My Final Word: My Dear Daughter, Feel Free to Hold a Grudge Against Your Father as Long as You Like.

My word is final. You, my dear, may stay angry at your dad as long as you like.

Its his soul thats rotten, so dont argue, Emily. Go with Mark and thats that. With him youll live behind a stone wall, never hearing a single nasty word from him.

My word is final. You, my dear, can keep sulking at your old man. But I wont hand you over to James. Hold your tongue; I know the whole story. Hes a handsome singer, youll be smitten. Yet his heart is rotten. Dont argue, Emily. Go with Mark and thats that. Youll spend your life with him like behind a solid brick wall you wont hear any nasty things from him. Hes a good bloke, got it? Arthur Tarlow tried to hug his daughter.

Emily knew shed never go against her fathers will. She jerked his arm away, burst into tears and shouted, Ive no strength left for pampering!

Arthur Tarlow stared into his daughter’s bright blue eyes. Stubborn as a mule, but hed never let her be unhappy. So he declared firmly, Youll have to be sweet by force! Off you go, Emily!

By the riverside James waited for the girl, his heart thumping again. He was a dream, the sort youd want to spend every waking moment with.

In that instant Emily loathed her father with a ferocity shed never imagined. Hed always been her rock and role model, but nothing could soften that feeling not pleading, not cajoling.

Whats happening, Dad? Is he cruel or just melted? James ran a hand through her dark curls, his dark eyes locked onto hers, and asked.

He said we cant be together. Its all pointless You cant convince him, she sobbed, pressing her chest against his.

Try again! And why should I be ashamed of being his fiancée? Weve got a house, a farm, and hes as stubborn as a mule, James snapped, kicking at a waddling duckling that scuttled along the bank.

Watch out, you duck! Emily shrieked.

Oh, never mind, just something to think about. A ducks a duck. Dont fuss, itll be fine. Lets go for a walk, James said, leading her toward the woods.

On their way back home she ran into Mark. Seeing Emily, he flushed a bright crimson.

Short, freckled, with sandy hair and crystalblue eyes that Emily used to tease as bleached, he was the exact opposite of James. She wanted to hurl an insult at him, but then noticed a tiny duckling in his arms.

Where did you get that? she smiled.

I was down by the river, took a dip, saw it lying there. It was squeaking pitifully, so I picked it up. Its legs probably hurt. Ill show dad; he can tend animals, Mark said, giving Emily a quick glance.

She realised the poor duckling had just escaped Jamess boot. It wasnt his fault, but Emilys cheeks burned and she hurried away.

She felt ashamed that her lover had hurt the little creature while the man she despised was rescuing it. Why, indeed?

From then on the duckling stuck close to Mark, trailing him around the village, even sleeping on the hayloft beside him. It waddled behind, always checking that its favourite keeper hadnt wandered off.

There are swineherders, then theres a duckherder, you idiot. Ducks are only good for the table, James tried to tease Mark.

Mark just ignored him and walked on.

Soon the wedding day was set Mark and Emily. She wept nonstop. James tried to tempt her to run away, but she, though still lovesick, refused, picturing her fathers furious face.

If he blocked her at the doorstep, Mum would have no words against dad. Emily was an only child; Mum was frail, her two brothers gone in childhood. Shed grown up as a solitary daughter.

On the wedding morning she stood before the mirror. Her fathers eyes softened the white dress was stunning, her golden hair a halo.

The most beautiful bride! Arthur kissed his daughter.

He added, Still mad at me, love? I wish you happiness, my golden girl! Youll thank me later!

Never! I did as you wanted. But thank you No, Father, Emily turned toward the window.

James danced with Kate at the reception. Emily had always been jealous of Kate, watching how the girls eyes lingered on James. Well, what can you do? Emily was now a wife.

All that remained was to bite her elbows and watch her ex with another Emily stole a glance at Mark. He hadnt been drinking; the duckling was bobbing beside him.

Fool! she muttered angrily.

Mum helped her out of the dress. She cast horrified looks at the door, waiting for the unwanted guest. He stepped in, paused, stared at her pursed lips, then turned to leave.

What? Youre leaving? What will I say to people? That Im not liked? Emily sprang from the bed and ran to him.

He stood silently, glanced at her, tossed a scarf over his shoulder.

I like you. Very much. Youre my sweet, the best. Though I see youre repulsive, well manage. But until you come to me yourself, I cant, Mark said and walked away.

Thatll never happen! she shouted after him.

She met James later. He, reeking of whisky, tried to lure her back into the woods with a kiss.

Are you mad? What gives you the right? Emily snapped.

What? Youve got a husband now. You could still be with me, or not, James sneered.

She walked away

Days passed. The newlyweds settled apart, and Mark was always busy with something. One afternoon they went mushroompicking; Emily twisted her ankle, and Mark carried her in his arms.

Evenings they strolled, he rocked her on a swing over the pond, the duckling waddling close behind. Slowly, Jamess hatred faded.

She knew he was still seeing Kate, the wedding looming, but jealousy had evaporated. Emily didnt understand why these feelings lingered. Mark never pushed for anything.

One night a neighbours house caught fire. Emily woke to flames, ran out, and found a crowd gathered.

The neighbour, a mother of three, praised her: Youve been a hero. You were the first to run in, helped us all. What a lad you are.

Mark? Where is he? Emily asked, feeling the air grow cold.

Hes inside. Our dog, Buster, chased a cat and got stuck. I told him to fetch it, but hes still looking. Kids are shouting at the dog, the neighbour sighed, wiping her face.

Then the roof collapsed. Emily screamed and blacked out.

She came to, feeling a hand on her cheek. A mans eyes stared down at her from a dirty face.

Are you alright? The roof fell, she managed.

I got out through the window. Found Buster hidden under the bed. Just in time, he said, smiling at his wife.

I was scared for you. I love you! she sobbed, nestling against his shoulder.

Nine months later a son, Nathan, arrived. Mark, having learned his fathers tricks, could treat cows, horses, even the most hopeless animals. Folks travelled far to see him.

Emily loved her husband fully, yet she could never fathom how shed once been drawn to James, now married to Kate, a heavy drinker and a bully whod become a wreck. She shivered at the thought that, without her fathers iron will, she might have ended up like Kate.

She stepped outside. Arthur was tossing a ball with little Nathan.

Dad Dad, I wanted to thank you. For not letting me marry James. For seeing what was best for me. Forgive me, Emily said, kissing her father.

Ah, youth. Well, I get it. Weve lived long enough to tell whos worth a penny and whos not. I couldnt give my one beloved daughter to that monster. I knew you were angry, but thats old now. Listen to your elders. Weve seen a lot, so may God grant you happiness! Arthur smiled.

Emily lived to a ripe old age. She and Mark did everything together she mowed the fields, he worked nearby. They raised five children and a legion of grandchildren.

A happy family. The old saying No use crying over spilled milk took on a whole new meaning for them.

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