**Diary Entry**
*14th June, 2023*
“So, you won’t invite me to the wedding, then? Ashamed of me, are you?”
Emily fell for her classmate James back in sixth form. He was just an ordinary, unremarkable lad—until the summer holidays passed, and suddenly he’d shot up in height, his shoulders broadened. One day during PE, she twisted her ankle. James carried her all the way to the nurse’s office. She clung to him, realising for the first time how strong and handsome he was.
From then on, they were inseparable. By spring, Emily knew she was pregnant. After their A-levels, they had a small wedding. James skipped uni and started working construction. Just before New Year’s, Emily gave birth to a little girl, Lily. He did his best—took Lily for walks so Emily could sleep or cook. But come spring, he enlisted.
Then another blow—her father left her mum for another woman. Mum couldn’t cope. She withered away, lost all interest in life. They found cancer, and two months later, she was gone. Emily was alone with a baby. Her mother-in-law popped by occasionally, scolding her for letting herself go, for the messy flat, for the unkempt child—but never lifted a finger to help.
An elderly neighbour took pity. She paid Emily to clean her flat and do her shopping—and looked after Lily while she did it.
Emily scraped by however she could. When James finally came home from service, it wasn’t to stay. He said their marriage was a mistake—just puppy love, foolish choices made too young. He accused her of trapping him with the baby, said he wanted to go to uni now.
So Emily raised Lily alone. No one to lean on, no one to cry to. She wore herself to the bone. But Lily grew up beautiful, clever—top of her class. Boys swarmed, but she turned every one down.
“Don’t you fancy anyone?” Emily asked.
“I do. There’s Daniel. Michael’s alright too. But they’re just like us—parents scraping by. I won’t live like that. I’m pretty—pretty has value.”
“Pretty fades, love. I was pretty once too. Look at me now.”
“Don’t compare me to you,” Lily cut in. “I’m not having kids—not anytime soon. First, I’ll marry well. Someone successful.”
“And where’ll you find that? Our town’s got more fingers than rich men. Money isn’t happiness. Rich men marry their own—they won’t glance at you.”
“I’m not staying here. After A-levels, I’m off to London. More opportunities there. Speaking of—Mum, I need a new dress. Shoes. And there’s this coat in town…”
Emily took extra shifts. Came home exhausted, collapsed into bed. Denied herself everything so Lily wouldn’t go without. The neighbours praised her—such a bright, beautiful girl, raised alone. Emily brimmed with pride, never mentioning the cost. But they grew apart, stopped understanding each other under the same roof.
After A-levels, Lily left for London, taking the last of Emily’s savings. She rarely called, brushed off her mum’s attempts—*Too busy, send money*. In four years, she’d barely spent two weeks home. Then, mid-term, she showed up.
“Mum, I’m getting married. His father’s a businessman. They’ve got a massive house. I’ve got my license—he’s buying me a car after…”
Emily was thrilled. “Oh, love! When do I meet him? I’ve got nothing to wear—but I’ll ask Martha from flat five to sew me something. When’s the wedding?”
Lily hesitated. “Mum… I told them you live abroad. That you can’t come.”
Emily’s heart sank. “You’re not inviting me? Ashamed?”
“I couldn’t tell them you’re a cleaner! That we’re broke! They’d never understand—the wedding would be off! What don’t you get?”
Emily’s voice trembled. “After all I’ve done… One day, they’ll find out you lied.”
“Not if you don’t tell them.”
She wept but relented. If this was Lily’s happiness, she wouldn’t ruin it. They barely spoke before Lily left.
Alone, Emily crumbled. The stress spiked her blood pressure—she ended up in hospital. The ambulance driver, Andrew, offered to fetch her things. He brought them later, eyeing her shabby flat.
“Bit rough in here. You alone?”
“My daughter’s in London. Getting married…” And somehow, she spilled her life to this stranger.
Andrew visited. When she was discharged, he even drove her home. “You’re decent. My ex always wanted more—fur coats, diamond rings. Left me for someone richer. Miss my son, though. Fancy me doing up your flat? I’m good with my hands.”
She refused at first. But he brought flowers, fixed things. No one had paid her attention since James. She was only forty—how long could she live like this?
Andrew transformed the flat—lighter, brighter. Emily glowed too, rushing home after work, smiling again. He proposed, but she wavered—what would Lily say?
Then one evening, Lily appeared, suitcase in hand.
“You’re back! Staying awhile?”
Lily eyed the flat, the men’s jacket on the peg. “You’re seeing someone?”
“Andrew’s lovely—look what he’s done here!”
“So you married him? Or is he just mooching off you?”
Emily’s heart ached. “He’s got his own place!”
“You expect me to live with some bloke?”
Andrew walked in, heard it all, and turned to leave.
Emily stopped him. “I’ve lived for you, Lily—denied myself everything. Now I’ve met someone good. Should I throw him out? I’m not dead yet! Stay if you want. I’m going with him.”
For the first time, she stood her ground.
Lily sulked but later apologised. She’d met a boy, fallen in love—said she didn’t mind her mum remarrying.
Andrew grinned. “Two weddings at once?”
Emily shook her head. “Let’s celebrate Lily’s first.”
*Lesson*: Blind love—unquestioning, boundless—can turn a child into a tyrant. Sometimes, the kindest thing a mother can do is say no.
