**”Flesh and Blood”**
Emma stood trembling in the kitchen, her fingers gripping the edge of the counter. “John, I saw the doctor today. I had tests run.” Her voice wavered. “It’s bad. If I dont start treatment immediately… I wont last long. The surgery, the chemoits expensive. Where will we get that kind of money?”
John pulled her close, his arms tight around her. “Itll be alright, love. I promise. Well figure it outIm with you.”
“Mum needs to know,” Emma whispered. “Im worried about her heartshell panic. But I cant keep it from her. Shell suspect anyway.”
Emma couldnt believe this was happening. Not yet forty, her whole life ahead of hernow this. At least she wasnt alone. John was there. And his son, Alfie, whod become like her own. No children of her ownher first husband had left her over it. But she had her mum, her sister, her nephew. Shed get through this.
John had raised Alfie alone. His wife had filed for divorce and vanished when Alfie was two, leaving no trace.
Theyd met in Hyde ParkEmma walking her spaniel, John playing with Alfie. Theyd talked, then dated, and soon, she married him. Theyd been happy. First in her grandmothers flat, then selling it for something bigger. Plans madenow shattered.
Emma didnt wait. She brought a cake to her mothers.
“Mum, please dont panic, but I have to tell you. They found cancer. If I dont start treatment soon… You understand. John and I are trying to find the money.”
“Oh, Emmahow? Youve always been so strong, never sick like Sarah! All those hospitals with her when she was little… This is a nightmare.”
This was what Emma had fearedthe hysterics, the drama. But she had to tell the truth.
“I cant help you,” her mother said. “I gave Sarahs boy the money for his new car. Hes the only grandchild Ive got. Theres my savings, but I cant touch itId lose the interest. Your father left it for my pension.”
“I wasnt asking,” Emma said quietly.
John sold his car. The money covered the first round. Emma had the surgery, but more treatment loomedand with it, the cost.
“Darling, you look dreadful,” her mother said in the hospital. “What do the doctors say? Any chance?”
“Time will tell,” Emma said. “Im hopeful. Has Sarah been by?”
“Shes in Spain with her husband. Always asking after you, though.”
“Lovely.” Emma swallowed bitterness. Since the diagnosis, her sister had called twice. No visits. No real support.
Then the doctors words: “Theres a better drugbut its costly.”
“John, I dont know where well get that kind of money.”
“Emma, stop worrying. Ill find it. Im your husband. Alfie misses you. We both do.”
Her heart swelled. At least she had them.
Then she remembered her mothers savings.
“MumI need that money. The drug could save me.”
“Darling, lets be honest. The odds arent good. I spoke to your doctor. What if the drug doesnt work?”
Emmas eyes burned. “Never mind.”
When her mother left, the tears fell. *So much for flesh and blood.*
Then John burst in. “Lovemy parents sold their cottage! Theyre giving us the money!”
Emmas throat tightened. These were near-strangers, yet theyd done more than her own family.
Then the treatment hit hard.
“Emma,” her mother said, sitting stiffly beside her bed. “Listen carefully. The treatment isnt working. Ive researched this. You havent got long.”
Her voice turned brisk. “When youre gone, John gets the flat. Most of the money from your grans place went into ithis share was small. A stranger, taking everything?”
She leaned closer. “But youve got Danielyour nephew, your blood. He could use that flat. Sign it over now. No surprises later.”
Emma stared. Was this her mother? The woman who raised hernow circling like a vulture?
“*Flesh and blood?* Where were you when I needed help? You clung to your savings. Sarah was sunbathing in Spain!”
She choked out the words. “But nowwhile Im still breathingyou want to take something *else* from me? For Daniel?”
Johns parents had sold their home without hesitationgiven everything. Who were her *real* family now?
“Leave, Mum. Please.”
Her mother stood, sighed, and walked out. What had she said wrong?
Slowly, Emma recovered. The drug worked. John wept with joy.
She signed the flat over to himcutting off any future claims. She told her mother.
“Well, thank you, darling. A stranger means more than your own!”
Emma didnt care. She was alive. That was all that mattered.
