28April2025
Today I finally met up with Emily after almost twentythree years. I was still in town, strolling down the high street of York, when I saw her turning the corner near the bakery, a familiar smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Sarah, you dont recognise me, do you? You just walk past without a word, she teased, a hint of mischief in her eyes. She was still the same fullbodied woman I remembered from school, now about fortyseven, her hair peppered with silver.
Emily Im sorry, I really didnt recognise you, I said, stopping and looking her over. How could I, after all these years since we left school?
We hugged, two former classmates who had drifted apart as life sent us in different directions. I have stayed in York all my life, while Emily married and moved to the Lake District with her husband.
Emily, youve grown a good size, I laughed, noting the soft lines around her eyes. What wind has blown you back to these parts? Do you have anyone left here?
She smiled sadly. My cousin, Catherine, used to stay with us. You remember hershe was older than me.
Yes, I recall her. I ran into her a few times, I replied. What happened to her?
Theyre gone now. I came to the funeral. My flight back is tonight, so Im really leaving for good this time. Her voice wavered, a mixture of grief and relief.
Its a shame, I said. She was a kind soul.
Emilys eyes brightened. You know who else I saw at the funeral? Mike.
Mike? I asked, puzzled.
The fellow you dated briefly before you married Andrew. I know you never really talked about him.
I shrugged. I dont know much about him.
She went on, Hes a distant relative of Catherines, perhaps on her husbands side. Hes changed a lotolder, a bit untidy. Hed divorced his first wife quickly, remarried, had two sons. The younger was born with a disability. He apparently couldnt cope, left his wife and children, and remarried again. He was the only one at the funeral.
Mike always was a hard man, I admitted, so it makes sense our paths diverged. Thank God.
Emily nodded. His sister told me the story. Their second wife, Vera, was also there. When he abandoned his sick child, relatives condemned him, but he shrugged it off, saying, There are plenty of women without troubles, why should I suffer. Can you imagine, Sarah?
I sighed, I can imagine, and Im not surprised.
We chatted a little longer, recalling other school friends, before Emily said she had to catch her train. We exchanged numbers and promised to keep in touch. As I walked home, the afternoon sun casting long shadows on the cobbles, I found myself replaying memories of Mike, the boy Id been with when I was twenty.
Back then I thought he was romanticflowers, cinema outings, walks along the river. We dated for three months, and I even imagined marrying him. My father, David Whitfield, a cheerful, gregarious man, had always been good at reading people.
Sarah, why dont you bring Mike round to dinner? hed suggested one evening. Wed like to meet the lad youre seeing.
Ill arrange it, Dad, Id promised.
The next day I told Mike, Come over; Mum and I want to meet you. He agreed straight away.
When they arrived, my father was setting the table. Come in, lad, have a seat. Dont be thinking of whisking my daughter off to some latenight escapade. Have a bite first.
Mike took his place at the table beside me. My mother, Helen, was frying fish, and our cat, Luna, a sleek tabby who loved to stalk around the kitchen, was already circling my feet, sensing the scent of the fish. Helen set a bowl of fish for Luna, joking, If I dont give her something, shell never stop purring at my feet.
Midmeal, Luna began coughing violently; a fishbone had lodged in her throat. We all leapt up, trying to help, but Lunas panic left us at a loss. Helen scooped her up and rushed outside, shouting, Shell cough it out, shell cough it out! I watched my father follow her, the worry clear on his face.
Mike, however, sat perfectly still, eating his roast with an unreadable expression. When they returned, the bone was out, and Luna was breathing normally again.
Thank heavens, my mother sighed in relief, setting Luna back on the floor.
Right, Luna, youve given us a fright, I chuckled, reaching for my cup of tea.
Mike, wiping his hands, said matteroffactly, All that fuss over a cat. Nothings going to happen to her, and if anything does, there are plenty of cats out there.
My father raised an eyebrow. Do you keep a cat at home? he asked, genuinely curious.
No, Mike replied dismissively, I cant stand having pets in a flat.
Later, as we strolled after dinner, I felt an urge to leave. Mikes casual indifference, especially after seeing the worry in my fathers eyes, made me uneasy.
I dont think I want to stay out any longer, Mike, I said, Ill walk home.
Alright, good luck, he said, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.
When I walked back into the living room, my parents were still on the sofa, discussing the evenings events. I knew my fathers judgment was sound; he never shied away from stating his opinion plainly. My mother, on the other hand, always softened her words.
My dear, my father began, looking straight into my eyes, Im telling you this because I dont want to see that man around you any longer. Hes not worthy of you.
He went on, A mans character shows up in little thingshow he reacts when a cat is choking, for instance. Mike didnt blink an eye. That tells me hell abandon you when times get hard.
The words settled deep within me, confirming a feeling Id already sensed. I told my mother, Im going home early tonight. I dont want to spend any more time with him.
The next morning, when Mike called to ask why I hadnt shown up, I met him at the train station. He tried to lean in for a cheek kiss, but I stepped back.
Whats this, Sarah? Getting all smug? he teased.
Mike, Ive decided there wont be any more between us. Im ending it. Lets just be friends, if that.
Youre breaking it off because of my family? he retorted, sarcasm in his tone.
Both that and everything else. I dont want to see you again.
With that, I walked away, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.
Time passed, and Mike never contacted me again. I realised there never was any real love between us. Eventually I met Andrew, a steady, kind man who became my husband. We built a life together, raised two children, and now we have a granddaughter who fills our home with laughter.
As I approached my front door this evening, my thoughts drifted back to that funeral and the strange episode with Luna. I thought about how my fathers insistence on inviting Mike over for dinner, and Lunas choking incident, had revealed the kind of man he truly was. Had I not seen that, perhaps I would have lingered longer in a relationship that would only have caused pain.
Im grateful for my fathers blunt honesty, for the night that forced a truth into the open. It reminds me that sometimes the smallest momentslike a cat choking on a bonecan expose the essence of a persons character.
Sarah Whitfield.
