The Blame Lies with the Coat
Emily sat at her computer, but her gaze lingered outside the window. The last warm days of September were slipping away. Yet her thoughts weren’t on the weather—they were on the unexpected bonus she’d just received and how to spend it.
“Liam needs new trainers. The boy’s growing like a weed—nothing lasts on him. And a jacket, but he’ll outgrow it by spring. Maybe I should save for a holiday—finally take him to the seaside next summer…” Just then, Jessica walked into the office, interrupting Emily’s musings.
“What do you think?” Jessica twirled, showing off her new coat. “Worth every penny, don’t you agree?” She spread her arms wide, flaunting the chic garment.
“New boots too? Suede?” asked Charlotte, Emily’s desk mate. “One walk in the rain on these pavements, and they’ll fall apart.”
“Maybe I should buy a new coat too,” Emily thought. “I’ve worn mine for four years. But Mum… She’d never understand. She’d have a right go at me. I’m nearly forty and still terrified of what she’ll say. But I earned this money—I should be allowed to treat myself for once. Jess is only four years younger, yet she seems a decade bolder. Then again, she doesn’t have a ten-year-old son or a strict mother who still treats me like a clueless child.”
The girls were still bickering when Jessica huffed. “Oh, stop being so dull. Fine, I’ll wear wellies in the rain. I’m off to show the finance girls.”
“Jess, wait,” Emily called. “Where did you get it?”
“Interested?” Jessica smirked, fishing a discount card from her pocket. “Here—shop’s address is on the back. Decent discount too.”
“Oh, I was just curious,” Emily stammered, eyes glued to the card.
“Life’s short. Go on, spoil yourself.” With that, Jessica flounced out, leaving the card behind.
“Em, what’s on your mind?” Charlotte peered over her monitor.
“I think I want a new coat. I got the bonus—why not?”
Charlotte shrugged. “Expensive and impractical. Jess gets driven to work by her bloke. You’ll be crammed on the Tube at rush hour. And your mum… Oh, Em, she’ll bury you alive over it.” They both snorted.
“Easy for you—you’ve got a husband buying you new things every season. I’ve always put myself last. Saving for the flat, then groceries, then Liam’s endless needs. If there’s anything left, I scrape together a bargain if I’m lucky.” Emily sighed.
“Stop overthinking. Go after work. Honestly, you dress like a librarian. No offence. Jess is a flirt, but you’re gorgeous—just need a bit of polish. Men are visual creatures. And ignore your mum. Treat yourself.” Charlotte winked before disappearing behind her screen.
***
Emily had married late. With a mother like hers—a strict retired maths teacher—it was a miracle she’d married at all. She’d spent her life terrified of disappointing her, excelling at everything.
Not that her mum didn’t have reasons. She’d raised Emily alone. Her father had left when she was five, drowning in drink. Money was always tight. He’d vanished entirely five years later, leaving them with nothing.
Emily graduated top of her class, built a career, but her love life stalled. Men liked her—her mother didn’t. Too handsome (a flirt), too broke (a freeloader). By the time her friends were on second marriages, Emily had barely dated.
Finally, she met a man her mother tolerated. Not approved of—just didn’t veto. “Time’s running out,” her mum had muttered. “You’ll end up a spinster.”
After the wedding, Emily moved in with her husband and quickly fell pregnant. Then the problems began. Little Liam never slept; her husband grew distant. One day, he confesses he’s met someone else.
Emily returned to her mum’s with Liam in tow. At first, she hoped he’d come back. He didn’t even answer calls.
“I knew this would happen. You’re too trusting,” her mother scolded. Emily stayed silent—arguing only upset Liam.
Her mother adored Liam, eventually calming down. But Emily couldn’t breathe without her approval. Quiet by nature, she avoided conflict. When Liam turned two, he started nursery, and Emily returned to work.
Then the endless colds began. Her retired mother stepped in. Money was tight, but they scraped by, saving for a seaside trip. Liam was bright and affectionate—worth every sacrifice.
***
Outside the upscale boutique, Emily hesitated. If she walked away now, she’d never come back. Steeling herself, she pulled open the door, bell jingling softly.
A sales assistant approached instantly. “Hello! Our new autumn collection just arrived, and last season’s pieces are on sale. What can I help you with—coats, jackets?”
“A coat,” Emily managed, forcing a smile.
“Size ten, I’d say? Come this way.” The woman led her through the store. “You’ve lovely legs—no need to hide them.” She selected a coat and guided Emily to the fitting room.
The first was dreadful—baggy and shapeless. Emily regretted coming.
“Try this,” the assistant suggested, handing her a pale, almost white coat.
Emily gasped. It fit perfectly, skimming her waist, ending just below the knees. She stood taller without thinking.
“Stunning. One moment.” The woman returned with a blush-pink scarf, draping it elegantly.
“Like it was made for you. We’ve only one—nobody else could carry it off.”
Emily checked the price tag and wilted.
“Don’t fret. It’s premium wool, easy to clean. Since it’s the last one, I’ll give you a discount.” She vanished again.
Emily nearly bolted. Too expensive, too impractical. Then the assistant returned with a shoebox.
“Try these ankle boots. All sizes in stock.”
Flustered, Emily obliged. The boots fit like a dream—the heel miraculously comfortable. Proper quality, not the cheap things she usually bought. She barely recognised herself in the mirror.
“Taking them?”
“Yes,” Emily blurted, terrified she’d change her mind.
The bonus vanished, plus a chunk of her salary. “Mum will kill me,” she thought, handing over her card.
“Wear them out. I’ll bag your old things.” The assistant beamed. “New winter collection arrives next month—do come back.”
All the way home, Emily rehearsed excuses. Too self-conscious for the Tube, she walked, hyperaware of passing glances. Only at her doorstep did she realise she’d prepared nothing.
Her mother met her in the hall. “Where have you—” She froze, staring.
“Mum, don’t be cross. A colleague lent me her discount card—huge sale on…” Emily’s cheeks burned.
“You spent your whole salary? Liam needs new shoes. We were saving for the seaside—”
“Mum, you look beautiful!” Liam bounded in. “Ignore Granny. I don’t need shoes yet—winter ones soon anyway. We’ll save loads by next summer. You should dress like this always.”
Emily ruffled his hair gratefully.
“Always? With what money? Won the lottery, have you?” Her mother snapped back to reality.
Liam fled as voices rose. Emily hung the coat carefully, kicking off her boots.
“You bought boots too? Selfish—what’ll we eat?”
“Mum, stop! We won’t starve. I didn’t touch my salary—just a bit extra. I earned it. Can’t I treat myself for once? I’m nearly forty, not a child!”
The row escalated—ugly words, slammed doors. Emily retreated to Liam’s room, wiping tears.
Guilt gnawed at her. She returned to the kitchen, finding her mother hunched like a stray.
“Mum, I’m sorry. Let’s get you something too.”
“Don’t want anything. I’ll be dead soon.”
“Don’t be silly. You could remarry.”
“As if. Been there. And that coat—so impractical. Should’ve gone darker.”
“But it’s pretty.” Emily kissed her cheek.
***
Next morning, Emily wore the coat to work, skipping the boots—too warm yet.
“You’re wearing it out? What if it rains?” her mother fretted.
“I’ve an umbrella.” Emily hurried off.
Some things never changed—her mother saving clothes for “best.” But maybe today was best?
Grey clouds swallowed the sky—Indian summer was over. Rain fell as Emily stepped off the bus. Her umbrella jammed. She wrestled it, oblivious to the SUV speeding through a puddle, drenching her.
The driver braked sharply, rushing over. “Christ, I’m sorry—why stand so close to the road?”
“You were speeding!She looked down at her ruined coat, then up at the stranger’s apologetic face, and somehow knew this was the start of something new.
