There Are No Coincidences Four years had passed since the loss of her mother, but Agatha still carried the bitterness and unbearable longing—especially on that evening after the funeral. Her father sat broken and grief-stricken, while Agatha was already exhausted from her tears, and their once cheerful family home was filled with a crushing silence. Agatha was sixteen, old enough to understand the pain she and her father shared, for the three of them had once been so happy together. Ivan hugged his daughter’s shoulders and quietly said: “We must find a way to carry on, darling. Somehow, we’ll get used to things…” Time went by. Agatha completed her training as a paramedic and recently started working at the local clinic. She lived in their family house alone, ever since her father remarried a year ago and moved to a nearby village with his new wife. Agatha had no resentment towards her father—life is what it is, she knew she too would marry someday, and her father was still a young man. On her father’s birthday, Agatha stepped off the bus wearing a beautiful dress and shoes, a gift in hand for her only remaining family. “Hello, Dad!” she said warmly. They embraced in the garden where he greeted her. “Happy birthday!” “Hello, love, come in—the table’s ready,” he replied, and they went inside. “Agatha, you’re finally here!” called out Kate—her stepmother now—from the kitchen. “My kids are already starving!” she added. Ivan had lived with his new family for a year. Kate had two children: Rita, an unpleasant, spiteful girl of thirteen, and an unruly boy of ten. Agatha didn’t visit often—this was only her second time in a year. She tried to ignore Rita’s misbehavior, though the girl’s rudeness went unchecked by her mother. After the birthday wishes, Kate began her interrogation. “So, have you got yourself a boyfriend?” “Yes,” Agatha replied. “And will there be a wedding, then?” Agatha blushed, caught off guard by Kate’s directness. “Well…we’ll see,” she answered evasively. “Here’s the thing, Agatha,” Kate forced a smile, “your father and I have spoken, and he’s decided he’s not going to help you financially anymore. He already gives you too much, and we have a big family now. It’s time you got married and let your husband support you. Your father needs to look after us first. You’re an adult now—and you have a job…” “Kate, hang on,” Ivan interrupted, “it’s not quite like that. I already explained I’m giving Agatha far less than—” But Kate cut him off, shouting, “You’re nothing but a cash machine to your daughter and the rest of us have to suffer!” Ivan fell silent in shame. Agatha felt ill and left the table, slipping outside, needing to calm her nerves. The birthday had been completely ruined. Rita soon followed, plopping beside Agatha on the bench. “You’re pretty, you know,” Rita remarked. Agatha just nodded, not wanting conversation. “Don’t be offended by my mum—she’s just cranky because she’s pregnant,” Rita smirked. “Wait till you get to know her—she’ll show you,” the girl added, laughing as she ran back inside. Agatha got up and left the yard. Glancing back, she saw her father standing on the porch, watching her go. Three days later, Ivan and Kate paid her a surprise visit. “Oh! How lovely to see you both—let’s have some tea,” Agatha offered. Kate eyed the house critically. “It’s a good, solid house—you won’t find many like it around here.” “My dad built it himself, with Uncle Nick from up the road. Right, Dad?” “Oh, I wouldn’t say golden hands for myself, love—the house was for us, after all,” Ivan demurred. Kate continued, “Yes, I know—I got very lucky with him. And actually, we’re here to talk about the house.” At once, Agatha grew wary and squared her shoulders. “I’m not selling my share. I grew up in this house and it means the world to me,” she declared, challenging both Kate and her father with her eyes. “Aren’t you clever!” Kate hissed with undisguised bitterness. “Well, Ivan, tell her.” Ivan looked away. “Love, we need to sort this out. My family’s bigger now, the house is too small, and with another child on the way… If we sell, you can buy a smaller place—they have loans, I’ll help to pay it off.” “Dad, how can you say that?” Agatha was stunned. “Your father’s got a new family now!” Kate yelled, “When will you understand? There’s no such thing as your family’s old house. You’re taking up too much space alone. You’ll just have to move, and no one’s going to ask your permission.” “Don’t you dare shout at me,” Agatha stood up. “Please, leave.” After they left, Agatha was gutted. She understood her father had a right to his own life, but not at her expense. This house, her mother’s home, was not for sale. Later, her boyfriend Artie stopped by and was shocked by the look on her face. “Hey, beautiful, you look awful—what’s happened?” Falling into his arms in tears, Agatha poured her heart out. Artie, a local police officer, listened quietly and reassured her, “Your dad’s a good man. He won’t go against your will—it’s that Kate who’s manipulating him. Don’t worry. I’ll get some city solicitors involved. Don’t agree to anything.” Ivan, meanwhile, was troubled. At first his marriage to Kate had seemed promising, but she’d turned greedy and aggressive, obsessed with selling his old house. Ivan was starting to think marrying her had been a mistake. Then came the news of Kate’s pregnancy. One evening, after Agatha was late home from the clinic, she hurried along in the autumn dusk. Artie, called away on an urgent shift, couldn’t walk her back, but he asked his friend Max to keep an eye out. As she neared her house, a car pulled up beside her. A large man stepped out, forced Agatha into the back seat, and sped off. “Who are you? What do you want with me?” Agatha sobbed. “Surely this is a mistake?” “There are no coincidences in our line of work,” the man replied calmly. “Do what we say and nothing will happen to you or your father. Just sign over your share of the house, and we’ll leave you both alone.” “Why bring my father into this?” “Sign the papers. The buyers are waiting. You’ll get your money in two days.” “This is illegal! I will never agree. I’ll go to the police. I’m not selling my house,” she spat, just before a brutal punch split her lip. “We’re not scared of your precious police—nor your boyfriend,” the man sneered. “If you don’t sign, you won’t live to regret it. And if your boyfriend meddles…” The car pulled off the road and skidded onto the verge as police sirens flashed behind them—first one, then another patrol. In a panic, the driver floored the accelerator but crashed the car into a ditch. Max, who had followed the car and called Artie, had acted quickly, and the police squad intercepted them in time. It later transpired that Kate’s thug was actually her lover and the father of the child she was carrying. With him, she hatched the plan to swindle Ivan out of his family home, which Kate coveted above all else. Agatha’s refusal had threatened the scheme, and Kate was ready to resort to anything, even violence. In the end, justice prevailed. Ivan divorced Kate and returned home. He kept busy running his small auto parts business. One night, Ivan, Agatha, and Artie sat together at the kitchen table. Now, more than ever, the house’s four walls felt precious to Ivan. “Don’t worry, Dad—you’ll never be alone,” Agatha teased. “Come on—are you getting married?” Ivan smiled at her knowingly. “I’ve proposed to Agatha, and she said yes!” Artie grinned. “We’ve already submitted the forms—the wedding’s soon,” the happy couple exchanged a playful glance and burst out laughing. “Even when I move in with Artie, Dad, we’ll visit all the time. We’re only going to be down the road…” Ivan, misty-eyed as he looked at the photo of his late wife, said, “Forgive me, love—I made a mess of things, but I’m sorry.” “It’s alright, Dad,” Agatha replied, “Everything’s going to be just fine.” Thank you so much for reading, subscribing, and for your support. Wishing you happiness in life!

Theres No Such Thing as Coincidence

It had been nearly four years since Agathas mum passed away, but the ache and emptiness still lingered like a stubborn cold. The evening after the funeral was the worst; her father sat hunched, hollowed out by grief, while Agatha was tired of her own tears. Their big, sturdy house, which had once bubbled with laughter, now echoed with silence.

Agatha was sixteen then and old enough to understand how much pain she and her dad were sharing. They had been a happy trio. Her dad, John, slung his arm around her shoulder with a heavy sigh.

We need to find a way to keep going, love. Well get used to it some day.

Time plodded on as it tends to do. Agatha trained as a paramedic and recently started work at the local surgery in her village. Shed been living in the house alone for a while now; her father had remarried last year and moved to the next village. She held no grudge. Life was life, and she expected shed marry one of these days herself. Father was still a relatively young man.

One sunny afternoon, Agatha hopped off the bus in a snazzy dress and smart shoes, ready for her dads birthdaythe only family she had left.

Happy birthday, Dad! she beamed, wrapping him in a tight hug in the garden and handing over a little present.

Hello, darling! Come on in, the tables all set, he chuckled, and they made their way inside.

Agatha, at last! piped up Kate, her stepmother, emerging from the kitchen with a forced smile. The kids have been whining theyre starving!

John had been living with his new brood for a year now. Kates daughter, Rita, aged thirteen, was as pleasant as a thistle and twice as prickly, alongside her equally charming ten-year-old son. Agatha seldom visited (this was only her second appearance in a year), mostly because she couldnt be doing with Ritas snide remarks and mums complete lack of discipline.

After the toasts and the hows work, dear? chat, Kate got down to business.

So, Agatha, do you have a boyfriend?

I do, yes.

And are you planning to get married?

Agatha squirmed never a fan of Kates directness. Well well see, she mumbled.

Kates expression grew plastic. Heres the thing, AgathaJohn and I have talked, and hes not going to help you out financially anymore. Theres a lot going to you, and our family is pretty big. Time you got married yourself so someone else can look after you. Johns got a new family now, and he has to put us first. Youve got a job, after all

Hang on, Katethats not quite what we agreed, John interrupted, turning crimson. I explained before, Im giving her less than you lot

But Kate bulldozed ahead. Oh, come off it, youre just a cash machine for her, and my children shouldnt have to suffer for it!

John fell silent, looking miserable. Agatha felt sick, so she bolted outside and flopped onto the garden bench to steady her nerves. So much for a celebration.

Minutes later, Rita bounced out and plonked herself down next to Agatha.

Youre pretty, you know, Rita said. Agatha just nodded, wishing shed vanish. Dont mind my mum. Shes all on edge because shes pregnant, Rita continued, smirking. You have no idea what shes like yet, but you will. Just you wait. With a cackle, she dashed back inside.

Agatha got up and slipped out the gate. A glance over her shoulder showed Dad standing on the porch, watching her leave. Three days later, an unexpected knock at her door: Dad and Kate came to visit.

Oh, this is a surprise! Kettles on, fancy a cuppa? Agatha said brightly.

Kate, ever the house inspector, shuffled about, peering into corners. Very nice house. Youd be hard-pressed to find another one like this in the village.

My dad has golden handsbuilt this place with Uncle Nick, didnt you, Dad?

Theres nothing golden about them, love. Just wanted a home for us, John shrugged.

Kate piped up, Yes, Im very lucky to have him. Actually, we popped round to talk about the house.

Instant alarm bells for Agatha. Im not selling my share. I grew up hereit means too much.

How clever you are, arent you? Kate hissed, not hiding her irritation. John, say something!

John looked away. Love, weve got a problem. The familys grown, the house is too small, and with a new baby If we sold the house, you could buy somewhere smaller. If you ran short, Id help with a loan.

Dad, are you serious? Agatha stared at him, aghast.

You need to understandthis isnt just your house. How can you take up so much space when weve got a growing family? Time to move on. No more asking you permission! Kate snapped.

Dont you shout at me, Agatha said, getting up. And Id like you to leave.

After theyd gone, Agatha felt wretched. Her dad had every right to live his life, but not at her expense. There was no way shed sell the home shed shared with her mum.

Later, her boyfriend Arthur popped round, only to find Agatha looking like shed just run a marathon through a rainstorm.

Blimey, love, you look rough. Whats happened?

She threw herself into his arms and sobbed until there were no tears left, then told him everything. Arthur, being a copper, was calm as ever, stroking her hair. Your dads a good blokehes just blinkered. Kates manipulating him, but dont fret. Ill get the lads at work to have a look, and you mustnt sign anything. Well sort it.

Back home, John was beside himself. Things had been fine with Kate at first, but recently shed grown snappy, obsessed with selling the house and squeezing every penny out of him. He was beginning to suspect hed made a dreadful mistakebut then Kate announced her pregnancy.

Agatha, meanwhile, was heading home late one autumn night; Arthur couldnt walk her as hed been called out on a job, so she hurried along nervously. As she neared the house, a car drew up. Out jumped a beefy stranger who bundled her into the back seat before she could shout.

Who are you? What do you want? she asked, voice trembling. You must have the wrong person

They laughed. No mistakes in our line of work, love. You do as we say, and you and your dad get to carry on breathing. Otherwise

But whats my dad got to do with this?

Youre going to sign these papers; the house is being sold in two days. Buyers are lined up.

Thats illegalIm not signing anything! Ill go to the policeIm not selling my home! she protested, just as she was rewarded with a punch in the jaw and the sharp taste of blood.

Not scared of you or your copper boyfriend, the brute sneered. If you dont sign, you wont see another sunrise. He can solve your murder instead.

The car screeched to a halt at the edge of the village. The goon thrust documents at her under a torch.

Sign, and try not to get blood on the paperwork. Well head to the solicitors tomorrow.

But just then, blue flashing lights filled the rear-view mirror. It was two police cars. The driver panicked, mashed the wrong pedal, and dumped the car into a ditch.

As it turned out, Arthur had asked his mate Max to keep an eye on Agatha. Max spotted her being bundled into the car and phoned Arthur, who brought in the cavalry.

Unbelievably, the hulking bloke was actually Kates loverand the baby was his. Together, theyd plotted to get Johns house (Kate fancied herself quite the landlady) and rake in some serious cash, with Agatha as the only thing in their way. John wouldve been dealt with later, no doubt.

Time passed. Things shuffled back into place. John divorced Kate and returned home, setting up a small business flogging car parts. Evenings found John, Agatha, and Arthur round the table together. The house meant twice as much to John now.

Dont worry, Dad, you wont be rattling round in here on your own, Agatha laughed.

She grinned. Go on, Agatha, spillare you getting married?

Arthur winked. Already asked her and she said yes! Papers are in and were having the do soon.

Even when I move in with Arthur, well drop in all the time, promise. Well basically be round the corner

John dabbed his eyes, gazing at the photo of his late wife. Sorry for everything, love. I really muddled things up.

She squeezed his hand. Oh, Dad. Were all fine now. And, trust me, things can only look up from here.

Thanks for reading, for following, and for being wonderful. Best of luck with your own adventures!