Just look at her! Dressed up to the nines! Normal folk are off to work at the crack of dawn, and shes prancing about in white trousers of all things. Have you ever seen such a thing, tramping through our mucky roads?
Dont be daft, she never walks! Always in that massive car of herslooks like a bloomin bus!
Well, be grateful shes wearing any clothes at all! Did you see what shes got round her neck?
No, whats she got?
A tattoo! Thats what! Who does that these days? She looks like shes been locked up, honestly! Young as she is, already covered in ink! What would her mother say, if she could see her now? No disciplineutterly lost, that girl
The chattering on the bench at the foot of the flats grew louder as they watched Emily stride past, white-clad and oblivious.
After all, whats the harm in idle gossip? The shopping bags were already at their feet, and the prospect of going home, where only chores awaited, was less than appealing. A quick natter eased the monotony Children, grand or small, cooking, cleaningit all blurs into the same old routine. Only the odd birthday or wedding brings a bit of light these days. Happiness isnt often found on the doorstep of ordinary folk. More likely its all worry, how to feed the family, how to help out when theres a need. Maybe, if theyre lucky, a grandchild to spoilwith a few sweets snuck into little palms, a soft kiss on a warm crown. But not for all. Look at old Mrs. Middleton, whose children had the nerve to tell her not to bother waiting for grandkidsits all off to Spain or the Med now, isnt it? No intention of settling down, no sense of duty. How do they even manage? Probably the same as that EmilySophies daughter.
She hadnt always been like this. Used to be a good girldid well at school, always polite. Then, after her mother died, she gave up entirelydrifting about, never working. Not even at universityno, of course not! The word around was shed opened her own tattoo studio of all things! Thats not what proper girls do!
A few years back, when Emilys dad came knocking, everyone thought hed set her straight. No such luckbought her that ridiculous car no one can park, then vanished again. Left her to fend for herself at only twenty. Imagine! What if she lets the wrong sort into the flat her mother left her, or loses the car in some silly deal?
Look! Off she goes again! Not a backward glance! Shes a proper madam, that one. Trotting off in white trousers like she owns the place
Emily didnt have timeor needfor her neighbours complaints and wild stories. She had enough of her own problems. Like today, her schedule was packed to the brim. Sometimes she wished, wistfully, that a day could just stretch out for another couple of hours. Her mum used to say Emily never learned to manage time properly, but she must, one day.
Emily, everything hangs on that. There are those that run themselves ragged and never get anything done. They grumble and moan, envy those who seem to breeze through life. But the recipes simpleyou make friends with your time, youll get anywhere you want.
But how, Mum?
Dont waste it. Decide whats important, and give it what you think it deserves. Leave a bit aside for rest, and for fun. That matters too. You cant just slog endlesslynow and then, you have to let yourself laugh, or youll drive yourself mad, and wholl benefit then? Not you, thats for sure. Tired, grumpy, angrythe lot. Mind, dont overdo the lazing about either. Youll lose yourself entirely. Work out your balance and stick to it, love. Keep everything in its place. Itll help you, and put my mind at rest too
Emily remembered the adviceshe even kept a diarybut keeping on top of things was another matter. She couldnt say which jobs could wait; everything felt urgent. Three lectures swirled on her calendar, but shed only catch one today; two clients had booked in, she needed to swing by Chloesand wherever Chloe was, Jack wouldnt be far behind, which always meant a long chat. Then help Ben pack up his flat, and meet the newbies before the big move next weekshe didnt even know their names yet. She barely knew how shed get it all done.
The queue of traffic inched forward. Emily pressed the accelerator, her car surging ahead with a graceful hum. Dont worry, it seemed to say, well make it. Thats why he gave me to youso you could save precious minutes.
She stroked the steering wheel. Thanks, Dad.
A few years ago, if someone had told her shed ever be grateful to her father, Emily would have laughed in their face. Shed despised him for as long as she could remember.
Mum never spoke a bad word about him. Quite the oppositeshed always say how clever he was, and how Emily took after him.
Yet Emily never understood how someone so clever could abandon his baby and never once look back.
Shed nursed that anger for years, feeding it until it soured her soul.
As a girl, she sat glumly in a corner at school plays, eyes dry as the other girls danced with their dads. It stung too much to cry; she simply watched, refusing herself even the comfort of looking away.
When bullies struck at school, she gritted her teeth and fought back, all the while wishing she could threaten, Ill tell my dad, and youll be sorry!
Near the end of school, shed had a blazing row with her best friend, Olivia, over university choices.
Dad says I can pick any university I like. Hell pay if I cant get a scholarship. If I get in, hell buy me a car with the leftover money.
Emily had known Olivia since they were toddlers but, at that moment, she felt crushednot jealous, but deeply, fiercely wounded. Olivia knew how Emily longed for a father. She never missed a chance to twist the knife.
But envy wasnt Emilys thingwhat was the point? She and Mum lived as well as anyone; holidays abroad, new clothes, a nice phone as a sixteenth birthday present.
That phone hadnt even been the highlight of the day. As she turned it over in her hands, the impossible happenedthe one person shed dreamt of meeting appeared on her bedroom doorstep.
Shed gone for him like a stormshouting, sobbing, furious. Mum tried to calm her, but Emily shoved her away, tears flying.
Youre a traitor! Why did you bring him here? I dont want to see him!
How could she have known her mum already had the doctors verdict in her hands? That their life, already balanced on a knifes edge, would soon tumble, dark and quick, taking everything Emily thought was solid right out from under her feet.
That night, Mum took her hand.
Its my fault, Emily. I cut your father out. Blame me. Not him.
Why? Why would you take my father from me?
I was angry
At what? Tell me, Mum! What could make you do that?
Listen, love. Just listen. Dont interrupt. Its hard for me
Emily learned it all.
How her parents married young and clueless, how Emily had not been wantedby anyone on either side. Shed disrupted plans, and both were blamed. Dads career halted, he quit his degree to support the family. Mum never made it back to university after giving birth. The arguments and grievances stacked up, always centred on the birth of a daughter, not a son. Eventually, Mum had cut Dad off, told him Emily wasnt his, and fled back to her aunts.
He tried to see you. He wrote, he calledbut I told him you werent his
Oh, Mum why?
Id heard it so oftenI ended up believing it. I just wanted to shield you from the kind of hate Id heard. It seemed right at the time now, I see how wrong I was, but then, I thought it was for the best.
Emily yanked her hand away and, helpless, slammed her fist on the windowsill. The potted cactus, a forgotten gift from Olivia, quivered, soil spilling everywhere. Just like thatone blow and everything turned messy; and it would take a good scrubbing to put it straight again.
Emily fetched the cloth and wiped up every crumb of dirt. Then she sat by her mothers bed, dry-eyed as in childhood, and demanded, Tell me everythinghonest, this time.
I will
So Emily heard the rest. Shed ended up with more questions than answers, but she realised, at last, that life is strangea single new fact can shatter everything you once thought was certain. Its up to you to pick up the pieces.
Emily still wasnt sure shed forgiven her mum completely, but was quietly grateful shed finally been told the truth. Still, the most important things, Emily suspected, remained hiddenbehind her mums bedroom door, in the silent night vigils, in the brief, rare tears her father shed at the very end.
Of what was said in those bittersweet final moments, Emily never asked. She didnt want to stir the pain.
There were other things to focus onher father refused to let her go live with Aunt Linda as Mum had wanted.
Ill leave if you want, but only after youre eighteen, love. Until then, Ill try not to be in the way.
No, Dad! For years I never heard from youdont keep out the way! I want you here. I want my dad
Sophie, her mum, battled on for nearly two years instead of the few months the doctors predicted. It was a wretched stretch, but, deep down, the best time of Emilys life. It broke her heart how little time, in the end, life had allowed their small family.
It was then she started to draw.
Shed never really focused beforescribbles in her exercise books, sketches here and there. But one day, Dad saw her doodles and, wide-eyed, pulled up his shirtshowing off a stunning tattoo on his back.
My mate did it. Want me to introduce you? He could teach you, maybe.
Yes, she didand she went. For a whole year she trained with her dad in London. Only after mastering the craft did she beg to return home.
I want to go back, she whispered as they packed boxes.
He understood. He didnt argue. He did disappear for two weeks, but when he came back, there was a key on the kitchen table.
Thats yours. And this too. A folder of documents joined the keys.
Whats this?
Your own studio. I sold my flat and bought a little shop in the city centre. Not much, but enough to start. Liamyour trainerhelped sort the gear. Itll be delivered soon. Work hard, Emily. And dont stop learning, lovea trades good, but never neglect your education.
She could hardly believe it, even as the bearded biker next door fawned over her first tattoo at the new studio. Life was turning.
Dad oversaw the renovations, sorted the marketing; then, one morning, he packed his bags.
Where are you going?
To my folks. Complicated situationneed to be there right now. But you know Im always with you, right?
I know but I wish youd stay
Me too, love. But I have to go
Once he left, Emily immersed herself in work and study. The business grew so quickly she hired two assistants. During this whirlwind, Emily met Chloe.
A sharp-looking woman entered the salon one grey evening. Emily was drumming her nails in irritationher last client was nearly an hour late.
Excuse me, is the artist available?
Emily glanced up from her laptop. Thats me.
The woman blinked, unimpressed. Very funny. Could you fetch the grown-up, please?
Emily studied her properlyexpensive coat, professional haircut, but tired eyes, trembling fingers, and brittle nails. Despair, that old familiar tune, played in her eyes. Instead of answering, Emily brought over her portfolio.
Here. These are my designs. If you like what you see, tell me what you want.
A name right here
She rolled up her sleeve, baring her wrist. Where I can see it all the time
Her composure finally crumbled. Emily, watching her struggle not to cry, quietly locked the doorjust as her tardy clients car glided up outside.
Sit down, Emily commanded, lowering the blinds. Lets begin.
Will it hurt? I know it will.
The woman curled up in the chair, murmured, Sophie
Emily asked nothing more. She learned about the person behind the name two days later, when she ran into the woman at the hospital while visiting her aunt.
You?
Yes. Thank you
No trouble. It looks good, doesnt it?
Yes. Sophie likes it too
Shes
My daughter.
The woman stared, then offered her hand.
Chloe.
Emily.
Would you like to meet Sophie?
Yes.
The little girlbrown bobbed hair and mismatched glasseswon Emilys heart immediately. She clasped Emilys hand, tugged her away, babbling:
Have you got any peanuts? Or birdseed? Nothing at all? How dyou expect to feed the squirrels, then?
What squirrels?
Loads! They live here! I feed them with Mum; she says theyre going to get so fat, theyll fall out of the trees!
They wont, silly. They leap about all daynever put on weight.
Sophie peered at Emily, then giggled. Youre clever!
Not reallyIm still learning!
Oh! Me too! Wait, forgot Sophie solemnly shook Emilys hand. Sophie Charlotte Bennett.
Beautiful, Emily replied, gently squeezing her hand, careful of the plaster. Emily Jane Turner.
Now were friends!
The childs laughter sounded like a bell through the pines. Emily saw Chloes face soften with relief, if only for a moment.
The next visit, Emily brought pockets full of peanuts.
Eventually, Chloe told Emily about Sophies illness, how bleak things had looked not so long ago.
They told me there wasnt much hope. Then a new surgeon cameMr. Ben Whittaker. He said theres still more to try
So why the tears, then?
Yesterday was the surgery. Sophie is in intensive carethey wouldnt let me in Ive never been so scared, Emily. And Ive no one to turn to.
Youre on your own? Wheres Sophies dad?
He left before she was born. Truth is, I only had Sophie for me. I chose someone good, but I never loved him, and he knew. So he leftdidnt look back.
I dont get it. But thats the past. Youve got Sophie now.
Yes.
Listen to meyou cant give up! See your wrist? Its not just ink, its a promise. Sophies name is more than a memoryshes here, and she needs you.
Please, Emily, not so loud
If you hear me, then pull yourself together. Tears wont help! Do something!
Chloe sobbed like a childEmily gave her space, silently shooing away the awkward waitstaff and requesting water instead.
They spent the night at Emilys studiotalking, laughing, crying until dawn. At first light Emily bundled her friend into the car and drove her to the hospital.
Ill come in with you.
Do you even have time?
Of course. Heretidy your hair. Sophie will be scared otherwise!
Sophie made it through, thanks to Bens skilful hands. One grey morning, she fidgeted in her hospital bed.
When can I see the squirrels again?
Soon, duck. When youre discharged, well all go see them in Hyde Park with Emily. There are hundreds there!
Why?
Because, love, you need more helpyour eyes still have healing to do. And the best place for that is London. Liam, Emilys friend, has sorted it for us.
Sophie stopped listening, already dreaming of fun, far away from her dull hospital room and the lonesome trees outside.
Mum! Will Ben come too?
No, darling. He has lots of work. And you mustnt call grown-ups by their first name.
But I can!
Why?
Because hes in love with Emily! giggled Sophie, catching her mother off guard. Honestly, Mum, you cant see a thing! Ive told Emily, but she wont believe me!
Anybody could see the spark between Ben and Emily, but the pair pretended, each hiding it even from themselves. Their chats were polite, as if at a garden partyweather, work, Sophies healththen theyd part, never daring to take that leap.
After Chloe and Sophie left for London, Emily helped other families tootransporting children in her black hatchback to specialists around the country. Ben was quietly in awe, but never voiced his feelings. Nor did Emily. The first bold move never came.
But fate, with a little nudge from Sophie, had other plans.
Once back after her treatment, Sophie begged her mum to take her to the hospital.
Why? Chloe asked.
To tell Ben something.
What?!
Mum, how can you not see? I want to tell him!
And me?
Ill tell you later!
Ben agreed immediately.
Alright, what is it? he asked, crouching down beside the girl.
Why wont you tell her? Sophie whispered.
Who?
Emily. That you fancy her.
Its complicated
What, adults are so strange! You know she likes you too!
Ben smiled. I guessed as much.
So why dont you say it, then?
Sophie its hard to explain. Ive got nothingjust a rented room near the hospital. Itll be years before I can afford a home. Emilys got everythinga business, a flat, her own car
So what?
Well, youre supposed to provide for someone you love.
Isnt love enough? Sophie asked, studying his face.
Sometimesnot quite
Sophie tuned out, gave Bens coat a tug, and whispered a last secret that left him grinning and wagging a finger at her:
You cheeky monkey! Alright, off you go!
She yanked her mum away. Time for Emily!
Shes working, sweetheart.
So? Shell be glad Im there!
Chloe couldnt help but laugh, hailing a cab.
Sophie had her little say with Emily too. And the effect was immediate.
That evening, as Emily shut up the studio, a sense of resolve came over her. If a child could see what she kept hidden, what was the point in waiting any longer?
She didnt see Ben waiting for her at first, all tall and awkward in the dark. But the simplest word said it all:
Hi.
A few months later, the old bench at the flats was buzzing again.
Shes got herself a fellow! But who is he? Turned up with a pile of boxesno one knows a thing about him! What if hes a con?
He seems decent
Oh, what would you know? Yours seemed decent toountil they werent! Best ring her dad, let him sort it.
Hes around already!
No! When did he turn up?
Last week, I saw him. Somethings up, you mark my words!
And they saw it all.
Emily, in a brilliant white dressthe neighbours could finally get a look at the famous tattoo on her back, even Mrs. Middleton gasping in surprise.
Ben, solemn but grinning as he walked his bride, giving Sophie a secret wink as she boasted shed sold Emily to him and now deserved a reward.
Chloe, tears streaming down her face as she fussed over the veil, brushing off questions with, Oh, let me crythese are happy tears!
And the strangers who pulled up outside, handing Emily flowers and hugging her as if she were one of their own. No one knew who they were, or why Emily, before ducking into the car, hiked up her skirt and swapped her satin heels for trainers, insisting, No way can I drive in those things.
Ben bent to tie her laces for her, with Chloe fetching them from the boot, rolling her eyes with affection.
Never seen anything like it! The bench crowd marvelled, watching the little wedding convoy drive off.
Well, shes a one, isnt she?
Posh, if ever there was one!But even as their heads wagged, a cheer rose up from the street. Ben, Emily, and Sophie tumbled from the car in a tangle of laughter, Sophie leaping onto the bench like a herald.
Look! she cried, arms wide, Our familyhere we are!
Emily tilted her face to the sun and smiledreally smiled, the old ache finally eased, her mothers words shining quietly inside her. Shed made her own way, found her people, woven love out of loss and patience.
For a heartbeat, even the gossips fell silent. Sunlight glimmered on the white of Emilys dress, a flash of bright ink peeking where her neckline slipped. Sophie grabbed Bens hand and whispered, I knew youd all end up together.
Emily winked at the girl, then spungrabbing Ben, swooping him into a kiss that drew giggles from Sophie and a chorus of Oh, my! from the bench. Chloe cheered, clapping her hands, and even old Mrs. Middleton couldnt quite suppress a smile.
In that little momentcaught between past and future, between the old flats and the bright car, between sorrow and hopethe world felt wide open and full of promise.
And as Emily led her odd, magnificent family down the road, she glanced back at the neighbours and called, Go on, have your gossip. Just make sure you save a bit of it for yourselveslifes too short not to be interesting.
Then she laughed, tossed her bouquet to the clouds, and walked, shining and fearless, into the rest of her life.
