After finishing school, Emily completed her medical training and returned to her hometown village. She had long dreamed of working as a nurse practitioner at the local clinic, especially since theyd recently built a new one with modern equipment. And old Vera Thompson, who had spent her whole life as the village medic, was relieved to see her.
«Oh, Emily dear, at last! Im long past retirement age, but your father, John, asked me to wait until you got your qualifications. Now I can hand everything over with a clear conscience.»
«Of course, Aunt Vera. Ill take over, but Ill still need your adviceIm new to this.»
«Any time, love. Just ask.»
Emily settled into her routine. Villagers came with ailmentssome serious, some just wanting their blood pressure checkedbut after a year, they began trusting the young nurse. She was kind and thorough, and people appreciated her.
Then there was Daniel. He started dropping by the clinic oftencomplaining of back pain, a sore knee, a cut finger. The practice nurse, Mrs. Anne Wilson, who was still working despite her age, noticed.
«Daniels visiting an awful lot lately,» she teased, having seen the way the lad looked at Emilyand how Emily glanced back.
Love blossomed between them. Soon, they were walking hand in hand, inseparable. Before long, Daniel proposed, and Emily happily accepted.
What she didnt notice was Michael, the lanky, handsome tractor driver, watching her. Once, he even tried to walk her home, but she shut him down firmly.
«Michael, havent you heard? Im marrying Daniel soon.»
«Oh, Ive heard,» he muttered. «The whole village wont stop yapping about it. But I fancy you too, and Im better-looking than Daniel. Whats he got that I dont?»
«Leave it, Michael. I love Daniel, and he loves me. There are plenty of girlsfind one and be happy.»
She didnt realise how deeply shed wounded his pride. Her mind was too full of Daniel. Their wedding was a grand affair, with both families pulling out all the stops.
A year later, Emily gave birth to a son, little Jack. He was the apple of everyones eyehis parents, grandparents, the whole lot. Emily stayed home with him while Mrs. Wilson managed the clinic, calling for backup when needed.
Lost in motherhood, Emily didnt notice Daniel pulling awayuntil it was too late. One evening, he came home grim-faced.
«How long have you known Michael?»
«What? Hes just a village lad. He came to the clinic once with a cutMrs. Wilson treated him.»
«Just to the clinic?»
«Yes! Whats this about? Are you jealous?»
«The whole villages saying Jack isnt minethat hes Michaels. Even your father went to question him, and Michael admitted you two had a fling.»
Emily was stunned. She suddenly realised her parents hadnt visited in agestoo ashamed of her, she now understood.
Michael had spread the lie far and wide, twisting the truth. The gossip spread like wildfire.
«That nurse of ours is no better than she ought to be,» the women clucked. «Had a child by another man, and poor Daniel none the wiser!»
«John, our lads going to leave your wayward girl,» Daniels mother hissed at Emilys father. «Fancy carrying on like that!»
«Dont talk rot,» John snapped.
«Go ask Michael yourself, then!»
Furious, John confronted Michael.
«Is it true what theyre saying? That my grandson isnt Daniels?»
«Why would I lie?» Michael smirked. «Your Emily was all over mewanted to leave her husband for me. But whod take a girl like that?»
John was speechless. He nearly stormed to Emilys but hesitated.
Emily remained oblivious for daysuntil Daniel packed his things and left.
«God, what have I done? I love him!» she sobbed.
Now, she sat by the window, little Jack asleep in his crib. The sky burned red over the village.
«Seems like its just you and me, Jack,» she whispered, wiping away tears.
It was hard being alone, not knowing how to prove her innocence. Her heart ached with betrayal.
Only her friend Lucy stood by her, bringing groceries.
«Daniels wrong to believe rumours,» Lucy said. «And Michaelugh, Michael. Ive fancied him for ages, you know. But he swears you threw yourself at him. I dont believe it, but wholl listen to me?»
«Why would he do this?»
«Reckon hes sweet on you. You turned him down, and he couldnt take it. Now with Daniel gone, he thinks hes got a chance.»
«But I have a husband! And yet everyones turned against meeven my parents. There was never anything with Michael, I swear!»
«I believe you. But youve got to talk to him.»
Emily wasnt sure howwhat if he made things worse?
Then came the crisis. Lucy rushed in one evening.
«Come quick! Someones in a bad wayI called an ambulance, but the roads are flooded. They might not make it!»
Emily hesitated. «What about Jack?»
«Ill ask old Mrs. May next door. Hurry!»
Minutes later, they stopped at Michaels house.
«No,» Emily froze.
«Please,» Lucy begged. «Hes drunk himself sick. If he dies, Ill»
«Ill help if he admits he lied.»
«Fine, fine!»
Emily treated Michael for alcohol poisoning, even stayed to monitor him when the ambulance turned back.
Two days later, recovered, Michael finally confessedto Lucy.
«Didnt mean for it to go this far,» he muttered. «Just couldnt stand her saying no.»
«You ruined her life,» Lucy snapped. «Tell everyone the truth!»
Then, news spreadMichael was leaving the village for good. At the bus stop, he faced the crowd.
«Forgive me, good people. I fancied Emily, but she wanted nowt to do with me. Out of spite, I spread lies. She saved my life, and this is how I repaid her. I even thought if Daniel left, Id step in. I was mad. None of it was true.»
John, Emilys father, arrived just then.
«And you, JohnI shamed your daughter. I cant look anyone in the eye now. Thats why Im leaving. Forgive me.»
Only Lucy wept as he boarded the bus.
«What a rotter,» Daniels mother huffed loudest.
The lies faded. Emilys parents reconciled with her, then Daniels mother, weeping apologies. Eventually, Daniel returned.
For a long time, Emily carried the hurt of betrayal. She struggled to trust again. But in time, she went back to work, smiling once more as she cared for the villagerswho loved and respected her all the same.
