Hey love, let me tell you about Emilys crazy ride its like one of those new chapter moments you see in the movies, but it actually happened to her.
Emily was just twenty, studying at Manchester University, totally smitten with Daniel, and they were already talking about a wedding. He was a few years older, had already done his stint with the Army, and they first locked eyes at the schools autumn formal when she was in her final year of secondary school. Even though they lived in the same town and went to the same school, Daniel had graduated years earlier, so she always felt like she was spotting a celebrity.
When Emily saw him walk into the hall, she thought, Whoa, whos that handsome bloke? He scanned the room, caught her gaze, and flashed a smile that made her heart race. She fell for him instantly I mean, he was just so different from any other guy around.
Hey, Im Daniel, he said, leaning over. Emily blushed, cheeks turning pink. Fancy a dance? He took her by the waist and they spun around the floor.
Emily he whispered as she felt lighter than air, like she was floating. He held her confidently, leading every step.
Emily, youve got a natural talent for this, he grinned.
He stuck by her the whole night, and they promised to see each other after the prom. They walked and talked for ages, neither wanting to part, but eventually Emily had to head home because her mum would be worrying.
Daniel was never a dull moment. After they finished school, Emily went off to university while Daniel took a job. He was the kind of bloke who never seemed bored or downhearted; his optimism rubbed off on everyone. Hed got a big circle of mates, and Emily started joining them at weddings and parties.
Even in the dead of winter Daniel would pop up with a bunch of roses. Every date felt like a little celebration cafés, weekend trips out to the countryside, hangs with friends.
When Emily was on her third year, Daniel surprised her with some big news.
Love, over the Christmas break were heading to the ski centre in the Lake District. Ive already booked two tickets and well get you on the slopes. The instructors there are topnotch, theyll have you shredding in no time, he said.
Emily squealed, Youre the best, Danny! She flung her arms around his neck, then giggled, Oh, Im such a wimp, Im terrified of going down the hill! They both laughed.
The ski trip was unforgettable. Emily picked up skiing faster than shed expected and actually loved it. It felt like a fairytale that was ending all too soon. Then International Womens Day rolled around, and Daniel showed up at her flat with two bouquets.
Happy Womens Day, he said, handing a bunch to Emilys mum and keeping the other for her. This ones for my gorgeous girl, he added, planting a kiss on her cheek. She was over the moon.
Her mum sighed, Danny, thats a lot of money for flowers.
He laughed, What can I say? My mates Sam and Vince are off on a construction gig, and theyve pulled me in too. Were working on a highvoltage line, decent pay Ill be saving for a wedding and a car.
Emilys heart sank a bit. Dont go, she whispered. I dont want you gone.
He promised, Just a few months, three or four at most. Well keep in touch. I really want a beautiful wedding you do too, right?
She whispered back, Id be happy with something simple. Its not the spectacle that matters, just that were together. But Danny was already set on his plans, so Emily couldnt sway him. He left with his mates, and the pay really was good. They called each other all the time.
One afternoon, while Emily was in a lecture, she felt a strange flutter of anxiety that soon passed. The night before, shed spoken to Danny, so she wasnt expecting his call that evening. Yet her heart felt off, so she dialed him herself a rare move, since he was always the one calling. The line was dead. Her pulse was pounding, the kind of pain that makes your temples throb.
Why isnt Danny answering? she thought, dialing five times in a row, but only silence.
She grabbed Vinces number and finally got through.
Vince, wheres Danny? she asked, breathless.
Vinces voice was strained. Hes hes not here anymore.
Emilys world tilted. What do you mean not here? she gasped, and the call cut out with a harsh click.
She burst into tears, wailing, Mum!
It turned out Danny had been electrocuted on that highvoltage pole. His mother, Margaret, was a shadow of herself, her face drained of colour. She barely spoke, just waiting for Dannys dad and his little brother, Roman, to come home. The funeral was a blur of darkness and grief. Emily was devastated, stuck in a numb fog, spending long hours sitting silently with Margaret or walking together to Dannys graveside.
Margaret clung to Emily, urging her to visit more often, especially now that summer holidays were rolling in. Theyd go to churches, sip tea together.
One morning Margaret suggested, Emily, why dont we take a trip to the seaside?
Emily, despite feeling empty, agreed partly because Margaret wouldnt let her go anywhere else. They booked a week at a beach resort in Cornwall.
There, after a lazy morning of sunbathing, Margaret dozed off while Emily stared at her phone, unable to sleep. The resort buzzed with families, gulls screaming, children shrieking, and strangers chatting. Emily felt oddly alone amid all that life.
She wandered to the promenade, the sea stretching into the horizon. A tiny boat bobbed far out, seagulls swooped overhead, and the chatter of beachgoers filled the air. Suddenly, a voice called out, Beautiful, isnt it?
She turned and saw a bloke about her age, a warm smile, eyes that reminded her faintly of Danny. She wanted to snap back sharply, but something held her back.
Why does the world hide happiness from beautiful things? she replied, halfjoking.
He chuckled, I dont think thats true. Im Glen, by the way.
Emily, she said, and they exchanged a few more lines before she turned and walked away, leaving Glen watching her go. Hed been spotting her for a few days, feeling sorry that she seemed so down all the time, mostly hanging with Margaret.
Glen was determined to find out where Emily was from. He liked her, even if he couldnt quite read the sadness in her eyes. He kept an eye on her from the beach.
Two days left before theyd have to leave. Margaret slept after a beach walk, and Emily popped into a shop. As she stepped out, Glen was right there, grabbing the grocery bag from her hands.
Need a hand? he asked, instantly on a firstname basis.
Sure, if you dont mind, she said.
He gestured toward a little café next to the supermarket. Come on, lets sit. Ive got a lot to ask, if youre up for it.
Im leaving in three days, she told him. Weve got tickets already.
No kidding, Glen laughed. Where do you live? she mentioned Manchester, and his eyes widened.
Youre from Manchester too? Thats brilliant we wont lose each other, he said, grinning.
Emily felt a pinch of irritation at his optimism, but she smiled anyway.
Glen had just finished his degree at the same university and worked in a design office for the council. He wasnt married; his last relationship had ended badly, so hed taken a break, fled to the coast to clear his head, and then bumped into Emily. He confessed hed fallen for her the moment he saw her.
She told him about Dannys death and Margarets clinginess. He raised an eyebrow.
Why are you staying with his mum? Most people would just drift away after a tragedy, he said. Ive never heard of that kind of bond before.
I dont know, Glen. It feels wrong to hurt her, but its getting too much, Emily replied.
They swapped numbers and agreed to meet up back in Manchester. Emily had to go back, and just as she was about to leave the shop, Margaret called her out, Emily, where are you?
I was in the shop, then I had a walk, Emily answered, trying to keep her tone light.
Being around Margaret was getting unbearable. Her own mum kept telling her, Let go of that weight. Youre living in his shadow. But Emilys heart wouldnt let her abandon Margaret completely, not after all theyd been through together.
She realized she couldnt keep living like this. That night, while packing, she told Margaret, Im moving on, starting a new life. Margaret stared at her, then, with a strange mix of sadness and relief, said, A new life, huh? Youve got your whole future ahead. I was hoping youd be pregnant, you know, after all the time you spent with Danny and I have a son, maybe you could be a stepmom or something.
Emily snapped, I dont need anyone else, not even Dannys brother. Margarets eyes filled with tears the first shed shed since the funeral but it seemed to lift a weight off her shoulders.
From that point, Emily decided her life would belong to her alone. She thought about how meeting Glen had opened her eyes. The next academic year began, and she started dating him. One evening she walked alone to Dannys grave.
Goodbye, Danny, she whispered softly. I was so happy with you, thank you for the joy you gave me. You left far too soon, but I have to keep living. Im a different person now, with a new life without you.
She turned back, saw Glens car waiting. Hed given her a fresh start, breathing new life into her days. She saw Margaret only now and then, mostly by accident. Soon enough, Emily and Glen got married and were expecting their first child.
So thats where shes at now a brandnew chapter, bright and full of possibilities. Emily stands on the porch of their little house in the suburbs, one hand resting on her rounded belly, the other holding Glens as they watch the sunset paint the sky in soft gold and pink. The wind carries the scent of blooming jasmine, and laughter spills from the open window where their dog barks at nothing. She thinks of Danny sometimes, a quiet memory tucked deep, not with pain anymore, but with gratitude. Life had broken her open, then gently stitched her back together in a different shape. Glen squeezes her hand, says something silly, and she laughsreally laughsfor the first time in years. The future isnt a wound. Its a promise.
