An Angel Named Andrew
Emily was already dressed when James stepped into the office.
“Are you alone?” he asked, moving closer.
“Yes.”
“Ill stop by tonight. Ive got some good news for you,” James murmured, lowering his voice. He was about to embrace her when footsteps echoed outside the door. Instantly, he stepped back and retreated toward the exit.
“See you this evening,” he said, leaving the room.
Waiting by the lift, Emily still hoped James would join her so she could ask about his news. Had he finally decided to leave his wife? What if he stayed the night? Shed need to prepare dinner. If only shed taken the meat out of the freezer this morningit wouldve defrosted by now. At least shed bought a bottle of wine yesterday.
Fidgeting impatiently, she hurried home to cook before James arrived. Finally, the lift doors slid open.
Once inside her flat, Emily immediately pulled the meat from the freezer and popped it in the microwave to defrost. Only then did she change, glancing around the tidy flat as she did.
When theyd first started seeing each other, James had complained that his wife stayed home all day yet never managed to cook dinner, too busy with shopping, salons, and the gym. Emily had taken note. She always cleaned thoroughly and cooked something delicious before his visits. He rarely ate, just took a bite or two before most of the meal ended up in the bin. He came twice a week while dropping his son at football practice. They had an hour, no more. Emily never cried, never complained, never asked for anything. The perfect mistress.
Her older sister had dated a married man for years, but he never left his wife. When she finally ended it, he died of a heart attack. So Emily had sworn never to get involved with a married man. But as they saynever say never.
Before James, shed dated a man for four years, but he never proposed. Then she spotted him in a café with another woman after work one evening. By the time he got home, shed packed his things and left them by the door.
She cried all night, regretting her haste. Months passed. She tried dating others, but nothing felt right. Her ex, Daniel, used to drive her to work; now she wasted hours on the bus. Eventually, she quit and found a job two stops from home, walking instead.
On her first day, the deputy managera handsome man who vaguely resembled the actor Hiddlestontook notice. A colleague warned her he was married with a son. Emily was disappointed. She liked James immediately. The kind of man you only dream of. But she resolved to keep things strictly professional.
At the Christmas party, Emily left early. The pavements were icy. In a dark alley, she nearly slipped, but someone caught her armJames, whod been following. He walked her home but didnt ask to come in.
Maybe that won her over. Or maybe it was just time to fall in love again. Soon, she found flowers, chocolates, or cards with sweet messages on her desk each morning. Who could resist?
A month later, they slept together. Emily told herself it was just physical. But since when does the heart listen?
James visited twice a week for an hourexactly how long his sons training lasted. Eventually, the scheduled affection wore thin. She decided to end it, but James pre-empted her, saying hed leave his wife. Shed grown suspicious. He wanted a future with Emily. To prove it, he spent the night. It was dizzying. And she believed himbecause she wanted to.
Then his son fell ill. No training meant no visits. Emily swore she wouldnt let him back, but when he knocked, she ran to the door. Leaving him was beyond her.
She waited. He stalled. Once, he admitted hed nearly left before, but his wife overdosed. Luckily, hed returned in time to call an ambulance. So, nothing changed.
Emily had just finished cooking when the doorbell rang. She checked her reflection, smoothed her dress, then answered. James pulled her into his arms.
“Something smells amazing,” he said.
“I made steak. Fancy some?”
“Not tonightno time.” Kissing her hungrily, he led her to the sofa, already laid with fresh sheets. Afterward, they lay together, catching their breath.
“You said you had news. Ive got some too,” Emily reminded him.
“Good news?” he asked.
“Not sure. You first.”
“You know Mr. Thompsons retiring?” When Emily stayed silent, he continued, “I spoke to the director. Hes agreed to promote you. Youll head the department. Arent you pleased?”
“Thrilled,” Emily lied, forcing a smile. She buried her face in his shoulder to hide her tears. Shed hoped for so much more.
“Shame youll be on another floor, but fewer eyes on us. Its getting harder to keep my hands off you at work.” He leaned in, but Emily pulled away. “What was your news?”
“Sure you wont eat?” she asked, standing.
“No. Blimeyis that the time? Need to fetch my son.”
He kissed her goodbye and left. Emily locked the door, put the steak and wine in the fridge, then finally let herself cry.
She barely slept, staring at the ceiling, knowing this had to end. The last thing she needed was his wife showing up. Tomorrow, shed tell him
But tomorrow was Saturday. She had until Monday. She hadnt shared her real news yetmaybe that would push him to act.
By evening, the rain stopped. Needing air, Emily walked to the shops. She browsed slowly, picking up tea and biscuits. Only one till was open, a short queue forming.
An elderly woman finished, and a boy stepped up. Most lads bought sweets or crisps, but this one placed pasta, cucumbers, bread, and butter on the belt.
“Wheres your mum? Got money?” asked the woman behind him. The cashier eyed him suspiciously.
“Leave the lad alone. Should be glad hes helping,” grumbled a man in line.
“Teenagers keep stealing,” the cashier muttered.
“Ive got money,” the boy said firmly, reaching into his pocket.
“Just scan it,” the man urged. “How longs this gonna take?”
The boy turned and locked eyes with Emily. Without thinking, she approached.
“Phew, made it.” She added her items to his.
“Together?” the cashier asked skeptically.
“Of course. Right, son?” Emily rested a hand on his shoulder.
“Why didnt you say your mum was here?” The cashier began scanning.
Outside, the boy thanked her. “Got a bag? Ill give you your things back. And your money.”
“Keep the tea and biscuits. Why are you shopping alone? How old are you?”
“Nine,” he said without blinking. He looked closer to seven, but she didnt press.
“Do you live nearby? Ill walk you. Isnt it late for you to be out?”
“Mum cant walk. A car hit her,” he said softly.
“Oh no. Your dad?”
“He left when he found out shed need a wheelchair.”
“Is there no treatment? What do doctors say?”
“Dunno.” He shrugged.
“So, you look after her?”
“Nah. I just shop, clean, and hang laundry. She does the restcooking, washing up.”
“Youre so young.” Emilys eyes stung.
“Im not little. Do you have kids?”
“No. But Id love a son like you. Whats your name?”
“Andrew.”
“If I have a boy, Ill name him Andrew,” she said.
“Youre having a baby?”
The question startled her, but she couldnt lie. “Yes. But his fathers married. Has a son already.”
“Im not a kid,” Andrew huffed. “Thats my house.”
“Do you need money? Help?”
“Mum gets benefits. Dad pays. Were okay.”
“Off you go, then. Shell be waiting.”
Andrew dashed off but turned halfway. “Itll all be okay!” he called.
Emily walked home, calm washing over her. If a boy that young could cope, so could she. And if something ever happened to her, whod be there? Noshe wouldnt end this pregnancy, regardless of Jamess choice. It didnt matter anymore.
Shed take the promotion. More money meant security. Pressing a hand to her stomachwhere a tiny cluster of cells likely grewshe wondered: boy or girl?
Andrews face flashed in her mind. *Ill ask neighbours which flats his. Check his mums diagnosis. Fundraise if she needs surgery. Buy him a proper coatthat ones too small.*
Children grow up fast when lifes hard. What luck, meeting him tonight. Shed nearly made an irreversible mistake. James would never leave.
Some encounters change everythinglike angels stepping in. There
