For two hours, Emily had been sitting in the queue outside Granny Mabels cottage. The old wise woman was her last hope. For years, Emily had tried to conceive, but for some inexplicable reason, it just wouldnt happen.
Honestly, I dont know what to tell youyour tests are perfect, no abnormalities, the doctor had said, shrugging.
But there must be *some* explanation. If Im completely healthy, why cant I have a baby? Emily pressed.
I dont know. Medicine cant always explain everything. Maybe try church? the doctor muttered, looking almost embarrassed.
Emily and James had been married five years. Their life was otherwise perfecta comfortable home, financial security, love and understanding. The only thing missing was the sound of childrens laughter in their spacious, well-furnished house.
Shed long suspected there was something unnatural at play. After the doctors words, she was sure of it.
Church is all well and good, her best friend Sophie had said, scribbling an address, but in your case, you need a proper *seer*. Go. No point dawdling.
At last, it was her turn. Emily stepped hesitantly into the dim, cosy cottage. Instead of the wizened crone with fangs and a black cat shed half-imagined, a sweet-faced old woman in a floral dress and a white shawl smiled at her.
Hello, love! Come, sit by the icon, Granny Mabel said in a voice as soft as worn velvet.
II have this problem Emily burst into tears before she could stop herself.
I know, dear. And Ill help as best I can.
Emily sat obediently beside the large icon of the Virgin Mary while Granny Mabel murmured prayers, circling a candle around her. Twenty minutes later, the old woman took Emilys hands.
You wont conceive. Theres a curse on you, carried since childhood.
A curse? Who would curse *me*? Ive never hurt anyone!
No, *you* didnt. But your mother took a terrible sin upon her soul, and now you bear the weight.
Thats not *fair*! My mothers been gone for yearswhy should I pay for her mistakes?
Its the way of the world. We cant fight it.
Can you help me?
No. If it were a simple hex or bad luck, maybe. But this? No. Granny Mabel shook her head. You must find out who your mother wronged and try to make amends. And praynot just for yourself, but for your enemies too.
Thank you, Emily whispered.
She got in her car and dialled James.
James? I wont be home tonight. I need to see Aunt Margaret. Ill explain later.
She drove straight to the countryside.
Emily! You shouldve called! Id have baked something! Aunt Margaret fussed.
This isnt a social visit. I need the truth. What did my mother do? Why am I paying for her sins?
Aunt Margaret hesitated, then sighed. Your mother, Elizabeth she was the beauty of the village. Plenty of suitors, but she fell for a married manWilliam. Stole him right from his wife, Mary. Left her with a baby boy.
Mary had begged Elizabeth to give him back, even crawled on her knees. Elizabeth just laughed and turned her away. In her despair, Mary cursed Elizabeth and her unborn children.
And then? Emily whispered.
Your mother married William. You were born. But they didnt live longboth gone within a decade. Like some dark fate. And now *you* cant have children.
Where is Mary now?
Lost her mind years ago. Son, Leo, ended up in foster care. Thendrink, trouble. One winter, he got lost in the woods. They found him, but his legs well. Hes in a wheelchair now.
So *this* is my familys legacy.
Aye. Ruined lives all round.
Take me to Leo.
Are you *mad*? Hes a drunk, bitter man! You dont know what youre walking into!
Then point me in the right direction.
Grumbling, Aunt Margaret led her to a ramshackle cottage. Inside, the air reeked of cheap whisky and tobacco. A manunkempt, hard-facedslumped in a wheelchair. A snow-white cat dozed on the table.
Youve got a cat on the table, Emily blurted.
*Snowball* does as he pleases. Whats it to you? Leo slurred. If youre from the council, sod off.
No. Im Emily. Your sister.
Leo laughed, sharp and cold. Oh, *this* is rich. What do you want? Inheritance? There *is* none.
I came to apologise. And to help.
Got fifty quid?
Silently, Emily put two hundred on the table.
Cheers. All forgiven. Need absolution again, you know where I am.
What about a doctor? Medicine?
Piss off.
She left, shaken.
For days, she couldnt stop thinking about him. At church, the vicar listened to her confession.
That seer was wrong, love. Children dont pay for their parents sins. But prayer *is* goodfor everyone, even those who hurt you.
What should I do about Leo?
Follow your heart.
The next day, she returned.
Back for more? Leo grunted.
No. Pack your things. Youre coming with me.
Like *hell*
Youre my brother. I wont watch you waste away. If you hate it, Ill bring you back. But *try*.
Leo stared. One condition. Snowball comes.
Deal.
—
Three months later, Leo had settled in. Turned out, beneath the bitterness, he was clever, funnyeven started learning coding.
Your prosthetic legs arrive tomorrow, James said, clapping his shoulder. Youll be walking in no time.
Leos eyes shone. Never thought Id stand again.
Thank your sister.
Six months after that, James and Leo stood outside the maternity ward. Inside, Emily held up newborn twins to the window.
Lifes about to get noisy! James laughed.
Ready to be an uncle, Leo?
Bring it on.
