A Grudge Held Too Long
After finishing school, Emily completed her nursing training and returned to her home village in the Yorkshire Dales. She had long dreamed of working as a nurse at the local clinic, especially now that a new one had been built with modern equipment. And old Mrs. Whitmore, who had served as the village medic for decades, was finally ready to retire. She welcomed Emily with relief.
«Oh, my dear, at last! Ive been waiting years for someone to take over. Your father, John, asked me to hold on until you got your qualifications. Now I can pass everything to you with a clear conscience.»
«Of course, Aunt Vera,» Emily replied. «Ill start right away. Though Ill still need your adviceIm new to this.»
«Ask me anything, love. Ill help however I can.»
And so Emilys days as the village nurse began. At first, the locals eyed her with suspicionsome coming just to test her knowledge, others simply for a blood pressure check. But as months passed, they grew to trust her. She treated everyone with kindness, and soon her reputation spread.
Then William, the young farmer, began visiting the clinic more oftencomplaining of back pains, a sore knee, or a cut finger. Mrs. Whitmore, still helping part-time, noticed the way he looked at Emilyand the way Emily glanced back when she thought no one saw.
Love blossomed between them. Soon, they walked hand in hand through the village, never hiding their affection. Before long, William proposed, and Emily joyfully accepted. What she didnt notice was Tom, the burly tractor driver, watching her too. One evening, he tried to walk her home, but she refused firmly.
«Tom, havent you heard? Im engaged to William. The weddings soon.»
«Oh, Ive heard,» he muttered. «The village women wont stop gossiping about it. But I fancy you toomore than William does, Id wager. Whats he got that I dont?»
«Leave it, Tom. I love William, and thats that. Plenty of other lasses would be glad of your attention.»
She didnt realize how deeply her words wounded himtoo wrapped up in wedding plans to notice his simmering resentment. The marriage was a grand affair, with the whole village celebrating.
A year later, Emily gave birth to a son, little George. The child was adored by both parents and doting grandparents alike. Emily stayed home with him while Mrs. Whitmore managed the clinic, sending patients to the town hospital when needed, though she still called Emily for advice.
Lost in motherhood and household chores, Emily failed to see William growing distantuntil it was too late. One evening, he returned from work with a dark expression.
«How long have you known Tom?»
«What? Everyone knows Tomhes from the village. Came to the clinic once with a cut.»
«To see *you*?»
«No, to see Mrs. Whitmore. She treated him. Whats this about? Are you jealous?»
«The whole villages saying George isnt minethat hes Toms,» William muttered, eyeing the child.
Emily froze. «Have you lost your mind? Toms got nothing to do with me!»
«They say even your father confronted him, and Tom *admitted* it.»
She suddenly realized why her parents had stopped visiting. She rarely left the house, unaware of the storm brewing outside.
Tom had spread liesclaiming Emily had pursued him, that the child was his. The gossip spread like wildfire.
«Shameless, that nursebearing another mans child while married!» the women whispered. Even Williams mother berated Emilys father.
John, Emilys father, confronted Tom near the pub.
«Is it true what theyre saying? That my grandsons yours?»
Tom smirked. «Why would I lie? She chased *me*wanted to leave her husband. But whod take a woman like that?»
John was stunned. He nearly stormed to Emilys house but hesitated. Meanwhile, William packed his things and left.
Days passed, Emily sitting by the window, little George asleep in his cot. The village seemed to turn its back on hereven her own parents. Only her childhood friend Lucy stood by her, bringing food and comfort.
«Williams a fool for believing those lies,» Lucy sighed. «And Tom… well, Ive fancied him for years. But hes set on ruining you.»
«Why, Lucy? What did I do?»
«Rejected him, thats what. He couldnt take it.»
Emily knew she had to confront Tom, but how? Then Lucy came rushing in one evening.
«Quicksomeones ill! Ive called an ambulance, but with the roads flooded, who knows if theyll come?»
Emily hesitatedshe couldnt leave George. Lucy fetched the neighbor, and they hurried outonly to stop at Toms cottage.
«I wont help him!» Emily said.
Lucy gripped her hand. «*Please*. If he dies, II couldnt bear it.»
Relenting, Emily entered. Tom lay pale, drunk beyond sensepoisoned by cheap whisky. She worked swiftly, flushing his system before the ambulance, diverted by the storm, could arrive.
Two days later, Tom recovered. Lucy pressed him to confess, but he only muttered, «Never meant for it to go this far.»
Then news spreadTom was leaving the village for good. At the bus stop, he stood before the gathered crowd.
«Forgive me, all of you. I lied about Emily. She never looked twice at me. I ruined her life out of spite.»
Emilys father stood silently as Tom continued.
«I thought if William left, shed turn to me. But I was wrong. Im leavingI cant face you all after this.»
The village murmured. William returned, ashamed. Emilys parents begged forgiveness. Even her mother-in-law apologized.
But trust took time to mend. Emily returned to work slowly, her smile returning as the villagers showed their love and respect once more. Yet the sting of betrayal lingered, a shadow shed carry for years.
