Emily never imagined at twenty what lay ahead. She was at university, deeply in love with James, and already dreaming of their weddingtheyd even started talking about it.
James was older, having finished his military service before attending the autumn ball at her school. Shed just been in sixth form then. Shed never forget the first time she saw him. They lived in the same town, even attended the same school, though hed graduated years before.
*Whos this gorgeous man?* Emily thought as James walked into the hall.
He scanned the room, searching for familiar faces, and when their eyes met, he smiled. She fell for him instantly. How could she not? He wasnt like the other lads.
“Hi, Im James,” he said, approaching her. “And you are?”
She blushed. “Emily.”
“Fancy a dance?” He took her hand, and they spun across the floor.
She barely felt the ground beneath her. James held her firmly, guiding her effortlessly, and she moved with him as if theyd danced together forever.
“Youre a natural,” he grinned.
He stayed by her side all evening, and by the end, theyd agreed hed walk her home. They wandered for hours, reluctant to part, but Emily knew her mum would worry if she stayed out too late.
James never let life grow dull. After finishing school, Emily enrolled at a local university while James worked. He radiated energy, lifting the mood of everyone around him. His wide circle of friends meant they were always at weddings or gatherings.
Even in the dead of winter, hed surprise her with roses. Every date felt like a celebrationcafés, countryside trips, sometimes with mates, sometimes just the two of them.
During her third year, he surprised her again.
“Ive booked us a skiing trip over the holidays. Youll learn in no timebrilliant instructors there.”
“James, youre the best!” She threw her arms around his neck, then laughed. “WaitIm terrified of heights! You knew that, right?”
The trip was unforgettable. Emily mastered the slopes faster than she expected, loving every second, and was gutted when it ended.
Then came Mothers Day. James arrived at her house with two bouquetsone for Emilys mum, the other for her.
“Happy Mothers Day,” he said, handing the first to her mum, then turning to Emily. “And these are for you, love.”
“James, you shouldnt spend so much,” her mum chided.
“Its worth it,” he said. “Tom and Dave are heading up north for workasked me to join. Theyre laying power lines, paying well. A few months, and Ill have enough for the wedding and a car.”
“I dont want you to go,” Emily pleaded.
“Just three or four months. Well call every day. I want to give you the wedding you deserve.”
“Id marry you in a registry office tomorrow if it meant staying together.”
But James had made up his mind. He left with his mates. The pay was good, and they rang often.
One day, mid-lecture, unease gripped herthen faded. Theyd spoken the night before, so she wasnt expecting a call. But by evening, dread settled in. She rang him instead. No answer. She tried five times. Nothing.
She called Dave instead, relief washing over her when he picked up.
“Dave, wheres James?”
Silence. Then: “Hes gone, Em.”
“What do you mean, *gone*?” The line went dead.
“Mum!” she screamed, sobbing.
The nightmare unfolded. Later, she learned James had been electrocuted on the job. His mother, Margaret, stood hollow with grief, barely speaking. His father and younger brother, Robert, went to bring him home. The funeral passed in a blur of darkness.
Emily shut down. She visited Margaret often, sitting wordlessly beside her or visiting Jamess grave.
Oddly, Margaret clung to her, insisting she stay close. Even as summer arrived and classes ended, she asked Emily to come to the seaside with her.
Emilys own mum urged her to move on, but she agreeda week away wouldnt hurt.
Mornings were spent on the beach, afternoons resting in their room. Margaret seemed calmer. Emily, never one for naps, scrolled through her phone while Margaret dozed.
Life buzzed around her, but loneliness clung like a shadow. She wandered to the seafront, staring at the horizon where sky met water. Gulls cried, cars hummed, children laughed. The world carried on without him.
“Youre beautiful, but you look so sad,” a voice said.
She turned, ready to snapbut hesitated. There was something of James in him. She couldnt place it.
“Beautiful people arent meant to be happy,” she murmured.
“I disagree,” he said. “Im William.”
“Emily.”
They exchanged a few words before she walked away. William watched her go. Hed noticed her days agoalways solemn, never alone.
Two days before leaving, she bumped into him at the shops. He took her bags without asking.
“Lets talk,” he said, nodding to a nearby café.
She agreed.
“I leave in three days,” he said. “You?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“Lucky I caught you.” He grinned. “Where do you live?”
She named her town. His eyes widened.
“Me too.”
They swapped numbers.
William had graduated from her uni and worked at the councils design office. Single nowhis last relationship had ended badly. Meeting Emily felt like fate.
She told him about James, about Margaret. He frowned.
“Odd she wont let you go. Usually, parents distance themselves.”
“I dont get it either.”
Back at the hotel, Margaret was agitated.
“Where were you?”
“Shopping. Then a walk.”
Emily was growing weary. Maybe it was time to step back.
That evening, as they packed, she mentioned starting fresh at home.
Margaret gave her a strange look.
“Another life? Of courseyoure young. Id hoped well, you and James were together so long. I thought you might be carrying his child. And Roberts still heremaybe you and him”
Emily recoiled.
*Thats why shes kept me close.* Disgust twisted inside her.
“No,” she snapped. “I dont want anyoneespecially not Robert.” She burst into tears, the first real cry since the funeral. After, she felt lighter.
She was done.
*Home,* she thought. *Maybe meeting William was a blessing.*
The new term began. She and William grew closer. One day, she visited Jamess grave alone.
“Goodbye,” she whispered. “You made me happier than I ever thought possible. But I have to live now. A different life without you.”
At the gates, William waited by the car.
She *was* living again. They married soon after, and by the next year, she was expecting their son. Margaret faded into the pastoccasional, awkward encounters, nothing more.
A different life, indeed.
