The Postage Stamp: How Illya Left Katya for Another Woman, Katya Swore Revenge on All Men, and Daughter Sonia Discovered the Secret of Real Love

A POSTAGE STAMP

Toms left Emily, Mum sighs heavily.

What do you mean? Im confused.

Im baffled myself. He was away on business for a month. Came back a different man. Told Emily, Sorry, I love someone else, Mum gazes off, lost in thought.

He actually said that? This must be some huge misunderstanding. Appalling, I start to boil over at my sister Emilys husband.

Sophie called me, says Mums unwell and had to call the ambulance. Turns out, Emily had some sort of neurological issue with swallowing, Mum blinks rapidly, frowning.

Alright, Mum, lets calm down. To be honest, Emily should never have put Tom on a pedestal. Shes always fussed over him, dancing attendance as they say. Now shes reaping what shes sown. Poor thing. I hope Tom isnt serious about this new woman… He loves Emily and Sophie, I cant bring myself to believe what Ive heard.

Tom and Emily fell madly in loveabsolute passion. They married just two months after meeting. Sophie was born, and their life seemed measured and steady. Then, suddenly

A landslide

Naturally, I rush round to see my sister. These conversations are always the hardest with your own flesh and blood.

Em, what on earth happened? Did Tom even try to explain? Has he lost his mind? I bombard Emily with questions.

Oh, Nina, Im in total shock. Who is this woman? Has she cast some spell on him? Tom ran after her like he was possessed. You cant reason with him. Told me, Emily, life should flow, not drain away. Threw his clothes in a bag and left. I feel like Ive been dragged face-first across the tarmac. I just dont get it Emily cries, tears streaming without end.

Lets wait, Emily. Maybe your runaway will come to his senses. Stranger things have happened, I hug my sobbing sister.

Tom never did return.

He settled in another city. With his new wife.

Katherine was eighteen years older than Tom. The age gap didnt matter a jotthey adored each other and were happy. Souls have no age, Katherine would say again and again.

Tom is utterly enchanted by his second wife. Shes his guiding light now.

Katherines personality is quite something

She can love fiercelyor not at all. Shes wild, untamed, impossibly free-spirited. She can sugar her words or cut you down to size with them.

Tom worships Katherine.

Every so often, he marvels aloud:

Where have you been all my life, my Katherine Ive searched for you half my days

Meanwhile, Emily, her life upended, vows to get even with all men, come what may.

Shes beautifulheads turn, men and women alike.

At work, shes caught her bosss eye, and hes smitten.

Emily, marry me and youll want for nothing. I promise. Youll be my queen.

Im finished with marriage, Richard. Had quite enough

Lets go to the seaside instead. I want Sophie to get some fresh air, Emily winks playfully at Richard.

Lets go, love

Jack is more laid-back, handy around the house. He fixed up Emilys flat for her.

No marriage proposalshes already quite married himself

So Emily strings both along as she pleases.

No love was involvedjust distractions to help her swallow her sorrownothing more.

But she pines for Tom. She sees him in her dreams, wakes in tears, haunted by memories. Her heart aches for him.

How do you cut someone out of your life? What was wrong with me? I was obedient, considerate, did everything for him. We never even argued

The years go by.

Emily keeps living: sometimes flashing an enigmatic smile at Richard, sometimes steering Jack gently back to his own family.

Sophie is twenty now when she decides its time to visit her father.

She buys a train ticket, rehearsing how shell speak to the woman who split up her parents.

She arrives in another city.

She rings the doorbell.

I suppose youre Sophie? an intriguing woman appears at the door.

Mums much prettier, Sophie thinks.

And youre Katherine? Sophie guesses.

I am, come in. Your fathers out, hell be back soon, Katherine leads Sophie to the kitchen.

How are things? Hows your mum? Katherine flutters about. Tea? Coffee?

Katherine, can I askhow did you manage to take my father from our family? He loved Mum, I know he did, Sophie looks her straight in the eyes.

Sophie, not everything in life is within our control. Theres no guarantee in love. Sometimes, passion strikes you from out of nowhere. One meeting can change everything. Fate pulls the strings, and you dont always know why. Suddenly its a new dance partner. Thats lifeyou cant explain it, Katherine sits, visibly tired.

But surely you could have stopped yourself, out of duty to his family Sophie doesnt understand Katherines reasons. She gazes hard at the woman she cant help but resent.

You cant, sweetheart, Katherine replies simply.

Thank you for your honesty, Sophie declines the offered coffee.

Sophie, want a little cheeky advice?

Men are like postage stamps: the more you lick them, the harder they stick, Katherine laughs. Really, with a man, youve got to be sometimes steel and sometimes velvet… By the way, your dad and I have just had a blazing row.

Thanks for the tip So, shall I wait for Dad? Sophie is uncertain.

Im not sure. Hes been living in a hotel all week. Heres the address, Katherine jots it on a torn scrap of paper. There you are.

Sophie is secretly relievednow she can speak to her father alone.

Goodbye. Thank you for the coffee, Sophie hurries away.

She finds the hotel and knocks at her fathers door.

Tom is happy to see her, though awkward at first.

Sophie, I was just about to come back home today You know, after an argument and all that

Dad, thats your business. I just wanted to see you, Sophie gently takes her fathers hand.

Hows your mum? Tom asks, as if by habit.

Were fine, Dad. Weve got used to life without you, Sophie sighs.

They share a warm evening in a hotel roomquiet talk, laughter, and tears.

Dad, do you love Katherine? Sophie suddenly asks.

Very much. Im sorry, love, Tom answers firmly.

I see. Well, I should go. My trains soon, Sophie starts collecting her things.

Come visit again, Sophie. Were still family, Tom looks at the floor.

Of course Sophie flits out of the hotel.

Back home, she decides to follow Katherines advice.

Not to love, not to care too much, not to trust empty words from men. Just spit

But three years later, someone truly special appearsDaniel. He seems made just for Sophie. Heaven sent.

Sophie knows it immediately. She feels it

When you meet the right one, no one else even compares

Daniel holds her closebody and soul. He quietly touches her heart. Before long, Sophie falls for him, unconditionally. CompletelyAnd this time, Sophie isnt licking the stamp or chasingshe simply lets herself be.

No games, no second-guessing, no looking over her shoulder at her parents failed loves. She shares laughter and silence with Daniel, finds comfort not in clinging but in walking side by side.

Watching the waves roll up the shore one evening, Daniel slips his hand into hers. Neither says a wordthey dont need to. Its enough, this warm hush, two futures quietly entwining.

Years from now, Sophie remembers all that unraveling, all that pain and longing, and realizes: life is a collection of little farewells and bright new beginnings. Sometimes, love lands gently, like a stamp on an envelopepressed firm and true, needing no extra glue.

At last, the letter finds its way home.