Ill write you a letter
– Emma, whats up with you? Are you waiting for someone? Lucy gave her friends sleeve a tug.
Emma was sitting half-turned towards the entrance of the lecture hall, clearly paying no mind to Lucy, whod been trying for a good half-hour to tell her all about her new acquaintance. Lucy briefly pouted, but then dropped it. After all, Emma was her first real friend up until this, Lucy had never had any close girlfriends.
Her only companion so far, a sort of brother and loyal sidekick, was Alex a distant cousin of sorts. Their families lived in neighbouring houses, and had always got on well, so inevitably Lucy and Alex did too. As kids, theyd played together in the same hopelessly dusty sandpit, never finding so much as a handful of real sand. Then, theyd ended up at the same primary school and shared a desk from their very first day. Alex, skinny and pale, was quickly roped in as Lucys page-boy, hauling her trendy new backpack, the one her mother Angela had splurged on. It wouldnt do to entrust something so fancy to just anyone! Lucy was a girl, after all even if she was a head taller and sturdier than fragile Alex, who always looked as if he hadnt eaten in days. And a girl shouldnt be lugging heavy things! The fact that the infamous backpack wasnt exactly light was obvious whenever poor Alex trailed after Lucy across the playground, stumbling under the weight. He looked a bit like a reluctant sailor on a rocky sea. A wise captain might have told him to take account of the wind and of Lucys ever-changing mood to make the journey easier. Without that advice, though, he found himself lurching on sharp turns if Lucy suddenly dashed off to play tig with their classmates, or being almost flattened when that thin, bossy voice commanded, Quick, run! Mums here! Were late for English club!
Angela would take back her daughters things from Alex and tut:
– Are you not getting enough to eat, dear? Soon youll be blown round the playground!
He actually was well-fed, thanks to his grandmas dogged efforts to get through two bowls of stew and Mount Everest-sized piles of pies. Still, nothing seemed to help him gain proper weight and look presentable, as his grandmother said.
Alex just had that kind of build and, so hed learnt young, a fast metabolism. He could say metabolism before he could tell an A from a B, which was a point of pride. His family thought he was a genius, whereas Lucy treated him exactly as she should as an ordinary boy who just happened to be a bit clever and got too big-headed for his own good sometimes. She never hesitated to clip him round the ear if he started getting grand ideas about himself.
Her no-nonsense attitude and support helped Alex find his feet at school. Because Lucy had his back, their classmates tolerated his quirks and even counted him as one of the gang Lucy was the unofficial leader and everyone listened to what she said. So Alex cruised through school, actively protected by Lucys authority. He appreciated, respected, and, yes, loved her for it there was no one closer to him in the world, parents not included of course. You couldnt ask your parents things like whether you should snog a girl on the first date or play it cool and wait for the second.
If he asked his mum something like that, his evening would be eventful to say the least. Samantha would first raise a perfectly plucked eyebrow, gasp in horror without disturbing her flawless make-up (which took her two hours each morning), and then probably faint on the spot. Shed stay that way until the ambulance came.
In Samanthas world, Alex shouldnt be interested in such trivial dare she say, base things. Geniuses were above all that! She had grand plans for him: to marry the right girl and devote their life as a family to his scientific career, with the wife quietly managing house and duties, dazzling at the appropriate functions and keeping otherwise invisible. Quite how such a wife was supposed to both shine at dinners and remain unseen was unclear but Samantha was unconcerned by such details. If you wanted to be with a great man like Alex, youd have to work it out!
Besides, the ideal wife had to be a bit silly. Not a complete fool, of course intelligence had to be preserved for the grandchildren. The wife just needed to be charmingly helpless and seek the wise familys advice on everything, Samanthas opinion most of all.
Given all of that, Alex was either destined for bachelorhood or planning to escape to the North Pole. But knowing his mum, he suspected shed track him down even there or on Mars, if she had half a chance.
So, for now, there was only one real option wait, dodging all his mums matchmaking attempts, not entirely sure what exactly he was waiting for but somehow convinced that something amazing was coming.
Back to Emma, she kept her gaze fixed on the door while Lucy made herself comfortable, wondering who on earth her friend expected. As far as Lucy knew, Emma didnt even have a half-decent admirer, let alone a boyfriend. She was lovely in her way but to be honest an acquired taste.
Emmas situation was all genetics. Her parents, not conventionally beautiful, had something remarkable about them; people who saw Emmas mum always exclaimed:
– What a woman!
She had endless legs you could write poems about, and dainty ankles and feet to match. When Emma was born, the midwife marvelled first thing:
– Look at those legs! Just like her mums!
Sadly, Emma hadnt inherited the overall elegance just the long legs. Her parents affectionately called her our little elephant and bought her new shoes constantly, until it just stopped being surprising. Now, as an adult, Emma wore a whopping size eight and a half. Finding smart shoes or trainers was a pain, so she boldly took to shopping in the mens section, since her two battered pairs of dainty shoes couldnt compete with her favourite trainers. Emma wore trainers everywhere, even with office wear. At court, where she worked, people raised eyebrows at first, but once one of the sternest judges waltzed in wearing the exact same blue trainers as Emma, everyone cottoned on to the trend. Emma quietly enjoyed it as her colleagues switched shoes before hearings; only the judges, their feet hidden by the bench, didnt have to bother.
She knew the reason that particular judge wore trainers wasnt fashion but necessity severe diabetes had already cost him two toes, and comfortable shoes were a must. One day, catching him trying to squeeze into formal shoes, Emma simply pulled off her own trainers.
– Why suffer? Try these! Your feet are smaller, so they should fit. Theyre hardly worn. Comfy? Brilliant! Shall I nip to the shop and grab you another pair for tomorrows hearing?
No one teased Emma much at school, mainly because her dad put her in wrestling lessons from the age of six. Her size became an advantage for once, and she became a force to be reckoned with on the mat.
– Our Emmas a big girl and a big heart to match! her mum would say, while her dad nodded, making Emma a bit less sad when she looked in the mirror. Who cared how big your nose was, or what your waist measured, when those who knew you best insisted you had the biggest heart in the world?
Lucy and Emma met at university. The first time, Lucy a dazzling, blonde girl in a bright, scarlet suit bounced onto the bench next to Emma, flicked her hair and held out a perfectly manicured hand:
– Elizabeth! Nice to meet you!
Emma, a bit overwhelmed by the confident approach, timidly shook her hand, feeling her own big palm swallow Lucys slim fingers.
– Emma.
– Emmie! Thats so much more elegant! Lucy whipped out a compact and started fixing her makeup right there. Her makeup bag was about the size of her actual handbag, leaving almost no room for notebooks. What are you sitting there for? Honestly, did you even look at yourself this morning? You cant let your face go like that! Right, what do I have in here?
Before Emma knew it, she had a brand new mascara, a strikingly bold lipstick, and blush laid out for her.
– Pale as a rainy Tuesday! Dont worry, well turn you into a beauty. No offense! Im a terror with appearance stuff. Were girls if we dont brighten up the world, who will?
Emma couldnt quite say why she let Lucy have her way, maybe just because her only friends so far were her parents and a couple of old schoolmates. Where her mum would gently suggest a little mascara, Lucy just did all the work, and with such whirlwind energy, Emma couldnt resist.
– What are you wearing? Honestly! Is this vintage in style, or did your grans old attic collapse?
– Sorry?
– Did your grans attic cave in and dump all these clothes on you?
– Er, no
– Then where did you dig up this treasure? Mum will have a field day! Were taking you to see her.
That evening, Lucy whisked Emma to her mothers boutique. Angela, tired of sitting at home and climbing the walls with boredom, had become a rising businesswoman, opening boutiques across town. Lucy breezed in, pecked her mums cheek and declared:
– Mum, this is my Emma! She needs your advice and some proper clothes!
Angela, elegantly sipping from a tiny coffee cup, took in Emmas look and smiled keenly:
– What an interesting type! A challenge, then.
Emma left the shop dazed, almost in love with Angela, and weighed down with shopping bags.
– Youd better turn up tomorrow looking smart, alright? Lucy rummaged for something in her overstuffed bag. Time to launch you into society!
– Where?
– The club! Get ready!
Emma started towards the taxi, then froze.
– Lucy! What about the money?
– What money? Dont be silly!
– No, really I cant!
Lucy, with a slight-of-hand, returned the bags and smiled:
– As you wish! Pay me back whenever you can, no rush.
The next morning, Emma skipped her early lectures and went straight to Angelas shop.
– Id like to pay for the things you picked out for me yesterday. I love them honestly, theyre amazing and Im so grateful! How much do I owe?
Angela smiled and assessed Emmas new look.
– Wonderful! All you need is a bit of mascara and some gloss. Thatll complete the look.
She scribbled a number on a slip of paper and handed it to Emma.
– Tills over there.
When Emma had left, the shop assistants asked how to put the sale through, since Angela had slashed the price.
– Its a personal gift from a fairy godmother! If you havent learned to not ask too many questions by now, Ill have to start looking for new staff. Get me a coffee, girls.
Angela sat down and smiled to herself:
– Theres something special about that girl. Lucky Lucyshed better not let Emma get away. People like that are rare! Amazing what a well-cut blazer and good trousers can do. What a transformation!
Lucy had no intention of letting Emma slip away. Did they realise how lucky they were to have each other? If youd asked either girl, they couldnt have named a specific moment there was no awkward adjustment period, no drama, just instant, easy friendship. At first, no one besides Angela understood it, but soon enough no relative or friend could imagine inviting Lucy without her Emma or vice versa. Summer holidays and, later, annual leave, they always spent together. Lucy went through entire reams of paper listing requirements for her ideal husband, while Emma secretly knew shed already found the person she wanted beside her. But she kept very quiet, even from Lucy because the one shed fallen for was Alex.
By the time Lucy started university, Alex had finished school early, transforming from a scrawny, awkward, spotty teen into a rather charming young man. Still short, mind you, but it didnt bother him at least, not until Lucy dragged him to a club and introduced him to Emma. And that was ithe was smitten! Completely floored. Only the night before, he and Lucy had joked about love at first sight not being real, and now he could hardly breathe when he saw Emma shyly looking away every time their eyes met.
Their behaviour was so daft that Lucy quickly twigged what was going on.
– Oh blimey, Alex! Have you got a crush on her? Didnt see that coming
Alex shot her a look that made Lucy bite her tongue mid-sentence.
– Alright, Ill shut up! No offence. Still, though shes a good one, isnt she?
Alex wouldve agreed a million times if he could, but he just couldnt even nod. Emma would never go for a bloke like him. Gnome and princess what a pair! His mum would love that
With that thought, his good mood vanished. His mother would never approve. Emma ticked none of Samanthas boxes. That meant trouble, and hed be the one dragging her into it. Unthinkable. Emma deserved better.
They parted that night hardly looking at each other. Emma cried into her pillow for half the night, cursing her height and lack of nerve, but by morning decided that if Alex couldnt even say goodbye properly, she obviously hadnt made an impression. No point sulking over that.
But she couldnt forget. She was haunted by that evening, dreading shed run into Alex again at all the family gatherings Lucy insisted she attend. Yet, surprisingly, she never crossed paths with him he made sure not to turn up if Emma was likely to be there.
Of course, she didnt know that. Lucy did. And Lucy hatched a plan to help these two clueless lovebirds get past their awkwardness. With great theatrical flair, she staged the My computers broken and all my emails have vanished! charade, leaving Emmas email address written on a sticky note right under the keyboard.
Lucy was first to notice when Emma got the mysterious admirers letter it wasnt hard, given the dreamy, blushing look Emma got when she read and re-read the printed sheet.
Lucy hid her grin and pretended not to notice.
The correspondence dragged on for years. Lucy berated herself and those two idiots, but couldnt do much about it. Emma, for her part, had zero interest in anyone else, even as she dutifully joined Lucy at every party and club night. Secretly, though, she always rushed home to see if there was a new message in her inbox. At first, it was just a letter a day, but then more. Why didnt they just use instant messaging? Emma couldnt have said, but the formality and thoughtfulness of a letter suited her perfectly.
They wrote about everything, with no forbidden subjects. It wasnt entirely fair, of course, since Alex knew he was writing to Emma, but she had no idea who her virtual friend was.
Lucy waited ages for Emma to confide in her, but it never happened. Some people know in a blink they cant live without each other; others take years.
Emma graduated, got a job, but still checked her email a hundred times a day, glowing with happiness when she found a new letter.
Alex did the same. Meanwhile, Samantha now openly told her son it was time to think of marriage; his future career depended on it. Alex, though, had no intention of hearing any of it. Emma still filled his thoughts and his heart. He grew in confidence, gradually forced his mum to acknowledge his independence (if not entirely), and Samantha now waited for her son to make an announcement about his own life. The wait was wearing.
Lucy got married, divorced, and breezed through the whole affair so lightly no one really noticed it had happened. She stayed friends with her ex and, now running her own law firm, even helped with his paperwork.
– Heavens sake, what is there to fight over? No property to share, no kids, so whats the drama? Im grateful we had good times; I hope he feels the same. Everything else is nonsense. Oh listen to me! Now, Ive met someone new and Emma! Youre not even listening to me!
Emma truly wasnt. She kept glancing at the door, wondering whether to bolt or finally meet her mysterious pen pal at last.
The solution turned out to be simple. A class reunion was coming up, and everyone was meant to bring a guest. Lucy, still single at invite time, giggled as she linked arms with Emma.
– Well go together! No one will even question it. We always turned up like a pair of Tweedledum and Tweedledee anyway.
For some reason, Emma suddenly withdrew her arm and said,
– Actually, I wont be coming alone.
– With who? Emma, spill!
– Youll see!
Instantly regretting her outburst, Emma that night wrote her new letter.
I know Im asking a lot, but I think now is the time. This stupid thing called time yesterday I was a schoolgirl, today Im grown up and just found my first grey hair. Its probably inherited; Dad went silver in his twenties. Still, it stung. Why does everything go so quickly? Cant we just pause it for a bit? Im not ready for change, but oh how I long for it.
Ive decided. This will be my last letter. I dont want to waste more time. I want a real life, a real family, a real home. I want to come home and hug someone I lovenot just run to my computer.
Ive been so happy finding a friend I can talk to about anything. Thats no small thing. Not many people can say that, but I can and I treasure it. I dont want to lose what weve got.
So heres my offer. Tomorrow, at the university reunion, everyone is supposed to come with someone. Will you be my partner? Will you take this offline and meet me for real? If yes, Ill be delighted. If not well, so be it. After tomorrow, Ill delete this email and please, dont write back. Just come, if you want. Ill be waiting.
She added the address and hit send, not letting herself overthink it. Enough waiting time to act.
All the next day, Emma swung between scolding herself and cheering herself on, barely able to think of anything else. Shed tried to banish thoughts of Alex, but inevitably, every time she wrote another letter, she pictured him on the other end. It was ridiculous, so much so she managed to bruise her knuckles pounding the office safe.
By evening her nerves were shot, and Emma genuinely wondered if she wanted to go through with any of it.
Her old classmates trickled in. Finally, Emma glanced away from the door and reached for her bag, deciding to leave. But at that moment, someone appeared in the doorway she froze with shock, and Lucy burst into applause:
– Finally! Honestly, you two are hopeless!
Alex and Emma looked at each other, nothing else in the room mattered anymore. Everything before faded away; all that mattered was here and now. As if this was always how it shouldve been.
– Hi.
– Hi.
– How are you?
– And you?
– Ill write to you. This evening.
– Dont even think about it! No more letters. Youre not getting away from me ever again!
– That was supposed to be my line! But youre right. Never and nowhere!
Two years later, at the old family country cottage, guests gathered for a party. The birthday girl was dashing up and down the front steps, laying out food until her husband intercepted her, forced a plate from her hands and planted her onto the step below.
– Emma, love, why not take Jamie for me? He wont acknowledge me as a parent today, and my mums about to declare me the worlds worst father for neglecting my child who doesnt even remember me! Apparently at this age, even half an hour of absence is monumental.
Emma scooped up their son, settling him in her lap.
– How do you do it? He just stops crying for you. Alex bent down, kissed his wife and son.
– Youre scared of him and he knows it!
– Me? Afraid?
– Yes, you! Emma was openly teasing now, but quieted him as a car drew up at the gate. Parents!
– Emma, can I ask you something?
– Whats that?
– If my mother
– Alex, darling, your mum is lovely clever, well-read, strong-willed. And ever since Jamie was born, nearly normal forgive me for putting it that way. Shes got somewhere to direct her energy and put her talents to good use. She may lecture in French lullabies, but it sends him straight to sleep. Im not complaining!
– Thats terrifying!
– Why? He sleeps beautifully, and I get on with life.
– I always knew I married the cleverest woman in the country.
– Hush! Just dont let your mum hear that.
– Why not?
– Because for her, she must always be the smartest woman in your life at least when shes around to hear it. Thats the only way to keep peace in this familygot it?
– Where did you get so wise?
– From here! Emma nodded at their son, stood up and walked to greet their guests. Smile, husband, or youll be getting an unfriendly letter from me tonight.
– In that case, let me write to you first! Ive already sent one, but I can do another!
Emma winked, handed Jamie to Samantha and said:
– Go on then! Ill be waiting. Honestly, thank goodness people still write letters!
