Emily Whitaker shuffled into the local clinic, her ankle twisted so badly she could barely put weight on it. Shed tripped rather spectacularly, and just as she was trying not to collapse, a bald bloke in a bright tracksuit breezed past her, snatching the first spot with the doctor. Exhausted, Emily sank into a waitingroom chair and muttered under her breath, Typical mennever let a lady get ahead! The woman beside her heard and chimed in, Hes already been here twice today, trying to sort out a prosthetic. Hes in such a hurry, youd think hed actually wait! She burst out laughing, Good fellow, Andrew Clarke, my neighbour. Lifes a bit of a mess for himlost his leg up to the knee, his wife left him, and hes still hopping about like a rabbit. No kids, no relatives, nothing! At that moment a slightly limp man emerged from the consultation room, grinning. He winked at Emily and her new companion, Alright, ladies, shall we get on with it? and trotted out.
Emily snorted, Ladies. It wasnt about her any more. Shed married young, her husband twelve years her senior. At least they shared the same zodiac signboth were stubborn as dogs. Her husband, Paul, adored canines, and soon they owned a bulldog named Gesh. Not long after, Emily discovered she was pregnant.
Friends gushed, What a perfect setupflat in London, a decent car, a countryside cottage, a dog, and a baby on the way. Tragically, at six months Emily suffered a miscarriage. Paul tried to console her, then said, Were not as young as we used to be, but weve got Gesh. Hes our little mate. Emily loved the bulldog, and Paul took him to dog shows, but a dog cant replace a child, can it?
At a show Paul met Olivia Hart, who also had a bulldog. He soon dropped the bomb on Emily: Olivia and I are expecting a child. Shes young and will have a healthy baby. Shes fresh as a daisy, whereas youre well, youre getting on a bit. Olivia was indeed nearly twenty years younger than Paul, and honestly, the gods were on her side. With Paul, Emily felt a decade older than she was, as if life had hit the fastforward button. Retirements around the corner, Paul warned her, as if she were already ready for a goldenage pension.
Emily thought, Im only fortythree, not that old, but my soul feels like an old ladys! A week later her ankle was nearly healed, and she visited the doctor again, only to run into the same bald man.
Excuse me, miss, please go ahead of me. Ill squeeze in without a queue, he said with an apologetic grin. When Emily left the doctors office, he was still loitering by the door.
The next patient, please! called the nurse.
Emily was surprised when he didnt head inside. Youre invited in, he said. Im Andrew, and you must be Emily, right? How could I not guess the name of someone with eyes like yours? Can a lonely cripple escort you a bit?
Emily smiled, If Im a pretty lass, you dont look much like a cripple yourself.
They stepped out together, Andrew chatting away. He offered his arm for her to lean on, since she was still favoring her foot.
Fancy a bite? he suggested, pointing to a cosy little café. Nice food, cheap pricemy treat, I havent even had breakfast yet.
Andrew was easy company, and Emily found herself agreeing to meet him again.
One day Ill say, Im in a hurry, but Im really scared someone will overtake me and Ill end up with my nose stuck in a corner, Andrew confessed one afternoon. Im a limp, bald man and youre a beautiful young lady! He paused, then, with a mockserious tone, Emily, marry me! Dont worry about how little we know each other. I want to spend the rest of my life learning about you. Ive got a flat, a job, Im a sturdy bloke. He fell silent, eyes searching hers. When she stayed quiet, he muttered, Well, who wants a cripple nowadays? Everyone wants someone fit and wealthy.
Emily laughed, Andrew, youre a nightmare, but Ill say yes!
Astonishingly, after the wedding Emily soon found out she was pregnant. She never imagined shed have a child; shed long ago put a cross on her own heart. Yet joy burst forth as if time had rewound, making her feel young, beautiful, and cherished again.
Look at our little Sashacurlyhaired, Emily cooed.
Andrew ran his hand over his smooth, bald scalp. Im a bald, limping chap now, but I used to be a goldenhaired eagle. Our sons got Mums eyes and Dads curls, he laughed.
Emily pressed her shoulder against his. I cant believe its ours. If we hadnt met, thered be no Sasha. Tears welled, and she sobbed. Andrew, a little flustered, said, Darling, stop that. Youre my little lady, everythings fine! Look at Sashacould he not have been born? He had to be. We werent meant to cross paths otherwise. Id have vanished without you.
Emily wiped her tears, hugging him tighter. Im crying from happiness, she whispered, a smile breaking through. For the first time in my life Im shedding tears of joy. Her lashes glittered like tiny diamonds. She felt rich beyond measure.
After all, the greatest wealth is a child, and true happiness is love.
