Emily Hart could never have imagined, at twenty, what fate had waiting for her. She was a university student, in love with Daniel Clarke, and already dreaming of a wedding because they were already talking about it.
Daniel was older; he had finished his national service before he ever stepped into the schools autumn prom, when Emily was in her final year of secondary school. She always remembered the first time she saw him. Though they lived in the same townManchesterand attended the same school, he had graduated years before her.
Whoa, whos that handsome fellow? Emily thought as Daniel entered the ballroom.
He scanned the room, looking for familiar faces, caught her gaze and smiled. In an instant Emilys heart leapt. Could she have fallen any harder? He was unlike any other boy shed known.
Hi, Im Daniel. And you are? he asked, stepping toward her. Her cheeks flushed, and she shyly replied. May I have this dance? He took her by the waist and they spun together.
Emily?
She felt as if she were floating, her feet barely touching the floor. Daniel held her confidently, and every movement of his was felt keenly.
Emily, youre a natural on the dance floor, he grinned.
He never left her side that night. By the end they had promised to see each other after the prom. They lingered, reluctant to part, but Emily knew she had to return home; her mother would be worrying.
Daniel never let her be bored. After school she enrolled at the local university while Daniel took a job in construction. He never knew a dull moment, his optimism contagious, his circle of friends wide. Emily often accompanied him to parties and weddings.
Even in the dead of winter Daniel would bring roses. Every date felt like a celebrationcafé chats, countryside walks, group outings.
When Emily was in her third year, Daniel dropped a surprise.
Over the New Year break were heading to a ski resort in the Alps. Ive booked us two passes and a lesson with top instructors. Youll love it, he said.
Yay, Daniel! Youre the best! she squealed, throwing her arms around his neck. Then, catching herself, she added, Oh Im a bit of a scaredycat, Im terrified of the slopes, and laughed.
The trip became unforgettable. Emily learned to carve down the piste with surprising speed, relishing the rush, even as the fairytale seemed to wane. On International Womens Day Daniel arrived at her family home carrying two bouquets.
Happy Womens Day, he said, handing one to Emilys mother and the other to her. For my beautiful Emily, he whispered, planting a kiss on her cheek. She beamed at the roses.
Daniel, why are you spending so much? her mother asked. Its pricey.
Nothing, love. My mates Sash and Vade are off on a contracthighvoltage line work needs electricians. The pays good. Ill be earning for our wedding and a car, Daniel replied.
Emilys voice trembled. Dont go, I dont want you to leave.
Ill be back in three or four months. Well keep in touch. I want a proper wedding, and you do too, right?
I do, though I could settle for something modest. Its not the ceremony, its that were together, she murmured.
Daniel was already set on his plans, and soon he left with his friends, earning a decent wage and calling Emily frequently.
One afternoon, amid lectures, a vague unease settled over Emily, then faded. The night before, they had spoken, so she didnt expect a call that evening. Restless, she dialed Daniel herselfhe never let the line go silent. The phone stayed dead, her heart pounding as if the pain were radiating to her temples.
Why isnt Daniel answering? she thought, dialing five times, only to hear nothing.
She grabbed Vades number, called, and breathed a sigh of relief when his voice answered.
Vade, wheres Daniel?
A familiar voice, hushed, responded, Hes gone.
What do you meangone? Emily asked, hearing only a static click.
Mother! she shouted, tears flooding her face.
The nightmare unfolded: Daniel had been electrocuted on that cursed power pole. His mother, Margaret Clarke, a woman turned ashen with grief, said little, waiting for his father and little brother, Roman, to return. The funeral, the wakean unending darkness settled over Emily.
She drifted through the days in a numb fog, visiting Margaret often, sitting wordlessly beside her, or driving together to the cemetery. Margaret clung to Emily, insisting she stay, especially now that summer holidays were here. They toured churches, shared tea.
Emily, why dont we take a trip to the coast? Margaret suggested one chilly morning.
Emily agreed, though she felt no reason to leave the shadows of Daniels absence. Still, she went, and soon they were on a seaside resort in Cornwall.
Mornings were spent basking on the beach; afternoons, resting in Margarets small room. Margaret seemed to be recovering, though Emily stared at her phone, unable to sleepshe never slept during the day. Margaret dozed lightly.
Life bustled around them, yet Emily felt isolated.
She walked to the promenade, the sea meeting the sky, a tiny fishing boat barely visible on the horizon. Seagulls shrieked, cars roared, children laughed, couples chatted. The world was alive, but she was alone.
Beautiful yet sorrowful, a male voice said suddenly beside her.
She turned to a young man, hesitant to retort, but something in his eyes reminded her of Daniel. She could not place why.
Why does the beautiful never get a happy ending? she replied wistfully.
I disagree. It isnt so, the stranger answered. Believe me, Im speaking from experience. Im Gleb Morgan.
Gleb? Im Emily.
A brief exchange followed, then she spun away, leaving Gleb watching. He had been watching her for days, feeling sorry that she rarely seemed alonealways with Margaret.
Determined, Gleb resolved to learn more about Emily. He liked her, though a veil of sadness clung to her. He watched from the beach, unnoticed.
Two days remained before they would leave. Margaret slept after a latenight stroll. Emily slipped into a shop; on the way out she bumped into Gleb, who snatched a grocery bag from her hand.
Ill help, if you dont mind, he said, instantly switching to firstname terms.
Help if you want, she replied.
Emily, can we talk? I have a serious matter and many questions. If youre okay with it, he gestured toward a small seaside café beside the supermarket, lets sit.
Im leaving in three days, Gleb announced, when are you planning to stay?
Were departing tomorrow night; tickets are in hand, Emily said.
Phew, I guessed it, Gleb laughed. Where do you live? She named a suburb of Manchester; his eyes widened.
No, Im from there too! he exclaimed. Great, we wont get lost.
Gleb had graduated from the same university Emily attended and now worked for a municipal design office. He was single after a breakup, and had come to the coast to escape a failed romance. Meeting Emily, he fell for her instantly.
She told him about her grief and Margarets overbearing presence. He was surprised.
Why are you with his mother? Usually families arent that clingy after a son dies, he said. Ive never heard of such a thing.
I dont know. I dont want to hurt her, Emily admitted.
They swapped numbers, promising to meet back in Manchester. Emily hurried off. Margaret, noticing her absence, asked, Emily, where have you been?
Just the shop, then a walk, Emily replied, feeling the weight of Margarets constant hovering grow unbearable.
Emilys own mother often urged her, Let go of this burden. Why stay with his mother? Shes suffocating you. Yet Emilys kindness kept her from abandoning Margaret, even on the seaside trip.
Finally, Emily realized she couldnt stay in this limbo. She told Margaret, Im going home. A new life awaits.
Margaret stared, then said, A new life, huh? Youll have everything ahead of you, and to me youre still family. I imagined youd be pregnant maybe with his child, perhaps my own sons
Emilys anger flared. No one wants me. I dont need anyone, especially Daniels brother, she snapped. Margaret wept for the first time since the funeral, and the release seemed to lift a weight from both.
Emily decided then: her future would have no room for Margarets grip.
Home, home, she whispered, hearing the echo in her own mind. Perhaps meeting Gleb was the turning point; through him, she finally saw the world clearly.
The new academic year began. Emily dated Gleb, and one quiet morning she walked alone to Daniels grave.
Goodbye, Daniel, she whispered, barely audible. I was so happy with you. Thank you for the joy. You left too soon, but I must move on. Im different now; a new life awaits without you.
She stepped out of the cemetery gates, and Gleb waited beside his car. With him, she felt reborn. She saw Margaret only occasionally, by chance. Soon she married Gleb and awaited their first child, a future she could finally claim as her own.
