I never really knew my parents, to be honest. My dad vanished when Mum was pregnant and after that I never heard a word from him. Mum passed away when I was barely a year old a nasty cancer hit her and she burned out like a candle.
Grandma Doris, Mums mother, raised me. Her own husband had died when she was still young, so she spent the rest of her life looking after her daughter and then me. From day one there was this tight, almost spiritual bond between us; Gran could read my mind and we always seemed to be on the same page.
Everyone loved Gran Doris neighbours, teachers at school, the shopkeeper down the road. She never gossiped, never spoke ill of anyone, and people would often come to her for advice. I felt lucky to have such a gran.
My love life, though, was a different story. School, uni, work I was always rushing off somewhere, trying to get things done. I dated a few blokes, but nothing ever clicked. Gran would tease me, Come on, Em, youre always out with the girls. Surely theres a decent lad out there? Youre a proper beauty and a smart one too. Id laugh it off, but deep down I knew I was getting up there thirty and still no family.
Then, out of the blue, Gran passed away. She just didnt wake up one night, her heart stopped while she was asleep. I was in a daze, everything felt unreal. I kept going to work, running errands, but it was all on autopilot. At home I only had my cat, Misty, for company, and the house felt empty.
One morning I was on the commuter train reading a book. A welldressed man in his early forties sat opposite me. He gave me a lingering look that somehow made me feel warm inside.
He started chatting about the novel Id been reading, and I could have talked about books for hours. Just like in Love Actually, I thought, only with less chaos. I was about to get off at my stop, but I didnt want to go home yet. His name was James, and he suggested we continue the conversation over a coffee at the little café near the station. I eagerly agreed.
From that day on we whirled into a whirlwind romance. We texted and called every day, meeting up less often because James was usually swamped with work. He kept his past, family and job details vague, but that didnt bother me I was finally happy with a man.
One weekend James invited me to a restaurant, saying it would be a special night. I sensed he was going to propose. I was over the moon finally a husband, kids, a proper family like everyone else. Shame Gran didnt live to see it.
That evening, sprawled on the sofa, I started thinking about what to wear. Im the kind of gal who shops online, so I pulled up the app on my phone and started scrolling through dresses. I got halfasleep with my thumb scrolling.
Suddenly I saw Gran stride into the room in her favourite floral dress, sit on the sofa and start patting my head. Gran! How are you here? I thought you were gone, I whispered. She smiled, Emily, love, Im right here, always with you. I see and hear everything. One thing dont go ahead with that man, hes not good for you. Listen to your gran. And then she vanished like mist.
I jolted awake, bewildered. Had I just dreamed that? I went back to the app, but a knot of worry twisted in my stomach. Why would Gran warn me about James when I barely knew him? I couldnt decide, so I drifted back to sleep.
The big day crept closer. I never settled on a dress everything I tried kept slipping from my hands, and Grans words kept looping in my head. I never believed in prophetic dreams, but Gran and I had that weird spiritual link, so maybe she really could see over the veil.
Saturday arrived. I showed up at the restaurant in a dress that wasnt brand new, feeling a bit off. James noticed straight away. Everything alright, love? he asked. Yeah, all good, I replied, forcing a smile. He peppered me with jokes, trying to lift my mood. At the end of the meal, just like in a film, he dropped to one knee, opened a tiny box, and pulled out a ring.
My head spun, my ears rang, and then I saw Gran again, standing by the window, just watching. I took it as a sign. Im sorry, James, I cant, I blurted. Why? What did I do wrong? he snapped. Nothing, I just always trusted my gran, I said, fleeing the place.
He chased after me, eyes flashing anger. Fine, go sit on your arse with your cat then! Who needs you, you useless hen! he shouted before storming out.
I was stunned. The smart, bookloving James Id fallen for turned into a rude, violent bloke in seconds. My dream of a husband, kids, a proper family crumbled.
The next day I popped over to my old schoolmate Mark at his job. He works for the local police department ands always been helpful to former classmates. I asked him to run a background check on James, giving him his photo and details.
Mark called later that afternoon. Emily, Im afraid its not good news James is a con artist. He targets lonely women, marries them, then forces them to sign over the house and take out huge loans for his business, and later he kicks them out and divorces them. Hes been convicted before. Youre lucky you got out when you did.
Wow, talk about a twist. How did Gran know all that? Pure miracle, I guess. Thanks, Gran, for looking out for me even after youve gone.
I stopped by the corner shop, grabbed some groceries and a tin of cat food for Misty, then walked home with a spring in my step, knowing I wasnt alone my grans spirit was still watching over me.
They say the souls of loved ones stay close, become guardian angels, watching over us after theyve left. Id like to believe thats true.
