This will be another life.
Eleanor Hart, twenty, never imagined what lies ahead. She studies at university, loves Daniel Brooks, and they already talk about marriage.
Daniel is older; he has finished his army service. He first meets Eleanor at the schools autumn formal when she is in her final year of secondary school. Even though they live in the same townManchesterand attend the same school, Daniel left a year earlier.
Whos that handsome fellow? Eleanor thinks as she spots him.
He steps into the hall, scans the crowd, locks eyes with her and smiles. She falls for him instantly. He is unlike any other boy she has known.
Hi, Im Daniel, he says, approaching her. She blushes, her cheeks turning pink. May I have this dance? he adds, taking her waist as they spin together.
Eleanor, she breathes, feeling as if shes floating. Daniel holds her securely, guiding every step.
Eleanor, youre a natural on the dance floor, he grins.
He stays by her side all night. Afterwards they walk together, reluctant to part, but Eleanor knows she must go home; her mother worries.
After school, Eleanor enrolls at the local university. Daniel works fulltime. He never knows boredom or a bad mood; his optimism lifts everyone around him. He has many friends, and now Eleanor often joins them at weddings and other gatherings.
Even in midwinter Daniel brings her roses. Every date feels like a celebration. They linger in cafés, escape to the countryside, or meet up with friends.
When Eleanor reaches her third year, Daniel surprises her.
Over the Christmas break were heading to the ski resort. Ive already bought two tickets. Well learn to ski with top instructorsfast and fun, he says.
Yay, Daniel, youre the best! she exclaims, leaning on his neck. Then, giggling, she adds, Oh, Im a bit of a scaredycat on the slopes, you didnt know that, did you?
The trip becomes unforgettable. Eleanor quickly masters the slopes and loves it, though she wishes the fairytale could last forever. On International Womens Day, Daniel arrives at her house with two bouquets.
Happy Womens Day, he hands one to Eleanors mother and one to her. These are for you, beautiful, he says, kissing her cheek. She beams at the fresh roses.
Daniel, why are you spending so much? her mother asks. Its pricey.
Its fine, Daniel replies. Sam and Victor are heading out for seasonal work; Im joining them. Theres a highvoltage line project, good pay. Ill save for our wedding and a car.
I dont want you to leave, Eleanor protests. Dont go, Daniel.
Its only for three or four months. Well keep in touch. Im keen to plan a wonderful weddingyou want that too, dont you?
I do, but even a modest ceremony would be fine. What matters is that we stay together, she answers, a hint of sadness in her voice.
Daniel is determined and leaves with his friends. The pay is indeed generous, and they speak frequently on the phone.
One afternoon, while attending a lecture, Eleanor feels a sudden unease that soon passes. The night before, she had spoken with Daniel, so she doesnt expect a call today. Later at home, her heart races. She dials Daniel, but his phone is silent. Her pulse throbs, echoing in her temples.
Why isnt Daniel answering? she wonders, dialing repeatedly.
She finds Victors number and calls him, hoping for relief.
Victor, wheres Daniel? she asks.
Victors voice is flat. Hes gone.
Gone? What do you mean? Eleanor asks, hearing only a brief hiss before the line cuts.
She shouts, Mum! and breaks into tears.
The next day she learns that Daniel was electrocuted on the faulty power pole. Margaret Brooks, Daniels mother, is a shadow of herself, hardly speaking, waiting for his father and younger brother Roman to return. The funeral and wake bring an overwhelming darkness.
Eleanor drifts through the days in a numb fog, visiting Margaret often and sitting in silence beside her. They sometimes drive to the cemetery together.
Margaret refuses to let Eleanor go, urging her to stay, especially now that its summer and school holidays. They visit churches and share tea.
One day, lets go to the coast, Margaret suggests.
Eleanor agrees, though she sees no reason to travel without Daniel. Still, Margarets grip is strong, and her own mother has started telling her to let go slowly. They plan a week by the sea.
On the coast, they spend mornings sunbathing and afternoons resting in a hotel room. Margaret seems a little steadier. Eleanor watches her phone, unable to sleep; she never naps during the day, while Margaret dozes lightly.
Life bustles around them, yet Eleanor feels alone. She walks to the promenade, the sea meeting the sky far ahead. A tiny ferry drifts on the horizon, gulls shriek, cars honk, children laugh, and strangers chatter. The world is alive, but she remains isolated.
A male voice calls out, You look beautiful and sad.
She turns toward a young man, wants to snap back, but holds her tongue. Something about him reminds her of Daniel, though she cant pinpoint why.
The beautiful dont get happiness from God, she replies sadly.
I disagree, the stranger says. Trust me, Im right. He offers his hand. Im George.
George? Im Eleanor.
They exchange a few quick lines before she spins away. George watches her go. Hes been watching her for days, feeling sorry that shes never truly aloneshes always with her mother.
Determined to learn more about Eleanor, George follows her. He notices her lingering sorrow and that she rarely smiles.
Two days remain before they leave. Margaret naps after the beach. Eleanor decides to shop; as she exits, she bumps into George, who snatches a grocery bag from her hands.
Let me help, if you dont mind, he says, instantly switching to the informal you.
Help if you like, she replies.
Eleanor, I need to talk. Its serious, and I have many questions. If youre okay with it, he gestures toward a summer café beside the supermarket, lets sit.
Im leaving in three days, George says, and you?
No, were heading out tomorrow night. Tickets are in hand, she answers.
Phew, I was guessing, George sighs. Where do you live? she mentions Manchester; his eyes widen.
No, Im here too, he says, surprised. Great, we wont get lost.
George, a recent engineering graduate, works in a design office for the city council. Hes single after a breakup and escaped to the coast to clear his head. He fell for Eleanor the moment he saw her.
She tells him about her grief and Daniels mother, and he is astonished.
Why are you staying with his mother? Usually families dont keep the daughter of a deceased son so close, he says. Ive never heard of that before.
I dont know, George. I dont want to hurt her, she admits.
They swap numbers and plan to meet in Manchester. Eleanor must go. Suddenly Margaret notices shes missing.
Eleanor, where are you? Margaret asks.
Just in the shop, then a walk, Eleanor replies.
Being near Margaret feels increasingly oppressive. Her own mother often urges her to break free from the burden, saying, Youre suffocating under his mothers weight. Yet kindness keeps Eleanor from abandoning her completely.
She realizes she cant stay this way forever and decides, once home, to step back. That evening she and Margaret pack, discussing their future. Eleanor hints that shell move back to Manchester and start anew.
Margaret looks at her oddly, then says, So a new life Yes, you have your whole future ahead. To me youre like family. I thought I thought you might be pregnant, after everything with Daniel. I also have a son; maybe?
Eleanors stomach drops. I dont need anyone, especially not Daniels brother, she snaps, and Margaret, for the first time since the funeral, cries. The release eases her a little.
Now Eleanor is certain: a new life begins without Margarets shadow.
Home, home, the thought drums in her head. Perhaps meeting George was a blessing; he opened her eyes to the whole situation.
The new academic year starts. Eleanor dates George, and one day she walks alone to Daniels grave.
Goodbye, Daniel, she whispers. I was happy with you, thank you for the joy. You left too soon, but I must keep living. Im different now, with a new life without you. Farewell.
She steps out of the cemetery gates, heading to the car where George waits. With George, she feels reborn. She sees Margaret only occasionally, if at all. Soon she marries George and looks forward to their child.
