“So, you won’t invite me to the wedding, then? Ashamed of me, are you?”
Emily had fallen for her classmate, James, during their final year at school. He’d been an ordinary, unremarkable lad. But after the summer holidays, he’d shot up in height and broadened in the shoulders. One day during P.E., she twisted her ankle. James carried her all the way to the nurse’s office. Pressed against him, she suddenly noticed how strong and handsome he’d become.
From then on, they were inseparable. By spring, Emily realised she was pregnant. After their A-levels, they had a small wedding. James didn’t go to university—instead, he took a job on a construction site. Just before Christmas, Emily gave birth to a baby girl, Lily. James helped his young wife, pushing the pram while Emily cooked, cleaned, or caught up on sleep. Come spring, he left for military service.
Then another blow—Emily’s father left her mother for another woman. Her mother couldn’t cope. She wasted away, losing all interest in life. Doctors diagnosed aggressive cancer, and within months, she was gone. Emily was left alone with her baby. Her mother-in-law visited occasionally, scolding her for letting herself go, for the messy flat, for neglecting the child—but she never offered help.
An elderly neighbour took pity. She paid Emily a small sum to clean her flat and do her shopping, and in return, she watched Lily. Emily survived as best she could.
Eventually, James returned from the army—but only to tell her their marriage had been a mistake, that their teenage infatuation had faded. He accused her of trapping him with the pregnancy. He wanted to study, he said, to make something of himself.
Emily was left alone with little Lily—no one to confide in, no one to ask for help. She wore herself ragged raising her daughter single-handedly. Lily grew into a stunning beauty, a straight-A student. Boys flocked to her, but she turned them all away.
“No one catches your eye?” Emily would ask.
“Of course they do. I like Jack. Tom’s not bad either. But they’re just like us—their parents live paycheck to paycheck. I won’t settle for that. I’m beautiful, and beauty has its price.”
“Beauty fades, love. I was pretty once too—look at me now. Everything vanished after I had you.”
“Why compare us, Mum? I’m not planning on having kids—not anytime soon. First, I’ll marry well. Someone successful. Someone wealthy.”
“And where will you find him? In this little town? The rich here could be counted on one hand. Money doesn’t buy happiness, Lily. Rich men marry their own kind—they won’t even glance at girls like you.”
“I’m not staying here. Once I finish sixth form, I’m off to London. More opportunities there. Oh, and Mum—I need a new dress. And shoes. And that coat I saw in the shop. I can’t arrive in London looking like a charity case.”
So Emily took on extra shifts. She came home exhausted, collapsing straight into bed. She denied herself everything so Lily could have what the other girls had. The neighbours praised Emily for raising such a clever, beautiful girl alone. She swelled with pride, never mentioning the cost.
Yet, the distance between them grew. They lived under the same roof but no longer understood each other.
After sixth form, Lily left for London, stealing the last of her mother’s savings. She rarely called, brushing off Emily’s attempts with curt replies: “I’m fine. Too busy. Send money.” In all her years at university, she barely spent a fortnight at home. Then, in her final term, she suddenly reappeared.
“Mum, I’m getting married. Daniel’s father owns a business. They live in a massive house. I’ve got my driving licence—Daniel’s buying me a car after the wedding…”
Emily was overjoyed. Her daughter had made it.
“I’m so happy for you, love! When do I meet the groom? I’ve not a thing to wear—no matter, I’ll ask Sarah from flat five to sew me something. When’s the wedding? I need time to sort a dress.”
Lily hesitated, avoiding her mother’s eyes.
“Mum… I told Daniel’s parents you live abroad—that you can’t come.” Seeing Emily’s shock, she snapped, “I couldn’t tell them you’re a cleaner, that we’re broke! They’d never understand. There’d be no wedding. Why can’t you see that?”
“So, I’m not invited? You’re ashamed of me? What will people say?”
“I don’t care what people say! Did they care when Dad left you with a baby? Did anyone help you then? If you don’t want me to end up like you—working three jobs, scraping by—you’ll agree and stay away. Look at you! No teeth, dressed like a scarecrow…”
The words cut deep.
“I never expected this from you. I gave up everything for you, and you—”
“They’ll find out you lied. What then?”
“They won’t—unless you tell them.”
Emily wept but relented. She wouldn’t ruin Lily’s happiness, no matter the pain. For two tense days, mother and daughter barely spoke before Lily left again.
Alone, Emily grieved their rift. The strain sent her blood pressure soaring. An ambulance rushed her to hospital, her thoughts racing—she’d forgotten essentials. The driver, a kind man named Andrew, offered to fetch what she needed. She gave him her keys, unafraid—she had nothing worth stealing.
“You live like this?” he remarked later, handing her a bag. “The flat needs work. Alone, with no husband? No children?”
“My daughter’s in London. Getting married…” The story spilled out—her whole life laid bare to a stranger.
Andrew visited her in hospital. When she was discharged, he even drove her home in the ambulance.
“You’re a good woman. My ex-wife always wanted more—fur coats, diamond rings. She left me for a wealthier man. I miss my son. Let me fix your flat. I’ll make it shine.”
Emily resisted at first, but Andrew wooed her with flowers. No one had looked at her since James. She remembered—she was only forty. How long could she live alone? She relented.
Andrew transformed the flat—light, spacious, beautiful. Emily bloomed too, smiling more, ditching the extra shifts, rushing home after work. He proposed, but Emily hesitated, fearing Lily’s reaction.
Then one evening, the doorbell rang. Lily stood there with a suitcase.
“Lily! You’re staying?”
Lily eyed the refurbished flat, her mother’s glow, the man’s jacket on the hook.
“You’re not alone?”
“No, love. Andrew’s lovely—look what he’s done to the place. He’ll be home soon.”
“You married him?”
“He’s not after the flat, Lily. He’s got his own.”
“So, we’re all living here now?”
“Are you back for good? Didn’t fit in with the rich crowd?”
Lily scowled but confessed: in a café, she’d bumped into an old classmate, who’d spilled the truth. Daniel, humiliated, had filed for divorce.
“It’s alright, love. You’re only twenty-two. You’ll find someone else.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Lily shoved her away. “I won’t live like this—with some strange man!”
Andrew walked in, heard enough, and turned to leave.
“Wait!” Emily stopped him. “I’ve lived for you, Lily—denied myself everything. Now I’ve found happiness. Should I throw him out? I’m not old yet! Stay if you want. I’m leaving with him.”
For the first time, Emily stood firm. She packed her things and left.
Later, Lily apologised. Overjoyed, Emily hugged her. Lily admitted she’d met someone—a real love this time—and approved of Andrew.
“Two weddings at once?” he joked.
Emily shook her head. “Let’s celebrate Lily’s first. We’ll keep ours quiet.”
“You always put her first. It’s time to think of yourself.”
“I am thinking of myself. Her happiness is mine.”
Kindness, eventually, is rewarded. But for how long? Would Lily ever change? Could Emily resist her demands? Life was unpredictable. A mother’s boundless love often breeds selfishness—turning a child into a tyrant.
