**Someone Elses Ring**
Work had piled upurgent deadlines, endless emailsso Emily decided to skip lunch. Then her phone rang. It was Mum.
What is it, Mum? Im swamped, Emily answered impatiently.
Love Her mothers voice was faint, distant. I dont feel right
Emily waited, thinking the line had cut out, but all she heard was a weak groan.
Mum? I can barely hear youMum! Ill come now! She grabbed her coat from the rack.
Cover for me, she muttered to a colleague before bolting out.
Outside, she realised shed run out in her office heels. No time to change. The keys to Mums flat were in the glovebox. The drive was a blurspeeding, jumping lights. Shed pay the fine later. Just had to get there.
When she burst in, Mum was curled on the sofa, clutching her chest.
Your heart? Emily asked.
Mum winced, barely opening her eyes.
Hold on. Emily dialled 999, her hands shaking.
It wouldve been quicker to drive Mum to hospital, but what if she couldnt make it down the stairs? No lift in the building. And the neighbours? All pensionersno help midday.
While they waited, Emily rubbed Mums shoulder, murmuring reassurances. The paramedics arrived, uniforms crisp, faces calm. One checked Mums pulse, frowned.
Were taking her in. Heart attack, likely. Youfind her documents.
Emilys stomach twisted. They loaded Mum onto a stretcher, and she begged to ride along, but the paramedic shook his head. Ring the hospital for updates.
Back at work, her boss eyed her from the lift.
Late from lunch, Ms. Hart? One more slip, and its a written warning.
Emily exhaled sharply.
She rang her friend Sarah, who worked at the hospital. Half an hour latera lifetimeSarah called back. Mum was stable, no heart attack, just observation.
You alright? Sarah asked.
Rushed out, got a flat tyre, and James isnt answering his phone, Emily muttered.
Hang in there.
James didnt call back. When she got home, he was on his laptop.
Where were you? I called a hundred times!
At work. Meetings all day.
All day? You couldnt check your phone?
Sorry, had it on silent. Whats wrong?
Mum was rushed to hospital! I had a flat, and you were nowhere!
James shrugged. Shouldve driven carefully. Hows your mum?
They made up, but unease clung to her.
***
Two years ago, theyd met in a café. Sarah had nudged her. That blokes staringcould bore holes in you.
Emily glanced over, met his gaze, flushed. Hed walked over, grinning. Mind if I join you?
Sarah left. They talked for hours. Fell in love fast. Moved in within weeks.
Emily waited for a proposal. Hinted. James said living together was one thing, marriage another. Once I buy a flat, hed say. Two years passed.
Mum nagged. If he hasnt proposed yet, he wont.
One Sunday, while James was at tennis, Emily tidied. His jacket pocket bulged. Insidea red ring box. Her breath caught. A gold band, diamond glinting. Perfect fit.
She put it back, smiling. He *was* going to propose.
The next day, the ring was gone.
Her birthday came. James raised a toast, slid a velvet box toward her. Her heart racedbut inside were earrings.
His face fell at her disappointment.
Later, she confronted him. Who was the ring for?
A mates. His girlfriend wouldve found it.
She didnt believe him.
Didnt know you went through my pockets. Dont like the earrings? Fine, well get a ring tomorrow.
They went. The shop assistant blinked at James. The other one didnt suit her?
Emily froze. You *did* buy a ring.
The assistant backtracked, flustered. James whispered, Ill explain.
Dont bother. Emily fled.
He called. She ignored him. Cried in her car until a knock startled her.
The same man whod changed her tyre months ago peered in. Flat again? Then he saw her face.
Over coffee, she spilled everything.
Maybe youre wrong? he offered.
She shook her head. He never planned to marry me.
He bought her ice cream. Always helped me as a kid.
***
She left James. The tyre-changerDanielkept bumping into her. Took her to films, weekends in York, Brighton. Slowly, she trusted again. Four months later, he proposed. A modest ring, but given freely. She never took it off.
Sometimes she wondered: how long would James have lied if she hadnt found that ring?
Lesson learned: if youre not ready for skeletons, best keep the closet shut. And never rifle through pockets.
