A POSTAGE STAMP
Williams left Emily, Mum sighed heavily down the line.
What do you mean? I asked, confused.
I cant make head nor tail of it myself. He was away on a business trip for a month. Came back like a different person. Told Emily, Sorry, I love someone else, and that was that. Mum drifted off, staring into space.
He said that? That cant be right. What a nightmare, I started to get properly annoyed at my sisters husband.
Sophie called, said Mum was in a state, had to ring the ambulance. Turns out Emilys got some neurological thing now cant swallow, all because of the stress, Mum blinked rapidly, worrying herself half to death.
Alright, calm down, Mum. To be honest, Emily always did put William on a pedestal, like he was some sort of saint. She would bend over backwards for him. Well, look where thats landed her. Poor thing. I hope Williams new thing isnt serious He loves Emily and Sophie, I know it, I just couldnt believe what I was hearing.
William and Emily, they had one of those wild whirlwind loves. Married within two months of meeting. Their daughter, Sophie, came along not much later. Life was smooth, boring even, then suddenly it all came crashing down.
Everything toppled like dominoes.
I dashed round to my sisters without thinking. Never easy, talking about this kind of thing with your own flesh and blood.
Em, what happened? Did William even explain himself? Has he lost his marbles? I bombarded her with questions.
Oh, Anna, Im still in shock. Where on earth did this woman come from? Did she put a spell on him or what? Williams acting obsessed, just ran off to her. Couldnt stop him. Told me, Emily, life is meant to flow, not just trickle away. Threw his stuff in a bag and left. I feel like Ive been dragged face-down across gravel. I dont understand any of it The tears streamed down Emilys cheeks and wouldnt stop.
Listen, Em, lets give him time. Maybe hell come to his senses. Stranger things have happened, I said, hugging my sobbing sister.
But the runaway never did return.
William settled down in another city. Married his new wife.
Catherine was eighteen years older than William. Odd as it seemed, the age gap didnt bother either of them. The soul doesnt have an age, Catherine liked to say.
William was enchanted by his second wife. She became his north star, his everything.
Cathy had a way about her… She could love fiercely, or not at all. Untamed, free. Words from her could be honey or razor blades.
William adored her, always bewildered, Where have you been all my life, Cathy? I mustve been looking for you for half of it
Meanwhile, Emily set her sights on revenge on men in general.
She was a stunner. Men and women would turn their heads for a second look.
At work, she got involved with her boss. Had him completely smitten.
Em, marry me. Ill make you a rich woman. Youll live like royalty!
Im not interested in marriage, David. Had enough of that for one lifetime. Lets just take a holiday to the seaside. I want to get Sophie some fresh air, she winked at him cheekily.
Alright then, darling
Sam was a bit simpler. Helped with the DIY, sorted out Emilys flat. Never proposed, though he was happily married elsewhere.
Emily had both of them dangling on strings
But there was no real love. They got her through the days, helped tide her over, gave her distraction from the pain. That was it.
She still mourned for William. Saw him in her dreams. Woke up with tears that did nothing to help. Memories poked at her heart. She felt a gravitational pull towards William she just couldnt shake.
How do you detach yourself from someone? What was wrong with me? I was patient, caring, did whatever he wanted. We never even argued
Years passed.
Emily kept on sometimes dazzling David with her mysterious smile, sometimes sending Sam back to his own family.
When Sophie was twenty, she made up her mind to go see her dad.
She bought a train ticket, spent the journey wondering what on earth shed say to her dads new wife, Catherine.
She arrived in another city, nerves jangling.
Knocked on the door.
You must be Sophie, said a striking-looking woman, opening the door.
Mums much prettier, Sophie thought, a touch smugly.
Youre Catherine? she guessed.
Yes, come in. Your dads not home at the moment, but he wont be long, Catherine led her into the kitchen.
How are you? Hows your mum? Catherine bustled around. Tea? Coffee?
Catherine, can I ask how did you win Dad over? He loved Mum, Im sure of it, Sophie looked her straight in the eye.
Sophie, life doesnt let you plan everything. Love comes with no guarantees. Sometimes passion just knocks you sideways. One meeting can change everything. Its like fate takes over and makes you swap partners mid-dance, and you dont even know why. It cant be explained, Catherine sank into a chair, tired.
But cant you stop yourself? What about loyalty to your family? Sophie couldnt understand it. She glared at the woman she resented.
You just cant, love, Catherine replied bluntly.
Thanks for the honesty, Sophie refused her coffee.
Sophie, want a playful bit of advice? A mans a bit like a postage stamp: the more you spit on it, the tighter it sticks. And sometimes with men, you have to be steel one minute, velvet the next Oh, by the way, your dad and I are in the middle of a major row.
Thanks for the tip. Should I wait for Dad? Sophie asked, uneasy.
No idea. Hes been staying at a hotel all week. I can give you the address, Catherine scribbled on a scrap of paper. Here you go.
Sophie almost felt relieved. Now she could talk to her father privately, no witnesses.
Thanks for the coffee, goodbye, she said, and hurried off.
She tracked down the hotel, knocked on her dads door.
William was glad to see his daughter, and just a bit embarrassed.
Sophie, I was actually planning to head home today you know, after the row and all that
Dad, whatever. I just wanted to see you, Sophie gently took his hand.
Hows your mum? William asked for no reason.
Were doing fine, Dad. We got used to it, Sophie sighed.
They spent a quiet evening together in that hotel room chatting, laughing, shedding a few tears.
Dad, do you love Catherine? Sophie blurted out.
Very much. Im sorry, sweetheart, William said, looking right at her.
I see. Well, I should go. My trains soon, Sophie got up to leave.
Come and visit again, Sophie. Were still family, William dropped his gaze.
Yeah, of course Sophie breezed out of the hotel.
Once she was home, she remembered Catherines words.
Dont trust mens promises, dont cling, dont love blindly. Whatever.
But three years later, she met someone special. Matt. He was made for Sophie. Sent down from above, she reckoned.
She knew immediately.
When you meet the right one, nothing else tastes the same.
Matt wrapped Sophie up with his soul and never let go. He reached inside, brushed her very spirit. Sophie fell in love, no questions asked. Utterly, unconditionally.
