Emily adored James. So much that she forgave him for almost everything.
They wed when Emily was barely out of school, just after she turned nineteen. Shed been chasing James since she was sixteen, even trying to look older than she was. At first he barely noticed hershe was just a little girl in his eyes. Then she grew up, turned into a knockout, and James thought, why pass up something that practically fell into his lap?
At that point James was twentyfour, Emily eighteen. Their relationship beganodd, a bit offkilter.
James would disappear for days, ignore his phone, not answer texts. Hed simply be out somewhere, wandering. Then hed reappear as if nothing happened, and Emily would wait for him every time. Sure, there were tears, but he kept telling her he loved only her. He claimed it was his freespirited nature, that he hadnt had his fill of fun yet.
Emily clung to the hope that one day he would change, that he would love her as fiercely as she loved him.
Emily also had a friend, Tom. Theyd been in the same nursery, lived in the same culdesac, later went to the same secondary school.
Tom was secretly smitten with Emily, but he knew she only saw him as a mate. It hurt him that she didnt value herself, that she didnt realise she deserved the best.
Tom knew that if Emily ever returned his feelings, hed do anything for her. He also understood that she was hopelessly hooked on James, as if the man had cast a spell. So Tom kept his distance, lingering quietly nearby.
Whenever James vanished again or started an unnecessary argument, Emily would break down to Tom.
Why does he treat me like this? I love him so much
Maybe you should stop loving him? Tom would snap.
But I cant! Dont you get it?
Tom understood perfectly. Hed gladly stop loving Emily himself, but it was impossible, so he didnt arguehe just knew what she felt.
James grew more unmanageable. He began drinking heavily and flirting openly with other women. Emily, in a moment of desperate romance, made the biggest mistake a lovesick girl could: she got pregnant, naïvely believing a child would fix everything. She thought a baby would mature James, make him sensible, and finally cherish her and the little one.
At nineteen she discovered she was expecting and told James, but saw no sparkle in his eyes.
We should probably get married, I guess, she murmured, embarrassed, while the bellys still hidden.
Probably, James grunted, looking sullen.
Why he finally agreed to tie the knot remained a mysteryperhaps he thought something might come of it, or perhaps he simply didnt know how to say no.
Emily felt like the happiest bride. For Tom, the day was pure mourning. He watched Emily, radiant and hopeful, and secretly wished he could whisk her away, lock her up at home until she realised he was far better than James. Of course, he never acted on it. He feigned wellwishes for her and James while drowning his own disappointment in a few pints.
Emily and James welcomed a son, whom they named Charlie. At first James tried to be a proper father and husbandhe stopped disappearing, cut back on nights out, helped with the baby, and didnt argue with Emily.
But soon he realised domestic life wasnt his cup of tea. When Charlie turned one, James slipped back into his old habits. He vanished for three days, leaving Emily franticcalling the morgue, the hospital, even all of Jamess mates.
Tom was there again, looking after Charlie while Emily sprinted around the seedy parts of Manchester, searching for her husband. She even managed to file a police report before James finally staggered back.
Emily screamed, sobbed, demanded explanations.
Im not obliged to answer to you, James barked, striding into the kitchen. Charlie started bawling, but his dad barely registered the sound, nursing a hangover.
From that moment James stopped pretending. Hed come and go, and each time Emily would take him back, hoping hed finally change.
When Charlie turned three, James left for good. At first he disappeared again, and Emily thought hed just gone for a night out. But after picking Charlie up from nursery, she found the house empty of Jamess belongings.
While she tried to piece together what was happening, a message pinged on her phone:
Im filing for divorce myself, dont wait for me!
Emily was devastated, shouting at the ceiling, feeling life was pointless. Tom arrived within the hour, staying with her all day, minding Charlie and making sure she didnt do anything reckless.
When Emily finally steadied herself, Tom made his move.
So Ill be your husband now, and Charlies dad.
Emily looked at her old friend and shook her head.
Im sorry, but I dont love you that way. I love you as a friend, and Im grateful for everything youve done. As a man I just cant.
I know, Tom replied, but I love you beyond friendship. I wont let you suffer any longer
Tom could hardly find the words. Emily, shattered, simply nodded. Let him stay.
Tom didnt push. He stayed, caring for Charlie as if he were his own. Emily watched Tom and realised no one else would love her son like her mate did, nor look after her better than he did.
She gave innot because she fell in love, but out of sheer hopelessness.
Tom was over the moon when Emily agreed to marry him. When Charlie first called him dad, Tom even shed a tear.
Life settled into a pictureperfect family that made neighbours sigh with envy. Occasionally Tom thought Emily might love him as a partner, not just a friend. Other times, dread crept inwhat if James turned up? What if Emily dumped everything and ran back to her wayward ex?
He lived between two fires, rejoicing in their happiness one moment, waking up at night from nightmares the next.
Then a nightmare turned real. Charlie was turning six, and Emily and Tom planned a grand party. The kids bounced at a trampoline park, and at home a cake and presents waited.
As Charlie was about to blow out the candles, the doorbell rang.
Someone else here to wish you happy birthday? Emily said with a smile.
Ill get it, Tom replied.
He didnt peek through the peephole, just opened the door. A cold shiver slithered down his spine as James stood there, clutching an odd plush rabbit.
Seeing Tom, James scoffed.
Right on time, as always. Wheres my son? Im here to wish him a happy birthday.
Emily gasped, turning pale. Charlie popped out, eyes wide.
Hi, dad, he asked Tom, whos this?
Jamess face darkenedhe hadnt expected this.
Dad, then
Tom, get Charlie out of here, Emily said stiffly.
Please she pleaded, eyes flickering with the old spell of obsession.
Tom knew one thing: he would never hand Charlie over. He was the father figure Charlie needed, not this bewildered stranger.
He played with Charlie in the living room, surrounded by gifts. Yet his mind raced, waiting for Emily to signal that he should leave, fearing the door would open again.
Emily entered, hands trembling, smile forced.
So, hows the party? she asked.
Were playing! Charlie shouted. Uncle left?
Nope, we blew out the candles but havent eaten the cake yet!
Right! the birthday boy cried, dashing to the kitchen. Tom grabbed Emilys elbow, looking at her.
Whats the matter? she asked with a grin. Lets go before Charlie turns the cake into a denture nightmare.
Tom kissed her cheek.
He wont be back. Charlie has a real dad now.
And you?
You? All I need is you.
Tom smiled, took Emilys hand, and led her to the kitchen.
Perhaps the wild, reckless love of her youth had faded. Perhaps a tiny flicker still lived in Emilys heart. But youthful folly had given way to wisdom, and Toms steady love finally thawed the naive girls heart. Emily now knew she was happier than ever, and the feverish passion of the past was safely locked away where it belongednowhere to be missed.
