Emily doesn’t want to go home. Her father dropped a bombshell this morning—he’s bringing another “potential stepmother” to meet her today. Again, she’ll have to force a fake smile and play the obedient daughter, just so this stranger might stick around. But Emily is exhausted from this endless charade.
Since her parents’ divorce, their flat in Manchester has felt like a revolving door. Her dad keeps bringing one “mum” after another, and sometimes Emily regrets choosing to live with him. Her real mother was as cold as a rainy British winter—work always came first. Emily grew up under her grandparents’ care while her mother scolded her for every little mistake. Love? Care? Those were just distant dreams.
Her mother supported the family, but at what cost? Emily often thought she’d rather have a mum than a money-making machine. When their marriage collapsed, her parents split like they’d shed a heavy load. Both started fresh, but Emily was left behind, unwanted by either.
She tried to get her mother’s attention—skipping school, backchatting teachers—anything to make her notice. But all she got were shouts and humiliation. After one last row, when the headteacher called her mother in, she smacked Emily and kicked her out. The girl packed her rucksack and left for her dad’s. Her mother didn’t stop her—just sighed in relief.
Life with her father, William, was easier. Emily felt his warmth, his genuine love. She straightened up, started doing well in school, stopped acting out. Her nan helped around the house while William worked long hours to keep them afloat. Their flat in Manchester’s outskirts finally had a fragile sort of comfort—something Emily had longed for.
But everything changed when her dad decided he wanted a new wife. Since then, their home has been overrun with strange women. Emily met them with cold indifference, deliberately pushing them away. She didn’t want “mums” who saw her as baggage. But this time, her dad was firm: “Em, enough with the tantrums! I’m doing this for us—for a proper family!”
Stepping inside, Emily hears a familiar voice. Her heart jumps. She kicks off her trainers and peeks into the living room. There, at the table, sits her favourite teacher, Miss Eleanor Hart. Emily adores her—kind, fair, always ready to listen. But why is she here?
Turns out, Miss Hart came to talk about Emily’s grades. The girl is stunned. For a moment, she lets herself imagine the teacher as part of their family. Could she be the “bride-to-be”? Emily freezes, afraid to scare off the hope. But the conversation ends, and Miss Hart leaves, leaving Emily in confusion.
Before she can recover, the doorbell rings. Standing there is a stranger—young, flashy makeup, oozing confidence. Emily’s stomach drops. She’d let herself believe Miss Hart came for more than just school! Heartbroken, she bolts to her room, slams the door, and sobs.
She stays locked away until late evening, when her nan arrives. Emily spills all her fears and pain. “I don’t want any stepmothers! Why can’t Dad see how awful this is?” she cries. Her nan listens, then pulls her into a tight hug. She knows how deep Emily’s hurt runs—how loneliness and betrayal have scarred her young heart.
Nan talks to William. They agree—no more “brides” unless Emily’s ready. And in the girl’s mind, a plan forms. She’s set on bringing her dad and Miss Hart together. If dreams come true, why not help this one along? Emily vows to do whatever it takes to make her favourite teacher part of their family.
Deep down, she believes it’ll happen. Even the darkest days have a little light, don’t they?
