Theres No Such Thing as Coincidence
It had been nearly four years since Emilys mother died, yet the sorrow and longing still felt raw. She remembered that evening after the funeral so clearly. Her father, Henry, sat drained, defeated by his grief, while Emilys own tears had long run dry. Silence weighed heavily in their sturdy, spacious home.
At sixteen, Emily understood how impossible and painful life now seemed for her and her father; they had once all been so happy together. Henry put his arm around her shoulders and murmured,
Well just have to carry on, love. Well get used to it, somehow
Time passed. Emily trained as a nurse and recently started working at the health centre in her village. She lived in the family home alone, as her father had remarried a year ago and moved to a nearby village with his new wife. Emily harboured no resentment; life moved on, and she too expected shed marry someday. Her father was still young.
One sunny afternoon, Emily stepped off the bus in a pretty new dress and shoesit was her fathers birthday, and she couldnt wait to see him.
Hello, Dad! she beamed as they hugged warmly in the garden where hed come to meet her. She handed over her gift. Happy birthday!
Hello, sweetheart, come on in, the tables all set, Henry replied cheerfully, and they went inside.
Emily, youve made it at last! called out Susan, her stepmother, emerging from the kitchen. The children were about to start gnawing their own arms off.
Henry had been living with Susans family for the past year. Susan had a thirteen-year-old daughter, Molly, who was quite the little troublemaker, and a ten-year-old son. Emily didnt visit often; this was only her second visit in a year, and she tried to ignore Mollys cheeky comments, which her mother never discouraged.
After the meal and a round of questions, Susan got down to business with Emily.
Have you got a boyfriend yet?
I do, Emily replied, slightly embarrassed by the bluntness.
Are you two planning a wedding? Susan pressed on.
Well see how things go, Emily said, hoping to shut down the interrogation.
Susan gave a tight smile. Look, Emily, your father and I have talked. Hes not going to support you financially anymore. He gives you too much, and with a bigger family now its not fair. Time to stand on your own two feetyouve got a job, dont you? Maybe let a husband look after you for a change.
Now, Susan, Henry interrupted, That wasnt quite what Itruth is, I give her less than I give this household
But Susan didnt let him speak, raising her voice.
Youre her cashpoint! Its not right for the rest of us to go without.
Henry fell silent, ashamed. Emily felt sick and excused herself, escaping to sit on a bench outside until her nerves settled. The birthday celebration was well and truly spoiled. Shortly after, Molly appeared beside her.
You are pretty, Molly said, to which Emily just nodded, not in the mood for small talk. Mums just freaked out cause shes pregnant, Molly added, flashing a sly grin. Youll get to know her properly soon enough, just wait! She scampered back inside laughing.
Emily stood and left the garden, glancing back to see her father watching from the doorstep. Three days later, Henry and Susan turned up at Emilys home unexpectedly.
You caught me by surprise, but come inI’ll put the kettle on, Emily offered politely.
Susan looked around the house, taking everything in. Well, its a good solid house. Not many like this left in the village.
My dad built it himself, with his mate Uncle Geoff, didnt you, Dad?
Oh, I just did my best, love, Henry replied.
I know Im lucky, Susan said. Actually, we came to talk about this house.
Emily instantly grew wary. Im not giving up my share. I grew up here and it means too much.
Sharp as a tack, arent you? Susan said with barely masked irritation. She nudged Henry.
Love, we need to solve this. My family’s growing, and this house is just right size-wise, especially with a baby on the way If you sell up, you can buy a flat somewhere. If youre short, Ill help you out with the rest, Henry said, unable to meet her gaze.
Emily was speechless. Dad, how can you say that?
You need to accept it: this isnt just your home anymore! Susan exclaimed. This place is too big for you on your own. Time for you to move on, and thats that.
Dont you dare shout at me, said Emily, standing up. I think its time you left.
After theyd gone, Emily felt utterly crushed. Yes, her father deserved happiness, but not at her expense. She would not sell the home where her mother had lived.
Later, Tom, her boyfriend, stopped by. Seeing Emilys face, he was taken aback.
Hello, beautifulwhats wrong? he asked.
She threw herself into his arms, sobbing, and told him everything once shed composed herself. Tom, strong and calm from working as a police officer, comforted her.
Your dads a good man, just overwhelmed. Susans wound him right round her little finger. Dont you worry, Emwell get solicitors involved if we have to. Whatever you do, dont agree to sell your share.
Back at their place, Henry couldnt relax. Things with Susan had been good at first, but lately she seemed angrier and always wanted more money, pushing to sell the old family home. Henry was beginning to think hed made a mistakethen came news of Susans pregnancy, which complicated everything.
One evening, Henry fetched his phone from another room and overheard Susan on her mobile.
She just wont budge, Susan was saying in a low, angry voice. Well just have to sort it ourselves. Ill have another word, and if notIll find a way to handle him too.
She hung up and spun around, surprised to see Henry.
Who was that? he asked.
Oh, just a friend, Susan replied too quickly.
Dont lie, Susan. You were talking about selling the house, Henry said.
My friend knows an estate agent, could help us find a buyer, Susan said, putting on a wounded expression. Emily would be glad if we soldgood money, you know.
But you said youd deal with him if neededwhat did you mean?
Oh, that was about the garage, maybe well sell that too someday, she lied.
Henry believed herhis instinct for trouble dulled.
Emily was working late, autumn darkness setting in, and Tom was called onto a job so couldnt walk her home. She hoped to get in quickly and lock the door. Almost home, a car pulled up alongside, and a large man jumped out, bundling Emily into the back seat before she could cry out. The car sped off.
Who are you? What do you want? she sobbed. You must have the wrong person but a voice in the car chuckled.
There are no accidents in our work. Do as youre told and no harm will come to you or your father, the stranger said calmly.
Whats my dad got to do with this?
Youll sign the paperwork to sell the house in two days, take the money, and move out. The buyers are ready.
This is illegal! Im not signing anything and Ill go straight to the police. Im not selling my home Her words ended as a fist struck her jaw, the taste of blood filling her mouth.
Were not scared of your precious police or your boyfriend, the man sneered. Refuse, and you wont live to regret it. Maybe your copper boyfriend can work out who did it if he interferes, hes next.
Suddenly, flashing blue lights appeared in the rear windowone, then another, from police cars. The driver tried to speed off but, in his panic, sent the car crashing into a ditch.
Tom, it turned out, had asked his friend Max to keep an eye on Emily when she worked late. Max saw her get forced into the car and called Tom immediately, who sent every officer available.
As it later emerged, the culprit threatening Emily turned out to be Susans loverand the father of her unborn child. Together, they had planned to force Emily to sell Henrys house so they could cash in, with the daughter out of the way and Henry to be dealt with later if needed.
In time, everything came out. Henry divorced Susan and moved back home, where he continued running his small auto-parts business. One evening, Henry, Emily, and Tom sat around the table together in the old family home. For Henry, the house was now twice as precious.
Dont worry, Dad, youll never be on your own, Emily said brightly.
Are you going to tell me youre getting married? Henry asked.
Ive proposed to Emily, and shes said yesweddings all booked in, Tom said with a grin, exchanging laughing glances with Emily.
Yes, Dadand even when I move in with Tom, well still visit you all the time. Well be living close by
Oh, love, Im so sorry for everything, for all the mistakes I made, Henry said, his eyes misting as he looked at the faded photograph of his late wife.
Thats all in the past, Dad. Things are good now, and theyre only going to get better.
Sometimes those who try to take shortcuts, or hurt others in pursuit of their own interests, end up losing the most. Family isnt just about bloodit’s about kindness, loyalty, and knowing when to stand up for whats right.
Thank you for reading. Wishing you every happiness in life!
