Little Emily could never understand why her parents didnt love her.
Her father was always irritated by her presence, while her mother mechanically carried out her parental dutiesfar more concerned with her husbands moods than her daughters heart.
Her paternal grandmother, Margaret Whitmore, would explain that her father worked long hours, her mother too, all so Emily would want for nothing. And then there were the endless household chores
The truth came crashing down when Emily was eight, when she overheard her parents arguing one night.
“Bloody hell, Nora! The soups too salty again!” her father roared. “Cant you do anything right?”
“Robert, please! I tasted itit was fine!” her mother protested weakly.
“Everythings always *fine* with you! Couldnt even give me a son, could you? The lads at work take the mickcalling me soft!”
It was unlikely anyone actually mocked himRobert was a stern, hard-working lorry driver whod seen his fair share of lifebut the venom in his voice, the resentment toward his wife *because* of Emily, made her stomach twist.
Now she understood why they always sent her to Grandmas when her father returned from a haulhe couldnt bear the sight of his “not-a-son.”
Life with Margaret was warm. They did homework together, cooked, sewed clothes Yet the sting of her parents indifference never faded.
Soon after that argument, Robert and Nora announced they were moving to London.
“Stuck in a rut here,” her father declared. “Fancy a fresh startmaybe even a son.” Of course, the decision was his. Nora, as always, nodded along.
But there was one problemEmily wasnt invited.
“Youll stay with Gran for now,” her mother muttered, avoiding Emilys eyes. “Well fetch you later.”
“Good! I dont *want* to go!” Emily snapped, chin high, though her chest ached.
No matter. Here, she had Grandma, her friends, teachers who cared.
Let her parents live as they pleasedshe wouldnt waste tears on them again.
Shed just turned ten when Robert and Nora finally had their precious sonBenjamin.
Her father announced it via a stiff video callneither parent had visited in years. Noras calls were brief, Roberts “love” reduced to passing greetings.
Occasionally, theyd send Margaret money, but mostly, Emily was her burden.
Then, a year later, Nora suddenly demanded Emily move in with themarriving unannounced to deliver the news.
“Darling,” she trilled. “Well be a proper family now! Youll finally know your brother”
“Im not going,” Emily interrupted coldly. “Im happy here.”
“Dont be selfish! Youre old enough to help your mother!”
“Hold your horses, Nora!” Margaret cut in. “If youre after a free nanny, think again!”
“Shes *my* daughterIll decide!” Nora hissed.
But Margaret wasnt easily silenced. “Abandoned her oncetry it again, and Ill report you. Lose your rights, and the whole townll know!”
The argument raged, but Emily heard none of itGran hurried her off to the shops. When she returned, Nora never mentioned London again. She left the next day.
Ten years passed without a word. Emily finished school, then college, and with help from Margarets old friend, Albert Thompson, landed a job as an accountant at a small firm.
She fell in love with a lorry driver, James, and they planned to marryuntil Margaret passed. The wedding was postponed.
Her parents showed up for the funeral aloneBenjamin was left with a neighbour. “No place for a lad at a sad affair,” Robert muttered.
Emily barely registered their presence. Grief swallowed her whole.
Which was why she didnt grasp her fathers words at first, spoken over the wake.
“Place needs work,” Robert mused, eyeing the flat. “Wont fetch much.”
“Robnot now,” Nora chided weakly.
“Needs sorting. Weve Ben to get back to.”
Albert frowned. “Selling, are you?”
“Aye. Benll need a flat soon. Wont cover much in London, but enough for a deposit. Mortgagell be paid by the time hes eighteen.”
Emily stared blankly out the window.
“Youd toss your own daughter out?” Albert demanded.
“Shes a grown woman! Let her husband house her!”
Albert sighed. “Margaret saw you coming. Theres a willthis flats Emilys now.”
Roberts jaw tightened. “Turned her against us, did she? Well contest it.”
“And lose,” Albert said calmly. “Try it, and Ill stand by Emily.”
A single days legal advice told Robert the truththe law favoured Emily.
“Got no shame?” he hissed at her later. “Youll marrylet your brother have this! Or well buy you out. Fifty grandenough for your own deposit.”
“No.”
“Listen here”
“Leave, or Ill call the police.”
Shed honour Margarets wishes. And she *would not* be homeless.
Robert loathed the policetoo many brushes with the law in his youth. He and Nora left that night, vanishing for four years.
In that time, Emily married James, and they welcomed a daughter, Lily. Money was tight, but they were happyuntil Nora called, shrieking down the line.
“This is *your* fault!” she sobbed. “If you hadnt clung to that flat, your dad wouldnt have worked himself to death!”
“Are you asking for help with the funeral?” Emily asked quietly.
She pitied Robertbut as one might pity a stranger.
“I need *nothing* from you! Bens an orphan nowlive with *that*!” The line went dead.
The next year, Nora reappearedolder, lips pursed, barely looking at Emily as she made her demand.
“We need money. Bens starting uni soon,” she said coldly. “You owe us.”
“I owe you *nothing*.”
Margarets lessons had stuck.
“Fine,” Nora spat. “Well do this the hard way.”
A week later, a court summons arrived.
“Youve lost your mind,” Emily said flatly when Nora called.
“The laws on my side. A mother protects her child!”
“And I wasnt yours?” Emily hung up.
In court, Nora played the grieving widow, spinning tales of hardship. The judge listened sympatheticallyuntil Emily spoke.
Calm. Clear. Unshaken.
The clincher? Noras widows pension and wages proved she was far from destitute.
The case was dismissed.
Nora left with a glare, no goodbye.
Emily knew shed be back someday.
But next time? Shed be ready.
