12May2025
Dear Diary,
Emily had been the sort of girl who never quite settled down. By the time she hit thirty shed still been living in a shared flat in London, and the prospect of marriage seemed to have slipped through her fingers. She finally decided it was time to look for a man of her own. She didnt know at first that Mark was already married, but the truth soon came out when he realised she was becoming attached.
Emily never blamed Mark. Instead she berated herself for being so vulnerable, for not having found a proper husband sooner while the clock kept ticking. She wasnt a knockoutshe wasnt strikingly beautiful, but she was pleasantlooking, with a soft roundness that gave her a mature air.
Their affair went nowhere. Emily didnt want to remain a lover, yet she couldnt simply dump Markshe was terrified of ending up alone.
One afternoon her cousin John dropped by on a work trip to the city. He stayed a few hours; they ate lunch in the kitchen and chatted like children about everything and nothing. Emily opened up about her love life, even shedding a few tears.
Just then the neighbour, Mrs. Patel, popped in to ask Emily to glance at some groceries. Emily stepped out for about twenty minutes. While she was gone a knock came at the door. John answered, expecting Emily, but the door was unlocked. Standing on the doorstep was Mark, looking dishevelled in trackpants and a Tshirt, chewsing a ham sandwich.
Is Emily home? Mark asked, stumbling over his words.
Emilys in the bathroom, John guessed.
Excuse me, who are you to her? Mark stammered.
Im her partnercommonlaw, that is, John replied, then stepped forward, grabbed Mark by the shoulders and asked, Arent you the married fellow Emily mentioned? Listen, if I see you near her again Ill make you walk down the stairs myself, understand?
Mark, shaking off Johns grip, bolted downstairs.
Emily returned shortly after. John told her what had happened.
What have you done? Who asked you to come? she sobbed. Hell never come back.
She sank onto the sofa, covering her face. John, however, smiled and said, He wont be coming backthank goodness. Stop whining. I actually know a decent fellow, a widower from our village of Littlebrook. The widows there wont give him a chance, and hes turned everyone else away. Hes looking for a companion. After my next business trip Ill swing by again, well head out to the village together, and Ill introduce you.
Emily balked. I cant, John. It feels wrong, meeting a strangers husband Its shameful.
John shrugged. Its not shameful to meet a single man. Im only looking out for you, especially since my birthdays coming up.
A few days later Emily and John were in Littlebrook. Johns wife, Lucy, had set a table in the garden beside the gardenroom. Neighbours, friends and Johns old schoolmate, widower Alan, arrived for a small celebration. The locals already knew Emily, but this was her first meeting with Alan.
After a warm evening together Emily went back to London, thinking Alan was a quiet, modest man. He must be worried about his late wife, she mused. What a sad sort of fellow, not many with such a tender heart.
A week later, on a Saturday, there was a knock at her door. Emily wasnt expecting anyone. When she opened it, Alan stood there with a bag in his hand.
May I come in, Emily? I was just passing through on my way to the market. Since weve met, I thought Id stop by, he said, his voice a little nervous.
She invited him in and, despite the surprise, offered him tea, feeling that his visit was no accident.
Did you get everything you needed? Emily asked.
Yes, I bought the groceries. And heres something for you. Alan pulled a small bunch of tulips from the bag and handed it to her.
Emily took the flowers; her eyes lit up. They sat down at the kitchen table, chatting about the weather and the price of tomatoes. When the tea was finished, Alan stood to leave, slipping his coat on slowly, then turned back to her.
If I walked out now without saying anything, Id regret it. Emily, Ive thought about you all weekhonest words. I couldnt wait for the weekend, so I came straight to you. I got your address from John.
Emily blushed and looked down.
We barely know each other, she replied.
It doesnt matter. May I call you by your first name? Im not a perfect catch, I have a little girl, eight, staying with her grandmother at the moment, he said, his hands shaking slightly.
The daughter is a blessing, Emily said softly, Ive always wanted a child.
Encouraged, Alan took her hands, pulled her close and kissed her. When they broke apart, Emilys eyes glistened with tears.
Do you find me unattractive? he asked, almost afraid.
No, quite the opposite. I never expected this It feels sweet, calm, like Im not stealing anyones happiness, she whispered.
From then on they met every weekend. Two months later they married in Littlebrook and settled there. Emily found a job at the local nursery. A year later they welcomed a daughter. Their two girls grew up loved and cared for, with plenty of attention for each. Alan and Emily aged gracefully, their love maturing like a fine wine.
John often raised his glass at family gatherings and said, Well, Emily, look at the husband I set you up with. Youre getting better all the time. Id never steer you wronglisten to your brother!
Looking back, I realise that trying to control the heart only leads to more tangled strings. The lesson Ive learned is that honesty, even when painful, untangles the knots and lets genuine love find its way.
