“Mum, calm down, will you? Nathan said he loves me. We’re getting married,” Lily said, unusually composed.
“How can I be calm? You’re pregnant, not married, still in college, and I’ve never even met this Nathan! A child isn’t a toy, Lily! Get him here today—let him look me in the eye and promise he’ll take responsibility!”
“Stop shouting! I thought you’d be happy about a grandchild. I’ll fetch Nathan—he’ll be back from work soon. I’ve got a key to his dorm room. I’d rather wait there; you’re in such a state.” Lily flounced out, swinging her handbag carelessly.
Margaret gripped her chest, sank onto a kitchen chair, and stared at her late husband’s photo.
“There it is—fatherless!” she muttered. “Oh, Edward, why’d you leave us so soon? I’ve failed our Lily. What if this lad walks away? How will we manage? My wages are barely enough, and who’ll hire a pregnant girl? She’s got six months left of uni. Bloody nightmare.”
Margaret buried her face in her apron and wept. Life had been hard since she was young—widowed at 22 when Edward died at the lumber mill, leaving her with a two-year-old. They’d scraped by in the outskirts, relying on neighbours and her one true friend. Every decent bite went to Lily. And now, just as things seemed steadier, her daughter dropped this bombshell.
“Right. Better get the pie crust going. Son-in-law’s coming, after all. Oh, Lily…”
Once the table was set, Margaret changed into her best dress and knitted socks to steady her nerves.
The door creaked open—Lily was back. Margaret peered behind her.
“Where’s your chap? Left him on the doorstep?”
“Gone,” Lily sniffed. “He ditched me.”
“What?!” Margaret dropped into a chair.
“Just like that! Quit his job, packed up, and vanished. The dorm warden told me…”
Lily’s eyes welled up. Being a single mum wasn’t part of the plan.
“What do I do now, Mum?”
Margaret bit back an “I told you so.” A mother’s heart isn’t stone.
“You have the baby, that’s what. When’s it due?”
“July—just after graduation.” Lily sighed, rubbing her belly.
…Lily gave birth right on time—a girl she named Emma. And so, the three of them carried on, like three peas in a pod.
Emma grew up bright and cheerful, with wise little eyes. Margaret doted on her; Lily, though, was distant. Emma took after that liar Nathan—same blonde curls, same big green eyes.
“Mum’s home!” Six-year-old Emma would race to the door when she spotted Lily through the window.
“What’d you bring me?” She’d cling to Lily’s arm, hopeful.
“Nothing,” Lily would grumble, exhausted.
“But why? You promised ice cream yesterday!”
“Give it a rest! I’m knackered!” Lily would shove Emma off and vanish into her room.
Emma would stand there, crushed. At nursery, they’d mocked her family drawing—just her, Mum, and Gran. “No-dad Emma,” they’d taunted.
Margaret would scoop her up, but the hurt ran deep.
“Where’s my dad? Why’s Mum so mean?!” Emma would wail.
Margaret would hold her tight. “Not everyone has a dad, love. We’ll manage. More pie for us, eh? Let’s pop to the shop for ice cream.”
The magic word always worked.
“And Mum too?”
“And Mum.”
Mother’s Day was always a big do in Margaret’s house—three generations of women, the table groaning with food, Lily’s mates round for gifts. But this year, Lily brought a man. No warning.
On the doorstep stood a bloke in a sharp suit, far older than Lily.
“Mum, meet Richard. My boss. He’s being transferred—promotion. We’re getting married.”
“What?!” Margaret froze.
“Is that my dad?!” Emma piped up from the hallway.
“No, poppet,” Richard smirked. “Brought you a dolly, though.”
Emma turned away. Something about him felt off.
The evening dragged. Richard made no effort, while Lily fawned over him and snapped at Emma.
“Sit straight! What’ll Uncle Richard think? Stop fidgeting!”
Margaret stayed quiet, uneasy. Richard revelled in his superiority, his smugness thick as custard. Emma barely ate, watching her mum fearfully.
“Our division’s smashing targets,” Richard boasted. “Director soon. Shame it’s up north. Lily’s coming. Got a posh house waiting.”
“Can I come? Are there good schools?” Emma asked.
Richard shot Lily a look. She quickly changed the subject.
“Mum, how’s work? Maybe retire—you’ve earned it.”
“Retire? On what?”
“Richard and I will cover you. You’ll want for nothing.”
“Why?” Margaret’s guard went up.
“Emma, off you pop—play with your doll.” Richard shooed her away.
Emma glanced at Gran, who nodded. She left the doll by the door.
“Mum, here’s the thing,” Lily began. “We can’t take Emma right away. We’ll send for her once we’re settled.”
“What? You’ve got a huge house!”
“A child’s a nuisance,” Richard cut in. “We’ll pay you to mind her.”
“Her name’s Emma,” Margaret snapped. “You’re bribing me to abandon your own kid?”
“Mum, it’s temporary!” Lily oozed. “Can’t lumber Richard with my baggage.”
“Temporary becomes permanent. Go on, then. Emma and I’ll manage.”
Richard strutted out. Lily lingered.
“Don’t you want me happy? A decent man at last! I’ll fetch Emma in six months.”
“Do what you want,” Margaret sighed. “But I won’t let you break Emma’s heart. I’ll say you’re on a work trip. Poor lamb—no dad, now her mum’s ditching her for some bloke.”
“I’m not ditching her!”
“Aren’t you?”
Lily left without a word.
A week later, she packed. Emma hovered.
“Mum, wear your warm jacket—it’s chilly. Don’t forget your gloves!”
Lily laughed. “It’s the south, silly. No need for all that.”
Margaret’s heart ached as Emma clung to Lily, dispensing advice.
“Take Teddy. He’s my favourite—I’m giving him to you.”
Lily tossed him in the suitcase. Emma tucked him in with a jumper.
“Don’t be sad, Teddy. Mum’s just upset about leaving me. Look after her, okay?”
Margaret fled to the kitchen, muffling sobs in a tea towel.
“Taxi’s here!” Lily chirped. “No need to see me off.”
“Mum!” Emma lunged. “Don’t go!”
“Let go! I’ll miss my flight! Mum, take her!”
Margaret held the sobbing girl as Lily vanished.
Two years passed. Five. No word from Lily beyond money and rare calls. Margaret worked; the cash went into Emma’s uni fund.
At graduation, peers posed with families. Just Emma and Gran.
“Proud of you, love. Shame your mum’s missing this. Sorry I raised her wrong.”
“Gran, don’t.” Emma kissed her silver hair. “You’re my family. I’d never leave you.”
…Emma aced uni, Gran cheering her on.
When Richard and Lily showed up—all designer suits—neither Margaret nor Emma blinked. Strangers, really.
Turns out Richard was sterile. Now he wanted Emma. Lily was to deliver.
“Darling, we’re here for you,” Lily simpered. “Pack up—flight’s tonight. Remember Teddy?”
She offered the bear. Emma smiled at it like an old friend.
“Missed you, Teddy. Welcome home. Mum, I’m staying. I’m getting married—Gran’s moving in with us. Keep your money; we never touched it. We’ve got dinner with my fiancé’s family, so best hurry. Flights wait for no one.”
Lily paled. Richard looked furious.
A sleek car pulled up. The driver held the door, leaving Lily and Richard gobsmacked.
…On the plane, Lily felt inexplicably hollow. Richard’s mansion loomed ahead—so why did she ache? Maybe conscience, stirring up ghosts she’d buried. But she didn’t dwell on it. Not yet.
