The taxi pulled up by the iron gates of the cemetery. A young man stepped out and approached the flower seller at the entrance.
“Twelve tulips, please.”
He paid in pounds, bowed his head slightly, and walked through the gates.
A year ago, Daniel had believed himself the luckiest man alivedeeply in love and loved in return. That all shattered in an instant when his fiancée, Emily, was killed in a car crash.
It took him a month just to function again. His colleagues at work had dragged him back to some semblance of normalcy.
Now, by the gravestone, her mother sat hunched on a bench.
“Hello, Aunt Margaret,” Daniel murmured.
“Daniel,” she whispered, rising to press her face against his chest, shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
His eyes fixed on the photograph etched into the headstoneEmilys bright smile frozen in time.
When Margaret finally steadied herself, she helped him arrange the flowers. They stood in heavy silence before she spoke.
“Youre still not married?”
“No. I cant forget your daughter. Its like her heart still calls to me.”
Margaret nodded, eyes downcast. The memories of that day were blurredthe hospital, her daughter motionless on the white sheets, the doctors speaking in hushed tones.
She turned to say something but stopped at the grief carved into Daniels face.
He had graduated from the police academy years ago, risen to the rank of sergeant, and still lived with his parents. The tragedy had derailed everything. Most nights, he shut himself in his room. Tonight was no different.
“Daniel, dinners ready,” his mother called as he trudged in.
He washed his hands in silence and sat at the table. His mother hesitated before speaking.
“Your father and I visited your grandparents graves today” She cut herself off at the shadow crossing his face.
“I went to see Emily too.”
“Son, its been a year. Shes gone. You have to move forward.”
“I cant. Its like shes pulling me back.”
“Daniel, dont say such things,” his mother whispered, fear threading her voice.
“Dont worry. I know you and Dad want me to settle down, but not yet.”
He finished his meal and retreated to his room.
Police work was grueling, often stretching into the night. Exhausted, Daniel collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep almost instantly.
He dreamed of Emily calling himnot in longing, but in distress. These dreams werent new, but this time felt different. Urgent.
He jolted awake and bolted for the door.
“Daniel? Whats wrong?”
“Just going for a walk.”
Outside, his feet carried him without thought. He reached the park and plunged into the darkness.
Three drunk lads had cornered a girl against a tree. Her wide, terrified eyes locked onto Daniel as he strode forward.
“Whats going on here?”
The fear in her gaze shifted to desperate relief.
“Piss off!” one of the lads snarled, lungingonly to hit the pavement a second later.
“Take your mate and leave. Now.”
They scrambled to obey, dragging their friend away.
The girl stood frozen, clutching her chest, then fumbled for a pill and slipped it under her tongue. Tears streaked her face.
“Easy now,” Daniel said gently, steadying her.
“Th-thank you,” she stammered.
“Let me walk you home.”
As they walked, her breathing steadied.
“Whats your name?” he asked.
“Claire.”
“Daniel. What happened back there?”
“II walk here every evening. Doctors said I should. But those men”
“Your heart?”
“Born with a defect. It failed last year. Had surgery. Doctors say Ill be fine now.”
Daniel listened, and for the first time in a year, his own heart felt lighteras if Emily walked beside him.
They stopped outside a modern block of flats.
“I live here,” Claire said softly, eyes searching his.
“Glad we met.”
“Daniel would you like to come up? Meet my mum?”
He couldnt hide his surprise. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.”
The flat was elegant, tastefully furnished. A woman stepped out, blinking at her daughters rare smile and the stranger beside her.
“Mum, this is Daniel. He saved me.”
“Eleanor Whitmore,” she introduced herself, ushering them to the kitchen. “Tell me what happened.”
Over tea, Claire recounted the evening. Eleanors expression darkened.
“No more walks alone.” Then, sizing Daniel up, “How did you end up there?”
“My heart led me,” he said lightly.
“And your job?”
“Police sergeant.”
“That explains the quick work with those louts.” She hesitated. “Youre not married?”
“No.”
The answer pleased herbut suspicion flickered. Handsome, twenty-five, unmarried?
“I had a fiancée,” Daniel said quietly. “She died a year ago.”
“Oh, Daniel Im sorry.”
The rest of the tea was drunk in silence.
“Thank you,” Daniel said, standing. “I should go.” He turned to Claire. “Lets swap numbers. If you ever need help, call.”
That night, sleep eluded him.
*Whats happening to me? Walking with her it was like hearing Emilys heartbeat again.*
When he closed his eyes, Emilys face blurredreplaced by Claires.
He woke late, washed, then dialed Claires number without hesitation.
“Hello?” Her voice was breathless.
“Fancy a trip to the shops?”
Minutes later, she stood before him, hesitant.
“Morning, Claire.”
“Daniel,” she breathed, resisting the urge to embrace him.
Eleanor appeared in the doorway.
“Good morning, Mrs. Whitmore.”
“Mum, were going shopping. Need anything?”
“Just enjoy yourselves.”
Daniel took Claire to his parents house. His mothers face lit upthis was the first girl hed brought home since Emily.
“Come in! Lunch is ready.”
“Mum, this is Claire,” Daniel said warmly. “Claire, my mother, Margaret.”
“Pleasure,” Margaret beamed, ushering them inside.
His father emerged, stern-faced but smiling.
Over lunch, Claire charmed them effortlessly. Afterward, she helped Margaret clear the table, chatting like old friends.
Daniel touched her arm.
“Want to see my room?”
Inside, Claire froze.
“Oh God” She covered her mouth, staring at the framed photo on the wallDaniel and Emily, happy.
“Claire? Whats wrong?”
“Thats Emily.”
“You knew her?”
“I was dying a year ago. She didnt survive the transplant.”
“You have her heart?”
Claire nodded, tears falling.
Daniel stared, their faces overlapping in his mind. For the first time, he believed in fate.
*God gave her back to me.*
He pulled Claire close.
“Ill never leave you,” he vowed, as solemn as an oath.
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