**Diary Entry A Twist of Fate**
Life has a funny way of turning on its head when you least expect it. Some twists are so unpredictable, they leave everyone stunned.
Emily and James have been married nearly a decade. They love each other dearly and are raising two sons. Emily trained as a teacher, specialising in history, but after their youngest, Alfie, was born with health complications, she had to leave her job. Alfie needed constant care, and Emily had to be there for him.
*”Weve got Alfies hospital appointment today,”* Emily told James over breakfast. *”Its at elevencan you drive us?”*
*”Of course,”* James replied between bites of toast. *”Ive got a quick meeting with the boss first, then Ill swing by. Ill call when Im on my way.”*
*”Honestly, you couldve taken the bus with the boyits not like youre royalty,”* muttered Jamess mother, Margaret, pursing her lips.
Emily stayed quiet. James gave a curt nod, grabbed his car keys, and left. They lived in Margarets housea situation made bearable only by gritted teeth. Margaret, the daughter of an army colonel, had a commanding presence. Crossing her was a fools errand, a lesson Emily learned early on.
*”This is my house,”* Margaret had snapped once, catching Emily in the kitchen. *”Theres only one woman running this place, and its me. Understood? I wont repeat myself.”*
Emily didnt argue. Margaret had been widowed young and clung fiercely to her son, insisting they all live under her roof. Youd think shed be gratefula devoted daughter-in-law, two grandsonsbut no. Her love poured solely onto James and the boys. Emily barely registered as human.
*”Dont touch the laundryyou ruin everything. Cant cook, cant clean, cant even look after my son properly,”* Margaret would snipe, though Emily scrubbed every floorboard and dusted every shelf.
When Alfie was born with complications, Margarets criticism worsened. Emily cried in secret, sometimes venting to James.
*”I respect your mum, but wed be happier on our own,”* shed say carefully.
*”And whats wrong with her?”* James would retort. *”The house is spotless, meals are cooked, the boys are fed. You dont even workyou should be thanking her!”*
*”I want to do those things myselfcare for our children, cook for my familybut she”*
*”We cant afford a place,”* James would cut in. *”End of discussion.”*
So Emily endured.
That morning, James called as they waited. *”Meet me outside, love.”*
*”Margaret, shall I pick up groceries after the hospital?”* Emily ventured.
*”Absolutely not,”* Margaret scoffed. *”Youd buy the wrong things. Ill handle it.”*
*”Will I ever please her?”* Emily thought bitterly.
After the appointment, she and Alfie strolled through Hyde Park, sharing ice cream under the autumn sun. Alfie, now six, would start primary school next year. The doctor had been reassuring.
*”Alfies doing brilliantlyno progression in his condition. Well done, Mum. Your cares made all the difference.”*
*”Thank youthat means the world,”* Emily replied, relieved.
At home, Margaret barely acknowledged the praise.
*”How was it, Alfie?”* she asked.
*”Great, Gran! The doctor said Im clever and Mummy looks after me really well!”*
*”Hmph. Well, if it werent for me”*
Margarets sixtieth birthday loomed in March. James suggested celebrating at a restaurant.
*”Shed hate it,”* Emily said.
*”Were doing it,”* James decided.
To everyones shock, Margaret agreedgrudgingly.
At the restaurant, she scowled. *”Wasting money! We couldve eaten at home. Emily, you shouldve talked sense into him.”*
Emily stayed silent. A grey-haired man at a nearby table kept glancing over. James bristled.
*”Stop looking at him,”* he hissed, kicking her under the table.
Then the stranger approachedand asked Margaret to dance.
To everyones astonishment, she accepted. They twirled, laughed, and talked all evening.
*”This is Henry,”* Margaret announced later, glowing. *”We were at school together. Hes a widower too. What a birthday gift!”*
She didnt come home that night. The next afternoon, she returnedwith Henry.
*”Im here for my things,”* she declared. *”Weve decided to live together.”*
Within weeks, they married.
Finally, Emily had her own home. She cooked, cleaned, and thrived.
*”Love, I had no idea you were such a brilliant cook!”* James marvelled.
*”I told you I could manage,”* Emily grinned.
Margaret visited occasionally, gushing over Emilys meals and calling her “darling.”
*”There should only be one woman running a house,”* Margaret would say, smitten with Henry. *”Youre wonderful, Emily. My sons lucky to have you.”*
James and Emily would exchange glancesand smile.
**Lesson learned:** Sometimes, fate delivers the happiest endings in the most unexpected ways.
