Home Alone

When Emily awoke, she instinctively turned towards where her husband William usually slept, surprised to find his side of the bed empty. Glancing at the clock, she thought,

*He must be making breakfast again, trying to surprise me.*

She rose from bed and walked to the window, drawing back the heavy curtains. Sunlight spilled across her face in bright streaks, forcing her to squint.

Goodness, what a lovely day, she murmured, stepping onto the balcony. Perfect summer weatherwarm and sunny. And Im home today. The children gave me a day off. At last, William and I can spend time together, maybe take a stroll.

Emily had recently retired, while William, a retired army officer, now worked as a security guard. Hed taken the job because he couldnt stand being home alone. Emily, meanwhile, looked after their five-year-old grandson, Alfie. Their daughter, Charlotte, refused to send him to nurseryhe caught colds too often.

Charlotte had struggled to conceive, waiting ten years after marrying her husband, Daniel, before finally falling pregnant. Shed undergone treatment, worrying all the while that Daniel might grow impatient and leave her for another woman. But, thank goodness, hed stood by her, patient and kind.

Charlotte had married soon after university. She was Emily and Williams only child.

Mum, DadIm marrying Danny, shed announced one day, leaving her parents stunned.

Neither had expected their beloved daughter to simply declare her wedding plans.

Well live in Dannys flat, so Ill be moving out, she added breezily.

Charlotte, why not stay with us? Theres room, Emily had offered. Danny lives on the outskirts of town.

Its fine, Mum, Charlotte had waved a hand dismissively. You and Dad wont be lonelyyoull have each other.

After Charlotte moved, the house fell quiet. Their lives had changed entirely. William tried to give Emily more attention, but she still missed her daughter terribly. Instead of going straight home after work, shed cross the city with bags of groceries for the young couple. Luckily, teaching biology at school meant she finished by three, giving her time for these visits.

Mum, why do you drag all this food over? We arent starvingwe both work, Charlotte would grumble, unpacking the bags. Dads at home alone, probably waiting for you.

Dont be silly, love! Your father isnt a childhe can cook for himself and leave me a plate.

But Emily sensed her frequent visits werent entirely welcome. She even feared they might one day ask her to stop coming. Daniels disapproving glances didnt help. To avoid complicating things, she decided,

*I should visit less. Danny might snap at me if this keeps up. Ill only come when invited. Helping is one thing, but theres a limit. And leaving William alone isnt right*

Years passed. Emily grew accustomed to life without Charlotte. They visited occasionally, but the ache faded. Life no longer felt grey. William was pleased to have her homeno more late returns after exhausting cross-town trips. They cooked together, took turns washing up, and shopped side by side. Each evening, they strolled in the small park near their house.

William had retired as a colonel after a demanding career. Hed married Emily, a beautiful young teacher, fresh out of training college. Their first posting took them far into the countryside, where they lived in a cramped caravan before finally getting proper quarters.

Emily, my love, hed say after duty, you deserve a medal for bravery. Not every city girl would follow her husband to the middle of nowhere.

Oh, hush, shed laugh, truly unbothered. Love made it all bearable.

Then Charlotte was born. The heat was unbearable, but they endured. Postings shifted until William was accepted into military academyin London. They lived in student housing.

Its hard for you and Charlotte here, hed say worriedly. But once I graduate, we wont be sent to the sticks again.

Well manage, Emily never complained.

Noisy as the dorm was, it beat the dusty countryside. After graduation, William announced,

Were off to Manchestertheyre giving us a proper flat at last. You dont regret marrying a wanderer, do you?

Were not wanderers, were explorers, Emily would smile.

Charlotte thrived in school, but another transfer came. Emily fretted over yet another upheaval.

Dont worry, Mum, Charlotte reassured her. Ill be fine.

And she was. She settled easily, made new friends. Emily found work at a local school. Life fell into place.

Years later, another movethis time to Edinburgh.

Youve always wanted to be closer to home, William said.

Charlotte, now in secondary school, hated leaving. But they packed up, said their goodbyes, and started anew. The flat they got was spacious and bright.

Charlotte graduated, went to university, then married. William retired. They stayed in Edinburgh for good.

Eventually, Charlotte had Alfie after years of waiting. At three, she decided to return to work.

Mum, I dont want to hire a strangercould you look after Alfie? Youre retired now, she said during a visit meant for a serious talk.

Of course, love. No sense paying someone when Im free, Emily agreed, though Williams frown spoke volumes.

She believed parents should help not just their children, but their grandchildren too. William disagreed. Hed taken the security job to avoid solitudenow Emily was gone most days.

This morning, stepping into the kitchen, she found no trace of William. The kettle was coldhe hadnt even had tea. Strange. Then the front door clicked open. William dropped two bags, wiping his brow.

Ah, youre up early. I nipped to the marketfresh meat, fruit, herbs. Thought wed cook something nice today. Im tired of ready meals.

Brilliant. Youre a dear, Emily kissed his cheek.

Then the phone rang. Charlotte.

Mum, I know its your day off, but Alfies poorly. Weve been invited to a barbecuecould you watch him?

Alright. When do you need me?

Youve two hours to get here, Charlotte said before hanging up.

Emily sighed, meeting Williams scowl.

Theyre going to a barbecue. Alfies unwell. Our plans are off.

This time, William snapped.

Emily, when will this end? We raised one daughter, and shes taken over your life. You never had help when she was small. Now its your day off, and youre trekking across town again. They could skip the barbecue. But noMum will step in while they have fun. What about me? Ive lived on ready meals for a year, doing everything alone. And I work!

William, whats got into you? Its like you dont love them!

I love them. And you. But our daughter only loves herself.

Seeing her distress, he softened, rubbing his sidea pain hed hidden for months.

Never mind. Go, if you must. Ill manage.

Emily called him later, but he didnt answer. *Probably left his phone at home again*, she thought.

Charlotte and Daniel returned by nine. Emily took a taxi home, uneasy. The door was ajar. Their neighbour, Margaret, stood inside.

Emily, thank goodness. Williams had a heart attackhe called an ambulance. They took him to hospital an hour ago.

Which one? Emilys legs nearly gave way.

Margaret handed her a number. The hospital said he was stableshe could visit tomorrow.

The next day, William greeted her with a weak smile.

Scared you, didnt I? Doctor says Ill live.

She visited daily. That same evening, she told Charlotte,