The One by Sue Rhodes-Thompson December 2007

Emily looked into his eyes one last time.

She had thought that at long last, he had realised.

Realised that they were meant to be together, soul mates bound by an invisible thread.

But no.  He had rebuffed her.

She had known instantly, had loved instantly.

They had had many different faces throughout their lifetimes, but the eyes always gave it away.  They had had met so many times.  Sometimes swapping gender, but the bond had always been there.

During some earlier lives, they might have only passed each other in the street.  Caught each others gaze for a second too long.  Felt the connection and then passed by.  Not quite ready.

She knew that sometimes he was the keeper of their souls, sometimes she.  But their lives together had to wait until it was right for both of them.

They both had lessons to learn.

Emily watched as he walked away.  Her heart screaming with jealousy that he would be with another.

She wiped the tears away with her wrinkled, bent fingers.

Her only consolation, that she was nearly eighty and her days were almost done.

Perhaps next time around, at long last, they would finally find each other.