**Diary Entry**
The cab pulled up outside the cemetery gates. A young man stepped out and approached the woman selling flowers by the entrance. “Twelve tulips, please,” he said. After paying in pounds, he lowered his head and walked through the iron gates into the quiet rows of gravestones.
A year ago, Daniel had believed himself the happiest man alivedeeply in love, and loved in return. Then, in a single moment, everything changed. His beloved Emily was gone, taken in a car accident. It took him a month just to function again. His colleagues at work had been the ones to pull him through.
Near the headstone, Emilys mother sat on a bench. “Hello, Aunt Margaret,” Daniel said softly. “Good afternoon, Daniel,” she replied, rising to embrace him, burying her face in his chest as she wept. His eyes stayed fixed on the photo etched into the stoneEmilys bright smile frozen in time.
When Margaret composed herself, she helped him arrange the flowers properly. They stood in silence before she finally asked, “Still not married, then?”
“No. I cant forget your daughter. Its like her heart still calls to me.” Margaret nodded, lowering her head in grief. The memory of that daythe hospital, her daughter lying motionless, the unbearable weight of lossstill blurred her mind. She turned to say something to Daniel but hesitated at the sorrow in his eyes.
Hed graduated from the police academy and worked for two years, recently promoted to sergeant. He still lived with his parents. The tragedy had shattered the rhythm of their lives. For a year, Daniel had barely functioned, spending his free time shut away in his room. That Saturday, he returned home sombre as ever.
“Daniel, will you eat?” his mother called from the hallway. He nodded and went to wash his hands before sitting at the table. His mother hesitated, then said, “Your father and I visited your grandparents graves today” She cut herself off when she saw his expression darken.
“I went to see Emily too.”
“Love, its been a year. Emilys gone, but you must keep living.”
“I cant, Mum. Its like shes pulling me toward her.”
“Daniel, dont say such things!” she said, alarmed.
“Its fine. I know you and Dad want me to marry, but not yet.” He finished his meal and retreated to his room.
Police work was demanding, often keeping him out late. Exhausted, Daniel lay down and didnt even notice when sleep took him.
He dreamed of Emily calling to himsomething that happened oftenbut this time was different. It felt urgent, as if she were in trouble. He woke in a rush, bolting to the front door.
“Son, whats wrong?”
“I need air.”
Outside, his feet carried him without thought. He reached the park and froze. Three drunk lads had cornered a terrified girl.
“Whats going on here?” Daniel demanded.
The girls eyes locked onto his, pleading.
“Mind your own business!” one of them slurred, lurching forwardonly to hit the ground a second later.
“Take your mate and leave. Now,” Daniel ordered. The other two scrambled to obey, dragging their friend away.
The girl stood frozen, hand clutching her chest, then fumbled for a pill and slipped it under her tongue. Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Easy now,” Daniel said gently, resting a hand on her shoulder.
“Th-thank you,” she stammered.
“Let me walk you home.”
As they walked, she steadied herself, and he asked, “Whats your name?”
“Alice.”
“Im Daniel. What happened back there?”
“II take walks here. Doctors orders. Those boys just”
“I see.” He eyed her cautiously. “Your heart?”
“Born with it. A year ago, it nearly gave out. Had surgery. Doctors say Ill be fine now.”
Listening to her, Daniel felt an odd lightness in his chestas if Emily were beside him.
They stopped at a modern block of flats. “I live here,” Alice said, glancing at him with a quiet sadness.
“Glad we met.”
“Daniel, come inside. Ill introduce you to my mum.”
“Is that all right?” He couldnt hide his smile.
“Of course.”
Her flat was elegant, filled with expensive furnishings. Her mother stepped out, surprised at her daughters rare glowand the stranger beside her.
“Mum, this is Daniel. He saved me from some thugs.”
“Eleanor Whitmore,” the woman said warmly. “Come to the kitchen. Tell me what happened.”
As Eleanor set out tea, Alice recounted the ordeal. When she finished, her mother shook her head. “No more walks there, darling.” Then she studied Daniel. “How did you end up there?”
“My heart led me,” he joked weakly.
“And your job?”
“Police.”
“Ah. That explains the quick work with those lads.” She hesitated. “Not married?”
“No.” The answer pleased herbut suspicion flickered. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-five soon.”
Her doubts deepened. A handsome, unmarried twenty-five-year-old? She fell silent. Daniel guessed her thoughts.
“There was someone. She died a year ago.”
“Im so sorry, Daniel.”
They finished tea in quiet. Then he stood. “Thank you. I should go.” Seeing Alices uncertainty, he added, “Lets swap numbers. If anyone bothers you, call me.”
That night, sleep eluded him. *Whats happening to me? Walking with her, I swore I heard Emilys heartbeat.*
He closed his eyesbut for the first time, Emilys face blurred, replaced by Alices. He slept past midnight.
In the morning, he shaved, washed, then dialled the new number in his phone.
“Hello?” Alice sounded surprised.
“Fancy some company at the shops?”
“Really?”
“Wait there. Im coming.”
When he arrived, she stood hesitant, barely stopping herself from hugging him. Her mother appeared in the hallway.
“Good afternoon, Eleanor.”
“Mum, were going shopping. Need anything?”
“Just enjoy yourselves.”
Daniel took Alice home. His mothers face lit upthe first girl hed brought back in a year.
“Come in! Lunch is ready.”
“Mum, this is Alice.” He grinned at her. “Alice, my mum, Margaret.”
“Pleasure!” Margaret looked happier than she had in months.
His father emerged, feigning sternness but failing to hide his smile.
Over lunch, Alice charmed them, desperate to impress. Afterwards, she helped clear the table, chatting brightly with Margaret.
Daniel touched her arm. “Come see my room.”
He opened the door, nudging her inside
She gasped, hands flying to her mouth. Her eyes locked onto the framed photo on his wall: Daniel and Emily, smiling.
“Whats wrong?”
“Thats Emily.”
“You knew her?”
“A year ago, I was dying. She didnt make it. The transplant”
“Her heart is in you?”
Tears spilled over. “Yes.”
He stared, her face and Emilys overlapping in his mind. For the first time, he thought of fate. *God brought her back to me. I wont lose her again.*
He pulled Alice close. “Ill never leave you,” he vowed, as if swearing on the Bible itself.
Was it chance? Or something more?
