Emily hobbled into the local GPs surgery, her ankle twisted so badly she could barely stay upright. Shed taken a clumsy step and now the world seemed to tilt under her. Just as she was about to give up, a bald bloke named Andrew zipped past her, slipping straight to the front of the waiting room and disappearing into the consultation room right before her nose. Exhausted, Emily flopped onto the plastic chair and muttered under her breath, Men never let anyone cut in line!
A woman standing nearby overheard her. Hes been here already today, looking for a prosthetic and coming up empty, she chuckled. Good lad, Andrew, my neighbour. Lifes done him a turn, thoughlost a leg, the missus walked out, and he thought hed drown in misery. But look at him now, hopping about like a onelegged rabbit. She waved a hand dismissively. At that moment the slightly limp man emerged from the consultation room with a grin plastered on his face, gave Emily and her companion a cheeky wink and said, Alright, ladies, lets keep moving! before shuffling toward the exit.
Emily snorted at the word ladies. That part of her life was long gone. Shed married young, her husband Paul twelve years her senior. Both were Cancer signs, and both loved dogs the zodiac version of sharing a hobby, you might say. Paul, a true dog enthusiast, soon coaxed a dachshund into their flat, and shortly after Emily discovered she was expecting.
Friends gushed, What a perfect little family a flat in Brighton, a decent car, a cosy cottage up the coast, a dog, and a baby on the way! But at six months Emily suffered a miscarriage, and the tiny life theyd been hoping for slipped away. Paul tried to console her, then sighed, Were not spring chickens any more, love, but weve still got Baxter the dachshund. Emily adored Baxter; Paul entered him in shows and bragged about his glossy coat. Still, could a dog truly stand in for a child?
At one of those dog shows Paul struck up a conversation with Olivia, who also owned a sleek dachshund. He soon announced to Emily, in a tone that could only be described as halfjoking, halfserious, Olivias younger, shell have a healthy baby. Ill be the old one, youll be the young one. Olivia was indeed almost twenty years younger than Paul, and God only knows why they both thought that was a good idea. Emily felt the weight of years settle on her shoulders, as if time had whipped past her in a single, dizzying swoop. Retirements just around the corner, Paul said, as if he were speaking to a fellow pensioner.
One evening Emily thought, Im only fortythree, not that ancient, but I feel like Ive got the soul of a granny.
A week later the swelling in her ankle had almost vanished. She went back to the GP and, inevitably, ran into the same bald man again.
Sorry, love, please go ahead of me. Ill squeeze in without cutting the line, he said, flashing an apologetic smile. When Emily left the doctors office, he lingered by the door, and the nurse called, Next!
Andrewhe introduced himselfstayed put. Youre invited, he said, as if he were a maître d at a fancy restaurant. Im Andrew, and you must be Emily, right? I knew that the moment I saw those bright eyes of yours. Mind if a lonely lad escorts you a bit?
Emily retorted, If Im a pretty lass, you certainly dont look the part of a handicapped gentleman. He chuckled, offered his arm for support, and suggested, Shall we pop into that little cafe down the road? Its tasty and cheap, and I havent even had breakfast yet.
Their conversation flowed as easily as a Sunday roast. Andrew kept popping up, proposing to meet again, and Emily never turned him down.
One day, with a twinkle in his eye, he declared, Emily, dont say Im in a hurry. Im just scared someone will overtake me at the next bend and Ill be left standing with my nose in the air. Im a bit lame, Im bald, and youre a beautiful young woman! He paused, then blurted, Emily, marry me! Dont worry about how little we know each other; I want to spend the rest of my life learning about you. Ive got a flat, a job, Im a solid bloke. He fell silent, eyes pleading, then lowered his head, as if expecting a polite refusal.
Emily laughed, Andrew, youre a proper character. I was hesitant at first, but Im in!
Amazingly, just weeks after their wedding Emily discovered she was pregnant again. Shed never imagined a child after the loss, having essentially written herself off as forever childfree. Yet life, in a twist that felt like rewinding a clock, handed her a fresh start. She felt young, beautiful, and loved all over again.
When their son, Archie, arrived with a head full of curls, Emily squealed, Look at him, Andy! Hes got those cheeky curls!
Andrew ran a hand over his smooth bald head and quipped, Im a bald, halflamed chap now, but I used to be a goldenhaired eagle. Look at our little ladmoms eyes, dads curls. He laughed, delighted with his own absurdity.
Emily clutched Andrews shoulder, eyes shining, I cant believe weve got a baby! Its like a miracle, as if none of this is happening to me. Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she burst into sobs of pure joy.
Andrew, a little bewildered, said, Sweetheart, stop crying, youre making my heart melt. Look at little Archiehe had to be born, Im sure of it. We wouldnt have met otherwise, and without you, Id have vanished completely. Dont weep, love.
Emily wiped her tears, pressed even tighter to him, Im crying because Im happy. For the first time in my life Im shedding tears of joy. A glint of tears sparkled on her lashes like tiny diamonds. She felt rich beyond measure, surrounded by love.
After all, the greatest wealth is children, and happiness is love.
