An Unexpected Guest
The small village of Oakbridge was filled with the comforting aroma of fresh bread baking in Emily Wilson’s old oven. The peaceful silence of the kitchen was abruptly broken by a knock at the door, scattering the tranquility like smoke. Emily wiped her hands on her apron and hurried to answer.
“Mum, meet Lucy—my fiancée,” said her son William, beaming on the doorstep.
Emily looked at the young woman and froze, as if struck by lightning. Lucy was tall—nearly six feet—in a short skirt, towering heels, bold makeup, and an oversized bag dangling from her arm.
“Hello,” Emily managed, masking her shock. “Thomas! Come here!” she called to her husband. “Will’s brought our future daughter-in-law to meet us!”
Thomas shuffled in, wearing slippers and a stretched-out vest. At the sight of Lucy, his jaw dropped as if he’d seen a ghost.
“Pleasure,” he mumbled before darting back to change.
Emily shot him a reproachful glance. When William mentioned two days earlier that he wouldn’t be visiting alone, she’d been thrilled. At thirty, it was high time he settled down. She’d imagined a modest girl—perhaps with a braid and a simple dress—but Lucy? This wasn’t what she’d expected. Stiletto heels, neon nails, a bag with what looked like feathers poking out—it was a challenge to everything Emily held as proper.
“Come in, Lucy,” she said, forcing a smile. “Thomas! Don’t just stand there—help with the bags!”
Thomas, now in a clean shirt, grabbed Lucy’s luggage and ushered them inside. Seizing a moment, Emily whispered to William,
“Will, what on earth? Have you seen what she’s wearing?”
“Mum, don’t start,” William chuckled. “She’s all sparkle on the outside, but inside—solid gold. You’ll see.”
Emily scoffed, crossing herself under her breath. “Lord help us, what a surprise this is.”
The house buzzed with activity. The men whispered at the kitchen table while Lucy settled into Emily and Thomas’s room, unpacking an array of feathered hats, swimsuits, and glittery fabrics.
“What’s this?” Emily asked, picking up a lacy scrap between two fingers.
“Lingerie,” Lucy chirped. “Want some? I’ve got plenty.”
“No, thank you,” Emily grumbled, flushing. “And why are you commandeering *our* room?”
“Will’s place is tiny, and Uncle Tom said you wouldn’t mind,” Lucy smiled.
“*Uncle Tom*, did he?” Emily glared at her husband. “Right, then.”
She dragged Thomas outside.
“Have you lost your mind? Handing over our room? You’ll be sleeping on the sofa, you generous soul!” she hissed.
Just then, a cow lowed from the barn.
“Blast it—I forgot to milk Daisy!” Emily threw up her hands and rushed off.
Lucy darted after her. “Can I try?” she asked shyly. “I’ve never milked a cow before.”
Emily eyed her skeptically. “In *those*?” she said, nodding at Lucy’s heels.
“I’ll change!” Lucy dashed inside and returned in shorts and a T-shirt.
Emily sighed. “Fine. But tie your hair up.”
“Can I wear a hat?” Lucy trilled. “I’ve got a lovely floral one!”
“Hair tied. *Now*,” Emily said firmly.
In the barn, she handed Lucy a bucket. “Milk like this. I’ll go fix breakfast.”
Half an hour later, Lucy still hadn’t returned. Emily set the table and marched back to the barn—only to burst out laughing. Lucy, hair half-tied, was circling Daisy, muttering, “I’ve looked everywhere!”
After breakfast, Lucy sprawled on a picnic blanket, sunbathing in a swimsuit. Thomas, who’d been avoiding chores all week, suddenly grabbed a scythe and started cutting grass by the fence, sneaking glances at their guest.
“Lucy, fancy helping me pick raspberries?” Emily asked sweetly.
“Of course, Aunt Em!”
In the garden, Lucy attacked the task with such enthusiasm that Emily was impressed—until a neighbor called her over. They chatted for ages, with Emily grumbling about wanting a different sort of daughter-in-law while her neighbor urged patience.
When Emily returned, Lucy was gone.
“Lucy? Where are you?”
“Here!”
Lucy emerged from a patch of nettles, hair full of burrs.
“What were you doing *there*?” Emily gasped. “That’s old man Higgins’ abandoned lot!”
“But the berries are bigger,” Lucy said proudly, holding up a full jar.
“Oh, you daft girl,” Emily sighed. “Come on—let’s get these burrs out.”
On the porch, comb in hand, Emily worked through Lucy’s tangles, listening as Lucy shared her story:
“I grew up with my gran. Mum and dad were always traveling, then they passed. After school, I waitressed, washed dishes—then a modelling agency scouted me, but I hated it. When I met Will, he got me a job at his office fetching coffee. Everyone’s lovely there.”
Emily’s heart softened. Behind the flashy exterior was a girl who’d faced plenty of hardship.
That evening, over tea on the porch, Lucy turned to Emily.
“Aunt Em, will you teach me everything you know? It’s so peaceful here.”
Emily winked at William. “And will you marry my boy?”
Lucy blushed. “He hasn’t asked yet.”
William laughed. “You’re a sly one, Mum!”
“You’ve had your fun,” Emily huffed. “Lucy, if he won’t propose, come back. I’ll find you a husband myself!”
“Thanks, Aunt Em,” Lucy grinned. “But I love your Will.”
Six months later, their wedding was the talk of Oakbridge. Soon after, Lucy whispered to Emily that she’d be a grandmother. Looking at her daughter-in-law, Emily realized—appearances deceive, and Lucy’s heart was as big as her flamboyant hats.
