**Diary Entry A Lesson in Trust**
The cab pulled up near the entrance of the club, its neon lights flickering against the dark night. Emily pushed the door open, thanked the driver, and stepped out onto the pavement. She wore fitted jeans and a strappy top that flattered her figure. High heels werent her styleshed rather be in trainers, and tonight was no exception, even though her mate Charlotte had begged her to dress up properly.
Inside, the music thumped, though from the street it had been near silent. Bodies moved in the dim glow of strobes, laughter ringing over the bassline.
“Hey, love!” Charlotte bounded over, pulling Emily into a tight hug. “Ready for birthday cheers and presents?” she chirped, grinning as she swayed to the beat.
Charlotte thrived on being the centre of attention, while Emily preferred quiet eveningsa café, a film, just the two of them. But friendship meant sacrifices, so here she was, forcing a smile in a place shed never choose.
“Come meet these lads!” Charlotte grabbed her wrist, dragging her toward the bar where two tall blokes were laughing over pints. The darker-haired one turned, his voice warm.
“Alright? Im James. This is my brother, Tom.”
Emilys pulse jumped. His gaze held hers, sharp as a blade, and for a second, the noise around them faded.
“Pleasure. Youre like sunshine in this dim little dungeon,” he said with a grin.
She laughed. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
“Oh, trust me, shes smitten already,” Tom joked, draining his cocktail. “Give it a week, and shell be head over heels.”
The night blurredmusic, laughter, clinking glasses. James turned out to be a proper gentleman, walking her all the way home. They talked like old friends, easy and unguarded.
“Its late. Thanks for tonight,” she said, lingering awkwardly on her doorstep.
“Loved every minute. Youre brilliant, truly. Can I ring you tomorrow?” He rubbed his neck, suddenly shy.
“Ill be waiting,” she teased, kissed his cheek, and slipped inside.
Her parents were long asleep, unused to her coming home at such an hour. She crept to bed but couldnt drift offJames smile burned behind her eyelids.
Morning came, and she caught herself grinning over tea. A fizzy warmth curled in her chest, like butterflies in her stomach.
“Bloody hell,” she muttered. “Ive gone and fallen for him.”
The weekend passed in a haze of chores before she met Charlotte at their usual café.
“Saw how he looked at you. Wedding bells soon, eh?” Charlotte winked.
“Think Im properly in love,” Emily admitted, gaze dropping.
“Think? Youre gone, love. Absolutely gone.”
Charlotte flitted from bloke to bloke, treating romance like a game. Emily was the oppositea hopeless romantic waiting for “the one.” Yet somehow, theyd been best mates for years.
Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. No call. Emily checked her phone every twenty minutes, stomach twisting.
“Forgot? Changed his mind? Found someone else?” Her thoughts spiralled.
After her last lecture, she bolted down the stepsand there he stood, flowers in hand. Relief, anger, joy collided in her chest.
“Sorry, love! Everything went mad”
A mates car had broken down in the middle of nowhere. James raced to help, got stranded when their phones died. No signal, no way to call.
“All that worry, and it was just bad luck!” She laughed, shaking her head.
“Let me make it up to you. Dinner tonight?”
The restaurant was soft candlelight and live music. Two months later, they were inseparable. James adored her laugh; she loved the safety of his arms. Nights at his flat, mornings tangled in sheetsit was perfect.
Then Tom rang. “Em, need your help. Im proposing to Charlotte. Help me pick a ring?”
They chose a delicate band with a heart-cut diamond, paired with red roses and a teddy bear clutching a “Love” sign. Tom was nervous, glowing.
“Just look her in the eyes and say it,” Emily encouraged, kissing his cheek.
But James never showed that evening. Late-night, a text lit up her screen:
“Goodbye. Dont call.”
She rang a dozen times. No answer. The next days blurredsick, hollow, until she fainted at work.
The hospital room swam into focus. Charlotte gripped her hand. Then the door creaked openJames, pale, holding pink roses. Tom followed, sporting a black eye.
“Im a fool,” James choked out. “Saw you kiss him and lost my head.”
“Weve sorted it,” Tom muttered, sheepish.
“You cant stress, love. Not now.” James pressed his forehead to hers. “Ill be here. For you. For the baby.”
**Lesson learned:** Love isnt smooth. Jealousy breeds doubt, and doubt ruins whats real. Trust your heartand the one who holds it.
