by N L Ardwick
She bent down to pick it up. It was a photograph of a female holding a new born baby. The baby was dressed in a blue baby grow, a boy. The female was beautiful. Her hair was mahogany in colour and was tied up in a ponytail. Her green eyes stood out from the picture. She held the baby proudly in her arms. Behind her was a man. His arm was on her shoulder and he smiled broadly. It was Michael. Her gaze focused on his hand, on the bright gold wedding band, which stood out on his finger. Tears fell from her eyes onto the picture.
She ran to the bathroom and was sick. Her body felt as though it was going to shut down. Her mind was buzzing. She felt as though she was going to faint. It was a while before she was able to cry and then she let out a scream which echoed throughout the small flat. She felt paralysed, frozen. How could he have betrayed her like this?
EPILOGUE
One year later
Harpreet sat opposite Julia.
“I am really proud of you. You have come a long way,” Julia said to her.
There had been many dark days before Harpreet had been able to return to her counselling sessions.
“I hope you know now that whatever has happened, was not your fault,” Julia continued.
Harpreet nodded and smiled. This was to be her last session They agreed that she would contact Julia if she needed to.
Harpreet stepped outside. The sun was out and there was a slight breeze blowing. She walked along the High Street. She felt lighter. For the last six months, she had made a special trip to see Julia. She no longer worked at Simmons and Jones. She had found a job, which was only a ten minute drive from where she lived.
*
There was a long winding lane to the cemetery. It was peaceful and still. Not a sound could be heard. Harpreet got out of the car, followed by Dave. They walked the short distance to the graves, searching the headstones until they found the place where Amy was buried.
This was the first time Harpreet had been able to visit. The headstone was white granite, which gleamed in the sun. There were fresh flowers laid next to it. Ajay must have been there recently.
Harpreet knelt down to read the inscription.
Amy
Beloved daughter of Harpreet and Ajay and sister of Gurmeet
Taken from us too soon
But who will never be forgotten
Harpreet placed her own flowers on the grave and stood up. Dave kissed her on her forehead and held her to him, hugging her tightly.
“Are you ok? You are looking very tired,” he said gently.
“Yes, I am fine,” she replied. “I think I am probably coming down with something.”
They had been married for three months now. He had been with her through her darkest moments and had never given up on her.
Her parents were reluctant to agree at first. They were worried about the response from the community. But they had come round in the end. They could not deny that Dave had helped their daughter to live again. The wedding had been a very low key affair with only both sets of families present.
They were joined by Baljeet and Gurmeet. They were holding pink balloons. They gave one to Harpreet and Dave each and they all simultaneously let go of them so that they drifted away into the air.
Back at her parents’ home, Harpreet stood in her bedroom looking out of the window. It was the same view she had seen throughout her childhood. She could hear laughter in the garden today. She saw Dave playing football with Gurmeet on the grass. She loved him. He was her soulmate. Looking down now at the grey wand she held in her hand, she saw that the result had come on the screen.
She was pregnant.