Everyone in the neighbourhood thinks the girl is looking after her neighbours grandmother just for the inheritance, but theyre mistaken.
Emily has never known her fatherhe left her mother when Emily was just a baby. But she was brought up by her mum and her grandfather, who both cared for her deeply. When Emily turned ten, her mother fell ill with cancer and passed away, leaving Emily in the sole care of her grandfather, who became her whole world, filling the role of both parents for her.
Emilys grandmother had died even before her mother, so after that, it was just her and her grandfather, the only family she had left. Now, Emily is a grown woman with a job, and she still lives with and looks after her grandfather. Over recent months, he has become terribly frail and now spends all his days in bed. Emily senses his time will soon be up.
Emily, I need to ask you for a favour, her grandfather says quietly one afternoon.
What is it, Grandad?
He looks at her fondly. You know your grandmother had a dear friend, Margaret. They were like sistersalways popping round for a cuppa, helping each other out. After your gran passed, I kept calling on Margaret to check in. Promise me, when my time comes, you won’t leave her to fend for herself. Promise you’ll look after her.
I promise, Grandad.
The following morning, her grandfather passes away. Suddenly, Emily is on her own. She starts visiting Margaret, helping with the cooking and tidying, making sure she has everything she needs. Oddly, though Margaret has her own family, none of them seem the slightest bit concerned about her. Three years go by before Margaret too passes awayonly then do her relatives start turning up.
On the day of the funeral, all Margarets relatives are rifling through her flat, clearly looking for cash or valuables. Emily slips out quietly, taking only an old photograph as a keepsake.
The very next day, Margarets sister turns up at Emilys door.
Emily, Ive got something to discuss with you, she says, looking uneasy.
What is it? Emily replies.
Well, Margaret left a will. She left everything to you. But you know, you have no real connection to herwere her family. I know I didnt care for her, but I had plenty on my plate. If you hand it over, Ill make it up to you, somehow.
Thats fine, Emily answers. Just pay me for what you think is fair.
But did Emily return everything to Margarets family? No; instead, she donated it all to a childrens home, feeling it would do more good there than anywhere else.
