**The Surprise**
«Fancy a pint at the pub? Wind down after work?» asked Nicholas as they clocked out for the day.
«Sorry, mate. Got plans. Look.» Edward pulled a small box from his pocket and flipped it open.
«Blimey, youre actually doing it?» Nicholas eyed the ring. «Thought youd die a bachelor.» He clapped his friend on the back.
«Me and Emily have been together four yearstime to make it official. Shes got no idea. If I dont propose now…»
«You never will,» Nicholas finished for him. «Still cold feet? Dont be daft. Emilys a catch. Bit jealous, honestly.»
«Right, Im off.» Edward tucked the box away. «Promised Emily Id be home early,» he said, hurrying to the lift.
On the way, he stopped at a florist for a bouquet of red rosesEmilys favourite. He tossed them onto the passenger seat, rehearsing his speech at red lights. *»Darling Emily, youve waited so long… Emily, I love you, marry me.»* No, all wrong.
By the time he parked, he still hadnt nailed it. Keys in hand, he reached for the doorthen his phone rang.
«Eddie, love…»
His mothers voice told him everything.
«Whats happened, Mum?»
«Im fine. Its Laura… Shes gone, love.»
«Christ…» Edwards grip slackened. The door remained unopened.
Lauragone. His childhood friend. «How?»
«A hit-and-run. Died instantly. Drivers still at large. Funerals tomorrow. Will you come? She adored you… And little Alice is alone now. Social services might»
«Ill be there,» he promised.
«Please, love…» His mother wept.
*Lauras dead.* The words pulsed in his skull. He hadnt loved her the way shed loved him. She deserved better.
He barely registered climbing the stairs. The roses felt absurd in his hands. Proposing now would be obscene.
«Special occasion?» Emily asked, stepping into the hall. The flat smelled of roastusually, hed inhale it greedily, but tonight, the scent clashed with the news.
Emily waited for the flowers. He hesitated, then thrust them at her with a peck on the cheek.
She hid her disappointment behind lowered lashes and vanished into the kitchen. Water ran.
When he followed, the roses sat in a vase. Emily laid out plates.
He forced down a few bites.
«Not hungry?» she asked.
«Not really. Mum called. Laura died. Funerals tomorrow.»
«Laura…?» Emily trailed off.
«My ex-wife. Have to sort things for Alice. Our daughter.»
«Waityou never mentioned a daughter. How old?»
«Twelve, I think.»
«So youre bringing her *here*?»
«Dunno. Lauras got no family. My mums got health issues. Sorry, Ive got packing to do.»
«Youre *really* going to the funeral?»
«Night train. Already called work.»
«Youve been divorced for years. She probably had someone»
«Emily, *not now*. Cars yours while Im gone.»
«So *this* was the surprise?» She stood abruptly.
«No. Ill explain later. His fingers tightened around the box in his pocket.
The train ride was sleepless. Memories surfaced.
***
Theyd grown up togethersame nursery, same school. Pale, delicate Laura was always wrapped in scarves.
When her parents died in Year 11, her gran followed soon after. Edwards parents took her in.
His dad joked, *»Saves you finding a wife!»* Hed bristled.
Then, during A-levels, his parents left for a weekend. He barely remembered how it happenedjust that Laura got pregnant. His parents insisted they marry.
Hed loved her as a friend, a sister. Romance felt different in films. But he married her. Laura struggled through the pregnancy. When Alice was born, he felt nothing. The truth was bitterhe didnt love Laura, didnt care for his child. He wasnt ready.
He scraped through his first year at uni, transferred to London, and left.
His father spat, *»We dont abandon our blood. Youre no son of mine.»* Laura and Alice stayed behind.
Twelve years passed. No visits, not even for his dads funeral. Mum sent photos. Alice grew to look just like Laura. He felt nothing.
Now, he was going back.
Mum hugged him, weeping. Alice hovered, wary.
«Alice, love, this is your dad,» Mum said.
The girl scoffed, spun on her heel, and vanished into *his* old room.
«Give her time,» Mum murmured.
The closed casket made Lauras absence starker. Alice didnt cry, just glared. Edward tried talking to her. She ignored him.
Later, he overheard her:
«Grandma, Im *not* going with him. Id rather a care home.»
«Dont be ridiculous! Hes your *father*.»
«Where was he before?»
Still, she boarded the train to London.
«Who do you live with?» Alice asked.
«Grandma told you? Yeah, theres someone. I was going to propose. Youll like her.» (*Would she?*)
The flat was empty. Emilys thingsgone. Keys on the side.
«Your rooms there. Settle in.» He fled to the shower. Emilys number went straight to voicemail.
Alice made tea and sandwiches. No drama, no gloating.
Next day: school enrollment, shopping. She cooked omelettes.
«Grandma teach you?»
«And Mum.»
«Good job.»
Small talk.
He showed her Londoncinema, rollerblading in Hyde Park. The ice thawed.
Then work sent him to China.
«Im not a baby,» Alice said.
«Its London. You dont know it.»
«Ask Sophie from work,» suggested Nicholas. «Shes smitten.»
Sophie agreed eagerly. She and Alice hit it off.
China passed in a blur. He missed Alice. Called daily. Sophie answered, laughing. Alice still held back.
Returning, he spotted them by the flatstwo mirror images. His chest warmed. No one had ever waited for him.
Alice didnt recoil when he hugged her. Sophie lingered, smiling. He wanted to hug her too.
«Gifts in the bags,» he said, enjoying their delight more than they did.
«Dinner?» he asked.
«Sorted!» Sophie dashed to the kitchen. Alice followed. Clattering pans.
*Theyve bonded.*
Over dinner, they peppered him with questions about China. It felt… right.
Later, Sophie made to leave.
«*Dad*,» Alice said, nodding toward the hall.
Had he heard right? *Dad?*
«Sophie, stay. More stories.»
Alice whisked her away.
That night, sleepless again. Alice had softenedthanks to Sophie. Pleasant girl, easy company. Emily wouldnt have meshed like this.
Two months ago, hed have laughed at the idea of parenting. Now? Sophie slept next door. Too soon to say, but… why not? She fancied him. And he?
He felt… good. Maybe that *was* love.
