“Mum, Uncle James doesnt like me,” Emily said, her voice trembling.
“Dont be silly, sweetheart,” Sarah replied, crouching down to her daughters level. “Uncle James adores you. Look at the doll he bought you! Would he do that if he didnt care?”
Emily frowned. There was logic in her mothers words, but shed heard the truth herself.
“He said it, Mum! He said I ruin everything and get in your way!”
Sarah struggled to keep calm, knowing her daughter was still adjusting to her new relationship. She assumed Emily was just imagining things.
“Thats not true. Uncle James loves youdont make things up.”
Emily sniffled before bolting from the room, leaving Sarah uneasy.
Sarah had divorced Emilys father two years prior. He hadnt been the worst dad, but hed been a terrible husband. Shed stayed far too long, trying to save the marriage for Emilys sakeher daughter adored him. But when he cheated, Sarah had finally had enough. Shed packed his things and handed him a suitcase the moment he walked in from work.
“Whats this?” hed asked, baffled.
“Everything. Were done. Take your things and go,” shed snapped. Shed sent Emily to her grandmothers that day to spare her the argument.
Later, shed explained that Dad wouldnt live with them anymore but would still visit. Emily had just turned fiveshe hadnt fully grasped what had happened.
At first, her father had kept his word, taking her on outings and buying gifts. Sarah never interferedshe was glad they still had a bond. But soon, his interest waned. Now, he saw Emily once a month, if that. He had a new girlfriend, and his daughter was no longer a priority.
Sarah had been alone for a long time after that, distrustful of men. But then she met James.
He seemed reliablekind, cheerful. He hadnt flinched when she told him about Emily. Hed been wonderful with her, buying sweets and small presents. Sarah had been overjoyed. Finding a caring man was hard enoughbut one who embraced her child? That was rare.
Emily, however, had always been wary. She never invited James to play, rarely spoke to him. So when shed claimed he didnt like her, Sarah hadnt been entirely surprised. Seven was an age where children grew more sensitive. She must be jealous, afraid her father would vanish completely now that Mum had someone new.
Sarah knew they needed to talk, but now wasnt the timenot while Emily was upset. Let her cool off.
That evening, Emily asked to stay at Grannys. Sarah agreed, knowing shed be happy there. And she wouldnt mind some time alone with James.
Granny noticed something was wrong the moment Emily arrived. Usually lively and full of stories, the girl was quiet and withdrawn.
“Whats wrong, love?” Granny asked gently.
“Mum doesnt believe me,” Emily muttered. “But she believes Uncle James!”
“What happened?”
When Granny learned Sarah was seeing someone, shed been pleased. Her daughter was still youngno need to give up on love after one bad marriage. But she worried how Emily would take to a new manand how hed treat her.
When Sarah had moved in with James a few months ago, Granny had always asked Emily how things were. The girl had just nodded, never elaborating. That was normaladjustment took time. But now, hearing Emilys story, Grannys heart ached. Her fears had been justified.
“He was home, and Mum went to the shops. I came back from playing outside, and he didnt hear me because he was on the phone. But I heard him say Mum was great, except for methat I annoyed him. And he said he hoped Id stay at yours more often.”
“Did you tell your mum?” Granny asked, stroking Emilys hair.
“I tried! But she said I mustve imagined it. She said he buys me things, so he must love me.”
“Oh, dear,” Granny sighed. “Dont worry, well sort this out.”
“Maybe I should just live with you,” Emily whispered. “If Im in the way…”
“Well figure it all out,” Granny assured her. “And you could never be in your mums way.”
Once Emily was asleep, Granny stepped into the kitchen and called Sarah. It took a few ringsshe and James were having dinner, lost in each others company.
“Whats wrong, Mum?” Sarah asked, alarmed. “Is Emily okay?”
Grannys late-night calls were unusual.
“Are you alone?”
“Were eating. Why?”
“Go somewhere private. We need to talk.”
Sarahs unease grew, but she obeyed, stepping onto the balcony. The cool air steadied her. “What is it?”
“Emily told me what James said about her.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. Her mother always overreacted.
“Mum, shes jealousshes making things up. Ill talk to her, dont worry.”
“Did you even try to listen?” Granny pressed.
Sarah realised she hadnt. Shed dismissed Emily immediately, too quick to reassure.
“No, she got upset and left before I could.”
“You shouldve.”
Granny repeated Emilys story. Sarahs stomach twistedbut she still couldnt believe it. James had always been kind to Emily. But did that mean he truly accepted her? Love was too much to askshe wasnt his child. But if they were serious, he had to understandSarah and Emily were a package deal.
“Mum, Ill get to the bottom of this,” she murmured.
She stayed on the balcony a little longer, deciding how to handle it. In the end, she chose directness. If James was innocent, shed know.
Back inside, he looked up. “Everything alright? Is Emily okay?”
His concern wasnt for Emilyjust the inconvenience if she had to come home early. He could barely contain his frustration around her these days. She was always thereeven watching telly became a chore.
“She heard you,” Sarah said flatly. “Saying she irritates you and that youd rather she lived with Granny.”
She hoped for shockbut saw only panic, his fingers tightening around his wine glass.
“Thats ridiculous,” he blustered. “I never said that.”
Her heart sank. Shed thought shed found the right manone whod embrace her child, who understood the responsibility. But it wasnt true. And now, it never would be.
“Dont lie,” she said, shaking her head.
“It wasnt like that!” James scrambled. “I just meant I wanted more time alone with you!”
She threw him out that evening. His parting wordsthat shed die alonestung, but not as much as the betrayal.
When Emily returned the next day and found Uncle James gone, she blinked in surprise.
“What happened?”
Sarah managed a sad smile. “I realised were just fine on our own. Who needs anyone else? And know thisIll always be on your side. You can tell me anything. Im sorry I didnt listen before.”
Years later, when Emily turned thirteen, Sarah would meet a man worthy of them bothone her daughter would love as much as she did. But for now, they had each other. And that was enough.
