Veronica never imagined at twenty what life had in store. She was studying at university, deeply in love with Daniel, dreaming of their weddingconversations about it had already begun.
Daniel was older, having finished his military service when he attended the Autumn Ball at their old school, where Veronica was still a sixth-form student. She remembered the first time she saw him clearly. Though theyd grown up in the same towneven attended the same schoolhe had graduated years before.
*”Who is that gorgeous man?”* The thought flashed through her mind as she caught sight of Daniel.
He stepped into the hall, scanning the room for familiar faces, then locked eyes with her and smiled. She fell for him instantly. How could she not? He was extraordinary, unlike any other boy shed known.
“Hi, Im Daniel. And you are?” He approached her, and she flushed, cheeks blooming pink. “Care to dance?” His hand settled at her waist, and they spun across the floor.
“Veronica”
She barely felt the ground beneath her, weightless as he guided her effortlessly, every movement synced.
“Veronica,” he murmured, grinning. “Youre a natural.”
He stayed by her side all evening. By the end, hed promised to walk her home. They lingered under the streetlights, reluctant to part, but Veronica knew she had to goher mother would worry.
Daniel never let life grow dull. After A-levels, she enrolled at a local university while he worked. Boredom was foreign to him; his infectious energy lifted everyone around him. Friends adored him, and soon, Veronica was swept into his worldweddings, gatherings, laughter.
Even in winter, he brought her roses. Every date felt like a celebrationcosy cafés, countryside escapes with friends.
During her third year, he surprised her.
“Ive booked us a ski trip for the holidays. Youll learngreat instructors there.”
She squealed, throwing her arms around him. Then, laughing, she pulled back. “Waityou know Im terrified of slopes, right?”
The trip was unforgettable. Veronica mastered the basics quickly, even loving the thrill, dreading the end. Then came Mothers Day. Daniel arrived with two bouquets.
“Happy Mothers Day,” he said, handing one to Veronicas mum, the other to her. “For you, my beauty.” His lips brushed her cheek as she beamed at the crimson blooms.
“Daniel, this is too much,” her mother chided.
He shrugged. “Tom and Jake are heading up north for workasked me to join. Wiring high-voltage lines, pays well. Should save enough for the wedding. Maybe a car, too.”
“I dont want you to go,” Veronica blurted.
“Just three, four months. Well call. I want our wedding perfectyou do too, dont you?”
She swallowed. “Id marry you in a registry office tomorrow. I just want you here.”
But his mind was made up. The pay was good; calls were frequent.
Then, mid-lecture, unease prickled Veronicas skin. It faded, but that evening, dread coiled in her chest. She called himunusual, since he always called first. No answer. Her pulse hammered, temples throbbing.
*Why isnt he picking up?* Five calls. Silence.
She dialled Jake. He answered, voice hollow.
“Jake, wheres Daniel?”
A pause. Then: “Daniels gone.”
“Gone where?” The line clicked dead.
“Mum!” she screamed, collapsing into sobs.
The nightmare unfolded. Later, she learned: a live wire, a fatal shock. Daniels mother, Margaret, withered by grief, spoke little. Waited while his father and younger brother, Ryan, brought him home. The funeral blurredblack veils, unbearable silence.
Veronica moved through days numb. She visited Margaret, sat wordlessly beside her, walked the cemetery paths. Oddly, Margaret clung to her, begging her to stay closeespecially once summer break began. They visited churches, drank tea.
“Lets go to the seaside,” Margaret suggested one day.
Veronica agreed, though she couldnt fathom why. Daniel was gone. Yet Margaret wouldnt let go. Even her own mother urged her to move on. Still, they went.
Mornings, they lounged on the beach; afternoons, Margaret napped while Veronica scrolled her phone, restless. Life bustled around herlaughter, shrieking gullsbut loneliness gnawed.
One evening, she wandered the promenade, watching the horizon where sea met sky. A distant ferry, tiny as a toy.
“Beautiful, yet so sad.”
A mans voice. She turned, ready to snapbut hesitated. Something about him reminded her of Daniel.
“Beautiful things rarely stay happy,” she murmured.
“I disagree.” He smiled. “Im Gregory.”
“Veronica.”
A few exchanged words, then she walked away. Gregory watched her go. Hed noticed her days agoalways shadowed by an older woman, never smiling.
Two days before leaving, she bumped into him at a shop. He grabbed her bags.
“Let me help.”
They spoke over coffee. He was leaving soon toocoincidentally, from the same town. An architect, single after a messy breakup.
She confessed her grief, Margarets grip on her. He frowned.
“Odd. Parents usually pull away after that.”
“I dont get it either.”
They swapped numbers, promised to meet back home.
Returning, Margaret scowled. “Where were you?”
Veronicas patience frayed. Maybe her mother was rightthis was suffocating.
That night, packing, she mentioned starting anew. Margarets gaze sharpened.
“Another life? Of course. Youre young. ButId hoped you might be carrying Daniels child. Or perhaps Ryan”
Veronica recoiled. “No. Never.”
Tears came then, hot and cleansing. Clarity struck: *This ends now.*
Autumn arrived. Veronica dated Gregory. One day, she visited Daniels grave alone.
“Goodbye,” she whispered. “Thank you for everything. I have to live now.”
At the gates, Gregory waited. A new life, bright with promise. She seldom saw Margaret. By spring, she was married, expecting a son.
Daniel had been her first love. Gregory was her future.
