**Diary Entry**
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I opened it to find a young woman, her face pale, eyes red-rimmed.
“Hello, does Alex live here?” she asked.
“Yes And you are?”
“His wife?”
“Me? *I’m* his wife! What do you want?”
Her lip trembled. “Hes in hospital. They wont tell me anythingonly family. Can I come in?”
I sighed, stepping aside. “Fine. But I dont understand why *youre* concerned about my husbands health. Who even *are* you?” I gestured toward the kitchen. “Go on, then.”
She perched on the edge of the chair, pulling a handkerchief from her pocket to dab her forehead. I busied myself at the stove, waiting for her to speak.
“Water?”
“No Actually, yes, please.”
“Going to explain yourself, or did you just come to sit in silence?”
“Alex promised to marry me,” she blurted. Then, quieter: “This autumn.”
“Did he now?” I scrubbed a pot harder than necessary. “That *changes* things. Except polygamys illegal, love.”
“Im not joking.”
“Neither am I. Lost my sense of humour years ago.”
“He *will* marry me. Once he divorces you.”
“Oh? Why not wait till autumn, then? Whats your name?”
“Emily Emily Carter.”
“Im Lucy. So, Emilywhy not summer? Or is that bump under your dress why?”
Her face flushed. “Yes. Its his.”
“Ah. And he swore hed leave me *after* my birthday, did he?”
She nodded.
“Right. Alex, you absolute *waste* of space,” I muttered.
“What?”
“Never mind. Wherere you from?”
“A village near Leeds. Worked at a factory.”
“Come to conquer the big city, then. Well, Alex cant stand babies crying. Whens it due?”
“Two months.”
“Ah. So hes dodging responsibilitysaving his precious nerves. Last time, he moved in with his *parents* because he wasnt sleeping well. Pathetic.”
“How *is* he?”
“Why not? Stable but serious. Dont fainthell live. Now, whatre *you* going to do?”
“How should *I* know? You didnt ask *me* before jumping into bed with him!”
“Im in my third year at uni. My mums got no spacejust me and my little brothers. Alex *said* you two were like strangers. That he only stayed for the kids.”
“*Did* he?” My grip tightened on the pot. “Give me your number. Ill call when hes discharged.”
“What?”
“To fetch him. Take him to your *mums*.”
“Shes got no room!”
“And where dyou live now?”
“A hostel.”
“Lovely. You can *both* stay there. This flats *mine*left by my nan. Not his to claim. Stop blinkinghes got *no* rights here.”
“Youre cruel. We *love* each other.”
“Then live in a *tent*. Now *leave* before I stop being polite.” I slammed the pot down, my hands shaking.
Three sleepless nights since Alexs accident. At first, the doctors werent hopeful, but the idiot pulled through. Exhausted, I dragged myself to the hospital when they callednow *Id* have to nurse him.
And then *this* pregnant girl shows up, eyeing my flat like a vulture. Part of me wanted to toss her down the stairs, but I was too bloody tired.
Walking to the hospital, I debated whether to throttle Alex or nurse him. Oh, hed *regret* this.
Emily was waiting on a bench outside.
“Lucy! Wait!”
“*What* now? Thought I made myself clear.”
“Are you visiting Alex?”
“And?”
“Take me with you.”
I didnt answer. We rode the bus in silence, her sitting too close, me staring out the window.
At the ward, I introduced her as my niece. “Wait here.”
Alex was alone, leg in traction. He blinked awake when I entered, grinning like a fool.
“Lucy! You came!”
“*Did* I?” I slammed a Tupperware onto his tray. “Mashed potatoes and mince. *Eat*.”
“Lucy, youre redare you sick?”
“*Worse*. I waited for you after your service, remember? Starved on pasta for *years*. The kids, the sleepless nights And you *forgot*?”
“Never, Lucy! Whats this about?”
“About *Emily*.” I spat the name.
“*Who*?”
“The girl *carrying your child*!”
His face went white. “*What* child?”
“Oh, *please*. Found yourself a *teenager*, got her pregnant, and *Im* the mad one?” I finally broke, sobbing.
“Lucy, call a doctoryoure hysterical!”
“*Hysterical*? I *brought* her!” I threw the door open. “*Emily*!”
She waddled in, hand on her back, then froze.
“Wheres *my* Alex?”
“*This* isnt him?” I gestured to my shell-shocked husband.
Emily gaped. “This isnt *him*!” She fumbled with her phone. “*This* is us!”
The photo showed a younger, darker-haired man.
I burst out laughing, collapsing onto a spare bed. “*Wrong Alex*!”
Turned out, *her* Alex had given her a fake address to dodge responsibility. No accident, no divorce plansjust a coward.
Once the shock wore off, I helped Emily track him down. Made sure he paid child support. Even found her a decent flat.
She calls me “Mum Lucy” now. Last year, I set her up with a bloke from my circle. At the wedding, I danced harder than anyone.
Funny, isnt it? Almost threw away my own happinessbut saved someone elses instead.
**Lesson:** Lifes full of wrong turns, but sometimes they lead you where youre needed.
