A POSTAGE STAMP
Olivers left Emma, Mum sighs heavily.
What do you mean? I ask, confused.
I dont understand it either. He was away on business for a month and came back a different man. Told Emma, Im sorry, I love someone else, Mum trails off, staring blankly ahead.
He actually said that? There must be some mistake. Thats dreadful, I start to get angry at my sister Emmas husband.
Sophie phoned me, she said Mums unwell, called for an ambulance. It turns out Emmas having trouble swallowing because of the shock, Mum says, blinking rapidly.
Alright Mum, calm down. To be honest, it was a mistake for Emma to put Oliver on a pedestal all the time, treating him like royalty. She was always fussing over him, and now, shes left with nothing. I feel for her. I hope Olivers just having a silly moment with this other woman. He loves Emma and Sophie, I just cant believe what Im hearing.
When Oliver and Emma first met, it was love at first sight, burning with passion. They married after only two months. Their daughter Sophie was born soon after. Their life was stable, peaceful, and thenjust like thatit all fell apart.
A snowball turned to an avalanche
Naturally, I rush straight over to my sister. Talking about such things is never easy, especially with family.
Em, how did this happen? Did Oliver at least try to explain? Has he lost his mind? I pepper her with questions.
Oh, Lucy, Im in shock myself. Where did this woman come from? Did she cast a spell on him or something? Oliver went running to her as if he were possessed. I couldnt stop him. He said, Emma, life is meant to flow, not dry up. He threw his things in a bag and left me. Honestly, it feels like someone dragged me face-first down the pavement. I dont understand Emmas tears pour down non-stop.
Lets give it time, Em. Maybe your runaway husband will come to his senses. Stranger things have happened, I say, hugging my sobbing sister.
But the runaway never returned.
Oliver settled in another city. With his new wife.
Harriet was eighteen years older than Oliver. The age difference didnt bother themthey adored each other and seemed genuinely happy. The soul knows no age, Harriet would often say.
Oliver is smitten by his second wife. Shes become the guiding star of his life.
Harriet is a force to be reckoned with.
She knows how to give love or turn it off. Wild and free, she could be as sweet as honey or cut you down with words.
Oliver adores Harriet.
He wonders out loud: Where have you been all my life, my Harriet Ive been searching for you forever
And Emma, in the meantime, sets out for vengeanceon all men, no exceptions.
She is strikingly beautiful. Men and women cant help but turn to look.
At work, she gets involved with her boss. She wraps him around her little finger.
Emma, marry me. I swear, Ill treat you like a queen. I mean it. Ill make you rich, he promises.
I dont want to get married, David, Ive had enough for a lifetime Lets just go to the seaside, I want to get Sophie some fresh air, Emma winks playfully.
Lets do it, darling
Alex is simplerhe helps with the house and did up her flat.
He never proposes; hes married already
Emma strings them both along.
Love isnt part of the deal. These men just make life bearable, help take away the sting of heartbreak.
Emma still aches for Oliver. She dreams of him and wakes up in useless tears. The memories keep her heart restless. Shes irresistibly drawn back to him.
How do you detach yourself from someone? What did I do wrong? I was always patient, caring, did everything he wanted. We never even argued
The years go by.
Emma goes onsometimes casting David a mysterious smile, sometimes sending Alex back to his own family when shes had enough.
Sophie turns twenty when she decides to visit her father.
She buys a train ticket. On the journey, she agonises over what to say to Harriet, the woman who split her family.
Arriving in the new city, she rings the doorbell.
You must be Sophie, says an interesting-looking woman standing in the doorway.
Mums much prettier, Sophie thinks.
And youre Harriet? Sophie guesses.
Thats right, come in. Your dads not here at the moment, but hell be back soon, Harriet leads Sophie to the kitchen.
How are things? Hows your mum? Harriet fusses, Tea? Coffee?
Harriet, can you tell me how you managed to take my dad from our family? He loved my mumI know he did, Sophie looks her straight in the eyes.
Sophie, you cant plan everything in life. Love has no guarantees. Sometimes unexpected passion sweeps in. One meeting can change everything. Fate brings people together, and often we dont know why. Occasionally, you just have to change partners mid-dance, so to speak. Theres no logic to it, Harriet says, sinking into a chair, weary.
Isnt it possible to stop yourself? To think of your dutyto the family, at least? Sophie cant understand Harriets reasoning, studying her with a hard glare.
You cant, love, Harriet replies simply.
Thank you for being honest, Sophie doesnt touch the offered coffee.
Sophie, would you like some advice? Men are like postage stampsthe more you spit on them, the tighter they stick, Harriet laughs, And really, with a man you have to be both steel and velvet. By the way, Ive had a big row with your dad.
Thank you. So, should I wait for Dad? Sophie asks, nervous.
I doubt it. Hes been staying at a hotel all week. I can give you the address, Harriet scrawls something on a scrap of paper, Here you go.
Sophie is almost glad at how things have turned out. Now she can talk to her dad alone, without onlookers.
Goodbye, and thanks for the coffee, Sophie quickly leaves.
She finds the hotel, knocks at her fathers door.
Oliver is pleased to see his daughter. Hes a little embarrassed.
Sophie, I was just about to come home You know, just after all this drama and arguing
Dad, thats your business. I just wanted to see you, Sophie gently takes her fathers hand.
Hows your mum? Oliver asks unnecessarily.
Shes fine, Dad. Weve learned to manage without you, Sophie sighs.
Sophie and her father have a warm evening in the hotel room, sharing a quiet conversation, laughter, and tears.
Dad, do you love Harriet? Sophie suddenly asks.
Very much. Forgive me, love, Oliver answers with conviction.
I see. Well, Id best be offmy train leaves soon, Sophie gathers her things.
Come back and visit, Sophie. Were still family, Oliver drops his gaze.
Of course, I will Sophie flits out of the hotel.
Returning home, she resolves to follow Harriets advice.
Not to love, not to care, not to believe empty promises from men. To spit on it all
But three years later, she meets someone truly special. James. Hes truly meant for herhes heaven-sent.
Sophie senses it right away. Just knows.
When youve met your own, no one else will do
James wraps Sophie up with his heart and never lets go. He reaches deep into her soul. Sophie soon falls in love. No conditions. CompletelyShe doesnt spit on the stamp, she simply places it on an envelope, sealing something new with her faith. Sophie posts a letter to Emma that reads, simply: Ive found him. Real love. Dont be afraid, Mumjust keep dancing.
Emma reads it under a late summer sun, a wistful smile claiming her lips, and for the first time in years, the ache in her chest softens. She sits by the window, watching Sophies daughter trace rainbows on the glass, and wonders about all the dances yet to come.
Sometimes, postage stamps go further than we ever dare. Sometimes, hearts move onwrinkled, but luminous.
And somewhere, on the edge of memory and hope, Emma laughsready to begin again.
