A stranger was standing at the door.
Nigel had nursed a crush on Emily ever since secondary school. He wrote her silly notes, made a spectacle of himself, tried anything to get her to notice him.
But Emily only had eyes for Oliver, the tall, golden-haired chap who played volleyball on her team.
As for awkward, clumsy Nigel who always seemed to be in trouble with his teachers Emily never spared him a second glance.
Soon enough, Oliver started going out with Sophie, a girl from the year above.
After school ended, Nigel tried again to win Emilys affection.
He even proposed to her at the leavers prom
Emily did not mince her words No! she replied, sharp as lemon juice. The thought of dating Nigel never even entered her mind.
After uni, Emily landed a job as an accountant. Her boss, Mr Charles Watson, ticked all the boxes: tall, dark and handsome, clever and ten years her senior.
Emily was utterly besotted by his professionalism, sparkling eyes, quick wit.
A romance blossomed between them, and Emily wasnt particularly bothered that her prince charming was very much married, with a young son to boot.
Charles promised hed leave his wife, swearing blind that he only loved Emily.
Years trundled by, with Emily spending birthdays, Christmas, and weekends eating ready meals for one. She clung to the hope that soon Charles would leave his wife and theyd live happily ever after.
One afternoon, Emily spotted Charles out shopping with his wife.
His wife was clearly expecting, and Charles, ever the attentive husband, was holding her hand and then whisked the shopping bags from her arms. Off they went together to their shiny family car.
Emily watched the happy scene through tears and runny mascara.
The next day, she quit her job.
New Years Eve loomed, but Emily couldnt work up the enthusiasm for stocking up on mince pies, stringing up tinsel, or pretending to enjoy the festivities.
One icy afternoon, she got home to find it absolutely freezing inside. The boiler was dead as a doornail. Her little cottage might as well have been in the Arctic.
She called around for a repairman, but two days before New Year’s Eve, every engineer in town wanted half her months salary especially when they realised theyd have to trek out to her cottage at the outskirts.
At her wits end, Emily rang her friend Victoria. Victorias husband happened to be handy with boilers, so maybe he could help.
Victoria promised to call him straight away.
Two hours later, someone rang the bell.
A stranger stood there, but after a squint, Emily recognised Nigel, her old classmate.
All right, Em, whats happened here then?
Er how did you know?
My boss called, said theres a freezing damsel in distress out this way. Did you drain your radiators so the pipes wouldnt burst?
Er, no? I have no idea how to do that.
Oh, Emily youll end up without a boiler at all. Lucky its not colder out.
Nigel quickly drained the system, tinkered with the boiler, and then disappeared for a bit.
An hour later, he reappeared with the parts needed to finish the job.
Soon Emilys house was as warm as a bakery. Nigel washed his hands and surveyed the place.
Emily, your taps leaking and that bulb keeps flickering. Hasnt your husband fixed it?
Theres no husband, Nigel
Oh really? Still searching for Mr Right?
Not exactly There isnt anyone, Emily admitted, realising shed said too much.
Then why did you turn me down all those years ago? Nigel grinned.
She only managed a weak shrug.
With the tap fixed and a new bulb glowing, Nigel bade her goodbye and set off home.
Emily curled up with a mug of tea, thinking back to her school days and the chubby lad whod been hopelessly in love with her.
Of course, Nigel was all grown up now: tall, trim, with twinkly brown eyes. But that crooked grin was utterly unchanged.
She didnt even ask if he was married.
On New Years Eve, as Emily nursed a glass of cheap supermarket wine, someone knocked at the door.
She wasnt expecting guests.
At her doorstep was Nigel, looking dapper in a new suit and clutching a bunch of flowers.
Emily! Ill ask you once more. Will you marry me, or are you holding out for Prince Charming until youre collecting your pension?
Emily burst into happy tears and nodded so hard she nearly snapped her neck.
On the second try, the proposal finally stuck.
