If anyone had ever warned Emily that she’d become the source of gossip and a wedge between her father and his son, she would have made them eat their words. Emily was a simple country girl, but she could stand up for herself when needed. Yet fate dealt her a hand she never imagined, and even in the worst of nightmares she couldn’t have guessed that happiness would demand she walk through seven circles of hell.
Emily had only just moved to London, after begging her mother not to send her to her aunts house. At the family meeting it was decided that she would be the one to go to Aunt Martha Clarke, simply because there was no one else. James, the head of the family, had worked as a tractor driver and now the fields kept him busy from dawn till dusk. Her mother kept the farm running, while her brothers and sisters were either at school or in nursery.
With a small suitcase packed with the essentials, Emily set off for the aunt shed seen only once, at a distant christening. They said Martha, with her sharp tongue, had never managed to get along with any of her three husbands. She had no children, no heirs, and Emilys parents secretly hoped she would leave the cottage to her niece. Thats exactly what happened, but Martha treated Emily politely enough, yet always kept her at arms length. She never asked about Emilys life and let no one into her inner world. So why keep Emily around at all? Simply because lately shed grown frightened that she might die unnoticed, left to rot until a foul smell forced the neighbours to call the police.
Martha had been battling an incurable illness for years and knew shed likely pass soon. To her, Emily was a convenient ticket to a timely funeral and wake. Emily sensed her aunts worries and never asked questions. She did the washing, the cooking, the cleaning, the shopping everything expected of her. With no friends, the girl who was used to sitting on the village green with her peers after a hard day felt terribly lonely. In the city she rarely left the flat; the only solace was the balcony where she could watch young mums strolling with prams or elderly ladies gathering at the lifts to chat about the news. Her life seemed split in two: the drudgery of running errands for a sick aunt and the brief respite when Martha fell asleep after her painkillers. Then Emily would brew a strong cup of tea, step out onto the balcony and savour a moment of peace.
Soon she struck up a friendship with a charming neighbour, Andrew, who also liked the balcony at the same hour. At first they nodded politely and pretended not to notice each other, then exchanged greetings, and eventually their encounters felt like a teenage romance. Both hurried to the balcony hoping to catch a glimpse of the other and spend a few stolen minutes together. By the time Martha passed, Emily and Andrew were already confidants, having confessed their feelings. After the funeral Emily told her parents she wanted to stay in the city to study, and they, sensing the truth, did not argue.
Certain of their love, Emily accepted Andrews proposal without hesitation. Andrew lived alone; his mother had remarried and moved to the United States after a divorce. His father worked as a doctor in Nigeria, visiting only once a year on holiday. The wedding was modest but joyous, and the newlyweds were the happiest couple, ready to spend their lives side by side.
Andrew followed in his fathers footsteps, training as a surgeon and taking a junior post at a city hospital. Wanting to match his ambitions, Emily enrolled in a nursing course after a short stint of study. She imagined them both saving lives together, but not all dreams come true.
Emily, dads arriving in a week, so you better get ready, Andrews father, Henry Whitaker, announced over the phone.
Really? What does he like? I should sort the groceries, plan a menu, give the flat a proper clean
Relax, love. Hes not the king of Nigeria, just a simple bloke, Henry laughed.
Yet Emily fretted. Shed seen pictures of him tall, tanned, with a hint of Mediterranean looks but appearances can be deceiving. What if he turned out to be a snob or a perfectionist, finding fault in everything? What if Andrew decided she wasnt good enough and left her? Henry proved a different man. He greeted his son and daughterinlaw with a warm kiss, apologized for missing the wedding, and arrived bearing a pile of gifts. He praised the stew Emily had prepared, saying he hadnt tasted anything better in ages, then slipped out to visit old friends. A month passed quickly, and Henry returned to Nigeria, leaving the young couple to their own devices.
Emily sometimes wondered why Henry seemed to replace her father, but the man was an excellent cook, often up before dawn to whip up delicate pancakes that would challenge any housewife, and he helped with the cleaning, urging his son:
Take care of Emily, lad. A good wife is a treasure, dont let it slip through your fingers.
Andrew smiled quietly, thinking, Where will she go? She isnt the type to walk out on everything. Even if Emily were unfaithful, shed forgive and carry on as if nothing had happened. Country life is simple people endure for their children. He told himself that was the truth, so when a nurse at work showed interest, he dove into a new affair, barely caring that his wife was battling a fierce morning sickness and could hardly manage a meal. He kept his own stomach full, dined with Karina, gave her a lift home, and pretended exhaustion when he returned.
Emily, absorbed in her own feelings, cheered at the prospect of motherhood while fearing she might not cope, even though she had a caring husband. When she finally gave birth, the workload exploded. Breastmilk was scarce, the baby woke crying constantly, and Andrew snapped, demanding Emily calm the child while he retired to the lounge. When Henry visited again, he barely recognised Emily the oncecheerful, rosycheeked woman had become pale and gaunt, a shadow of herself, while his son had thinned, staying out late and returning home at odd hours.
Help your wife, will you? Henry asked.
Shes at home all day, could she look after the baby? he replied.
Anyone new in your life? Henry pressed.
Why do you ask? Emily replied, weary.
I see how happy you look when youre out, how irritable when youre back, he said.
Nothing serious, dad, Andrew muttered.
Watch that nothing turns ugly, Henry warned.
Emily, exhausted, finally fell asleep thanks to Henrys occasional nighttime babysitting. He would feed the little one, rock her to sleep, and give Emily a few precious hours of rest. She thanked him endlessly, praying that God would grant him a partner who would share his happiness. It was hard for her to be alone; she had Andy and their daughter, while he was miles away in Nigeria. Gradually Emily began to think of Henry as more than a fatherinlaw he became a father, brother, friend, and confidant. She could talk to him about anything; he always listened.
One afternoon Henry handed her a wad of cash.
Buy yourself a makeover haircut, colour, makeup, nails. Then go shopping for something nice. Dont worry about the girl, Ill look after her.
Emily darted off, planted a quick kiss on Henrys cheek, and hurried to the salon. By evening she looked radiant, feeling like a new woman. She thought of surprising Andrew and headed toward the hospital where he worked.
Good afternoon, Im looking for Dr. Andrew Whitaker, she told the receptionist.
Hes in, go right in, came the reply.
Emily entered, expecting a warm smile, but what she saw made her stomach drop. A young nurse, barely twenty, sat on his examination table, her coat halfunbuttoned, clearly not for a routine checkup. Emily fled the room, hailed a cab, and wept all the way home.
Whats wrong, love? her daughter asked, hugging her.
Andrews been cheating, Emily sobbed.
Who told you? the little girl pressed.
Its what I saw with my own eyes, Emily whispered.
Henry pulled her close, rubbing her hair.
Let it out, love. Itll ease the pain. Ill speak to him, make him come round, he said gently.
Im leaving, taking the baby with me, Emily declared.
Dont be foolish, dear. Think of the child. Life in the countryside isnt easy, and youve got a newborn to look after, Henry soothed.
No one had held Emily like that in ages. She and Andrew had been sleeping in separate rooms for months; the scent of his aftershave and his soft words had once made her head spin. Henry, too, felt a sudden, fierce protectiveness. He lifted her gently and carried her to the bedroom, where she offered no resistance. Their secret was theirs alone, hidden from a husband distracted by his own affairs. When Andrew finally returned, he offered no apology, acting as if nothing had happened, while Emily kept silent. Shame and a strange joy tangled inside her she was loved and cherished, even if it was the wrong love.
Soon Emily discovered she was pregnant again. She didnt know what to do; they had been intimate only a few months before. Andrew would surely suspect infidelity.
What are you thinking about? Henry asked.
Its a good thing, actually. I never imagined Id be a father again at fifty, he replied. Will you marry me?
What about Andrew?
What about him? We both erred, but hes bound to walk away eventually. I love you, and I cant live without you, Henry answered.
After the divorce, Emily and Henry married and moved to Nigeria. Their families could not understand, and the village gossip claimed Emily had only pretended modesty. Andrew went on telling anyone whod listen how badly his wife and father had treated him. But they didnt mind; they were happy to have found each other and treasured every moment they spent together.
