Emily doesnt remember her parents. Her father walked out on her pregnant mother, and she never learns his name. Her mother dies when Emily is one year old. Suddenly doctors discover a cancer and she burns out like a candle.
Emily is brought up by Gran Doris, her mothers mother. Her husband died when he was still young, and Gran Doris devotes her whole life to her daughter and granddaughter. From the first days Emily and Gran Doris share a tight spiritual bond. Gran Doris instantly knows what Emily wants, and they always understand each other.
Everyone loves Gran Doris, from neighbours to school teachers. She never gossips, and people often ask her for advice. Emily feels lucky to have such a granny.
Emilys own love life never clicks. School, university, work, always rushing somewhere, always something to do. Guys come and go, but none feel right. Gran Doris worries Whats the matter, dear Emily? Youre always out with girls, isnt there a decent lad? Youre a beauty and a brain. Emily jokes, but deep down she knows she should think about a family; shes thirty now.
Gran Doris dies suddenly. She simply doesnt wake up, her heart stops in her sleep. Emily is stunned, cant believe it. She keeps going to work, to shops, but everything runs on autopilot. At home only her cat Misty waits. Emily feels terribly lonely.
One day she rides the commuter train, reading a novel. A welldressed man in his early forties sits opposite her. He looks at her intently, and inexplicably she finds it flattering.
He starts talking about books, a topic Emily could discuss for hours. Just like in London Has No Tears, she thinks. Its time to get off, but she doesnt want to go home yet. The man, James, invites her to continue the conversation over coffee at a nearby café. Emily gladly accepts.
From that moment a whirlwind romance begins. They call and text each other every day, meeting only occasionally. James is often busy with work. She knows little about his past, family or job; he dodges those topics. Emily isnt bothered for the first time she feels truly happy with a man.
One weekend James asks Emily to meet him at a fancy restaurant, hinting that it will be a special day. She realises he intends to propose. Emily floats on cloud nine. Finally she will have a husband, children, a family like everyone else. She sighs, wishing Gran Doris could have lived to see this.
That evening, lying on the sofa, Emily thinks about what to wear. She prefers shopping online, so she scrolls through outfits on her phone and soon drifts off to sleep.
Suddenly she sees Gran Doris entering the room in her favourite dress, sitting on the sofa and smoothing Emilys hair. Gran, youre not supposed to be here, Emily says. Im right here, dear, Ive always been with you, I see and hear everything. Dont go out with that man, hes bad. Listen to your granny. Gran Doriss voice fades and she disappears.
Emily wakes, confused. She just saw her grandmother, yet shes gone. Realising it was only a dream, she returns to looking for a dress, but a knot of anxiety stays in her chest. Why would Gran Doris warn her about James when she never knew him? With no decision made, Emily falls asleep again, troubled.
DayX approaches. She never picks an outfit; everything slips through her fingers, and Gran Doriss words echo in her mind. She never believed in prophetic dreams, but now she wonders if her grannys spirit truly watches over her.
Saturday arrives, and Emily shows up at the restaurant in a modest dress. She feels off, and James notices at once. Everything alright, love? he asks. Nothing, everythings fine, she replies. He pretends to believe, jokes and tries to lift her mood. At the end of the dinner, just like in the movies, he drops to one knee and presents a small box with a ring.
Emily feels dizzy, a ringing in her ears, and suddenly sees Gran Doris looking out the window. The sight feels like a sign. Im sorry, James, I cant she begins, but James snaps, What did I do wrong? He shouts, Fine, you dont want to marry me, youre useless, go sit with your cat! He storms out.
Emily is stunned. The man she thought was kind, intelligent, loving, just turned into a monster. No husband, no children, no family.
The next day she visits her former classmate Andrew at his workplace. He works for the Metropolitan Polices investigative unit and often helps old school friends. Emily asks him to run a background check on James, providing a photo and details.
The following afternoon Andrew calls. Emily, Im sorry James is a fraud. He targets single women, marries them, then forces them to transfer property and take out large loans for his supposed business, evicts them afterwards and divorces them. Hes been convicted several times. He adds, You got lucky to walk away in time.
Emily cant believe how Gran Doris could have known. She thanks her spirit for watching over her and saving her from disaster.
Emily stops by the corner shop, buys groceries and cat food for Misty, and walks home with a spring in her step, knowing shes not alone; Gran Doris is still somewhere nearby.
They say the souls of loved ones watch over us after theyre gone, becoming guardian angels that shield us from misfortune. Emily wishes that to be true, and hopes it is.
