Emily had never imagined, at twenty, what the road ahead might hold. She was studying at university, adored Daniel, and whispered about a wedding because they already spoke of it as if it were a distant shore.
Daniel was older, already finished his National Service when he first stepped into the schools autumn ball. Emily was in her final year of secondary school. She remembered the moment she first laid eyes on him. Though they lived in the same town and attended the same school, he had graduated years before her.
What a striking lad, the thought fluttered through Emilys mind as Daniel entered the hall, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. Their eyes met, a smile blossomed, and something like love sparked in her chest. He was unlike any other boys she had ever known.
Hello, Im Daniel. And you are? he asked, leaning toward her, her cheeks flushing rosecoloured. May I have this dance? He slipped his hand around her waist and they swirled.
Emily she breathed, feeling as if she were floating, her feet no longer tethered to the floor. Daniel guided her with steady confidence, and she sensed every nuance of his movement.
Emily, youre a natural on the floor, he grinned.
All night he stayed close to her, promising to see her off after the festivities. They walked together, lingering beneath the lanterned path, reluctant to part, yet Emily knew she must return homeher mother would be worrying.
Daniel never let a dull moment settle over her. After school, Emily enrolled at university in the same town where Daniel now earned a living. He never knew boredom; his optimism was a bright current that lifted everyone nearby. He gathered a wide circle of friends, and Emily often joined them at weddings and gatherings.
Even in the middle of winter Daniel would bring her roses, turning each rendezvous into a celebration. Their favourite haunt was a cosy café, from which they would escape to the countryside, sometimes with a small party in tow.
When Emily was on her third year, Daniel burst with excitement.
Come Christmas break, were heading to the ski centre in the Lake District. Ive already booked two tickets. They have excellent instructors wholl get you down the slopes in no time.
Yay, Daniel, youre the best! Emily squealed, looping an arm around his neck. Then, halflaughing, she added, Im a bit of a scaredycat on the mountain, you didnt know that, did you? and burst into giggles.
The trip became a vivid dream. Emily learned to glide down the powdery hills with ease, loving the rush, even as the fairytale seemed to wane. Soon after, on Womens Day, Daniel arrived at her home bearing two bouquets.
Happy International Womens Day, he said, handing one to Emilys mother and the other to Emily herself. For my lovely lady, he whispered, planting a kiss on her cheek. She beamed at the fresh roses.
Daniel, why such extravagance? her mother asked, eyes widening. Its costly.
Its nothing, Daniel replied. My mates Sam and Victor have taken a job laying highvoltage lines; theyre pulling me in too. The pays decentenough for a wedding and a car. He smiled, eyes alight with future plans.
I dont want you to go, Emily protested, voice trembling. Please stay.
Itll be just a few months, three or four. Well keep in touch. I want to organise a beautiful wedding, and you do too, right?
I do, but a modest ceremony would be fine. Its not the grandeur that mattersjust that were together, Emily murmured, a hint of melancholy in her tone.
Daniel, however, was already set on his course and left with his friends. The work paid well; they spoke on the phone often.
One afternoon, during a lecture, a vague unease brushed Emilys mind, then faded. The night before a scheduled call, she didnt expect his voice. Later, her own heart hammered, and she dialed Daniel. The line was dead; silence pressed against her temples.
Why isnt Daniel answering? the thought looped, anxiety gnawing. She tried five times, each time meeting only static.
Desperate, she found Victors number and called.
Victor, wheres Daniel?
A familiar voice answered, then stammered, Hes… gone.
What do you mean, gone? Emily asked, hearing only a faint buzz.
Ma she sobbed, the word breaking through.
The rest unfolded like a nightmarish reel. Daniel had been electrocuted on a faulty pole. Margaret, his mother, turned ashen with grief, speaking little, waiting for his father and younger brother, Roman, to return. The funeral was a blur of darkness and relentless sorrow.
Emily swam in a sea of numbness, visiting Margaret often, sitting in mute companionship, walking together to the graveyard, tracing the cold stone of Daniels name. Margaret clung to Emily, urging her to stay, especially now that summer holidays were upon them. They toured churches, shared tea, and one afternoon Margaret whispered, Shall we take a trip to the coast?
Emily agreed, though the thought of leaving behind Daniels shadow felt absurd. Still, they set off for a seaside town.
They arrived, sun warming the sand, Margaret lounging while Emily stared at her phone, restless and sleepless. The beach bustled with lifeseagulls shrieking, cars humming, childrens laughter spilling over the airyet Emily felt alone.
She wandered to the promenade, where the sea melted into the sky. A tiny boat bobbed near the horizon, gulls wheeled overhead, and a distant voice called out.
Youre beautiful and sorrowful, a mans tone said.
Emily turned, eyes meeting a strangers. She wanted to snap back, but something in his gaze reminded her of Daniel, though she could not grasp what.
God isnt kind to the lovely, she replied softly.
I disagree, the stranger answered, smiling. Im Oliver.
Emily, she replied, then turned on her heel and fled. Oliver watched her go, having observed her melancholy for days, pitying that she rarely seemed alonealways with her mother.
Oliver resolved to discover Emilys story, drawn to her quiet grief. He knew she would soon leave; only two days remained before Margarets departure. One afternoon, after buying groceries, Emily bumped into Oliver again. He snatched the bag from her hands.
Let me help, he said, instantly switching to informal address, as if they were old friends.
Help if you must, she replied.
Emily, could we talk? I have serious questions. If youre willing, he gestured toward a summer café beside the supermarket, inviting her to sit.
Im leaving in three days, Oliver announced, and you?
Im staying until tomorrow night; we have tickets already.
Ah, I sensed it, he chuckled. Where do you live? Emily named a town; his eyes widened.
Youre not kidding? Im from there too, he said, surprised. Great, we wont lose each other.
Oliver had graduated from the same university as Emily and now worked in a design office for the council. He was single, his relationship ended badly, and he had fled to the coast to escape the heartbreak. Seeing Emily, he fell for her at first sight.
She confided in him about her loss and Margarets lingering presence. Oliver, puzzled, asked, Why does Margaret keep you? Usually, a sons family lets a daughter move on.
I dont know, Emily admitted. I dont want to hurt her.
They exchanged numbers, promising to meet again in the town. Emily soon had to leave. When she returned, Margaret scolded, Where have you been?
Emily shrugged, I was in the shop, then walked around. The weight of Margarets gaze grew oppressive. Emilys own mother, aware of her daughters strain, urged, Free yourself from this burden. Why cling to his mother? Shes suffocating you. Yet Emilys kindness kept her from abandoning Margaret, even as she traveled with her to the sea.
The strain became unbearable. Emily decided that returning home would mean stepping away from Margarets shadow. That evening, as they packed, Emily broached the subject of a new life.
Margaret looked at her oddly, then said, A new life, you say? Yes, you have all of yours ahead. To me, youre a daughter. I imagined youd have a child, that youd be pregnant after all those years with Daniel. I thought maybe youd be expecting I have a son of my own, perhaps you could be with him?
Emilys eyes flashed. No, she snapped. I need no one, certainly not Daniels brother. Margaret burst into tears, the first since the funeral, and Emily felt a strange relief.
From that moment, Emily resolved: a fresh start without Margarets grip.
Home, home, the thought thumped in her ears. Perhaps meeting Oliver had opened her eyes.
The new academic year began. Emily and Oliver grew closer, and one day she walked alone to Daniels grave.
Goodbye, Daniel, she whispered faintly. I was happy with you. Thank you for the joy. You left quickly, but I must move on. Im different now, with a new life without you. Farewell.
She stepped out of the cemetery gates, approached Olivers car, and felt the breath of a new existence fill her lungs. With Oliver, she was reborn; Margaret faded into the background, their paths crossing only by chance. Soon Emily was married to Oliver, expecting a child, and the dream of a different life finally solidified.
