**Diary Entry A Tale of Love and Confusion**
“Daisy, Ive got to go up north for workyou know how much debt Ive got. I wont turn to crime, I wont steal, so this is the only way. Ill earn enough, pay it off, and come back Therell even be enough left to fix up your house and buy little Sophie a bicycle. Just a year, maybe less, and Ill be back,” Matthew tried to convince her.
Everyone in the village knew Matthew had been courting Daisy, the young widow. They loved each other and wanted to marry, but his debts weighed him down, forcing his hand.
“I see,” Daisy muttered. “So, youre off to join your ex-wife up north, then. What is it with that place?”
“Daisy, you know shes got nothing to do with me anymore.”
But Daisy wouldnt listen. She lashed out, hurling cruel words until Matthew realised it was pointless. He packed his things and left. She ignored his calls, even changed her number.
Time passed. That summer was sweltering, and that day was the worstthick, suffocating heat from dawn. The old-timers muttered, “Storms coming by nightfall, mark my words.”
No one expected the hurricane that evening. Dark clouds rolled in, the wind howledpower lines snapped, trees crashed onto roofs, fences toppled. Everyone huddled inside, waiting out natures fury.
Come morning, the damage was clear.
“My chicken coops flooded,” grumbled Mrs. Higgins. “Thank God the hens were roosting high.”
“And my tomatoes are ruinedwhat a waste,” sighed Anna.
“Tomatoes, chickenswho cares? The powers out! Who knows when the crewsll get here?”
By noon, electricians arrived, working tirelessly until the lights flickered back onthough not everywhere. Some houses had blown fuses, but Daisys wiring had burned out, blackening the wall. She shudderedwhat if the whole house had gone up?
“Daisy, dont fret,” Mrs. Higgins said. “Stephens place had the same. Call Kevin, the electrician from the next village. Hes good, charges fair.”
“Mummy, whens dinner?” little Sophie tugged at her sleeve.
“Soon, love. At least the gas still works,” Daisy murmured, eyeing the charred wall.
Kevin arrived the next morninga broad-shouldered, friendly bloke.
“Morning. Heard youve got wiring trouble?”
Daisy nodded. “The walls scorched. Couldve been worse.”
Sophie peeked out, shy, until Kevin winked. “Uncle Kevins here to fix the lights,” Daisy explained.
He inspected the damage. “Lucky it didnt catch. Wirings ancientneeds replacing.”
After hours of work, the lights blazed again.
“How much do I owe you?” Daisy reached for her purse.
“Not a penny. Lunchll doIm starving.”
Over dinner, they chatted easilythough Sophie stayed quiet. Later, she whispered, “Mum, I dont like Uncle Kevin.”
“Why? He helped us.”
But Daisy understood. Shed seen the way he looked at her. At thirty-one, she wasnt ready to give up on happinessnot after losing her husband when Sophie was just a baby.
Three days later, Kevin returned. “Your fence is knackered, and the gates hanging by a hinge. Let me fix itfree of charge. Just feed me.” He grinned. “Truth is I fancy you.”
Daisys heart lifted. Maybe her luck was changing.
Over lunch, she asked, “Who do you live with?”
“Wondering if Im married? Divorced. My wife cheated.”
He took her hand. “I like you, Daisy.”
She was swept uphe was strong, kind, hardworking. What more could she want? But Sophies unease lingered.
From then on, Kevin visited often, though Daisy kept him at arms length. Then rumours spreadMatthew was back.
“Vera, is it true? Daisys with that Kevin bloke?”
“Everyone knows. He fixed her wiring, and now theyre thick as thieves.”
Matthews fists clenched. “So shes trading me for a fuse box?”
“Stop it. Shes lonelyyou left her!”
“I had no choice! She wouldnt listen!”
When he confronted Daisy on the road, she snapped, “Whats it to you? Bet you had fun up north!”
He kissed herand everything inside her twisted. The old love flared, despite her anger.
“Im confused,” she admitted.
“Hes different,” she whispered, but Matthew stormed off.
That evening, Kevin arrived with wine. After a glass too many, his hands turned rough.
“Stop it, Kevinyoure hurting me!”
“Dont play hard to get. You owe me.”
He slapped herthen flew across the room as Matthew burst in. A scuffle, a shove out the door, and Kevin was gone, his true colours revealed. The village soon learned his ex-wife had fled his beatings.
Three days later, Matthew returned. Sophie raced to him, beaming. Daisy followed, arms crossed.
“Checking up on me?”
“Cant leave you aloneyoull land in trouble again.”
He pulled her close. “I missed you.”
Sophie smiled. Finally, things felt right.
**Lesson learned: The hearts a tangled thing, but trust the ones whove always been thereespecially when a childs instincts warn you.**
