont believe it, but wholl listen to me?»
«Why would he do this, Lucy?»
«Because you turned him down. Now Daniels gone, he thinks hes got a chance. But he wont even look at me.»
Emily knew she had to face Michael, but how? Then Lucy rushed over one evening.
«Come quicksomeones poorly. I called an ambulance, but the roads are flooded. They might not come.»
«I cant leave Oliver!»
«Mrs. Wilkins next door will mind him. Hurry!»
They stopped at Michaels gate. Emily froze.
«I wont go in there.»
«Please,» Lucy begged. «If he dies, I couldnt bear it.»
Emily relented. «Only if he admits he lied.»
Inside, she found Michael drunk, half-conscious. She flushed his system, set up an IV. The ambulance never camethe roads were impassable. When he stabilised, she called them off.
Two days later, Michael recovered. Lucy pressed him to confess.
«Didnt mean for it to go this far,» he admitted. «Couldnt stand her rejecting me.»
«You ruined her life. Make it right.»
Soon, word spreadMichael was leaving the village for good. At the bus stop, he stood before the crowd.
«Forgive me, all of you. I fancied Emily, but she wanted nowt to do with me. I made up those lies out of spite. She saved my life, and I repaid her with slander. I thought if Daniel left, Id marry her, raise Oliver as mine. God help me, I wasnt right in the head. None of it was true.»
Emilys father arrived just then.
«Forgive me, William. I shamed your daughter. I cant face anyone now.»
Lucy wept, but Michael didnt glance her way.
«What a rotten bloke,» Daniels mother huffed.
The gossip faded. Emilys parents reconciled with her, then Daniels mother, even Daniel himself.
For a long time, Emily carried the hurt of betrayal. She eyed Daniel warily at first. But in time, she returned to work, smiling again, healing her neighbourswho loved and respected her as they always had.
**Lesson learned:** A grudge can poison more than just the one who holds it. Lies spread like weeds, but truth, though slow, always finds the light.
