**Diary Entry**
I never imagined at twenty what life had in store for me. I was at university, deeply in love with Daniel, dreaming of our weddingwed even started talking about it.
Daniel was older, having just finished his military service when we met at my schools autumn ball. Ill never forget the first time I saw him. We lived in the same town, even attended the same school, though hed graduated before me.
*Who on earth is that handsome man?* I thought as he walked into the hall, scanning the room before his eyes met mine. He smiled, and I was lost. How could I not be? He was different from the other ladsconfident, magnetic.
“Hi, Im Daniel,” he said, sauntering over. “And you are?”
My cheeks burned. “Emily,” I mumbled.
“Emily,” he repeated, grinning. “Dance with me.”
Before I knew it, his hand was on my waist, and we were spinning across the floor. I barely felt my feet touch the groundhis lead was effortless, every movement deliberate.
“Youre a natural,” he murmured.
He stayed by my side all evening, insisting on walking me home afterward. We wandered for hours, neither of us wanting the night to end, but I knew Mum would worry if I stayed out too late.
Daniel never let life dull around him. After I finished school, I enrolled in university in our hometown while he worked. His energy was infectiousalways laughing, always surrounded by friends. Soon, I was part of his world, joining him at weddings, parties, weekends away.
Even in the dead of winter, hed surprise me with roses. Every date felt like a celebrationcosy cafés, countryside trips, just the two of us or with his mates.
During my third year, he burst in with news.
“Ive booked us a skiing trip over New Years! Found a brilliant resort with top instructors. Youll be racing down the slopes in no time.”
I squealed, throwing my arms around him. “Youre the best!” Then, pulling back, I laughed. “WaitIm terrified of heights! You knew that!”
The trip was magical. By the end, I was flying down the mountains, dreading the return to reality.
Then came Mothers Day. Daniel arrived at our door with two bouquetsone for Mum, one for me.
“Happy Mothers Day,” he said, kissing my cheek.
“Daniel, these mustve cost a fortune,” Mum fretted.
“Worth every penny,” he said. “Besides, Tom and Jamie are heading up north for workhigh-voltage line repairs. Pays fantastic. A few months of that, and Ill have enough for our wedding and a car.”
My stomach dropped. “I dont want you to go.”
“Its only three, maybe four months. Well call every day. I want to give you the wedding you deserve.”
“Id marry you in a registry office tomorrow,” I said softly. “I just want you here.”
But his mind was made up.
The pay was good, and we spoke often. Then, one day during lectures, a sudden unease gripped me. It passed, but by evening, my heart wouldnt settle. I called himhe always called first. No answer. Five attempts, nothing but silence.
Frantic, I dialled Jamie.
“Jamie, wheres Daniel?”
His voice was hollow. “Hes gone, Emily.”
*Gone?* The line went dead.
I screamed for Mum, collapsing into sobs.
The days that followed were a nightmare. Daniel had been electrocuted on-site. His mother, Margaret, was a shadow of herself, barely speaking. His father and younger brother, Oliver, retrieved his body. The funeral was a blur of grief.
I couldnt function. Visiting Margaret became routinesitting in silence, accompanying her to the cemetery.
That summer, she clung to me. “Lets go to the seaside,” she said suddenly.
I agreed, though I didnt know why. Mum urged me to move on, but guilt kept me tethered.
The trip was strange. Mornings on the beach, afternoons in our room. Margaret seemed calmer. One day, as she napped, I slipped out to the promenade.
Life bustled around meseagulls screeching, children laughingbut I felt utterly alone.
“Youre too beautiful to look so sad,” a voice said.
I turned, ready to snap, but the mans face stopped me. There was something familiar in himnot Daniel, but an echo.
“Beautiful things arent always happy,” I muttered.
“I disagree,” he said. “Im Liam.”
“Emily.”
We exchanged a few words before I walked away. But Liam didnt give up. Over the next few days, hed appearcarrying my shopping, coaxing me to a café.
“I leave in three days,” he said. “You?”
“Tomorrow night.”
His eyes widened. “Im from Brighton too. Small world.”
Hed graduated from my uni, worked at the councils engineering department. Recently single, hed come here to clear his head.
I confessed everythingDaniel, Margaret, the suffocating grief.
“Why does she keep you so close?” he asked. “Most parents distance themselves.”
“I dont know.”
But Id soon find out.
The night before leaving, Margaret finally said it.
“Youre starting a new life, then.” Her voice was odd. “Id hoped well, you and Daniel were together so long. I thought you might be carrying his child. And theres always Oliverhes a good lad”
I recoiled. “Are you *serious*?”
The dam broke. I sobbed violently, but with it came clarity.
On the train home, I made my choice: a life without Margarets suffocating grip.
The new term began. Liam and I grew closer. One day, I visited Daniels grave alone.
“Goodbye,” I whispered. “Thank you for everything. But I have to live now.”
At the gates, Liam waited.
I married him a year later. Our son arrived just as winter set in.
Margaret and I rarely cross paths. And when we do, I dont look back.
**Lesson:** Grief lingers, but life demands we move forwardeven when loyalty tries to chain us to the past.
