**Diary Entry – 12th October**
Best friends Emily and Sophie had known each other since childhood, growing up in the same village. Everyone said their bond was “thick as thieves.” Both were pretty—Emily soft-spoken and gentle, while Sophie was fiery and bold.
In sixth form, everyone knew Daniel fancied Emily, though she never took his longing glances seriously. Still, it flattered her—the boy followed her everywhere, brought her wildflowers, asked her out daily, even confessed his love. But Emily only smiled at sweet, shy Daniel. Perhaps things might have worked out, if not for arrogant Michael, who had his eye on every pretty girl in school.
Dark-haired and roguish, Michael strutted down the halls, leaving a trail of smitten girls. Both Emily and Sophie fell for him, joking at first—”Imagine, Em, some lucky girl’ll get to marry that handsome devil!” Michael, sensing their rivalry, played them against each other—a week with one, then the other, stoking their jealousy.
One day, the two friends fought bitterly over him. Soon after, Emily met Michael and said, “I’m expecting your baby. What now?”
“Blimey,” he muttered, scratching his head. “Well, suppose we ought to marry. No point leaving the kid without a father.”
Fate had decided. They wed after graduation in a raucous village celebration. In time, they settled into married life—peaceful, content. A son, Oliver, was born. They lived in Emily’s grandmother’s cottage, which Michael renovated with his woodworking skills. He worked as a tractor driver, handy with machinery.
Then came hard times—the farm struggled, Emily lost her bookkeeping job, and Michael was put on unpaid leave.
“Ollie’s outgrown everything,” Emily fretted. “His shoes are falling apart, and winter’s coming.”
Then a chance—Aunt Margaret mentioned a secretary job at the tax office in town. Emily rushed there the next morning, waiting nervously in the lobby.
“Hello,” she said timidly when called in.
“Good morning, take a seat,” said a sharp-voiced woman in glasses.
Emily gasped. “Sophie? Bloody hell, what a surprise!”
Sophie adjusted her sleek suit, unimpressed. “So, you’re after the job?”
“Yes! Maybe we’ll work together again!”
Sophie leaned back. “Afraid not. We need someone local—late hours, weekends. And we’ve already got a candidate.”
Emily left, stung. At home, Michael fumed. “That stuck-up cow! I’ll give her a piece of my mind!”
But he returned that evening subdued. “She’s right—the bloke’s qualified, lives nearby.”
Emily frowned. “You took ages—bus break down?”
“Er, yeah. Then I stopped by the workshop.”
Days later, Emily got a post office job. But suspicion gnawed at her—Michael left early, came home late, claiming work. Then, bumping into Daniel, she learned the truth.
“Your Michael? Haven’t seen him at the farm in weeks.”
That night, she confronted him.
“You’ve been lying. It’s Sophie, isn’t it?”
Michael slumped. “Aye. Saw her and… it all came back. I love her.”
“Get out,” Emily whispered.
He left the next day. Time passed. One afternoon, Daniel appeared at her gate.
“Your fence is knackered. Mind if I fix it?”
She let him. As he worked, he murmured, “You’re lovelier every year.”
“Think I’ll just fall into your arms now?” she snapped, instantly regretting it.
But weeks later, on a golden August evening, they met again.
“Smiling at me now, are you?” Daniel teased. “Can I hold your hand?”
She laughed. “Alright.”
They embraced, and Emily realised—this could’ve happened long ago, if she’d seen Michael for what he was. But fate has its way.
Later, she heard Michael had slunk back to his parents—Sophie hadn’t wanted him. But Emily was happy now, expecting another child with Daniel.
Funny, isn’t it? Life circles back. You can’t cheat destiny—it always wins.
