“Hello, Emily”
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Hello, Emily
31 May 2024
268.7K
12 min
“Em, hi. What are you up to?” came the voice of her best friend over the phone.
“Just got home from work. Is it urgent? Sorry, I’m exhausted—crazy day,” Emily replied.
“Just calling to remind you, it’s my birthday tomorrow. Seven o’clock at The Pegasus. No excuses. See you there.” Before Emily could get a word in, Lucy, as usual, hung up.
“Who was that?” Mum had been lingering in the doorway, eavesdropping.
“You heard,” Emily said. Mum pursed her lips in displeasure. “Lucy invited me to her birthday,” she added, softening.
“Shame you didn’t buy that blue dress—it’d have been perfect.” Mum’s tone carried quiet disapproval.
“Mum, I completely forgot. Didn’t even get a gift. And honestly, I don’t feel like going. I’ll congratulate her another time.”
“Another time? Lucy’s your only real friend, and you’d upset her? You’ll end up alone at this rate. I’ll get the gift tomorrow, don’t worry. At least go out for once—all you think about is work. You’re nearly thirty, no family, no kids. Not even a proper relationship!”
“What’s that got to do with anything? And I’m not nearly thirty, I’m only twenty-seven!”
“Only? More like already. Lucy’s got admirers lining up. Maybe she’ll set you up with someone,” Mum muttered.
“Feels like you can’t wait to get rid of me, like Gran used to say.” Emily didn’t bother hiding her irritation.
“What’s wrong with that? Your old classmates’ kids are about to finish school…”
“Between you and me, Lucy’s not married either, despite all those admirers,” Emily snipped.
“Oh, she’ll get married, don’t you worry. But you…”
“Here we go.” Emily rolled her eyes. Mum was digging up the same old sore subject.
“Tell me, are you waiting to drop dead before I’m ‘settled’?” Emily snapped.
“I’m not planning to keel over yet, but time’s ticking. I’d like to enjoy grandkids while I can,” Mum fired back.
“Oh for heaven’s sake, you’re only fifty-three!”
“Exactly. I’ll be retiring soon, no grandkids in sight. So you’re going tomorrow. Blimey, the roast’s burning!” Mum dashed to the kitchen.
The next evening, gift bag in hand, Emily stepped into The Pegasus, wearing the blue dress Mum had insisted on. She’d even curled her hair, another of Mum’s suggestions. She felt absurd, like Alice shoved into adulthood overnight, and late thanks to yet another row with Mum.
The restaurant buzzed, every table occupied. Black-aproned waiters glided between them. The chatter hit Emily like rolling surf.
“Do you have a reservation, or are you joining someone?” The maître d’ appeared beside her, smiling stiffly.
“Yes, my friend’s birthday…” Her voice faltered apologetically. Restaurants unnerved her.
“Follow me.” He led her to the table where Lucy sat flanked by two blokes. She recognised Daniel Worthington, the banker’s son—Lucy had introduced them once. The other looked more ordinary, slightly out of place. Lucy had clearly brought him for Emily. Typical.
The waiter pulled out a chair, gesturing to the empty seat.
“Thanks.” Lucy flashed her most dazzling smile. “Finally! We ordered already—hope you don’t mind.” She hissed at Emily, “You look fab.”
Emily wished the floor would swallow her. She apologised for being late, passed the gift across the table. Lucy thanked her without a glance and set it by her feet.
The glow of chandeliers and sequined dresses made Emily’s eyes sting. Daniel poured champagne.
“Just a bit, thanks,” Emily warned as he neared her glass. “I’ve got a night shift later.”
“Emily’s a nurse,” Lucy announced with faux reverence.
Daniel gave a toast, glasses clinked. Emily sipped the sharp bubbles, then set hers down as a waiter brought starters.
“Meet Jack. He’s a sailor, imagine?” Lucy said conspiratorially, picking up her cutlery.
“Merchant navy?” Daniel asked.
“Fishing trawler,” Jack answered, reluctant.
“Pay decent?”
“Can’t complain.”
“Survive months at sea without booze or women? Rather you than me.” Daniel refilled glasses.
“Too knackered after shifts to think about women. Tough at first, but you get used to it.”
Jack ate heartily between replies. He never glanced at Emily but kept stealing looks at Lucy, who was radiant—as usual. Emily felt like spare furniture.
A small band struck up. Lucy dragged Daniel to dance. Gradually, others joined. When they returned, Emily stood. “I should go—need to change before my shift.”
“Jack, walk Emily home,” Lucy commanded, like a queen granting favours.
“Oh, no need!” Emily protested, already grabbing her coat.
“Nonsense.” Lucy shot Jack a pointed look.
Emily said quick goodbyes and headed out. At the pavement, she turned sharply. “Really, it’s just round the corner. Go back inside.”
“I’ll walk you.” His tone left no room for argument.
“Suit yourself,” she muttered.
Silence stretched until they reached her flat.
“We’re here. Bye.” She stopped abruptly.
“Flying to Aberdeen in two days. Medical first, then back to sea.” He studied the building. “Which floor’s yours?”
“Safe travels.” She marched inside without answering. When she glanced back, he’d vanished.
“Who was that?” Mum pounced the moment Emily stepped in.
“You saw.” Emily kicked off her heels with relief.
“I just happened to look out!”
“Right, pure coincidence,” Emily drawled, brushing past her to her room.
“So who was it?” Mum cornered her later, thrusting a lunchbox at her as Emily pulled on trainers.
“One of Lucy’s admirers. Thanks. Gotta dash.” She pecked Mum’s cheek and left.
Later, Lucy confessed she’d only met Jack the day before and invited him for Emily’s sake. “Appreciate it, mate. Looking out for you.”
Warm May melted into a fleeting summer, then a damp autumn. By November, icy winds howled past the hospital windows when an ambulance delivered a bloke with a broken arm and concussion.
Emily recognised Jack with a jolt. After X-rays, she cleaned his scrapes while the doctor cast his arm.
“What happened? Should we call the police?”
“Nah. Got back from sea, went straight to see my girl. Found her with some bloke—reckons they’re getting hitched. He didn’t take kindly to me turning up. Gave as good as I got, though.”
“These things happen,” the doctor said sagely. “She pretty?”
“Tell me, Doc, do girls just not wait anymore? Or is it me?”
“Ask Emily. She’ll know more about women than I do.”
“You’re ashore two months, then six at sea, right?” Emily asked.
“Give or take.”
“Girls don’t get time to fall for you. And let’s be honest—sailors aren’t known for staying faithful.”
“We dock in Norway for a day, tops. Usually just anchor offshore. Mum’s on at me to settle down.” Jack sighed.
Emily laughed.
“What’s funny?”
“Try having a mum who dreams of you in white. Girls want someone who’s around. Maybe quit the sea? Then you’ll get a wife.”
“Couple more trips, save for a flat, then I’ll come ashore.” He met her eyes hopefully.
“All done. Can I go? Need to do injections.”
“Off you pop, love.”
In the corridor, Emily removed her mask. She’d liked Jack that night at The Pegasus, six months ago—enough to remember. He hadn’t recognised her.
During her shifts, Jack shadowed her—waiting by wards, helping move IV stands. Once, she entered his room to find another patient.
“Your sailor got discharged this morning. Asked when you’re next on. Smitten, that one,” a nurse teased. “He’s alright, isn’t he? Free, I’d give him a go.”
After her shift, stepping into the cold, Emily jumped at his voice.
“Didn’t mean to scare you.” Jack held out roses.
“Cheers.”
“Got discharged today.” He fell into step beside her. “Fancy a film?”
“I’m dead on my feet. You’ve seen my job.”
“No cinema, then?”
“Ask someone else. Plenty ofAnd when spring came again, the peal of wedding bells echoed through the little church by the sea, where Emily finally walked down the aisle in her white dress, hand in hand with Jack, as both their mums beamed with tears in their eyes, knowing their waiting had come to an end.
