Emily’s Final Marriage
Emily first got married on the principle that «everyone marries, and it was time for me too.» She was working and studying part-time at a London business college. At 21, she suddenly realized she was alone.
Her schoolfriends one by one married, friendships dwindling as they grew busy. When a proposal appeared, she accepted without hesitation. James was handsome, smart, and financially secure. Her mother, a single parent who raised her, couldn’t stop raving about him.
Emily quit her job at the marketing firm, focusing on the home. James’s parents gifted them a two-bedroom flat in Manchester with subtle hints about grandchildren. Emily cheerfully arranged their new nest. She whipped up elaborate meals daily, scrubbed surfaces, and rearranged furniture endlessly.
After half a year, loneliness struck Emily. She noticed James’s peculiar behavior—he never adapted to married life. His bachelor habits stayed unchanged, supplemented now by a brilliant wife and tidy routines. Weekends were spent in solitude as he preferred colleagues’ pubs or coffee with neighbors. Together they played darts, went fishing, picnicked at parks.
He returned home late, drunk and cheerful, boasting to mates that his «perfect wife» never nagged.
If not for meeting love one evening, Emily might have stayed in this odd existence. It happened at Regent’s Park where she jogged. He sat on a bench, a lost intellectual. She stared, struck as in romance novels.
They introduced themselves. His name was Thomas. Unusually handsome, like a drama hero. They met in the park often. After three months, he confessed his love.
Emily was elated. She left James, shocking them both. Living in love was impossible—Thomas lived with his mother, Emily with hers.
They moved into a countryside cottage on Thomas’s friend’s estate. Emily worked in a solicitor’s office, commuting far. Nothing deterred lovers.
Thomas was laid off, stayed home cooking dinners. They lived this way until Emily learned she was pregnant. Thomas declared serious intentions. They married simply in a registry office.
Emily graduated, worked at a bank. They bought a flat with a mortgage, her mother helping financially.
At their 10-year school reunion, Emily declined—imminent childbirth.
Spring brought baby Will, a wonderful, perfect son. Thomas cared for the child while Emily returned to work after three months. Thomas remained unemployed, claiming importance in family life. By three, son started a private nursery.
Thomas grew bored, sank into depression, spending days on the sofa watching telly. Emily demanded action. He commuted to his mother’s, complaining endlessly about job hunting.
Emily took charge, offering him job leads. He sulked, moved permanently in with her mother.
Second marriage dissolved.
Emily vowed lifelong singlehood.
…Saturday evening, a pub reunion for their 15-year school milestone. Classmates still connected tightly.
Emily chose a high-waisted leather skirt and a striped shirt for her meet. Will stayed with her mother.
Walking in, she embraced friend Zinni, gossip buzzing—marriages, births, emigrants. It felt like yesterday.
Hugs around the room, warmth flowing. Max came last, causing her chest to tighten. Once classmates, frequent neighbors in school.
«You look amazing!» He smiled.
«Happy to see you!» She grinned.
They sat near each other.
«How are you?» Max asked.
«Good. Wonderfully good!»
He knew her stories—divorced, single parent, thriving. Rare for him.
Emily recounted Will’s pranks, Max envying her life.
Childless, unmarried. Two years with ex-wife, who left for a rising actor. He kept his job in industrial relations, a solid director’s role. Brief flings, serious love postponed.
Fate struck. Why now? He hadn’t noticed her for years, but seeing her transformed him—how easily he became a knight again, bold and wise.
Max excused himself, stepping outside. A cigarette, to think.
Memories of their old rapport, the way she made him feel—important. Shared laughter. The calm of her presence.
«Where’ve you been?» Zinni’s voice came from behind.
«Looking for you,» he replied, dreading any offense.
«Old habit, probably,» she laughed, following him in.
They danced, easy and peaceful.
«Must take her somewhere, explain our shared future,» he mused.
Leaving the pub, classmates heading to a lakeside cottage.
«We won’t go,» Max said.
«Don’t want to go home,» Emily countered.
«Then come to mine, discuss. I’ll call a taxi later.»
Emily blinked, no protest.
Home, Max brewed tea. They sipped in silence.
Finally, «Emily, honestly—do I have a chance to join your string of husbands?»
«One chance. Rush it, and I’ll be happy!»
Three months later, Emily married for the last time.
Wedding guests brimmed with classmates.