Emily had always been unlucky in love. Shed stayed single until her thirties before finally deciding it was time to find a man. At first, she didnt know Paul was married, but once she fell for him, he didnt bother hiding it.
She never blamed Paul, though. Instead, she beat herself up over the affair and her weakness for him. She felt like a failure for not settling down sooner while time slipped away.
Not that she was unlovableEmily wasnt a stunner, but she was sweet-looking, slightly plump, which maybe made her seem older.
Things with Paul were going nowhere. She didnt want to stay his mistress, but she couldnt bring herself to leave him either. The thought of being alone terrified her.
Then one day, her cousin Jack dropped by. He was in town for work and stopped in for a quick visit. Over lunch in the kitchen, they chatted like old times, and Emily ended up pouring her heart out about Paul, even shedding a few tears.
Just then, the neighbour popped in, asking Emily to come over and check out some new shopping finds. She was gone about twenty minutes.
Thats when the doorbell rang. Jack answered, thinking Emily had forgotten her keysexcept the door wasnt locked. There stood Paul, who froze at the sight of a burly bloke in a tracksuit munching on a ham sandwich.
“Uh is Emily home?” was all Paul managed.
“Shes in the bath,” Jack replied smoothly.
“Sorry, but who are you?” Paul stammered.
“Her husband. Common-law, for now.” Jack grabbed Paul by the collar. “You wouldnt be that married bloke she told me about, would you? Listen hereif I see you round here again, Ill toss you down the stairs. Got it?”
Paul wriggled free and bolted.
When Emily returned, Jack told her what happened.
“Whatve you done?!” she cried. “Hell never come back now.”
“Good,” Jack said. “Stop moping. Ive got a proper bloke in mind for youa widower back in our village. Women chase him, but hes not interested. After my trip, Ill take you to meet him.”
Emily balked. “No, Jack, I cant just turn up like that!”
“Shames sleeping with a married man, not meeting a free one. Were goingits my Lucys birthday anyway.”
A few days later, they were in the village. Lucy had set up a garden party, and among the guests was Jacks mate, the widower Alfie.
After a warm evening, Emily went home, thinking how quiet and kind Alfie seemed. “Poor man, still grieving his wife,” she mused.
A week later, her doorbell rang. No one was expected. She opened itand there stood Alfie, holding a bag.
“Hope you dont mind,” he said, shifting awkwardly. “Was in town for errands, thought Id drop by.”
She invited him in, baffled but polite. Over tea, they chatted about the weather and market prices.
When he got up to leave, he lingered in the hallway, then turned suddenly.
“Emily, Ive thought of you all week. Had to come see you.”
She blushed. “We barely know each other…”
“That dont matter. Justam I alright by you? Andcan we drop the formalities? Im no prize, mind. Got a little girl, eight years old. Shes with her gran now.”
Emily smiled. “A daughters a blessing. Ive always wanted one.”
Encouraged, Alfie took her hands, pulled her close, and kissed her.
Tears welled in her eyes.
“Was that bad?” he asked.
“No. It was sweet. Safe. Not stolen.”
They met every weekend after that. Two months later, they married and moved to the village. Emily found work at a nursery, and within a year, they had a daughter. The two girls grew up loved equally, and with time, Alfie and Emily only grew happier, their love deepening like aged wine.
At family gatherings, Jack would wink and say, “See, Em? Told you Id find you a proper man. Look at youglowing! Always trust your cousin. And Emily would laugh, squeezing Jacks arm, knowing hed been right all along. Shed finally found a love that wasnt hidden in shadows or built on secretsjust steady, open, and true.
