Penny stepped out of her flat, greeted by the sight of her brand-new red car parked by the kerb—her first car, the one she’d dreamed of for years and now took immense pride in.
She opened the door and glanced up at the flat’s window. Just as she expected, her mum was smiling and waving at her. Penny waved back before settling into the driver’s seat. She didn’t see it, but she knew her mum had just crossed her fingers for good luck from above. Penny pulled out of the car park and merged into the stream of traffic rushing down the street.
Much had changed in her hometown, yet so much remained familiar. She was on her way to her first day at the hospital, where she’d begin as a doctor. Despite her experience, she couldn’t shake the nerves—how would her new colleagues receive her?
As the medical school building flashed past her window, memories flooded back. And there was plenty to remember…
…After finishing school, Penny had enrolled in medical school. She’d dreamed of becoming a doctor since she was ten.
Proudly, she told everyone she was now a student, a future physician. Friends and former classmates congratulated her…
She could hardly wait for classes to start. But she hadn’t expected it to be so gruelling. Endless hours of memorising Latin terms. No shortcuts—just sheer discipline. Her first year was spent buried in textbooks.
Things got more interesting in her third year when clinical rotations began. Less rote learning, more thinking on her feet.
Penny eased up a bit, and that’s when she noticed a handsome bloke in lectures.
Rumours swirled about him—how he never let a pretty girl pass without flirting. And really, they flocked to him too.
Penny, inexperienced in love, fell hard. She knew it wouldn’t end well, but she couldn’t help herself. She’d blush when he glanced her way, caught in fantasies about him. The heart has its reasons, after all. Hers fluttered at the sight of Simon, ignoring all logic.
Finally, he noticed her. She’d imagined a sweet, romantic love. Instead, he rushed things, pushing for more than she was ready for. And, as these things often go, it ended in pregnancy…
She felt awful during lectures, and Simon suddenly went cold.
Devastated, she barely slept, crying through the nights. Her studies suffered badly.
Desperate, she confronted Simon in the canteen, poking at her unappetising pasta before quietly telling him she was pregnant.
She had no illusions, but part of her still hoped he felt something.
He studied her carefully before replying. “I’m not ready for marriage. I never promised you that. You should… take care of it. It’s best for everyone—especially you.” He drained his glass of squash and walked away…
Tearfully, Penny pushed her plate aside and dragged herself to class.
No matter how often she tried catching his eye in lectures, Simon ignored her completely. His interest had vanished…
…Her mum never found out. Penny claimed she was just run-down. She’d come home from lectures and collapse into bed…
But life moved forward. No time for self-pity. At uni, she’d see Simon with other girls, arms wrapped around them.
On rare days he attended lectures, she couldn’t focus, staring at his back, lost in thought.
Unable to bear it, Penny transferred to London. Her mum pleaded with her to stay, but she mumbled something about better facilities and job opportunities.
In her final year, she married a quiet classmate. A serious, unremarkable man utterly devoted to her. He lived with his mum near the city centre—a seamstress who stitched beautiful dresses for Penny, who was deeply grateful.
After graduation, Penny landed a job at a London hospital. She threw herself into work, spending endless hours there.
At home, she’d excitedly talk about her young patients and her achievements.
Her husband, a humble GP, grew jealous of her success. His mother often whispered that Penny should get pregnant—then she’d settle down, bake pies and cook roasts like a proper wife.
Eventually, suspicions festered, and she insisted on divorce…
…Penny gazed out the car window at her hometown, remembering the guilt she carried—that she’d never have children.
Fate had given her a bitter reward for that reckless, fleeting love.
After the divorce, she worked in London for a few more years before growing tired of rented flats. She returned home to her mum.
Immediately, she got a job at the local hospital—shabby compared to the London facilities.
Penny changed into her scrubs and entered the staff room. Suspicious glances followed her:
*”Alright, big-city hotshot, think you’ll waltz in and change everything? This isn’t London. Lower your expectations. Let’s see how you handle it.”*
But Penny quickly fit in. She never criticised, never boasted about her past. Soon, they warmed to her professionalism and quiet dedication.
She treated the children with such kindness, as if pouring out the love she’d never spend on her own.
Often, she wondered—what if she hadn’t gone through with it? What if she’d been braver? Maybe she wouldn’t be who she was today, but her life might’ve meant something else entirely. Why was youth so foolish, so short-sighted?
London had its perks—modern equipment, cutting-edge medicine. But provincial people were good-hearted. Even without resources, they worked miracles.
One day, a boy named Daniel was admitted. His parents had driven him in, weeping in the corridor, blaming themselves for not watching him closely.
*”What a handsome lad. He’ll have girls chasing him one day,”* Penny thought.
After the surgery, she peeled off her gloves and stepped out, exhausted. The parents rushed over.
*”Well? How is he? When can we see him?”*
Penny froze. She recognised Simon instantly. A decade since their last meeting. She was glad she still wore her mask—but her eyes…
What could you read in a doctor’s eyes? Fatigue, pity, sympathy… He didn’t recognise her. She studied his wife—slender, pale, almost brittle.
A thought flickered: *”After all those pretty girls, he married… this?”*
Then she noticed something unexpected. He was a devoted father. But a good husband? Unlikely.
*”He’s fine. Resting. You can see him tomorrow.”*
She retreated to the staff room, yanking off her damp mask.
*”Who’d have thought he’d turn into such a doting dad? Our child would’ve been…”*
She shook off the thought. Pointless. She’d made her choice.
The next day, she checked on Daniel. His mother stood as she entered—small, anxious. Penny reassured her and left.
Later, she was sipping coffee in her office when a knock came. Simon stood there, holding a bouquet of deep-red roses and a gift bag.
*”Looking for Dr. Penny Clarkson—”* He stopped mid-sentence, stunned. *”You?!”*
A beat of silence.
*”I came to thank you,”* he murmured, offering the flowers.
*”That wasn’t necessary.”* She traced the fresh petals.
*”Can we talk?”*
She motioned to the chair by the window, then arranged the roses in a vase. She felt his gaze—knew she looked good. Why wouldn’t she? No children, no stress. Still trim, still youthful.
He stood, stepping closer. *”How have you been? Married?”*
*”Was. Divorced. No kids. Never will have.”*
He flinched, looking away. *”I’m sorry.”*
*”Remember when I told you I was pregnant? Not a flicker of feeling on your face. Funny how life works—now here I am saving your son.”*
A pause.
*”Maybe I should’ve made a tiny mistake…”*
Simon recoiled, eyes wide.
*”Relax,”* she smirked. *”I did everything perfectly. He’ll recover fully.”*
After he left, she found an expensive box of chocolates in the bag—the standard doctor’s thank-you gift.
She checked her reflection. The blue scrubs suited her, even if they hid her figure.
She could pass for 25. Smiling, she took the chocolates to Daniel’s room.
Simon and his wife were there. The wife jumped up, pale and fretful. Penny softened—no more unkind thoughts.
*”He’s doing well. One more week, then discharge. Thanks for the flowers, but these are unnecessary.”* She handed the chocolates to the wife and left.
Later, she wondered—why had she been so sharp with them? She’d made her choice. She could’ve told her mum. Maybe she’d have a grown child now.
But no. She’d never have harmed anyone—least of all a child.
*”Still, I gave him a scare. Serves him right.”*
Strangely, she felt nothing for Simon now. That first glance in the corridor had sparked something—but memory plays tricksAs she drove home that evening, Penny realised she didn’t need Simon’s regrets or anyone’s approval—she had built a life of purpose, and that was enough.
