If anyone had ever warned Emma that she would become the spark of gossip, the wedge between a father and his son, she would have demanded they take those words back. Emma was a simple, countrygirl, but she could stand up for herself when needed. Still, fate unfolded exactly as it did, and even in the darkest nightmare she never imagined that happiness would require her to endure seven circles of hell.
Emma had only just moved to Manchester, though she had begged her mother not to send her to her aunts flat. At the family meeting it was decided that Aunt Margaret Clarke would be the one to take Emma, because there was no one else. John, the head of the household, had been a tractor driver on the farm and now spent endless days in the fields. Emmas mother tended the livestock, while her brothers and sisters were scattered between school and nursery.
With a tiny suitcase packed with the bare essentials, Emma set off for the aunt she had seen only once, at a distant christening. People whispered that Margaret, with her sharp tongue, had never managed to live peacefully with any of her three husbands. She had no children, thus no heirs, and Emmas parents clung to the hope that the flat would eventually pass to their daughter. That hope was not unfounded, but Margaret kept Emma at arms length. She never asked about Emmas life and let no one into her inner world. Why, then, did she keep Emma around? Simply because the old woman was terrified that she would die alone, unnoticed, and rot in a flat until the smell forced the councilor to break in.
Margaret had long battled an incurable illness, knowing she might die tomorrow rather than today, and she saw Emma as a convenient ticket to a timely funeral and wake. Emma sensed her aunts fears and never asked questions. She washed, cooked, cleaned, shoppedanything Margaret demanded. With no friends and a habit of ending long days on the village bench with peers, Emma felt the citys streets were unnecessary. She found solace on the flats balcony, where she could watch young mothers amble with their toddlers or elderly ladies cluster by the lift to gossip about the days worries. Her life seemed split in two: the drudgery of endless errands for a sick aunt, and the fleeting peace that arrived when Margaret fell asleep after her painkillers. Then Emma would brew a fragrant cup of coffee and linger on the balcony, savoring a hardwon calm.
Soon she noticed a handsome neighbour, Daniel Hart, who appeared on the same balcony at the same hour. At first they nodded politely, pretending not to notice each other, then exchanged brief greetings, and eventually their silent glances turned into a shy, youthful infatuation. Both raced to the balcony each evening, hoping to catch a glimpse of the other. By the time Margaret passed away, Emma and Daniel were inseparable, having confessed their feelings. After the funeral, Emma told her parents she was applying for university elsewhere, though they sensed the truth and let her go without argument.
Certain of her love, Emma accepted Daniels proposal without hesitation. Daniel lived alone. His mother, after a divorce, had remarried and moved to the United States; his father, Thomas Clarke, worked as a doctor in Nigeria, visiting England only once a year on holiday. Their wedding was modest but joyous, the couple glowing with the promise of a life side by side.
Daniel followed his fathers footsteps, studying medicine and becoming a junior surgeon at the city hospital. Wanting to match his profession, Emma enrolled in a nursing course after a brief stint of study. She imagined the two of them rescuing patients together, but not all dreams survive.
Emma, Dads landing next week! Youll need to be ready, Daniel called one evening.
Right what does he like? We should stock up, plan a menu, give the place a good clean, she replied.
Relax, love. Hes not a king from Lagos, just my father, a regular bloke, Daniel laughed.
Still, Emmas nerves fluttered. Shed seen photos of Thomas tall, tanned, looking like a Mediterranean gentleman but appearances can deceive. What if he turned out to be a snob, a perfectionist who could find fault in everything? What if Daniel decided she wasnt good enough and left? Thomas Clarke, however, proved a different man. He greeted his son and daughterinlaw with a kiss at the door, apologized for missing the wedding, and arrived laden with gifts. He praised Emmas stew, saying he hadnt tasted anything better in ages, then left to visit old friends. A month whizzed by before Thomas returned to Nigeria, leaving the newlyweds to their own devices.
Sometimes Emma puzzled over her motherinlaws sudden desire to replace Thomas with someone else. Thomas was a brilliant cook, whipping up delicate crêpes that would make any housewife jealous, and he often helped Emma with the housework, offering his son advice:
Lucky youve got a good wife Look after Emma, help her out, or youll lose your own happiness.
Daniel smiled silently, thinking, Where would she go? Emma isnt the type to abandon everything. Even if Daniel strayed, Emma would forgive and carry on as if nothing had happened. In the countryside, life is simpler; people endure for their children. He convinced himself this was the plain truth, and when a junior nurse started flirting with him, Daniel plunged into a new affair, caring little that Emma, plagued by a weeklong bout of severe morning sickness, could barely stand in the kitchen. He would eat heartily, dine with his colleague Karina, drive her home, and then feign exhaustion to return.
Emma seemed oblivious to the shift in Daniels attention, lost in her own new sensations. Part of her rejoiced at the thought of motherhood; another part feared she couldnt cope, though how could she, with such a caring husband?
When Emma finally gave birth, the demands multiplied. Milk was scarce, the baby wailed through the night. Daniel snapped, demanding Emma soothe the child while he retreated to the lounge. Thomass next visit left him stunned: the oncecheerful, rosycheeked Emma had become pale, gaunt, a mere shadow, while Daniel had thinned, his eyes always scanning the door.
Help your wife, for heavens sake, Thomas chided.
Dad, shes at home all day. Let her at least look after the child.
Got anyone new in your life?
Why do you ask?
I see you smile when youre out, but youre irritable when youre back.
Nothing serious, Dad.
Make sure nothing serious turns into a disaster.
Emmas to blame. Shes stopped looking like a woman. Look at her hair, her face.
Its your own fault. She barely gets a break.
Enough, Ive got work to do!
Daniel seemed deaf to his fathers words; he expected Emma to juggle everything at home, and only Thomas understood her without a single remark, always offering help where he could.
Emma, go to bed. Ill look after the baby.
What if she gets hungry?
You think I cant mix a formula and feed her? Remember I raised that foolyour husband.
Thanks to her fatherinlaw, Emma finally managed a few hours of sleep. Thomas walked the baby, fed her, and tucked her in while Emma worked, giving her a chance to breathe. She prayed every night for a woman who might bring Thomas the happiness he deserved. Alone in Nigeria, he was her only companion, and gradually Emma began to lean on him for everythingfather, brother, friend, confidante. He listened, supported, and the thought of his sudden departure haunted her.
Emma, you look downcast.
Just a bit
Here, take this money, get yourself a makeoverhair, colour, makeup, nails. Then go shopping, buy something nice. Dont worry about the little one; Ill watch her.
In a flash, Emma kissed Thomas on the cheek and darted off to the salon. By evening she returned, radiant and buoyant, ready to surprise Daniel. She turned toward the hospital where he worked.
Good afternoon, Im looking for Dr. Daniel Hart.
Hes here, go right in.
She imagined his delight at her new look, but what she saw stopped her heart. A young nurse sat on his lap, her coat halfunbuttoned, clearly not for a routine examination. Emma fled the room, flagged a taxi, and wept all the way home.
What happened, love? Daniel asked, trembling.
Daniel hes cheating
Who told you?
I saw it with my own eyes
Thomas pulled Emma close, rubbing her hair.
Cry, love, itll ease the pain. Ill talk to him, make sure he comes back.
Im leaving with our daughter.
Dont be foolish. Think of the child. Life in the countryside isnt easy, work is hard, and you have a little one to raise.
No one had embraced Emma like that in years. Though she and Daniel had been sleeping in separate rooms for months, the scent of his cologne and his gentle words swirled around her, making her head spin. Thomas, too, felt an unexpected pull toward Emmaher vulnerability, her fragility. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, carry her far away from hurt. In a sudden surge, he lifted her and carried her to the bedroom; she offered no resistance. They shared a secret, hidden from Daniel, whose attention was fixed on his own affair with Karina. Emma felt both shame for the brief lapse and a startling joy at being cherished.
Soon after, Emma discovered she was pregnant again. She didnt know what to do; she and Daniel had only been intimate for three or four months, and he would surely suspect infidelity.
What are you feeling? Its a good thing! I never thought I could be a father again at fifty. Will you marry me? Thomas asked.
And Daniel?
What about Daniel? I know we both erred, but hes also at fault. Hell eventually leave, but I love you and cant imagine life without you.
After the divorce, Emma and Thomas married and moved to Nigeria. Their families could not understand; the village folk whispered that Emma pretended modesty while chasing happiness elsewhere. Daniel, for his part, kept telling anyone who would listen how cruelly his wife and fatherinlaw had treated him. Yet none of that mattered. Both Emma and Thomas were content, grateful for the moments they shared together.
