**Confused**
“Daisy, I’m leaving for a work rotation up north You know Ive got serious debts to pay off. I wont turn to crimeno stealingso this is the only way. Ill earn, clear them slowly, and come back Therell even be enough left for repairs on your house, and well buy little Sophie that bike she wants. But itll take a year, maybe a bit longer,” Matthew tried to convince her.
Everyone in the village knew Matthew had been courting Daisy, a young widow. They loved each other and had planned to marry, but his debts forced his hand.
“I see,” Daisy muttered. “So youre off to join your wife up north, just like she did. What is it about that place?”
“Dais, you *know* my ex-wife has nothing to do with me anymore.”
But Daisy wouldnt stopshe lashed out, hurling cruel words until Matthew gave up arguing. He packed and left. She ignored his calls, even changed her number.
Time passed. That summer was scorching, and this day was the worststifling from dawn. The older villagers muttered, “Storms coming by nightfall, mark my words.”
No one expected the hurricane that evening. Dark clouds rolled in, winds tore through power lines, trees crashed onto roofs, fences toppled. Everyone hunkered down, waiting out natures fury.
By morning, the damage was clear.
“My chicken coops flooded,” grumbled Mrs. Whitmore. “Lucky the hens were roosting high.”
“My tomatoes are ruinedwhats left of the crop?” sighed Anna.
“Tomatoes? Chicken coops? Weve got no *electricity*who knows how long till the crews from town fix it?”
By noon, electricians arrived. Repairs dragged on, but power returnedthough not for Daisy. Her wiring had fried, blackening a wall. The old house couldve burned down with her and Sophie inside.
“Dont fret,” Mrs. Whitmore said. “Stephens place had the same. Ask Charlie from the next villagehes a whiz with wiring, wont overcharge.”
“Mum, whens dinner?” four-year-old Sophie tugged her sleeve. “Im hungry.”
“Soon, love. At least weve got gas,” Daisy replied, glancing at the charred wall.
Charlie was busy elsewhere, so her lights stayed off. Next morning, a broad-shouldered man strode into her yard, smiling warmly.
“Hello, whore you here for?” Daisy asked.
“You. Heard youve got wiring trouble. Names Charlieelectrician.”
She led him inside. Sophie darted out, then shrank back shyly.
“This is Uncle Charlie, sweetheart,” Daisy said. “Hes fixing our lights.”
Charlie inspected the damage. “Couldve been a fire. Lucky. Wirings weakneeds replacing. Ill fetch my tools.”
As he worked, Daisy cooked lunch, thinking, *Ill pay him, but feeding hims the least I can do.*
By midday, he finished. “All done. Lights on.” The room brightened.
“How much do I owe you?” Daisy reached for her purse.
“Not a penny,” Charlie grinned. “Lunchll cover it.”
Over the meal, they chatted while Sophie watched silently. After he left, she said, “Mum, I dont like him.”
“Why? He helped us.”
Daisy couldnt shake the memory of his lingering gaze. At thirty-one, she was still young, still hopeful for happiness after losing her husband when Sophie was a baby.
Three days later, Charlie returned. “Your fence is a wreck, and the gates hanging by one hinge. Let me fix itfree, just feed me.” He smirked. “Truth is I fancy you.”
Daisys heart lifted. Maybe luck was turning.
“I dont mind,” she said. “Fix it, then.”
At lunch, she asked, “Whos at home in your village?”
“Wondering if Im married? No. My wife cheatedwe split.”
He took her hand. “I like you, Daisy.”
She was losing herself to himstrong, kind, hardworking. What more could she want? But Sophies wary eyes never left them.
Charlie visited often after that, though Daisy kept him at arms length. A month passed without rushing things.
Then word spread*Matthews back.* He lived with his mother, while his sister Vera, a nursery teacher, stayed there too after her marriage failed.
“Vera, is it true? Daisys with that Charlie bloke?”
“Everyone knows,” Vera sighed. “He fixed her wiring, then well.”
Matthew clenched his fists. “Over a *lightbuld*?”
“Stop it. Shes been alone*you* left.”
“I had no choice! She wouldnt listen then.”
“Now youre debt-free,” Vera snapped, walking out.
Matthew confronted Daisy on her way home, gripping her arm. “You and himsomething happened?”
“Whats it to you?”
“Answer me.”
“Like you didnt have fun up north?”
Suddenly, he kissed her. Her heart twistedanger and love flaring together. She stood frozen.
“Confused, eh?”
“Its just hes different,” she whispered.
Matthew stormed off.
That evening, Charlie arrived with wine. Sophie was at her grandmas. But Daisy was distracted, still reeling from Matthews kiss.
“To us,” Charlie slurred, eyes glazed. “I love a pretty woman.”
“Had many?”
“Just you,” he lied, pouring more wine.
Drunk, Daisy barely resisted as he grabbed her, his grip bruising.
“Stopyoure hurting me!”
“Dont play shy,” he sneered. “You owe me.”
“Youre drunk”
“I *want* you.” He yanked her toward the bedroom.
A slap cracked her cheek. “After all Ive done, youll obey.”
Then*crash*Charlie flew against the wall. Matthew stood there, fists raised. Drunk and outmatched, Charlie was thrown out, shirt torn, face bloodied. Villagers saw him stumble away.
*No wonder Sophie disliked him,* Daisy realized. *Children sense monsters.*
Matthew gave her one hard look and left. Charlie never returnedrumor was, his ex-wife had fled his beatings.
Three days later, Matthew came back. Sophie raced to him, giggling as he scooped her up. Daisy stepped out.
“You alright, Dais?”
“Fine. Stalking me now?”
“Cant leave you unsupervised,” he teased, setting Sophie down. He pulled Daisy close.
“If you knew how I missed you.”
His eyes were warm, familiar. Sophie beamed*Uncle Matthews the best.*
