Bride for Hire: The Wedding’s Off! At a Family Dinner, Polly Stuns Her Parents by Announcing She’s C…

A BRIDE FOR HIRE

The weddings off! Emily announced over dinner, stunning her parents into silence.

Her mum almost choked on her tea, shocked by her daughters words.
Emmie! Are you out of your mind? Weve bought your dress, the ringsyouve booked the local pub! Jamie is waiting for this wedding like a child for Christmas… Oh, Em, tell me youre just having a laugh, her mum pleaded, eyes wide with worry.

No, Mum, Im not joking. Floyd and I will be moving to London soon. Its all very serious, Emily replied firmly.

London? But thats no place for youso strange and unfamiliar. Its full of strangers, a whole different world. You could end up with nothing! Honestly, this Floyd has filled your head with nonsensehes probably married already! Goodness knows how many kids. Hes old enough to be your dad! Jamie adores you, sweetheart. Hes part of the family. Dont throw away a good thing. Remember, what goes around comes around, her mum tried to reason, clearly distressed.

Ill deal with the consequences. Im not frightened, Emily said, unshaken.

A couple of weeks later, Emily and Floyd set off for England.

Emily had always dreamed of seeing how people lived in other countries. Shed mastered French, was fluent in English, and had made a start on Spanishwho knew where life would take her? After university, she worked as a translator at a travel agency. Thats where she had met Floyd, assigned to accompany him to various events as part of his business visit. Floyd, twice her age at forty-six, wasted no time making his intentions clearer than a spring sky.

Emily was outgoing, cheerful, pleasant enough to look at. Above all, she was youngjust twenty-three. At first, she indulged Floyds attention without much thought. She never expected him to proposeafter only a week! She hadnt told him she already had a wedding with her beloved Jamie right around the corner.

Emily agonised over her dilemma. Not everyone gets the chance to marry a foreigner. She couldnt let it pass her by! Maybe there was no love for Floyd, but there would be a fresh starta life full of excitement, change and adventure! Of course, shed always be thankful to Floyd for offering her a new life. Surely that was enough for a man with a young bride? Jamie would be hurt, but hearts mend. He was still younghed find someone new.

With such thoughts, Emily set off for her unknown new life.

She rang Jamie and confessed everything. Not understanding how it had all changed so quickly, Jamie nevertheless wished her happiness, broken-hearted, and eventually fell into months of silent drinking as he nursed his wounds.

Floyd and Emily landed in London.

Emily was breathless with happinesswas this really happening? Were her dreams coming true? She wanted to hug the whole world. How to hold onto this new happiness?

Floyd brought her to a grand house, where his family was waitingtwo grown sons, Hugh and Evan. (Later, Emily would marry Evan and find true happiness.) Then, out from a side room, came… Floyds former wife, Leonoraa smart and striking woman.

She was indignant.

Have you lost your mind, Flo? (Thats what Leonora used to call him at home.) Whos this girl? Where did you find her? Is she really living here with us? Leonoras voice rose with each question.

Yes, shell be living here. Remember, this is still my home. Emily will soon be my wife. Dont be cruel to her, Leonora, Floyd said in an apologetic, almost pleading tone.

Emily felt tense and awkward. It turned out the family, though technically split, still all lived together in their beautiful home. It became clear that Leonora ran the house with an iron fist. But in both mind and heart, Emily already felt herself drawn to Evan. He was no Jamie, with his drinking and grovelling apologies. Here, everything was differentan unwavering, sincere kind of love.

Floyds younger son was twenty-four, the spitting image of his motherhandsome and attractive. He couldnt help but notice the new guest his father had brought, from who-knows-where. There was a tangible spark between the two. Their souls seemed to tremble, yearning to plunge together into newfound feelings.

Floyd told Emily there would have to be a delay with the wedding, without giving a reason.

She agreed calmly. She had no intention of going back home.

They gave her a cosy little roomplenty of space in the house. Her relationship with Floyd was warm but innocent. Meanwhile, Leonora went out of her way to ignore Emily completely.

Three months passed. Over that time, Emily grew closer with Evan, who gradually revealed the reality of family affairs: Floyd, he confided, had always loved Leonora, and it was mutual. But one almighty row led to their divorce. Time passed but the wounds didnt heal. Finally, Floyd hit on a scheme to make Leonora jealoushed bring home a new fiancée and pretend he was about to remarry. Emily, it turned out, was perfect for the part.

The plan was, as soon as his ex-wife came to her senses, Emily would be sent home from England with souvenirs and a return ticket.

After hearing Evans confession, Emily burst out laughinghalf hysterical, half relieved.

Well, serves me right! Im apparently a bride for hire! Once, I ran away from my own groom. So, Evan, what do I do now?

Em, I cant live without you, Evan stepped forward, emboldened.

Me neither. At last, you said it! I thought youd never have the courage, Emily sighed with relief.

How could I have said anything, knowing you were my fathers fiancée? I had no idea about my parents gamesHugh told me. Of course I was glad. The girl Id fallen for was free at last! But, Emily, would you have married my father? Evan asked tentatively.

Oh Evan! The moment I first saw you, my plans changed for good. I would have turned your father down, she smiled.

They embraced closely, as if theyd always belonged together.

Emily forgave Floyd and Leonora their schemeswhat wont you do for love? We all stumble from time to time. Lovers quarrels never last. But amid all the confusion, Emily found Evan. Somehow, fate had given her a soulmate across the world!

People run after happiness, yet it so often waits right at their feet. Evan and Emily married soon after.

Evan worried Emily might leave for her homeland, so he decided not to wait long for children. Emily gave birth to a son, and two years later, a daughter.

Evan showered Emily with love and care. Their home brimmed with happiness, and love filled every corner.

By the way, Floyd and Leonora soon came to their senses and patched things uphurt never lasts forever. Now, they treated each other with greater tenderness, so as never to risk such desperate reconciliation methods again. The couple were happy to babysit their beloved grandchildren.

One day, Emily received a worried letter from her mum, asking her to visit.

Emily packed her bags, deciding not to take the childrenthey were too little for such a trek. She left them safely with Grandma Leonora.

Emily rushed home, sensing something was wrong.

Her mum greeted her in tears, and, without even a hello, sobbed,

Oh, Emily! Your Jamies gone! Died in a crash, and took his wife with him! Motorbike accident. Left his little girl an orphan.

His daughters just three. What a disaster!

You know, Em, Jamie never forgot you. He loved you, even after you leftquickly found a replacement, so he wouldnt be alone. Brought home some poor girl from the stickspitiful, really. But she listened to him and, I suppose, loved him. She had a child for him straight awaya lovely little girl. They named her Emily. Clever thingdont know who she takes after. Poor childnow its the orphanage for her, or a foster home. And, right before that, Jamie came and told me he wanted to get your little namesake a presentto remember him by. Death was already at his door. Who knew? He always helped your dad and me around the place, even if he was always a bit lost. You you were off in your Englands

He didnt get a chance to give the present Her mum wiped away the endless tears with the corner of her old apron.

Emily listened calmly. After a moments thought, she replied, quietly resolute,

He did, Mum. Evan and I will adopt his little Emily. Thatll be Jamies gift to us.

Evan will support meIm sure. Life always asks us to pay the bill in the end, Mum. You know that

Now, please, get me something to eatIm worn out and starving from the journey. Id love a tart apple or a good pickled cucumber. Expectant mothers eat for two, you know! Emily winked mysteriously at her mum.