Emily Taylor

I’m going to return everything, I promise, Harriet says, her voice trembling. Harriet, Im sorry

While my husband was working on the oil rigs off the Algarve, I gave birth to a child and lied, claiming

Amelia, Ive told you a hundred times now isnt the time for children, I said, snapping my laptop shut

We all think lifes already a maze, but we love to add extra twists. Back in secondary school, Emily Thompson

13April I begged my daughter, Just a few days, Mum. Im at a loss Tom fell ill, I have to go back to work

30April2025 Today I finally understood what it feels like to exhale after years of holding my breath.

5November2025 He turned up after a year of silence, standing in the doorway with the same battered suitcase

I watched him slip away for a younger girl. Later he rang, voice trembling, asking if he could come back.

Mom, youve gone round the bend! my daughter yells, staring at me as if Im a lunatic. Youre falling in love?

Mother, why did you make this choice? We have all the comforts, and youre alone, in the middle of nowhere