Emily was already dressed when James walked into the office.
“Are you alone?” he asked, stepping closer.
“Yes.”
“I’ll drop by tonight. Ive got good news for you,” James murmured, lowering his voice. Just as he moved to embrace her, footsteps echoed outside the door. He quickly stepped back and retreated toward the exit.
“See you tonight,” he said, slipping out.
Waiting by the lift, Emily still hoped James might join her so she could ask about the news. Had he finally decided to leave his wife? What if he stayed the night? Shed need to prepare dinner. If only shed taken the meat out of the freezer this morningit wouldve defrosted by now. At least shed bought a bottle of wine yesterday.
Impatient, she tapped her foot, eager to get home and have everything ready before James arrived. The lift finally came.
Back at her flat, Emily immediately put the meat in the microwave to thaw before changing. A quick glance around confirmed the place was tidy.
When theyd first started seeing each other, James had complained his wife didnt work, yet never managed to cook dinnertoo busy with shopping, salons, and the gym. Emily had taken note. She always cleaned thoroughly and prepared meals before his visits. He rarely ate, just sampled a bite before most of the food ended up in the bin. He came twice a week while dropping his son at football practice. They had an hour. Emily never cried, never complained, never asked for more. The perfect mistress.
Her older sister had dated a married man for years, but he never left his wife. When she finally ended it, he died of a heart attack. Emily had sworn never to get involved with a married man. But as they saynever say never.
Before James, shed dated a man for four years who never proposed. Then she spotted him in a café with another woman. She packed his things and left them by the door.
After he left, she cried all night, later regretting her haste. She tried dating others, but nothing felt right. Her ex used to drive her to work; now she wasted hours on the bus. Eventually, she quit and found a job within walking distance.
At her new workplace, the deputy directora handsome man resembling that actor from that showhad taken an interest. A colleague warned her he was married with a son. Emily was disappointed. She liked James too. The kind of man you only dream of. She resolved to keep her distance.
At the Christmas party, she left early. The pavements were icy. She nearly slipped in a dark alley until someone steadied herJames, whod been following. He walked her home but didnt push for coffee.
Maybe that won her over. Maybe it was just time to fall in love again. Soon, she found flowers, chocolates, or sweet notes on her desk each morning. Who could resist?
A month later, they slept together. Emily told herself it was just physical. But since when does the heart listen?
James visited twice a week for an hourhis sons football practice. Soon, the scheduled affection grew tiresome. She decided to end it, but he preempted her, saying hed leave his wife. She suspected something. He wanted a future with Emily, even staying the night. A dizzying night. Emily believed him because she wanted to.
Then his son fell ill. No football, no visits. She swore she wouldnt let him backbut when he knocked, she ran to the door. Leaving him was beyond her.
She waited. He stalled. Once, he admitted hed tried to leave, but his wife overdosed. Luckily, hed returned in time to call an ambulance. So everything stayed the same.
Emily barely finished cooking when the doorbell rang. She checked her reflectionsatisfiedthen opened the door. His arms wrapped around her.
“Smells amazing,” he said.
“I made steak. Want some?”
“Not enough time.” Kissing her hungrily, he led her to the sofa, already laid with fresh sheets. Afterwards, they lay side by side.
“You had news?” she prompted. “Ive got some too.”
“Good news?” James asked.
“Dont know. You first.”
“You know Mr. Thompsons retiring?” Emily stayed silent. “I spoke to the director. He agreed to promote you. Youll head the department. Arent you happy?”
“I am,” she lied, but the smile wouldnt come. She buried her face in his shoulder to hide the tears. Shed hoped
“Shame youll be on another floor, but fewer rumours this way. I can barely control myself when I see you at work.” He leaned in, but she pulled back. “What was your news?”
“Sure you wont eat?” she asked, standing.
“No. Blimeytimes up. Need to fetch my son.”
He kissed her goodbye and left. Emily locked the door, put the steak and wine in the fridge, then finally let herself cry.
She slept poorly, staring at the ceiling, knowing she should end this. The last thing she needed was his wife showing up. Tomorrow, shed tell him
Tomorrow was Saturday. She still had time. She hadnt shared her own newsmaybe that would push him to act.
By evening, the rain stopped. Emily decided to walk. Tired of being alone, she strolled to the nearby shop, browsing slowly before buying tea and biscuits. Only one till was open, a short queue forming.
An old lady finished, then a boy stepped up. Most kids bought sweets or crisps, but his haul was practical: pasta, cucumbers, bread, butter.
“Are you alone? Wheres your mum? Do you have money?” an older woman asked. The cashier eyed him suspiciously.
“Just scan his things. Be grateful the lads helping his mum instead of grilling him,” a man muttered.
“A teen ran off without paying last week,” the cashier said.
“Ive got money,” the boy said firmly, digging into his pocket.
“Just hurry up,” the man sighed.
The boy turned and met Emilys gaze. Without thinking, she stepped forward.
“Made it.” She placed her tea and biscuits beside his items.
“Together?” the cashier asked, skeptical.
“Of course. Right, son?” She rested a hand on his shoulder.
“Why didnt you say your mum was here?” the cashier scolded, scanning the items.
Outside, Emily paid.
“Thanks. Got a bag?” he asked.
“Why?”
“For your stuff. Ill give you the money back.” He reached into his pocket.
“Keep it. How old are you?”
“Nine,” he said without blinking.
He looked barely seven, but she didnt press.
“Do you live nearby? Ill walk you. Isnt your mum worried?”
“She cant walk. Got hit by a car.”
“Im sorry. Your dad?”
“He left when he found out shed never walk again.”
“Cant anything be done? What do doctors say?”
“Dunno.” He shrugged.
“So you look after her?”
“Just shopping, mopping, laundry. She does the restcooking, dishes.”
“Youre so young.” Her eyes prickled.
“Im not. Do you have kids?”
“No. But Id want a son like you. Whats your name?”
“Andrew.”
“If I ever have a son, Ill name him Andrew.”
“Youre having a baby?”
An odd question from a child, but she didnt want to lie.
“Yes. But Im not sure His fathers married, has a son already.”
“Im not a kid,” he insisted. “Thats my house.”
“Do you need money? Help?”
“Mum gets benefits. Dad pays. Were okay.”
“Go on, then. Shell be waiting.”
Andrew ran off but stopped halfway.
“Itll be alright!” he called.
Emily walked home, suddenly calm. If a child could handle so much, so could she. If something happened to her, whod be there? Noshed keep the baby, whatever James decided. It didnt matter anymore.
Shed take the promotion. More money, which shed need. She pressed her hand to her stomachjust a clump of cells now. Boy or girl?
She thought of Andrew. *I should find out about his mums condition. Raise money if she needs surgery. Buy him a proper coatthat ones too small. Tomorrow, Ill ask neighbours which flats theirs*
Children grow up fast when lifes hard. How timely their meeting was. She might have made a terrible mistake. Clearly, James wouldnt change.
Some encounters alter our liveslike angels. Theres a saying: *If you want to touch an angel, hug a child.*
What had he said? *Itll be alright.* And it would be.
