The son isn’t ready to be a father…
Shameless! Ungrateful pig! my mother shrieked at my sister Emily, her fury knowing no limits. Emilys growing belly only seemed to make Mums anger worse, not better. Get out of this house and dont you dare come back! I dont want to see you ever again!
And she really did throw Emily outshed threatened before, for all sorts of things. But this time, because Emily had gone and got herself pregnant, as Mum put it, she said never to come home againunless by some miracle, everything sorted itself out.
Soaked in tears, carrying only a battered suitcase, Emily limped off to her boyfriendTimothy, who looked completely lost. Turned out, he hadnt even told his parents that Emily was having his baby. Timothys mum took one look at Emily and asked if it was still early enough to do something about it, but it was obviously far too lateher bump was impossible to miss. Emily was in such a state of shock and desperation that all she wanted was someone, anyone, to help her. Just a month before, shed fiercely refused Mums suggestions, but now she was haunted by fear and worry for the future.
My sons not ready to be a father, Timothys mother said firmly. Hes youngyoull ruin his chances in life. Of course, well help where we can. For now, though, Ive spoken to someone and found you a place at a support centre for girls like youpregnant and with nowhere else to go.
At the centre, Emily got a little room to herself. At last, she could breathe, get some rest, and escape the drama. No one pestered her; she was gently prepared for childbirth, both physically and emotionally, and a counsellor saw her regularly. When the day finally came and they laid that tiny bundle in her arms, Emily panicked, gripped by a sudden wave of fear. Once she settled down, she peered at her babyher little girland marvelled at this strange new miracle.
Christmas crept closer, but instead of bringing joy, Emily was given notice: she had to find somewhere else to go. There was a waiting list for her room.
Sitting in her tiny room, baby Pippawho was just a month oldresting in her lap, Emily felt lost. How was she going to survive, with no money, no roof over her head, and no one to take them in? Their mothers heart had never thawed. She refused even to see her granddaughter, shut them out of her life entirely.
Oh, Pippa, what a glum Christmas Eve this is Emily whispered to her daughter. Shed always loved this holiday. As a child, shed dash from door to door with the local kids, singing carols and filling her pockets with coins and sweets. Those memories burned bright; suddenly, Emily longed to feel that again: to go carolling, soak in the glow of the festive season. But why not? she thought. Pippa is a quiet babywrap her up warm and carry her, and Ill sing a few carols. If people dont open their doors, so be it.
On Christmas Day, Emily set off for a quiet neighbourhood lined with detached houses. As shed guessed, these households were reluctant to answer the door to a lone young woman. Tradition always expected lads at the door. Nevertheless, she was welcomed in here and there. She sang beautifully and sincerely, touching heartspeople not only handed her some pounds but also pressed festive treats into her hands. Many were moved, spotting the baby, and seemed to realise that something drastic must have driven a young woman to go carolling with a newborn.
Walking from one home to the next was no easy task. Ill just try that big house on the corner, Emily thought. The people there must have plenty; perhaps Ill get lucky. Her pocket was now fairly full, and she felt a small wave of relief.
Do you mind if I sing a carol? she asked as the man invited her in. But what he did next unsettled her. Once inside, he stared at her face as if frozen. His eyes moved to the baby, and he suddenly went pale, swaying slightly before sinking onto the sofa.
Charlotte? he whispered.
Im sorry? she managed. No, Im Emily Maybe youve mistaken me for someone else.
Emily? But you look just like my wife And this child. Is she a girl?
Yes.
I had a daughter like you, once But I lost them both. Car accident. And just the other night, I dreamt my wife and child had returned And now, here you are. Can it really happen?
I dont even know what to say
Please, come in, dont be shy. Stay a while and tell me your story
At first, Emily was put off by how emotionalalmost desperatehe seemed, but then reasoned she had nowhere else to go. She stepped into the spacious lounge of the house, where he lived alone. She instantly spotted a photograph on the walla woman and a childand, sure enough, the mans late wife looked remarkably like her
Then, slowly, Emily began to share her own story. She couldnt stop; every vulnerable detail tumbled out. For the first time, she felt someone cared. The man listened quietly, hanging on every word, his eyes flitting every so often to the baby, who slept peacefully, sometimes smiling in her dreams. Maybe she could sense that, at last, they were somewhere safea place that, for her and her mother, might soon feel like home.
