A Baby for a Friend
When Emily was reaching the last months of her pregnancy, her younger brother left home and her dad started drinking heavily. From then on, life for Emily turned into a living hell.
Every morning, shed air out the house, clean up empty bottles from under the table, and wait for her dad to finally wake up.
Dad, you shouldnt be drinking. Youve only just recovered from that stroke.
Ill drink if I want to. Whos going to stop me? It makes the pain easier.
What pain?
The pain of realising Im not needed. Not by anyone, not even you, Emily. Im just a burden to you. Im a lost cause. Shouldnt have bothered marrying, or having kids, whove only inherited my uselessness, weak character, and poverty. It was all pointless, love. Easier to just drink.
Emily, already fed up and irritable, snapped at him.
Its not all pointless, Dad. Plenty of people have it worse in life.
How much worse, love? You grew up without your mum, and now youre about to bring a baby into the world without a father and a future in poverty.
Its not all so bleak, Dad. Nothing lasts forever. Things can change in a moment.
She wistfully remembered how happy shed been just recently, planning to marry James. Sure, the world had crumbled, but she had to carry on.
That day, her dad got drunk again. Angry and desperate, Emily shouted, Did you drink the money Id set aside? Howd you even find it? You turned the whole house upside-down! Did you rummage through my things?!
Everything in this house is mine, her dad declared. Including my pension, which you keep hiding from me!
And you drank it all? Did you even think about what well live off now?
Why should I worry? Im ill. You’re an adult, you look after me now!
Emily searched every cupboard.
I know for sure there were two packs of pasta and some butter yesterday. Theyre gone! What are we going to have for dinner now?
She was shocked. She slumped down on a chair, hands over her face.
How was she to know her Aunt Christine had started coming over wheedling drinks out of her dad and helping herself to their food whenever Emily was out?
Christine had wormed her way into their home and was doing everything she could to break the family apart.
Emily spent the night in tears, lying in bed utterly broken, hungry and worn out.
The next morning, there was a knock on the door, and in breezed Aunt Christine, wrapped up in a stylish coat, clicking her heels across the hallway. She didnt bother taking her shoes offjust marched right in.
Morning! A friend of mine from the council told me youre behind on the bills and theyll be cutting off your electricity soon. Whats going on, Em? Are you going to offer me a cuppa?
Without waiting for an answer, Christine went into the kitchen and started rifling through the fridge and cupboards.
Ill make the tea, youre pregnant after all, just like my Sarah was Youve got absolutely nothing here, not even a bag of tea or a cube of sugar. Right, well have to go to the shop.
Emily avoided her gaze.
Aunt Christine, I wont be making you any tea. Its best you leave.
But Christine wasnt giving up.
Youve got problems, I can see that. Remember when I suggested you move in with me? Well, this time Im not asking, Im insisting. Pack your things and come. Theres nothing here for your baby your dads drinking, youve nothing to eat, let alone fruit or vitamins. Come on, love, lets get going.
Emily felt faint and had to sit. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. Christine put her arms around her.
Listen, sweetheart, I know how you feel about me. Ill never be forgiven, I knowmy daughter took your fiancé. But Im not heartless and I cant bear to see you suffer. Whether you want it or not, Ill look after you.
Everything after that went by in a blur. Christine helped Emily pack and called a taxi.
***
On the day her labour started, Christine didnt leave her side.
Listen carefully, Emily. Ive told the midwives that you want to give up your baby. So when shes born, dont hold her, dont breastfeed her. Dont even look.
Emily was in agony.
Oh, Aunt Chris, I dont care about anything right now. I just want it over.
Dont forget what I saidthe babys too much for you alone. Ive already found a lovely couple all set to adopt her straight away.
A few hours later a baby girl was born.
Shes healthy, 7lb 4oz, alls well.
The nurse wrapped the wailing newborn in a blanket and took her away without letting Emily see her.
But the paediatrician came over and looked sternly at Emily.
Whats this? You have a beautiful, healthy daughter and dont even want to look at her? Janet, bring the baby back and give her to her mum.
Emily shook her head.
I dont want to. I can hardly support myself; I never wanted to give birth. There are people who need this baby more. Ill sign the papers, shell be adopted.
Dont say that. Please, at least look at your daughter.
Emily squeezed her eyes shut, but then felt something gentle touch her hand.
The nurse laid the baby next to her. The baby whimpered, nudging with her nose, opening her mouth, and Emily finally looked at her.
The tiny, helpless baby gazed up, little eyes squinting, reaching out with her little hands.
There you go, mum. Time to feed your baby, the paediatrician smiled, brightening at the look on Emilys face as she took in her girl for the first time.
Shes beautiful. She needs you, not anyone else, you see?
Emily burst into tears, cradling her daughter.
For the next two hours, Emily rested with her baby. She couldnt take her eyes off her.
It was like maternal instinct had suddenly woken inside her.
This is it. The meaning of my lifemy daughter. It doesnt matter if James left or if Dads losing his mind. My little girl needs me. Ill stay with her.
***
Emily woke to the voice of Aunt Christine, who had slipped into the hospital room in her dressing gown.
Have you forgotten our agreement? she whispered. You promised youd give up the baby. The couple I lined up are ready to take her, right now.
Ive changed my mind, Emily replied. Im not giving her up.
But youve no money, youve nowhere to go! What kind of life is that for a baby?
Well manage. I wont trouble you anymore.
Emily watched as Christines face twisted in anger.
Youre mad! How will you survive, then? Going round begging for pennies?
Christine startled the baby, sleeping nearby. Emily got up and reached for her.
Dont touch her! Ill rock her and give her formula. Well tell the doctors youve no milk, snapped Christine.
Emily shook her head.
This isnt your decision. Shes my daughter. I told youIve changed my mind and thats final!
You cant! You promised! Christine spluttered helplessly.
Please leave.
Christine stormed out. Emilys roommate, who had been quietly lying nearby, raised her head.
Who was that?
My aunt.
Awful. Dont let her get to you. You were right to stand your ground. Im Laura. If you need any help, just ask. Theres still some good people about.
Im Emily.
Lovely to meet you, Em. That woman gave me the creeps. Looked like she wanted to grab your daughter and run. Very strange.
***
Before Emily was discharged, a visitor came. She wasnt allowed in the ward, so Emily joined her in the hall.
Her former friend, Sarah, was waiting, already heavily pregnant. Hey.
Emily sat down cautiously. Sarah joined her.
I heard youve given birth.
Yes. A little girl.
Sarah looked shifty.
Listen, you know mums found a couple ready to adopt your baby.
So?
Theyre really good people, Emily. Theyre well-off, theyll give her everything she needs.
Sarah took her hand, speaking in a hushed voice.
Theyre offering fifty thousand pounds. Imagine what you could do! You could buy yourself a room, maybe even a little flat.
Fifty grand? Emily nodded slowly. Well, if you care so much, why dont you give them your own baby?
Sarah pouted but kept gripping Emilys sleeve.
Wait, Emily! Let me have her! Ill look after hershes Jamess daughter.
You think you can handle two kids?
You dont understand, my whole family is falling apart!
Emily got up to leave. Sarah clung to her, her eyes wild.
I need this baby, Emily!
Let go.
A few hours later James himself barged into the ward. Emily flinched at the sight of him.
So youve given birth? Can I see the baby?
No, you cant! Youve got Sarah about to give birth, go and see her!
We need to talk, Emily. Since you had the baby, Ive not had a minutes peace. Look, I want to take my daughter. Give her up and Ill make sure shes adopted instantly.
Emily shook her head.
Im not like you. Id never give up someone who needs me. There’s nothing here for you. Im not giving my baby to you!
James didnt want to leave, still standing there looking lost.
Give me the baby! You never had the right to have her anyway! I’ll take what’s mine!
“You, mummys boy? Ask your mum for permission first! snapped Emily.
She pushed past him, picking up her baby, and left to talk to the nurses.
Could I ask you not to let in any more visitors? I dont want to see anyone elsethis place feels like a train station!
Epilogue
On the day she left the hospital, Emily held her daughter tightly.
She wasnt alone; Laura, her roommate, was leaving too, met at the door by her husband and mother.
Standing on the steps, Emily spotted the Smiths car. Out stepped Jamess mother, Valerie. She craned her neck, scanning Emily from head to toe.
Emily felt a chill down her spine.
Her exs mother eyed her like a wolf waiting to pounce.
Laura noticed Emilys face, walked over and stood with her.
Whos that, Em?
Jamess parents.
Shes definitely waiting for you. Makes my skin crawl, the way theyve all latched onto you. I told you, my mums got a room ready for youlets go.
Emily nodded, feeling the same uneasy knot inside.
***
Staying with her new friends brought unexpected happiness for Emilya new friends cousin, Henry, a lifelong bachelor, began looking out for her.
Henry turned out to be kind and genuine. Not only did he marry Emily and adopt her daughter, but he also did everything he could to support her dad.
As for Sarah and James, their marriage quietly fell apart.
Turns out, Sarah was faking her pregnancy with a cushionand the whole Smith family had bought the act.
Aunt Christine, trying to protect her daughter, confessed to her son-in-law that Sarah had lost her baby early on. She suggested what she thought was a brilliant plan.
James, son, dont be mad at Sarah. Yes, she lost the baby, but its not like youre perfect yourselfyour childs about to be born elsewhere. Why not just adopt Emilys baby? Its yours anyway. No need to upset your parents about Sarahs loss. Well go on pretending shes pregnant, then, when Emilys baby arrives, we take her and everyone believes shes Sarahs.
James actually liked the idea.
Everything was set until Emily refused to give up her baby. That threw them into complete confusion.
Jamess mum, Valerie, furious at the deceit, sent Sarah packing and made James divorce her.
And thats how it all ended, love. With Emily finally finding family and hope, just when she needed it most.
