London. An autumn evening. A damp wind, tired eyes, and an even wearier heart. Emily returned home after ten hours on the shop floor of the supermarket. Only one thought spun in her mind:
*”Maybe Danny at least fried some potatoes…”*
The flat greeted her with the smell of something delicious. Emily took off her coat, kicked off her boots, and stepped into the kitchen—plates of steaming mash and roasted chicken sat on the table. Beside them: forks, salt, bread, and the kettle. Danny gave a silent nod toward the chair.
*”Sit down.”*
*”Blimey, is it a special occasion?”* Emily forced a smile. *”This is new.”*
*”Just a regular meal,”* he shrugged. *”But I need to talk to you.”*
They ate in silence. The chicken was tender, the mash just salty enough. Emily filled the kettle, brewed some Earl Grey, and sat opposite her husband.
*”Go on, then. I can tell something’s bothering you.”*
Daniel stared out the window for a long moment before turning to her.
*”Nan and Grandad’s golden anniversary is on Saturday. We’re invited.”*
*”Oh, the ones who gave us five grand for the wedding? How are we supposed to go? Weren’t we about to split up?”*
*”Let’s just go. For them. They’re getting on. It’d mean a lot. We’re still married, officially.”*
Emily gave him a sceptical look. She didn’t have the energy—not to argue, not to make up.
*”Fine. Maybe one last time together, then.”*
They rode in Daniel’s father’s car. He and his dad up front. Emily with his mum in the back. Silence.
*”Have you two had a row?”* her mother-in-law whispered.
*”No,”* Emily replied with a tight smile.
*”Look at these rings we got them for the anniversary. Gold, lovely, aren’t they?”*
*”Lovely,”* she nodded.
*”Stay happy. In fifty years, your kids will give you the same.”*
Emily lowered her gaze. Fifty years? That was a lifetime…
The party was lively—young, old, everyone laughing, heaps of food, toasts all round. But Emily kept her distance from her husband. The women in Daniel’s family quickly pulled her into organising the entertainment. They were in their thirties, like her. They bickered, teased their husbands, but… you could see they loved them.
Emily caught herself wondering:
*”Do I love him? Does he love me?”*
Maybe once. But now? The flat was cold. Money was always tight. She hadn’t bought a proper coat in three years. Kids? He never even mentioned them. Couldn’t hold down a steady job. And yet—he’d once been everything she dreamed of.
The party ended late. Guests drifted home. Gran Rose stopped them as they headed out.
*”Stay the night. Help us tidy up a bit.”*
Emily and Danny silently cleared the tables. They worked smoothly, no words needed. Two hours later, the house was spotless.
Gran put the kettle on.
*”Well, Tom, fifty years we’ve managed, eh?”* she smiled at Grandad.
*”Nearly divorced at least a dozen times,”* he grumbled. *”Even got as far as the registry office once.”*
*”But we walked back.”*
*”I was out of work then,”* Grandad recalled. *”Barely a penny to my name.”*
*”And d’you remember how men used to look at me? Called me a proper princess. And you? Glowed like a streetlamp, you did.”*
*”Princess, my foot,”* he snorted, but his eyes were warm.
Emily watched them—something twisted inside. They argued, talked over each other, but… they loved each other. Really loved each other.
*”We were like that once,”* she thought. *”Young, fiery, convinced we were right. And now they laugh about what nearly tore them apart.”*
Gran Rose pulled an envelope from her pocket.
*”Here, get yourselves something nice. For winter. And don’t argue. We’ve got enough.”*
Emily wanted to refuse, but Danny took it.
*”Thanks, Gran.”*
*”Go on, off to bed. Spare room’s ready.”*
The room was familiar—Danny’s childhood space. But tonight, the narrow bed held two. They lay in silence.
*”Em…”* he murmured.
She pressed against him. Warm, familiar. Not wealth. Not designer coats. Just—him.
Daniel fell asleep. Emily stared at the ceiling.
*”Glad we didn’t split. I’ll get that coat tomorrow. Then maybe… a baby. Maybe grandchildren, one day. And in forty-nine years… golden rings. Just like theirs.”*
She smiled. First time in ages. And slept. Peacefully. Beside him.
