She Never Wanted To, But She Did
Emily never really knew how to smoke, but she was convinced it helped calm her nerves. She stood in the front garden of her cottage, watching the quiet village road, her thoughts troubled and uneasy. Life had grown heavy with real worries.
Emily lived alone in the house her late grandmother left her, with her own parents residing in a village seven miles away. Shed wanted independence, to live by herselfshe was already twenty-three. She worked at the post office in the village.
Unable to finish her cigarette, she stubbed it out and tossed it away.
I dont like smoking, not the way Sarah does it, lighting one after another. She told me it would settle my nerves, but I doubt it, she thought, sighing.
Just then, a new local constable, Tomrecently transferred from a nearby towndrove by her gate. Emily knew about him from her co-workers at the post office. She watched his car disappear, then went inside as dusk fell, knowing tonight she had an important and risky task ahead.
Yesterday at the post office, it had been a quieter sort of day, with villagers coming in and out at intervals.
It will be absolute bedlam in here tomorrow, said Mrs. Margaret Blake, Todays just the calm before pension day.
Margaret had worked at the post office since she was young; most of the villagers couldnt remember a time without her, and she always said, Thirty years I’ve been here, everyone knows meI cant imagine working anywhere else.
Well aunt Mags, laughed young Lucy, My mum says the whole place runs because of you. Youre the heart of the post office.
Oh don’t be silly, the place would run without me, someone else would take my place when I retire
Hello, called Marina, a plump woman of forty-two, fanning herself at the door, Phew, it’s boiling today. I came about my neighbourold Mrs. Gladys. Shes asked me to sort out her magazine renewal; she loves her subscriptions. Were headed off early tomorrow for the seaall the way to Spain. So, she asked me to do it before we leave, her subscription’s running out and shes afraid shell be left without her magazines. She cant get out, the poor thing, so she reads all day, says it passes the time.
Margaret raised her eyebrows, Wow, Marina, not scared to go so far, and by plane no less. Spain will be lovelyplenty of sun, she added with a tone that sounded like shed just come back herself.
No, Im not worried. First day there Ill put photos onlinegot myself a new swimsuit, so keep an eye out! Marina promised and strode away.
Lucys eyes widened, How much does it cost to take the whole family to Spain?
Oh, they can afford it. Her husband Mikes a farmer, Margaret declared confidently.
Emily sat quietly by the computer, listening closely, thinking.
A little later, the constable Tom strolled into the post office and greeted them cheerfully.
Afternoon, I should be expecting a notice soon. Could you check, Lucy? He glanced around and suddenly spotted Emily, eyes lingering.
Didnt know you had such lovely women working herebut she looks ever so sad
Margaret noticed his gaze, Ah, Emily. She buried her fiancé not long ago
Tom nodded understandingly; Lucy checked, Nothing for you yet, Im afraid.
Three weeks earlier, Emilys fiancé, Daniel, was killedfound murdered in the market town, in a derelict lot. Rumour had it he was a gambler, sometimes sneaking out to some dodgy underground betting club. Emily hadnt the faintest idea. With the police making no breakthrough, one night two young men from the city showed up at her doorstep. She remembered seeing Daniel with them once.
Your fiancé owed us a pretty penny.
But hes dead, Emily stammered, terrified.
Hah, debts dont die. So now youre to pay what he owedthree thousand pounds, said one, Alex, naming the sum.
Where would I find that sort of money?
Thats for you to figure out. Your village has wealthy folk. You work at the post officeyou know everyones business, Alex pressed coldly, We want the money. Well be back in two weeks. And if you go to the police, you wont live to regret itgot it? And take these lock picks. Youll be able to open any door, he added cruelly.
After they left, Emily bolted her door and huddled in panic as the house fell silent and dark. After a sleepless day, she decided one night to sneak into Marinas house while they were away on holiday. She knew they hadnt a dog, just shut gates. That wasnt much of an obstacleshe clambered over the fence.
Emily had no idea how shed get inside, but as Alex claimed, she managed the lock with the picks. Her heart hammeredshe was breaking the law, just like those crooks whod forced her into crime.
She searched long for cash, the bedroom lit by glow spilling through the street lamp outside.
My God, what am I doing? she agonised, I want to live, but why did you do this, Daniel? Now its me whos expected to pay, forced into crime.
Emily knew she should call the police but didnt dareAlex seemed capable of anything. All she found was £1500 and, in a drawer, Marinas gold ring and bracelet. A laptop sat on the tableshe stuffed that into her bag, too.
Leaving as quietly as shed come, Emily slung the bag over her shoulder and glanced about; no lights anywhere, only the odd dog bark now and then. No one saw her. She trembled in fear.
At home, she hid the bag deep inside her grandmas old trunk in the larder, under heaps of clothes. Sleep eluded her all night. She arrived at work the next morning with a splitting headache. At lunchtime, she slipped out of the post office and headed to the café nearby.
Afternoon, Tom the constable greeted, making her jump. He smiled, Dont worrywere both on the way to lunch, arent we?
Afternoon, she whispered, panic rising. Did he know already?
You did catch me waiting for you, he laughed.
Emily saw the twinkle in his eyes and relaxed, realising it was a joke. From that day, they had lunch together and sometimes, hed meet her after work and walk her home and soon, he began staying over.
Rumours quickly spread through the village:
Shes snagged the new constablegot him quick! hissed Tamara, Toms perfect for my Tanya; shed had her eye on him and then this Emily
Oh, let them be. Clearly he likes hertheyre smitten.
And so they truly were. Love had blossomed, even as some neighbours tutted.
She only buried her fiancé months ago, and now shes with someone new.
Well, what, is she meant to mourn forever? others countered.
Emily grew restless as the day approached when the men from the city would return. What if Tom was there? She desperately wanted to confess to him, and with only two days left, she finally couldnt bear it:
Tom, I need to tell you something, she began, her voice shaking. He just smiled.
I know, I love you too
No, its not that
Tom grew serious, listening intently, hardly able to believe that his gentle, beautiful girlfriend had been pushed to such extremes. He was quick to defend herit was clear shed been threatened.
Oh, Emily. Youll have to answer for this. Where are those stolen things? You shouldve come straight to me
She fetched the bag and handed it over. He consoled her, promising her things would be sorted.
Then, two nights later, the door banged. Emily opened it in dread. There stood Alex and his mate, demanding payment.
I couldnt find the money, but Ill figure something outplease, just give me a little more time.
Alex grabbed her shoulder roughly.
Time, she says. No, either you pay up or He yanked at her collar, tearing it. But just then, she saw his mate collapse behind him, and then Alex fell too, handcuffed before he even hit the floor. Tom was standing over them, another officer hoisting Alexs friend.
Its over, Tom told her quietly, Theyll pay for what theyve done. Youll need to come by the station tomorrow.
Emily was questioned; she confessed it all to the detective. Marina returned from her holiday, and everything was restored to her family. Tom requested the detective to keep Emilys role in the crime secret. Somehow, things turned out alright. No one suspected quiet Emily of anything so boldeveryone assumed itd been Alex and his accomplice. In fact, those two were charged with Daniels murder as well, sent away for a long time.
Tom asked Emily to marry him soon after. There was a wedding. Toms love washed away Emilys guilt and healed old wounds. Now, together, theyre raising their daughter, Alice.
