I have often thought back to the days when Philip first fell for Emily while they were still at school, and the two of them whispered of a future wedding.
Philips mother, Angela Whitby, ran the maternity wing of St.Marys Hospital and disapproved of the match. She had long favoured a nurse called Claire, hoping her son would take her hand instead; Claire was beloved by the staff and patients alike, coming from a line of physicians.
After leaving school, Philip entered medical college, while Emily enrolled in the college of modern languages to become a translator of English, following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother. Their classmates arranged a celebration in the countryside and spent nearly a month at Philips familys cottage, reluctant to return to the city. At last the term began, and they had to make preparations.
In the autumn, Emily confided to Philip:
Im with child. How will you take it?
What else could I do? Ill carry you straight to the register office.
Im not light; Im heavy.
A sportsmans fear? I wrestled at school. Youre as light as a feather to me, Philip joked, delighted.
But what about our studies?
Youll need a year off after the birth, love.
Emily replied that she would switch to distance learning, just as her mother had done when she had a child at nineteen. She added, After were married, youll move in with us. Keep your distance from my mother; I know shell never accept meshes a character, you know.
Philip agreed, Only for your peace of mind.
They lodged their marriage notice at the register office and then went their separate ways. At Emilys flat, a friend of her father arrived with his wife and their sixteenyearold son, Alex, who looked older than his years.
Back at home, Philip told his parents the news and warned them to ready themselves for the wedding.
Angela Whitby, displeased, set out that evening to cause a scene at Emilys parents house. She rang the doorbell repeatedly, but no one answered. The family were setting the dining table while music played, the melody almost matching the bells chime, so they paid it no mind. Alex was in the shower, surprised the bell went ignored. He wrapped a towel about his waist and opened the door.
At first bewildered, Angela realised she still held her phone, pressed record, and began filming the hallway, with Alex in his towel.
Are you here to see Mrs. Whitmore? Alex asked, not catching the phones movement.
Not any longer, Angela replied, hurrying downstairs.
Later she showed Philip the clip, pointing out how long they had taken to answer.
Do you recognise Emilys hallway? Still no idea who the childs father is.
I get it, Mum. You were right. Shes not the one for me.
Philip sent an angry text to Emily, then switched her phone off. Emily, unable to reach him, trudged out to his house despite the late hour.
From a window, Angela watched Emily approach, then rushed to the landing herself, opening the door before Emily could enter. She stepped onto the stair tread and said, What do you want from Philip? Hes already in bed. And you, playing both sides? Keep courting other men, twofaced. She slammed the door behind her and returned to her flat.
Emily, bewildered, broke into tears on the landing, then retreated home. In the kitchen, her mother Anne Whitmore was washing dishes when her tearstreaked daughter collapsed into her arms.
Darling, the wedding is near; you should be happy.
It wont be. Im carrying his child, and his mother has stirred up trouble ever since we applied for marriage, Emily sobbed, showing her mother the angry message from Philip.
If Philip behaves like this, hell always obey his family. God has kept him from you. Well raise the child ourselves, Anne tried to comfort her.
The fallout left Emily with a difficult pregnancy. While her parents were at work, she was rushed to the maternity ward. She gave birth under anaesthetic, the only option available, and was later told the baby had been stillborn. After the paperwork, the stillborn infants body was handed to the parents, who buried him quickly. Emily remained in the ward, missing the ceremony.
Soon after, Philips parents sold their flat and moved away from the neighbourhood.
Its for the best, love, Anne said later, Youve suffered enough with Philip, and he just walks past with a haughty look.
I hope I can forget him sooner, Emily whispered.
Eight years passed. Emily worked as a translator for a modest firm when Philip appeared in her office.
Why do you turn up now? Ive long since forgotten you.
Im sorry, but tragedy has brought me back.
Its odd to hear, Phil. You have a good mothergo to her with your woes. I have no time for you. Leave my office.
Emily, I beg you to listen. It matters to you too. Ill wait at the café opposite after work.
Ill only come out of curiosity, Emily said, turning back to her screen, signalling the end of the conversation.
That evening they met again.
Im sorry, Emily, but my son is ill and needs a donor.
Youve got the wrong address, Philip. Your mother has more resources here.
Weve been waiting, and theres no donor. I even put my flat up for sale. Youre a mother; you have a better chance of helping our son.
Is this a joke? Our son was stillborn. My parents buried him.
Hes alive, eight years old now.
How?
Remember the day we lodged our marriage notice?
Ill never forget your cruel message.
Philip repeated the story his mother had told him about what shed seen in Emilys flat. Emily explained who Alex was, and Philip went pale. He still loved her and had never remarried. She, too, remained single, fearing she could not bear another child after the grief of the first loss.
Phil, tell me about our son. What did your mother do?
When you were in the maternity ward, my mother saw you being wheeled into the operating theatre. She guessed I might be the father, halfheartedly. The test proved my paternity, but she refused to hand the child over. Im to blame for agreeing. My bitterness haunted me, and perhaps God punished us; our son Samuel is ill.
Lets go to him. Test me for compatibility. If Im not a match, he must have my blood type, which is O.
Yes, Im typeA.
Emilys hands trembled as she entered the clinics ward and saw the boy.
Samuel, Ive finally found our mother. Weve been lost so long, but people have helped us meet, Philip said, while Emily stood speechless.
Mother, Ive been waiting for you, imagining this moment, though we have no photos of you at home.
My dear, everything will be alright. Im here and will do whatever it takes to make you healthy, Emily cried, embracing him.
The doctors found Emily to be a perfect match; Samuels treatment succeeded. Philip sold the flat and settled the clinics bill. They now share a modest home with Emilys parents.
Emily, forgive me. We need to marry, and you should have another child. Our sons doctor said siblings make better donors than parents.
Ive read that, Phil. For the sake of our children, Im ready for anything.
Philip and Emily wed, and besides Samuel they now raise two more childrena boy and a girlbringing a new, hopeful chapter to a story that once seemed doomed.
