Charlotte just couldnt believe what was happening to her. Her husband, her rock, the only man shed ever truly relied on, had just said, I dont love you anymore. She was so stunned, she just sat there frozen in a ridiculous pose while he rushed about, flinging his things into bags, jangling keys. As if things werent bad enough already. Only a short while ago, her dad had suddenly passed away, and despite her own broken heart, shed had to take care of her silver-haired mum and little sisterwho, after a nasty head injury at 18, had been left disabled. Her family lived in a nearby town. And now her son, Oliver, had only just started year one at school. In June, the firm where she worked had closed down, leaving her without a job. And now this
Charlotte buried her head in her hands, dropped into a chair, and sobbed bitterly.
Oh God, what am I going to do? How do I keep going? Oliver! I have to run and fetch him from school!
The needs of daily life forced her up and onto her feet.
Mum, have you been crying?
No, Ollie, no.
Was it about granddad? Mum, I miss him so much!
Me too, darling. But we have to be strong, you know? Granddad was always brave, and now hes with God, happy and at peace. He earned his restnever had it when he was alive.
And wheres Dad?
Dad? Probably away on a work trip again. How was school?
You just have to keep moving forward. So he doesnt love her? Theres nothing she can do about it. You can’t force someones heart. Shed missed the warning signs in all the chaos.
While Oliver ate his lunch and played with his little army men, Charlotte logged onto her husbands laptop, something shed never done before. His inbox was still open in the cornerhe hadnt cleared out the latest messages. Turns out, he was all in with his new love. And she? No longer loved. Ten years as his sunshine, and after eight gruelling years fighting to have a child, she became Mum.
Now everything had changed, and she simply had to adjust. But first, she needed a job. No one cared about her topnotch credentials. The pittance from jobseekers allowance solved nothing.
What had gone wrong, what had happened? How did her responsible, caring husband overnight become a total stranger? She only had one explanation: hed gone off the rails. The house they built together, brick by brick, still wasnt finished. At least there was a roof, and one room was liveable.
Work, how desperately I need you! Charlotte fought the urge to cry again; she couldnt afford the time. She really needed a job.
Days ticked by as she searchedno luck! Olivers newness to school and her situation shrank her prospects to almost nil. Then one particularly rotten evening, her old friend Ryan called:
Char, so, hasnt he come back?
No.
Well, would you go for a warehouse job?
Are you joking?
No, dead serious. Know things arent funny after Tom left. Theres a break in the shiftyou could fetch Oliver or sort after-school club. Wage is £1,100. Not great, but better than nowt. Well bring you potatoes, onions, and a chicken tomorrow.
Ryan, Ive got hens! They keep us fed and lay eggs.
Well, let them do their job. You cant eat those girls!
Thanks, really. Hows Gillian?
Shes hanging in there, bless her. Shes a trooper.
Ryan was always like that. His wife Gill had just had major surgery and was on chemo, but he never moaned, just got on with things. Its all fine, hed say. Charlotte sighedmaybe there was hope after all. Thank God, the only one who truly sees everything. He never lets anyone down. Thank you Ryan, for being there.
Her work was straightforward, and there were plenty of moments when she could stop and gather herselfto cry, to try and process what had happened.
The days blurred into weeks, then months. After a year, Charlotte found herself hungry, sleeping well, able to laugh and enjoy Olivers successes. But the pain of betrayal returned each time her ex dropped by to take Oliver for the weekend. She didnt begrudge him; she knew that their relationship shouldnt make the boy suffer. She often wanted to know why she wasnt enough, even though deep down, she knew it wasnt about herit was that her husband had been struck by sudden passion for another woman. She remembered a line from a film: Love lasts till the first corner, then real life starts. For her, love and life were inseparable. For him? Who knew.
Autumn felt like a second summerwarm, leaves still green, children laughing outside, borders thick with vibrant asters and chrysanthemums. One day, Charlotte noticed a long, steady gaze from Michael. Nothing else was different, reallymaybe the sun was a bit brighter, maybe the neighbours music was louder, or maybe fate had simply decided it was time for two lost souls to meet.
Excuse me, miss, let me help. You shouldnt be weighed down like that.
Im used to it.
Not good at all for such a lovely lady to be dragging heavy loads.
Do you offer to help all the lovely ladies? Or do you camp outside the shop for them?
Yep, Ive camped and watched, finally saw the beautiful girl!
She couldnt help but laugh. They laughed so hard tears ran down their faces.
Michael, he said, reaching out his hand, his eyes sparkling with humour.
Charlotte.
Charlotte, Charlotte, another mans wifeever heard that song?
Nope. Besides, Im not a wife.
Really? Well, what luck! Finally met a girl like something out of a dream, and shes single. Hows everyone else missed it?
Clearly, your humours spot on. What about being serious?
I can do serious too. Charlotte, why dont we go see a movie tonight, have a chat?
Id like to, but I need to pick up my son from after-school club.
I cant believe ityouve got a son?! You look twenty! What after-school club?
Im thirty-five.
So am I. Hows that for coincidence? Honestly, I thought you were much younger.
And now?
Just taking it in. All blokes hope to have a son, and here you are just casually telling me youre a single mum. Sowheres the dad? The father of your boy?
Id rather not talk about that right now.
Got it. No worries. What about the weekend? We could take your son to a kids film?
Weekends hes with his father.
Charlotte, I dont want to pester you. But if you find a couple of free hours, call me. Heres my card. He handed it over, and his title read: Paediatric Haematologist.
You must have a serious job.
Very. No time for tracking down beautiful women.
Alright, Michael, Ill call, Charlotte said, simply and honestly.
Ill be waiting.
That autumn was stunninglike a gift meant just for them. Soft golden sunlight turned the leaves to a crazy patchwork of colour. Warm, lovely days opened up the whole citys parks for them. And the gentle, tentative closeness between them slowly unraveled the pain of the past, sweeping them up in a whirlwind of autumn leaves and newfound tenderness. Charlotte felt herself drawn to this remarkable man, surprised by how right it felt. After six weeks, she shyly invited him in for tea.
Charlotte, promise you wont be upset? I wont come in just yetI need time to process everything thats happening. Do you trust me?
That next weekend, they snuck away to a nature reserve where Michael had rented a cottage that looked like a miniature castle. It was clean and cozy inside, but all Charlotte could see were Michaels big, warm brown eyes. She lost herself in their depths, sinking into his embrace. What happened between them was so tender, so sweet, she couldnt believe it was even possible.
Michael, where am I? Whats happening? It feels like Im fading awayI love you so much. How did I ever get by without you? I feel so whole, so happy!
Youre beautiful, Charlotte! Im the luckiest man alive.
A few months on, it got harder and harder to part at the end of each visit.
Charlotte, marry me.
Michael, my divorce goes through at the end of the month.
Then marry me right after. Before someone else snatches up my girl.
Dont worry, Im not up for every random suitor. Ive made my choice. Just, Michael, lets skip the big fussjust sign the register and whisk me off to that little castle where I became your wife already.
Done, my love. Anything you say.
Ryan and Gill were their only witnesses at the registry office. Charlottes mum and sister sent a giddy congratulatory telegram. Soon after, they moved into the flat Michael had rented, and together they worked hard to turn it into their nest, especially making a special room for Oliver. Oliver and Michael had met long ago, but for the boy, whose world still revolved around his mum and dad, warming up to Michael wasnt easy.
Charlotte, dont be alarmed, but Id like to run some blood tests on Oliver. Hes looking awfully pale lately.
Oh, Michael, hes just fretting. Divorce hit him hard. He kept hoping it wouldnt happen. I read somewhere its harder on a child than losing a parent.
Youre right, wise woman. I went through my own parents divorce as a kidit felt like the end of the world. But lets get the tests done, okay kiddo?
That day, when Michael came in, his head was hung low. Charlotte knew instantly something was wrong.
Charlotte, take a deep breath. There are changes in Ollies bloodwork. My instincts, unfortunately, were right. Ill take him in with me tomorrow.
It felt so unjustlike happiness always comes with a price. And what a price: leukaemia. Such a terrifying word!
Life changed entirely. Charlotte took unpaid leave, unable to imagine leaving Oliver to face the endless jabs and drips alone. She sat by his side, holding his hand, gently urging, Hang on, Ollie! Youre so brave, my best friend, my strongest boy. Weve never been apart, and we never will.
Whenever Charlotte was utterly spent, Michael sent her off to sleep and stayed by Oliver in the hospital. Sleep didnt often come; more often, she just stared at the ceiling.
Her ex rang up and demanded her name come off the deeds to the unfinished house.
Ill see to Oliver myself. Hell visit me here.
You could visit him, you know.
Busy, off on a trip. Not now.
After the call, Michael gently rubbed her shoulder.
Charlotte, love, well sort it out ourselves. Don’t hold on to the past.
It just stings. I earned good money, poured everything into that house. But this isnt the time for all that, is it? Thinking about getting my name struck off?
Dont worry about it. Just pour everything youve got into Oliver. I can handle things. I always wanted a real family. God knows that. He wont take you two away.
How are the test results?
Were doing everything we can. Still not great.
Charlotte cried silently, careful not to let Oliver see. He mustnt know how bad things really were.
Uncle Michael, whats wrong with my blood?
Well, Ollie, think of it like thisyour blood is full of little red and white boats fighting a battle.
Whos winning?
For now, the white ones.
What happens next?
Give the red boats a hand.
Mum, take me somewhere nice. Im so tired.
Charlotte, I was thinking the same. Lets take him away to our little castle. The weathers lovely. Well wander the woods. Let him rest.
Spring filled their hideaway with blooming shrubs and trees. The three of them strolled through the forest, marveling at every blossom and blade of grass. But sometimes Oliver would get quiet and still.
Whats wrong, sweetheart? Feeling poorly?
Mum, dont interrupt, Im having a sea battle.
Their short holiday flew by, but Oliver was transformedbrighter, with colour in his cheeks.
Mum, wheres Dad?
Still away for work, darling.
Again? Oh well.
Back at the hospital, more tests were done. The head of the lab came in herself.
Dr. Michaels, where did you take your son?
Just the nature reserve nearby. Is something up?
Its all good news. His blood is in remission.
Michael dashed to the ward.
Ollie, youre better, mate! Dont cry, Charlotte. Hes getting well. What did you do, Ollie?
Dad, remember those boat battles you told me about? I made sure the red ones won every fight.The three of them hugged tightly, laughter and tears mixed in a wild tumble as Oliver sat between them on the bed, clutching his army men with a brand-new mischievous sparkle in his eyes. Charlotte touched Michaels hand, feeling its strength and warmth. For a long moment, the ache in her heart was gone, replaced by a glowing sense of peace.
Outside, the world seemed renewed. Sunlight streamed through the window, painting golden squares on the floor. Charlotte could hear a blackbird singing on the fencea simple, sweet tune. She leaned her head against Michaels shoulder, closing her eyes as Oliver giggled, reenacting his victorious sea battles.
Looks like the red boats won, after all, Michael whispered.
Always, Charlotte replied softly, kissing Olivers forehead. We keep fighting, and in the end, hope sails through.
They stayed that way long after the daylight fadedthree souls stitched together by hardship and love, stronger than theyd ever been apart. And for the first time in years, Charlotte truly believed that after the storm, there could be something more: a sunrise, laughter in the kitchen, and the future, shining bright, ready for whatever adventures lay ahead.
