Hey love, picture this: the cottage smells of damp and mould, the floor groans with every step and theres a rustle in the corner probably a few mice scurrying about. Emma gently laid the twins, Jack and Harry, on an old mattress, wrapped them up in her coat and crouched down beside them.
Her heart was pounding like a drum. She didnt know what scared her more the cold seeping through the cracks of the timber walls, or the dead quiet from Tom, who seemed like a different man altogether.
Do you realise how tiny they are? she whispered. They need specialised milk, medicine Im nursing, but will it be enough for two?
Tom snapped around.
Do you think I dont know? Do you think Im an idiot? his voice trembled with tension. Everythings falling apart in town. I cant take both at once. Not mentally, not financially.
So what then? Emmas eyes flickered. Are we going to hide here like fugitives?
He paced the room, then slammed his fist on the table.
Im not hiding! You get that? Im trying to figure out how we survive! he shouted.
The babies wailed in unison. Emma scooped them up, rocked them and murmured, Shhh, my darlings, shhh Mums right here. Tears streamed down her cheeks, landing on their little faces.
Were a family, she whispered, not looking at him. You wanted a child. Now weve got two. Its a blessing, not a curse.
Tom stood by the window, staring out at the dark woods. His shoulders shivered, but he didnt turn. He muttered, One would have made me happy. Two that flips everything upside down.
Emma snapped. Flips? Youre a dad, not a accountant going into the red!
He spun sharply, anger and desperation flashing in his eyes. You dont get it! I havent a penny left! Zero! Cash is useless out here, cards wont work. I burnt the last few litres of petrol just to get us this far.
She felt the ground slip beneath her. So were trapped? No food, no meds, no heat?
He slumped onto the rickety chair, burying his face in his hands. For the first time he looked broken rather than angry.
The quiet was broken by the babies soft whimpering. Emma wrapped them tighter and sat down beside Tom.
Listen to me, she said gently. Im not blaming you. We have to act. The kids cant wait forever.
Tom lifted his head, fear glinting in his eyes. Im scared. Scared Ill fail. Scared I wont feed them. Scared well die out here.
She squeezed his hand hard. Well get through this together. But only if you stop running from the truth.
He nodded, then leapt up as if a decision finally clicked. Alright. Ill head to the village at first light. Look for work, beg for supplies whatever it takes.
The night stretched on forever. The twins cried every hour, Emma fed and rocked them, humming lullabies she didnt even know she remembered. Tom sat by the window, the lamp off, staring into the black woods as if the answer hid in the shadows.
At dawn he slipped on his coat. Ill be back, I promise, he said.
The walk to the village took over an hour. The first cottage he reached was a low stone house with a neat front garden. An elderly lady in a headscarf opened the door. Tom whispered, Im sorry my wifes out in the woods with two newborns. Weve got nothing. Im willing to work for food.
The woman studied him for a long moment, as if reading his soul. Finally she said softly, Theres work as much as you can handle chopping wood, garden chores, looking after animals. But first, take this. She handed him a basket filled with bread, milk and eggs. The little ones need the most.
Toms eyes welled up. He thanked her profusely and hurried back, clutching the basket like a treasure.
When he burst into the cottage, Emma was holding the twins, looking spent to the bone. The moment she saw the food she let out a cry and threw her arms around him.
You did it?! she exclaimed.
He set the basket down on the table and hugged her tightly. I dont know how long itll last, but weve got a chance now. Ive realised I cant be scared. Ive got you and the kids. Thats enough.
She pressed close, hope sparking in her eyes.
The babies finally fell asleep, full and calm. For the first time in days, a sense of a road forward settled in both their hearts a long, hard road, but one theyd walk together.
Well make it, Emma whispered.
Yes. Together, Tom replied.
And his voice was no longer raw with rage or despair, just steady confidence.
