After finishing school, Emily graduated from nursing college and returned to her home village in the Cotswolds. She had always dreamed of working as a nurse practitioner in the local clinic, especially since they had recently built a new one with modern equipment. And with old Mrs. Thompson retiring soon, the timing was perfect.
“Oh, Emily love, Ive been waiting for you,” Mrs. Thompson sighed in relief. “Ive been in this job for decades, but your father, John, asked me to hold on until you got your qualifications. Now I can finally rest easy, knowing the clinics in good hands.”
“Of course, Mrs. Thompson,” Emily replied warmly. “Ill do my best, though I might need your advice now and thenIm still finding my feet.”
And so Emilys days began. Villagers came to her with everything from aches and pains to simple blood pressure checkssome even testing her knowledge at first. But over time, they grew to trust the young nurse. She was kind, attentive, and never turned anyone away.
Then James started appearing more oftencomplaining of back pain, a sore knee, or a cut finger. The clinics senior nurse, Mrs. Wilkins, noticed how the young mans eyes lingered on Emilyand soon, Emilys glances at him too.
A romance bloomed. They walked hand in hand through the village lanes, inseparable. Before long, James proposed, and Emily accepted without hesitation. What she didnt notice was Michaelthe tall, handsome farmhandwatching her too. Once, he even tried to walk her home, but she gently refused.
“Michael, havent you heard? Im marrying James soon.”
“Oh, Ive heard,” he muttered. “Half the village wont stop talking about it. But I fancy you tooand I reckon Im better-looking than James. Whats he got that I dont?”
“Leave it, Michael. I love James, and he loves me. There are plenty of other girls aroundfind one and be happy.”
She had no idea how deeply shed wounded his pride. Her thoughts were all for James. The wedding came, a joyous affair with the whole village celebrating.
A year later, Emily gave birth to a son, Oliver. He was adored by his parents and grandparents alike. Emily stayed home with the baby while Mrs. Wilkins managed the clinic. Though sometimes shed call Emily for advice.
Lost in motherhood and chores, Emily didnt notice James pulling awayuntil it was too late. One evening, he came home grim-faced.
“You know Michael well, do you?”
“Of coursehes a local. Came to the clinic once with a cut. Mrs. Wilkins treated him. Why? Are you jealous?” She laughed lightly.
“The whole villages saying Oliver isnt minethat hes Michaels,” James muttered, eyeing the baby.
“Have you lost your mind? What nonsense is this?”
“Not my words. Your own father confronted Michael, and he admitted there was something between you.”
Emily stood frozen. Suddenly, she realized why her parents had stopped visitingwhy everyone avoided her.
The rumours had spread like wildfireall thanks to Michael. Hed spun a tale that Emily had been unfaithful, that Oliver wasnt Jamess son. The gossip poisoned the village. Even her in-laws turned cold.
“John, our son will leave your daughter soon,” her mother-in-law hissed. “Disgraceful, having a child by another man!”
“Shut your mouth,” John snappedbut doubt gnawed at him.
He confronted Michael. “Youre the one spreading these lies?”
“Lies?” Michael smirked. “Why would I lie? Your daughter threw herself at me, wanted to leave James. But whod want a woman like that?”
John was too stunned to reply.
Days later, James packed his things and left.
Emily sat by the window, little Oliver asleep in his crib. The sunset burned red over the fields. Tears welled in her eyes. “No one wants us now, love,” she whispered.
Only her best friend, Lucy, stood by herbringing groceries and comfort.
“James was wrong to believe the gossip,” Lucy sighed. “And Michaeloh, Ive fancied him for years, you know. He claims you chased him. I dont believe itbut who listens to me?”
“Why would he do this, Lucy?”
“Maybe he thought if James left, hed have a chance.” Lucy shook her head. “But hes never looked twice at me.”
Emily knew she had to face Michaelbut how? The chance came when Lucy rushed in, frantic.
“Hurrysomeones sick! The ambulance might not make it with the roads so muddy!”
Emily hesitated. “What about Oliver?”
“Mrs. Davies next door will watch him. Come on!”
Only when they reached the cottage did Emily realizeit was Michaels.
“I wont help him,” she said coldly.
“Please, Emily,” Lucy begged. “If he dies, II couldnt bear it.”
“Then hell confessadmit he lied.”
Lucy nodded desperately.
Inside, Michael was pale, his breath shallowalcohol poisoning, Emily guessed. She worked quicklyflushing his system, setting an IV. The ambulance never camethe roads were too bad.
Two days later, Michael recovered. Lucy pressed him to tell the truth.
“I never meant for it to go this far,” he admitted, shamefaced. “I couldnt stand being rejected. II made it all up.”
Soon, word spreadMichael was leaving the village for good. He stood by the bus stop, a rucksack on his back, villagers gathering around.
“Forgive me,” he said hoarsely. “I loved Emily, but she turned me down. Out of spite, I ruined her name. She saved my lifeand all I did was repay her with lies. There was never anything between us.”
Emilys father, John, pushed through the crowd.
“You disgraced my girl,” he growled.
“I know. Thats why Im leavingI cant face any of you.”
Only Lucy wept as the bus pulled away.
In time, the gossip faded. Emilys parents apologized, as did her in-laws. Even James returned, ashamed of his distrust.
For a while, Emily carried the hurtbut slowly, she healed. She went back to the clinic, smiling again as she cared for the village. And the villagers, in turn, loved and respected herjust as they always had.
