If anyone had ever warned Emily Harper that she would become the cause of endless gossip and a rift between a father and his son, she would have begged them to take the words back. Emily was a simple, country girl, but she could still stand up for herself when needed. Still, fate had other plans, and even in her worst nightmare she never imagined shed have to trek through the seven circles of hell to find happiness.
Emily had only just moved to Birmingham, despite pleading with her mother not to send her to her aunts house. At the family meeting it was decided that Emily would be the one to go to Aunt Gillian Thompson, simply because there was no one else. Arthur Harper, the patriarch, worked as a tractor driver and was now buried in field work. Martha Harper kept the farm running, while the younger siblings were either at school or in nursery.
Packing the essentials into a tiny suitcase, Emily set off for the aunt shed only ever seen once, at a christening. Rumour had it that Gillians sharp temper had made her unable to get on with any of her three husbands, and she had never had children nor any heirs. Deep down, Emilys parents hoped shed inherit the flat Gillian owned, and indeed thats what happened. Yet Gillian, though not outright cruel, kept Emily at arms length. She never asked about Emilys life and let no one into her own world. Why bother keeping her around? one might ask. The answer was simple: Gillian was scared of dying alone, of her body rotting unnoticed until the smell drifted up the stairs and someone finally called the police.
Gillian had been battling a terminal illness for years and knew she wouldnt live much longer. To her, Emily was a convenient ticket to a timely funeral and a proper wake. Emily, aware of her aunts anxieties, didnt prattle about them. She washed, cooked, cleaned, shopped basically did everything required of a livein helper. With no friends, she missed the evenings she used to spend on the village bench with neighbours after a hard day. In Birmingham she rarely left the flat; her only escape was the balcony, where she could watch young mums strolling with prams or elderly ladies gossiping by the lift. Her days fell into two halves: the grim half of running errands for the ailing aunt, and the pleasant half that began when Gillian fell asleep after her painkillers. Then Emily could brew a fragrant cup of tea, step onto the balcony, and soak up a wellearned slice of peace.
Soon she noticed a charming neighbour, Andrew Clarke, who habitually appeared on the balcony at the same hour. At first they nodded politely, pretending not to notice each other, then exchanged greetings, and eventually their balcony chats hinted at a shy, teenagelike crush. Both would race to the balcony, hoping to catch a glimpse of the other. By the time Gillian passed away, Emily and Andrew were already a close pair, having confessed their feelings. After the funeral Emily told her parents she wanted to stay in the city to study, and they, knowing the truth, simply let her go.
Confident in their mutual affection, Emily readily accepted Andrews courtship and his proposal. Andrew lived alone. His mother had remarried and moved to the United States after a divorce. His father, Dr. David Whitaker, worked as a physician in Nigeria, visiting only once a year on holiday. Their wedding was modest but joyous; the newlyweds were the happiest couple in the room, ready to spend the rest of their lives side by side.
Andrew followed his fathers footsteps, training as a doctor and becoming a junior surgeon at the city hospital. Emily wanted to keep up with him, so after a short stint of study she enrolled in a nursing course. She imagined the two of them saving patients together, but not every dream materialises.
Emily, Dads arriving next week! Youd better be ready, her mother said.
Really? What does he like? We need groceries, a menu, a deep clean
Relax, love. Hes not the king of Nigeria coming over, just my simpleminded dad.
Still, Emily fretted. Shed only seen photos of David tall, tanned, looking a bit like a Mediterranean tourist and worried he might turn out to be a snob or a perfectionist, finding fault in everything. Or perhaps Andrew would think she wasnt good enough and dump her. But David turned out to be a completely different character. He greeted his son and daughterinlaw with kisses, apologised for missing the wedding, and arrived bearing a mountain of gifts. He raved about Emilys stew, claiming he hadnt tasted anything better, then left to visit old friends. A month flew by before David returned to Nigeria, leaving the young couple to their own devices.
Sometimes Emily wondered why her motherinlaw seemed eager to swap David for someone else. David was an excellent cook, occasionally whipping up delicate crêpes that would make any housewife jealous, and he often helped with the housework, offering his son advice:
Lucky you, youve landed a good wife Look after Emily, help her out, or youll miss your own happiness.
Andrew smiled silently, thinking, Where would she go? Emily isnt the type to abandon everything. Even if she were unfaithful, shed forgive and carry on as if nothing had happened. Rural life, after all, is straightforward people live for their children and endure everything. He believed this wholeheartedly, so when a nurse started flirting with him, Andrew dove into a new romance, unconcerned that his wife was battling a fierce bout of morning sickness and could barely manage a meal. He arrived home fed, dined with his friend Karina, drove her home, and pretended to be exhausted when he finally got back. Emily, meanwhile, was absorbed in her own feelings: delighted at the prospect of motherhood yet terrified of failing, despite having such a caring husband.
When Emily gave birth, the workload multiplied. Milk was scarce, the baby wailed all night, and Andrew grew irritable, demanding Emily calm the child while he retired to the lounge. When David visited again, he barely recognised Emily. The oncecheerful, rosycheeked woman had become pale and gaunt, a shadow of herself, while his son had thinned and was constantly checking his watch.
Help your wife a bit, will you? David asked.
Dad, shes at home all day, maybe she could look after the baby herself.
Anyone else in your life now?
Why do you ask?
I see youre happy when youre out, and youre irritable when youre home.
Oh, nothing serious, Dad.
Just make sure it doesnt turn into a disaster.
Emilys to blame, really. She doesnt look like a woman any more. Have you seen her hair? Her face?
Its your own fault she hardly ever rests.
Right, Im off, work wont wait!
Andrew barely listened to his father, assuming Emily should juggle everything because she stayed at home. Only David seemed to understand Emily without words, always trying to help however he could.
Emily, go to bed, Ill watch the grandchild, David offered.
What if she gets hungry?
Do you think I cant mix a formula and feed her? Dont forget, I raised a bit of a rogue your husband.
Thanks to her fatherinlaw, Emily managed to get some sleep. David would stroll with the baby, feed her, and rock her to sleep whenever Emily was occupied, giving her a sliver of rest. She thanked him constantly and prayed that God would someday give him a partner of his own. It was lonely for David, stuck in Nigeria, while Emily had her husband and child. Yet she found herself thinking more and more about him. He became more than a dadinlaw a brother, a friend, a confidant. Hed listen to any story and always offered a supportive word. The thought of him leaving made her dread the future.
You look down, love, David said.
Just a bit
Heres some money go to the salon, get a haircut, a dye, a manicure, a bit of makeup. Then treat yourself to a shopstop. Dont worry about the little one; Ill look after her.
Emily darted off, planted a quick kiss on Davids cheek, and set about his instructions. By evening she was radiant and happy, strolling home with a spring in her step. A mischievous thought crossed her mind: why not surprise Andrew? She turned toward the hospital where he worked.
Good afternoon, Im here to see Dr. Andrew Clarke.
Hes in, go ahead.
Emily imagined the delighted look on his face when he saw her new look, but the scene that greeted her was far from that. Sitting on his examination table was a young nurse, her gown halfunbuttoned, clearly not for a routine checkup. Emily fled the room like a startled rabbit, hailed a cab, and sobbed all the way home.
What happened, sweetheart? her mother asked.
Andrews cheating
Who told you?
I saw it with my own eyes
David wrapped his arms around Emily, rubbing her head gently.
Cry, love, itll ease the pain. Ill talk to him, make him come home.
I dont want to stay here. Ill take the baby and leave.
Dont be foolish, dear. Where would you go? Think of the child. Life in the countryside isnt a picnic, works hard, and youve got a little one in your arms.
No one had held Emily like that in ages. She and Andrew had been sleeping in separate rooms for months, and now the scent of his cologne and his soothing words swirled her head. David, too, felt an unexpected pull toward Emily a fragile, vulnerable girl who made him want to protect her, kiss her, whisk her away to a place where no one could hurt her. He lifted her onto his arms and carried her to the bedroom, and she didnt resist. They kept this little secret, hidden from Andrew, who, preoccupied with his own affairs, never noticed the shift.
Emily felt both shame for her fleeting weakness and a strange joy that she was still loved. She began to compare Andrew with David, and, to her dismay, David seemed to win at everything. Then Emily discovered she was pregnant again. She didnt know what to do; theyd only been intimate a few months earlier, and Andrew would surely suspect infidelity.
What are you fretting over? Its wonderful! I never thought Id be a father at fiftysomething. Its up to you now will you marry me?
And Andrew?
What about Andrew? I know we both made mistakes, but hes at fault too. Hell eventually leave you, but I love you and cant imagine life without you.
After the divorce, Emily and David married and moved to Nigeria together. Their families were baffled, the village gossiped that Emily had merely pretended to be modest, and Andrew kept on telling anyone whod listen how cruel his exwife and father had been. It didnt matter; they were happy, grateful to have found each other and to cherish every moment they shared.
