You never really loved me, did you? You only married me out of convenience. Now youll leave when Im ill
I wont leave you! Emily said, pulling David into her arms. Youre the best man in the world. Id never leave you.
David couldnt believe it, not truly. He was in low spirits, plagued by doubts.
Emily had spent twenty-five years as a married woman, and throughout all those years, men seemed drawn to her. Even as a young girl, she was the most sought afternot simply for her looks, as she wasnt especially beautiful, but there was something about her.
Even in school, most boys would run after Emily. There was an allure she had, an inner light.
But she never left her husband Benjamin, despite him being a complicated man.
No, Emily stayed by Benjamins side until his passing. Theyd raised their daughter, Lucy, and seen her marry a wonderful man. Lucys husband took her off to Spain for work, and now they sent sunny pictures from abroad, inviting Emily to visit. She and Ben had always talked about going together, but somehow never got round to it. Perhaps, Emily thought, she might still make the journey one day. As for Ben, he was gone.
Benjamin died in a car accidenta senseless loss. Later, Emily was told hed likely felt faint behind the wheel, perhaps he lost consciousnesshis heart had always been fragile.
Maybe he blacked out? Emily had wondered.
Well never know for sure now, her friend Paula, who worked as a nurse, had sighed. The official causemultiple injuries, incompatible with life.
Emily was numb with shock. Paula had helped with all the arrangements, finding out the details through her connections. Ben was laid to rest, and Emily was left alone in the large house theyd spent their lives building together.
For a couple, the house never felt overly bigespecially whenever they had family or friends visiting. But for one person, for a woman alone, it was sizeable, and at times, overwhelming. A house always needs a mans hand somewhere.
Lucy came home to say her goodbyes and broached the subject of selling the house, perhaps buying a flat or Emily moving abroad to live with them in Spain.
No, absolutely not! Emily had protested. Do you think I spent my life building this house just to sell it? And as for Spainno thank you. Ive seen your Spain.
Mum!
Oh Lucy, dont take everything so seriously! Emily said, smiling through her tears. Im only joking.
Well, if youre joking, maybe things arent quite so bleak, Lucy had replied, hope flickering in her eyes.
Things truly were ambiguous, just as ambiguous as Ben himself had been. On the one hand, hed been a caring, doting husband. On the other, he could be moody, and on a bad day, would wind Emily up to her wits end. Later hed apologise, and Emily, being forgiving by nature, was quick to move on. Twenty-five years they had lived this way. Madness, really.
Lucy stayed a while, then lefther husbands demanding job awaited and she wanted to feed the hearth and keep her own home warm. Emily remained alone.
Yet, knowing herself, Emily realised her solitude wouldnt last forever, and she was proved right. Within six months, after her tears had dried, she noticed a group of men already vying for her attention.
Even Emilys mother had once been bemused by the interest her daughter always inspired. What on earth do they see in you, Em? Theyre falling at your feet! Youre not exactly a stunner or do I just not get it?
Mother, youre lovely! Emily would reply, touching up her lipstick in the mirror. Beauty isnt what matters. Its meaningless. A woman must be charming, charismatic, have a bit of mystery.
Off with you then, before your suitor finds someone else! her mum would laugh.
Another one will come along, Emily would shrug, unconcerned.
Now, nearly thirty years had passed since that chat with her mum, and nothing really had changed. Women still complained about how hard it was to meet a decent man after forty, how there was never anyone to marry. Emily didnt understand the problem. At forty-six, she now had not one, but two proper suitors, both of them good men.
Emilys heart was drawn to Richardhe appealed to her both in conversation and in appearance. He was clever and well-spoken, always a pleasure to talk to and to be seen with at social events. But, in truth, Richard was only ever truly gifted with words. Emily realised, with age and experience, that a charming conversationalist didnt always make for a good life partner. Not for her big house and her needs.
The second suitor, David, was a straightforward, dependable man. The sort to cheerfully drink a bottle at a celebration, but also the sort whose hands could fix, build, or mend anything. A man with golden hands, easy-going but strong at heart.
At home, David would be gentle and good-natured, but, if push came to shove, hed move mountains for his wife. Funny, Emily liked him a little lessthat daft female logic. He didnt sweep her off her feet with romantic speeches. Sober, David was quiet by nature, though if hed had a couple drinks, he could be the life of the party, telling jokes and stories. And yes, David could indeed drink, but the next morning hed splash his face with cold water and get on with his day. Not much for words, but always ready to act. David was the one Emily chose in the end.
Richard was put outhis honeyed words had come to nothing, and he left.
Emily married David, and he was overjoyed. He drank a bit too much at their wedding, danced and sang till he was exhausted.
Well, you dont waste time, Em, her friend Paula had chuckled. Barely a year since Ben passed, and already youre remarried. Look at you! Women cant find a decent man for love nor money, and you only have to step outside your door!
And youll ask me what they see in me next, eh? Youre not even what most would call a beauty!
Nonothing like that, but you always were suspiciously in demand, thats for sure.
I dont know what they see. Emily had grinned at Paula. Go ask my mum.
With a wink, she left Paula to dance with David, whod just come to claim her for a waltz. As they twirled around the floor, she let her last doubts disappear.
So what if David was a simple soul? He was strong and capable. Looked rather good for his age, too. And if he was quiet most of the time, maybe that was a blessing. If shed chosen Richardwell, you cant live on pretty words.
Within a few months, David had transformed Emilys garden into a wonderlandclearing old trees, levelling the ground, building her flowerbeds and a lovely wooden gazebo. Around the house, too, his solid presence was felt.
Emily realised shed chosen wisely. Absolutely the right husband.
David also brought in money, always trying to please Emily with thoughtful gifts. Comparing her brief second marriage to the twenty-five years with Ben, Emily honestly regretted not meeting David sooner. He was a real treasure.
In summertime, they would barbecue in the evenings, dining in the gazebo where David had set up a beautiful wooden table and benches. Having eaten, Emily would smile contentedly, feeling like a well-fed cat. David would beam at her.
What is it, Dave?
Nothing. Im just happy.
His first wife had been a real bore. David never believed hed meet a woman as wonderful as Emily.
Their happiness lasted four years, until one day, David began feeling off. He tired easily, lost weight, and if he had a drinkwhich he still enjoyed now and thenhe felt really unwell afterwards.
David, you need to see a doctor! Emily finally insisted. What are you waiting for? Somethings not right.
Nonsense, Em. Ill be fine!
Oh, dont be ridiculous! What if it doesnt just go away? Are you one of those men whore scared of doctors?
No
Truth was, David wouldnt tell Emily what he was really scared of: that if he was seriously unwell, Emily would pack up and leave. Why would she want to stay with a sick man?
David wasnt foolishhe knew Emily had married him for practical reasons, not because of some grand passion. But he loved her, against all odds.
The first time he saw her, lost in the supermarket, unable to find her purse in her handbag, something about her vulnerability touched him deeply. He just wanted to protect her, always. His mother had said, after she met Emily, Well, son, its your life. But I dont quite see what you see in her. Shes not a beauty, not young. You could have your pick of the younger ones!
But David hadnt wanted anyone but Emily. And now, if he was ill, would Emily still want him?
She never did persuade him to see the doctor. Then came a Saturday evening, with Paula and her husband, Mark, over for a barbecue. David and Mark were out in the garden grilling, Paula and Emily in the kitchen tossing salads.
Is David poorly? Paula asked quietly.
I just dont know! Emily burst out. Ive begged him to see a doctor. He just wont go! Youre a nurse, what do you think? Hes not well, is he?
Well he doesnt look great. Lost weight. And I think his skins a bit yellowish.
Oh, goodness! Paula, talk some sense into him, please. Maybe hell listen to you, youre a professional!
Paula looked thoughtfully at her friend. Em do you love him? I remember your hesitations
Emily bit her lip and said nothing.
But Paula never got the chance to persuade Davidhe fainted right at the table. They called an ambulance. Emily rode with him to hospital, clutching his hand, praying for him to wake up.
He had surgery almost at once.
Theyve found a tumour on the liver.
Cancer?! Emily cried.
Were waiting for the test results now.
The tumour turned out to be benign, but it was already large by the time David was operated on.
The doctors forbade David most things, warning recovery wouldnt be easy, and might never be completehe wasnt young anymore.
David was miserable. His mother visited him in hospital while Emily was at work, bringing food from the short list he was allowed.
Son, whats with you? You survived! Its not cancer. You should be grateful, but you just lie here moping. Hereeat your steamed vegetables.
Im not hungry.
You need to eat, David. Whats wrong? Does Emily visit?
She comes for now, David replied, gloom in his voice.
Whats with you, then? You think shell leave? Dont be so daft!
Im finished. I cant do anything. I cant even work. Im not even fifty yet and Im an invalid. Whod want an invalid?
Whats going on in here, you two? Emily walked in, surprised. Youre making a racket. Good afternoon, Mrs. Turner!
Well, Ill go. Bye, Emily. Take care.
Whats happened? Emily asked after Davids mum had left.
She washed her hands and sat by her husbands bedside.
Well now, come on, Mr. Invalid! Arms and legs all still attached. Thats hardly an invalid. The rest will heal. Do you know what I read about the liver?
What?
The liver can mend itself. If fifty-one percent remains, it can regenerate. And youve got sixty percent left. Give it time. Youll be right as rain.
Do I have time, though?
What? Emily asked, puzzled.
Time.
David, whats really wrong? Has the doctor told you something they havent told me?
No, its not that
Eventually, David was discharged. That began what he saw as the hardest chapter of his life. If he tried to do even the slightest bit of physical work, hed get exhausted in no time. That was the worst of it for him.
And his looming birthday just made things worsenothing nice to eat, no celebratory drinks allowed. Oh, the joy.
Emily seemed oblivious, happily consuming bland food alongside David, chatting as though nothing was amiss.
Emily he finally said one day. What happens to us now?
What do you mean?
Well Im recovering so slowly. Youll leave me, wont you? Go on, say it now.
Why on earth should I leave you? she replied, looking genuinely surprised. I love being with you.
Yeah, that was when I could do everything, when I could work. Whats so good now? Even I dont much like myself these days.
Thats nonsense. Pull yourself together, will you?
Im trying! But its pathetictwo taps of the hammer and Im wiped out.
Emily walked over and embraced him from behind, resting her cheek on his head.
I love you, you silly man. Ill never leave you. And you dont have to rush your recovery. Let things happen as they will.
You really do love me? Truly?
Absolutely.
Emily never left Davids side. He recovered, slowly but surely.
For his milestone birthday, Emily planned a party with no spiritsso he wouldnt feel left out. A few friends came, they sat in the gazebo, played board games late into the evening.
Youre a lucky man, David, his friends said to him on their way out.
Youll probably all go and have a drink in my honour now anyway? he asked with a grin.
They laughed, then left.
Later that night, he and Emily sat outside on the porch, looking up at the star-filled sky, feeling content. For the first time in many months, David felt honestly better. He finally believed he was getting well again, and that Emily truly wasnt going anywhere.
He pulled her closer.
What is it, Dave?
Everythings perfect, he said quietly.
At last, Emily smiled, kissing him on the cheek.
They were happy.
It’s in the steadfast warmth of ordinary days, and the strength to keep loving through hardship, that we find the truest happinessand learn that real love is about staying, not leaving, when life gets tough.
