Here – a mother handed her daughter a bundle of letters. As Julia read them in the next room, she didn’t just cry – she sobbed out loud.

When William was called up for service, Emily promised with all her heart shed wait faithfully for him. She kept her wordshed write him heaps of letters, pouring out her love, doodling little flowers and hearts in the margins, even planting a kiss in lipstick by her closing words. She loved him, truly, and every moment without him seemed to drag on endlessly.
Thats why Emily simply couldnt believe that William would do something like this to her.
Her heart told her it couldnt be true, that he was bound to be thinking of her. But when her beloved suddenly stopped replying altogether, and then sent a brief note saying she should just forget about him, she had to face reality.
Emily ended up marrying the first man she came acrosscertainly not out of love. She locked away all her hope and affection, determined never to let herself get hurt again. No one could mean more to her than William did.
One afternoon, while she was in the kitchenher usual apron on, slippers flappingthere came a knock at the door. She opened it, and standing there, older and wearing his officers uniform, was William.
I couldnt believe youd actually got married, he said, his voice heavy with sorrow, almost on the verge of tears, so I had to see it for myself but I guess its true. Now I understand why you stopped writing back
He turned to leave, but Emily stopped him.
How can you say that? You told me to forget about you she said, unsure if he was trying to explain or blame her.
And?.. he asked quietly, after a long pause, Last week I sent my final letter from camp, hoping you were still waiting for me
Emily was speechless, a lump in her throat, tears burning her cheeks, her head swirling with a thousand questions: How? Why?
That very day, Emily went to visit her parents. She had a feeling they knew more than they let ontheyd never liked William, mainly because he hadnt much to his name.
Were sorry, love, her mum and dad finally admitted, their voices trembling. We just wanted a better life for you. Weve struggled, counted every penny to buy you a packet of sweets, and we hoped youd have it easier
But you didnt let that stop youwhen you were young and broke you still fell in love and married, didnt you? So why did you do this to me? How could you? Emily cried, her voice thick with emotion.
Her mums hands shook as she handed Emily a whole stack of old letters.
Emily read them in the next room, sobbing so hard it broke your heart to hear it. In Williams last letter, exactly the one hed mentioned, was a pressed snowdrop with a note beside it: It took ages to find, but I wanted you to have it.
That evening, Emily had a proper heart-to-heart with her husbandwho, to be honest, cared only about his job, money, his mates, and, it was said, other women too. They parted ways quietly, without a fuss.
For the first time ever, Emily found herself walking alone through the town at night, but she wasnt frightenedthis time, she was heading back to the one man shed always loved.
After some time, all the old hurt faded away. Now, Emily and William have two blonde boys running about the house. The grandparents absolutely dote on their grandsons. Everyone agrees that true wealth isnt measured in pounds and penceif your home is full of honest love, youve got everything you need.