I often think about Emily and the life shes led, and honestly, I still cant wrap my head around why fate handed her such a difficult path.
As she got older, Emily realised one thing for certain: she didnt want her life to look anything like her mum Annes. Anne was still a young woman really, but she looked worn out and tired, much older than she should. Most of that was down to Emilys father, Thomas, who was a heavy drinker and hardly ever sober.
Emily was seventeen, and after she finished school, she chose not to apply to college. She couldnt bring herself to leave her mum alone in that house. Shed have run away ages ago if it werent for Anneshe just couldnt bear the thought of what her dad might do if she wasnt there to help. Emily knew who would comfort her mum when she was crying, who would grab the ice for her bruises, fetch her a glass of water.
That evening, her dad stumbled in again, completely gone, collapsing onto the kitchen chair. Anne quietly set a bowl of soup in front of him but the next second, he hurled the bowl straight to the floor, barely missing her.
Im fed up with your cooking, Thomas slurred, his eyes wild.
Emily jumped up to help her mum gather the broken bits off the floor. Thomas got to his feet, tottered over, and gave Anne a hard shove with his knee. He barked at Emily, Were off fishing early tomorrow. Well bring back some fish so your mother can make a proper meal.
Emily hoped hed forget all about it, but at dawn, she woke up to him shaking her awake.
Get up, or well miss the best bite of the day! Fish are best in the early morning.
So Emily hurried to get dressed, but just as she finished, Anne appeared in the doorway holding a pail of fresh milk. Shed just been out milking their old cow.
Have you even looked outside? Anne challenged Thomas. Theres a storm brewing! You cant drag her out to the river in weather like this.
Anne firmly stood between Emily and the door. I wont let you take herwhat if something happens?
But Thomas shoved her hard; Anne fell and knocked over the milk. Thomas just grinned, grabbed Emilys arm, and pushed her outside. She looked up and saw the sky turning black. By the time they got the small wooden boat ready and pushed off, the wind had picked upproper howling, and waves starting to rock them. She was terrified, but her dad kept rowing out further, past the shallows, muttering, Thats where the big ones bite.
The wind turned vicious and rain started hammering down. Emily gripped the sides of the boat, panic bubbling up.
My old man always said the fish bite best in weather like this! her dad shouted as the far shore grew nearer.
Thomas stood to cast his rod just as a wild gust sent a wave crashing over the side. He lost his balance and toppled straight into the river. Emily saw him struggle, flailing in the churning water. Desperate, she grabbed an oar to reach for himbut another wave hit and knocked her in too, the boat flipping as her head struck something hard.
When Emily opened her eyes, she was lying on a lumpy bed in a damp little room, the air musty. A bearded man appeared in the doorway. She could barely catch her breath, barely move.
Youre up. Good, he grunted, and started stoking the small wood stove. Emily faded back into sleep, and in her dreams she saw her mum, young and smiling.
The next time Emily woke, the man was back with a spoon and a mug. He gently fed her some bitter-tasting herbal brew and encouraged her to eat something.
Time passed. When she was finally steady enough, she wobbled to her feet and peered out the windowautumn leaves everywhere. She wore an oversized pyjama top and found her hair done up in a bedraggled plait. She wandered into the next room.
So, youre finally awake! Come, sit down and have something to eat, he said, stirring a pot on the hob. The warm smell of food filled the kitchen.
Emily sat, still confused, as he ladled out a bowl of soup and started eating beside her.
How did I end up here? she asked.
Eat first, talk later, he replied shortly.
Emily, feeling too timid to argue, finished her soup.
You really dont remember anything at all? he asked.
She shook her head.
Amazing, isnt it? You live side by side with someonecare for them, save their lifeand they dont remember you. Maybe you lost your memory after nearly drowning in that river. I pulled you out, you know.
Emily didnt know what to say. She just shook her head again.
Do you at least remember your name? he asked.
Hesitation, then another shake of the head.
Well then. Funny business, life. Youre my wife, Emily. Emily Jenkins, dont you remember?
She looked at him, stunned. She really couldnt remember a thing.
Oh, its true, he said, with an odd smile she didnt like at all. Come on, Ill help you remember He grabbed her arm a little too hard. Youve been out of it for two months. I nursed you back to health; I waited long enough.
He pulled her into the bedroom, and as she struggled, he hit her and shoved her onto the bed.
Ungrateful, he growled. I saved your life. Now youll remember who your husband is.
Emily lay there afterwards, hollow and weeping quietly. Outside, she heard a chainsaw. A bit later, she spotted a thick coat hanging up, wrapped it around herself, and tried to slip past the bearded man and out into the woods. She made for the rivers edge, desperate. She saw the boat with its motor, but behind her came the snap of twigs. The bearded man was already upon her, knocking her down.
He yanked her upright by the collar and sneered, Trying to run away, are you? Dont get so upset. I just got it wrong, thats all. I thought youd not survive. Youre staying here. Ill get the sauna goingyoull warm up. Do you remember my name, at least? Its Arthur. Arthur Jenkins.
Emily wandered back to the house as if in a daze. She tried to remember, but nothing came. She stopped fighting. The illness had left her weak, and she was too exhausted to do anything but wait.
Why, she thought, did she deserve such rotten luck?
Arthur put her to work straight awayshe was expected to keep the house spotless, cook every meal, mend and clean clothes, muck out the animals. Worst, though, was when he forced himself on her. If she resisted, he beat her, and soon she learned not to.
Weeks went by. Arthur went fishing, hunting, travelled to the market in town to sell meat and fish. When he was gone, Emily could breathe a littleno TV, but she read old paperbacks. But when he returned, she shrank inside herself.
One day, Emily went out to gather kindling and noticed the boat tied up with a chain and padlocka padlock she knew the key for hung inside, just next to the door. One afternoon, after Arthur had dozed off full from lunch, she grabbed the key, bundled up in her coat, and dashed out. She fiddled with the lock, finally got herself into the boat, and pushed offonly to hear a bullet whiz overhead. She looked back and saw Arthur with his shotgun; he was a good shot, she knew.
Back now, or Ill shoot for real! he yelled, firing again. Emily rowed back, shaking.
He dragged her out, came down on her with his fists, and when she woke up again, she was back in that little room.
If you try that again, Ill chain you up outside in the shed, you hear me? he snapped as he slammed the door behind him.
Another week crept by. Emily felt she was slowly losing her grip. Strength started creeping back, but then she felt sick and was constantly running outside. Arthur watched her suspiciously.
What, are you pregnant or something? Soon it became clear she was. Arthur became kinder after thatno more heavy chores, at least, and hed mostly just shake his fist instead of hitting her.
One day Arthur headed to the market. He always took his boat with the outboard across the river, then caught the bus into town and came back the same way. As usual, he clambered up the bank with his fishing gear.
Emily went for a walk by the river, even though it was cold, mid-Novemberwinter on the doorstep. Suddenly, she heard the buzz of a motor. Another man landed his boat. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her.
Emily? Is that really you? he stared in disbelief.
Youve got me mixed up with someone else. My names Emma, Emily replied, flustered.
Dont be daft, Ive known you all your life. I used to babysit you! Your mum, Anne, buried your dad and lost youthey all thought youd drowned too. Shes been beside herself. Im your old neighbour, Mr. Clarkdont you remember? How did you end up here?
I live here with my husband, Emily stammered.
Ive never seen anyone living over this way! Never a light on, replied Mr. Clark. Emily caught his arm, desperate.
Please, Mr. Clark, take me across the river. Ill explain everything. Im scared, Arthurs going to kill me.
Alright, come on, quickly, he said, and just as they pushed off, they heard gunshots from the woods behind them. They ran to safety.
When Emily got to the little house where Mr. Clark brought her, she saw a woman she recognised from her dreams.
Hello, she managed shyly.
My darling girl! Anne cried, running to her. Bill, where did you find her? Where was she?
Anne couldnt stop crying with happiness. Mr. Clark explained how hed found her, and Emma finally began to remember flashes of her old lifeher parents, her home, her dad falling from the boat. Little by little, it all came back, even how Arthur had rescued her. She told them everything.
Mum, if he finds me, were both dead. Hes not right in the headhes dangerous, Emily warned, her voice shaking.
Their neighbour, Mrs. Thorn, rushed in and hugged them. Anne, love, your daughters right. You both need to leavecome stay with my sister in the next village; her place is empty most of the year. Bill will drive you.
They packed what they could, climbed in Bills battered old car, and as they pulled away, Emily and Anne took one glance back at their little home before leaving for good.
Arthur did find where Emily had gone. He came round, prowling about, but Mrs. Thorn told him nobody was there and sent him packing.
Bill eventually helped Anne sell her old cottage, brought round a wad of pounds, and helped her buy a small house in the new village. He and his wife would visit, help with decorating and getting the place nice and cosy.
Emily, with time and patience, started feeling like herself again, though memories of Arthur haunted her every so oftenher little boy, Jamie, was a constant reminder. But she adored him, and Anne did too, and soon enough happiness seemed possible againespecially with Matthew, their kind neighbour who was already plucking up the courage to propose to Emily.
Funny how life turns out, isnt it?
