Holly had always been unlucky in love. Shed waited well into her thirties before finally deciding to find herself a man. At first, she didnt know Paul was married, but once shed grown attached, he stopped hiding it. Still, she never blamed himonly herself for falling into the affair, ashamed she hadnt settled down in time.
She wasnt a beauty, but pleasant-looking, slightly plump, which mightve added a few years to her appearance. The relationship went nowhere. Holly didnt want to stay the other woman, but leaving Paul terrified hershe couldnt bear being alone.
One day, her cousin Steve dropped by on his way through London for work. They hadnt seen each other in ages, so they chatted over lunch like old times. Holly poured her heart out, even shedding a few tears. Just then, her neighbour popped in, asking Holly to come over briefly.
While she was gone, the doorbell rang. Steve answered, expecting Holly, but instead found Paul on the doorstep. Paul froze, staring at the burly bloke in a tracksuit munching on a ham sandwich.
«Holly home?» Paul managed.
«Just popped to the loo,» Steve lied smoothly. «And you are?»
Paul stammered, «A friend. Who are you?»
«Her fiancé,» Steve said, stepping closer and grabbing Pauls collar. «You that married bloke shes been crying over? Listen hereif I catch you round again, Ill toss you down the stairs. Got it?»
Paul bolted.
When Holly returned, Steve told her what happened. «Whatve you done?» she cried. «He wont come back now!»
«Good,» Steve said firmly. «Enough moping. Ive got a proper bloke for youa widower back in Kent. Women chase him, but hes not interested. Come down next weekend. Well introduce you.»
Holly balked. «I cant just»
«Less shame in meeting a single man than sneaking about with a married one,» Steve cut in. «Besides, its my wifes birthday. Youre coming.»
A few days later, they were in Kent. Steves wife, Lucy, had set up a garden party. Among the guests was Alex, the widower. Quiet and reserved, he barely spoke, but Holly noticed his kindness. «Poor man,» she thought. «Still grieving.»
A week later, her doorbell rang. Alex stood there, clutching a bag. «Just passing through,» he mumbled. «Thought Id drop by.»
Holly invited him in. Over tea, they chatted about trivial things until, as he left, Alex suddenly turned back. «Ive thought of you all week,» he admitted. «Had to see you again.»
Holly blushed. «We barely know each other.»
«Doesnt matter. Do you mind me? Im no prizegot an eight-year-old daughter, too.»
«A daughters a blessing,» Holly said softly. «Ive always wanted one.»
Encouraged, Alex kissed her. To her surprise, it felt rightsweet and safe.
They met every weekend after. Two months later, they married and moved to Kent. Holly found work at a nursery, and within a year, they welcomed their own little girl. The two children grew up loved equally, and with each passing year, Alex and Holly grew happier, their love deepening like aged wine.
At family gatherings, Steve would wink at Holly. «See? Told you Id find you a proper husband. And Holly would laugh, squeezing Alexs hand, knowing shed finally found not just love, but a life she never thought possible.
