Tangled
“Emily, I’m leaving for a contract job up north… You know Ive got big debts to settle. I wont turn to crimeI wont stealso this is the only way. Ill earn, pay them off bit by bit, 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 said, trying to convince her.
The whole village knew Matthew had been courting Emily, the young widow. They loved each other and wanted to marry, but his debts hung over him like a storm cloud, forcing his hand.
“I see,” Emily replied coolly. “So youre off to join your wife up north, just like she did. What is it about that place that pulls you all there?”
“Em, you know my ex-wife has nothing to do with me anymore.”
But Emily couldnt stop herself. She lashed out, hurling cruel words until Matthew gave up. He packed his things and left. She ignored his calls, even changed her number.
Time passed. That summer was sweltering, and this day was the worststifling from dawn. The older villagers muttered, “Storms coming by nightfall, mark my words.”
No one expected the hurricane-force winds that evening. Dark clouds rolled in, promising a thunderstorm, but instead came chaoswires ripped loose, trees crashed onto roofs, fences flattened. Everyone huddled inside, waiting out natures fury.
By morning, the damage was clear.
“My chicken coops flooded!” wailed Mrs. Higgins. “Lucky the birds were roosting high.”
“My tomatoes are ruinedwhat a waste,” sighed Anna.
“Never mind the tomatoes or chickensweve no power! Who knows when theyll fix it?”
By noon, electricians arrived from the nearest town. They worked for hours, restoring powerthough not for everyone. Some had blown fuses; Emilys wiring had burned out entirely, blackening a wall. She shuddered, imagining the whole house aflame. The place was old, the wiring ancientwhat if she and Sophie had been trapped?
“Em, dont fret,” Mrs. Higgins said. “Stephens wiring went too. Theres a bloke from the next village, Kevinproper electrician, charges fair. Ask him.”
“Mum, whens dinner?” four-year-old Sophie tugged her sleeve. “Im starving.”
“Soon, love. Thank God the gas still works,” Emily said, glancing at the scorched wall.
Kevin was busy elsewhere, so she spent the evening by candlelight. Next morning, a burly, broad-shouldered man strode into her yard, smiling warmly.
“Morning. Whore you here for?” Emily asked.
“You. Heard youve got wiring trouble. Kevins the nameelectrician by trade.”
She led him inside. Sophie darted out, then hid shyly. Kevin winked, making her giggle.
“Sophie, this is Mr. Kevin. Hes fixing our lights,” Emily said.
Kevin examined the blackened wall. “Couldve burned the place down. Miracle it didnt. Wirings shotneeds replacing. Got my gear in the van. Be back in a tick.”
While he worked, Emily cooked lunch. “Ill pay him, but feeding hims the decent thing,” she thought.
By midday, he was done. “All set. Try the switch.” Light flooded the room.
“How much do I owe you?” Emily reached for her purse.
“Not a penny. Lunchll do meIm famished.”
Shed already laid the table. As they ate, Sophie stayed quiet, eyeing Kevin warily.
After he left, she whispered, “Mum, I dont like him.”
“Why? He did a grand job.”
But Emily remembered how hed looked at her. At thirty-one, she was still prettywidowed when Sophie was just seven months old. Shed told herself happiness wasnt lost yet.
Three days later, Kevin returned. “Your fence is a wreck, love. Gates hanging by a hinge. Let me fix itfree of charge, cept for another meal.” He grinned. “Truth is… Ive taken a shine to you.”
Her heart lifted. Luck was turning.
“I dont mind,” she said. “Go aheadIll cook.”
Over lunch, she asked, “Whos at home in your village?”
“Wondering if Im married? No. My wife cheated. We split.”
He took her hand. “I fancy you, Emily.”
She was dizzyhere was a strong, handsome man, hardworking, sober. What more could a woman want? Only Sophie still scowled at him.
From then on, Kevin visited often. They talked, laughed, but Emily kept her distance. He didnt pushyet.
Then the rumour spread: Matthew was back.
“Vera, is it true? Emilys seeing that Kevin bloke?”
“Whole village knows,” his sister sighed. “He fixed her wiring, then… well, you know.”
Matthew clenched his fists. “Over a bloody light switch?”
“Stop it. Shes been alone, and you vanished.”
“I had no choice! She wouldnt listen.”
“Well, now youre debt-free,” Vera said, walking out.
Matthew found Emily walking home, gripped her arm. “You and himanything happen?”
“Are you stalking me?”
“Just answer!”
“None of your business! Bet you had fun up north!”
Suddenly, he kissed her. Her heart lurchedanger melted. She stood stunned.
“Confused, eh?”
“Hes… different,” she stammered.
Matthew stormed off.
That evening, Kevin arrived with wine. Sophie was at her grandmas. But Emily was distracted.
“To us,” Kevin said, eyes glinting.
“Had many women?”
“Just you,” he lied, pouring more.
The wine blurred her thoughts. His hands grew rough, hurting her.
“Stopyoure drunk!”
“Dont play hard to get,” he snarled, dragging her.
A slap rang out. Thencrash! Kevin flew against the wall. Matthew stood there, fists raised. Drunk and outmatched, Kevin was thrown out, shirt torn, lip bleeding.
Villagers saw him slink away. Later, they learned: hed beaten his wife before she fled.
Matthew glared at Emily and left.
Three days later, he returned. Sophie raced to him, hugging his neck. Emily followed.
“You alright?”
“Fine. My personal bodyguard now?”
“Cant leave you unsupervised,” he teased, setting Sophie down.
He pulled Emily close. “Missed you,” he murmured.
As Sophie beamed, Emily knewhe was the one.
