The Guardian Angel

Ive known Emily since she was a child, so I can tell you how her life unfolded. She never knew her parents. Her father walked out while his wife was pregnant and vanished, and she never heard his name again. Her mother died when Emily was just a year old; a sudden bout of cancer took her swiftly, as if a candle had been snuffed out.

After that, Emily was taken in by Gran Dottie, her maternal grandmother. Dotties own husband had died when she was still a teenager, and she devoted the rest of her life to her daughter and now to Emily. From the first moment they met, a deep, almost spiritual bond linked them. Gran Dottie seemed to read Emilys thoughts, and they always understood each other without a word.

Everyone loved Gran Dottie neighbours, school teachers, the shopkeeper on the high street. She never spoke ill of anyone, never indulged in gossip, and people often came to her for advice. Emily felt lucky to have such a grandmother.

Emilys own love life, however, was a mess. School, university, endless shifts at the factory she was always running somewhere, always having something to do. Men came and went, but none fit; they were all the wrong sort. Gran Dottie would chide her, Whats the matter, love? Youre always out with girls, and you cant find a decent bloke? Youre a beauty and a brain, you know. Emily would laugh it off, but deep down she sensed the clock was ticking she was thirty and it was high time to think about settling down.

One night Gran Dottie didnt wake up. Her heart stopped while she slept, and Emily was left in a daze, unable to believe the tragedy. She went on with work and errands, but everything felt automatic. At home only her cat Misty kept her company, and the flat felt unbearably empty.

A few weeks later, on a commuter train heading into Manchester, Emily was leafing through a paperback. A welldressed man in his early forties sat opposite her, his eyes lingering on the book. Something about his gaze made her feel oddly comfortable. He struck up a conversation about literature, a topic she could talk about for hours. Just like in London Has No Time for Tears, she thought, recalling a favourite film. When the train announced her stop, she was reluctant to leave. The man introduced himself as Alex Turner and suggested they continue their chat over a coffee at a nearby café. Emily eagerly accepted.

From that moment a whirlwind romance bloomed. They called and texted each other daily, meeting in person only when their schedules allowed. Alex was often busy with his job at a financial firm, and he kept his past, family and work details tightly shut. Emily didnt mind; for the first time she felt genuinely happy with a man.

One Saturday Alex invited her to a restaurant on the weekend, hinting that the evening would be special. Emily sensed a proposal was coming and was over the moon finally a husband, children, a proper family, just like everyone else. She thought of Gran Dottie and felt a pang of regret that she wouldnt be there to see it.

That night, while lounging on the sofa, Emily tried to decide what to wear. She preferred buying clothes online, so she scrolled through a shopping app, selecting dresses, until sleep overtook her.

In her dream, Gran Dottie entered the room in her favourite floral dress, settled on the sofa and stroked Emilys hair. Darling, where have you been? Im right here, watching over you, the old woman said, her voice thin. Dont go with that man. Hes no good. Listen to your grandmother. Then she faded into the air.

Emily jolted awake, bewildered. The vision lingered, and a knot of anxiety settled in her gut. She dismissed it as a dream and resumed searching for an outfit, but Gran Dotties warning gnawed at her. She couldnt shake the feeling that something was wrong.

The big day, which she now called the appointment, crept closer. She never settled on a dress; everything slipped from her hands, and Gran Dotties words echoed in her mind. She had never trusted prophetic dreams before, but the bond they shared was too real to ignore.

When Saturday arrived, Emily walked into the restaurant in a modest dress shed managed to pull together. She felt offbalance, and Alex immediately sensed it. Something on your mind, love? he asked. No, nothing, she replied, though she could see the worry furrowing his brow. He tried to lighten the mood with jokes, but at the end of the meal, just like in the movies, he knelt and presented a small velvet box with a ring inside.

A wave of dizziness hit Emily; her head spun and a ringing filled her ears. In that instant she saw Gran Dottie standing at the window, staring out. It felt like a sign. Im sorry, Alex, I cant, Emily whispered, tears blurring her vision. Why? What have I done? Alexs face turned red with fury. He grabbed her, shouting, Youre turning your back on me? Youll stay home with that cat of yours, you useless and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Emily was left trembling. The man she had come to love turned into a stranger in an instant, his anger spilling over like a storm.

The next morning she visited her old schoolmate Andy, now a detective with the local police. She asked him to run a check on Alex, providing his photograph and the details she had.

Later that day Andy called. Emily, Im sorry to tell you this, but Alex is a conartist. He targets lonely women, marries them, then forces them to take out huge loans in his name under the pretense of a joint business, squats in their flat and divorces them. Hes got several convictions for fraud. Andys voice sounded grim. You got away just in time, love.

Emily stared at the wall, stunned. How could Gran Dottie have known? It seemed a miracle, a final act of protection from beyond. Thanks, Gran, she whispered, feeling a warm tear roll down her cheek.

She went to the corner shop, bought groceries and a tin of cat food for Misty, and walked home with a spring in her step, certain she wasnt alone. She felt her grandmothers presence hovering nearby, a gentle guardian.

They say the spirits of those we love watch over us after theyve gone, becoming guardian angels who shield us from danger and misfortune. Id like to believe that, because Emilys story proves it can happen.