Help, is there a way to retrieve copy paste errors / files? Please?

Hi Everyone,

I am in a desperate situation.

I am working on a project that I did in Pages, don't know what version I am in but I have a 10.6.8 OSX. I have a Macbook Pro.

My problem is I didn't turn on the Time Machine (which I NOW know I should have done).

I have been copy pasting some text into a master file to make use of the Table of Contents feature.

In the midst and rush of things, I ended up with an error.

I erased part the original file, I was copying from. I discovered it a day or two after.

The thng is I had emptied my trash bin to save space almost the same time too.

Is there anyway I could retrieve the original version of the that file. Might it be hidden somewhere in my hard drive?

How do I retrieve it?

That was probably 4-5 pages long and now its 1 page only.

Please please help,would appreciate any tips.

Thank you so much for any advice.