Granddaughter.
Since the very day of her birth, little Emily had never been wanted by her mother, Jacqueline. Jacqueline treated her as little more than a fixture in the house neither here nor there, easily ignored. Arguments with Emilys father were constant, and when he left to return to his lawfully wedded wife, Jacqueline seemed to lose what little composure she had left.
Oh, so he left, did he? Clearly, he never had any plans to leave that scrubbing woman for me! she would scream at the telephone, Hes driven me round the bend! Lied to me and now hes left me alone with his brat? Ill chuck her out the window or abandon her at the train station with the tramps if I have to!
Emily would plug her ears and weep quietly, soaking up the rejection from her own mother like a sponge.
I dont care what you do with your daughter. Im not even sure shes mine. Goodbye, replied Richard, her father, coldly from the other end.
Seized by wild frustration, Jacqueline stuffed whatever she could find of Emilys clothing into a bag, chucked in the paperwork, and grabbed the five-year-old by the hand before calling a taxi.
Ill show him! Ill show all of them! she muttered over and over as the cab pulled up. With all the superiority she could muster, she gave the driver an address in the countryside Richards mothers house. Alice lived just beyond the outskirts of a small village.
The driver couldnt stand the snooty woman beside him, bristling at her rude replies to the timid questions of the little girl.
Mummy, I need the loo Emily said, with her head ducked, almost resigned to the misery.
True to expectation, Jacqueline barked a harsh retort, so loud and vicious that the taxi driver had to grip the wheel to resist giving her a piece of his mind. He had a granddaughter himself, about the same age as Emily, whom his daughter-in-law doted on. Never once had he raised his voice at her such a thought was unthinkable.
Hold it in! You can go at your grannys, shes all high and mighty! Jacqueline sneered, turning angrily to the window, nostrils flaring.
Take it easy, love, the driver said sharply. Or I might just chuck you out and take the little one straight to social services.
Oh, really? Jacqueline snapped back. Why dont you shut your trap, you knight in shining armour! Maybe Ill report you for making lewd suggestions to my daughter. Who do you think theyll believe some dodgy cabbie or a frightened, crying mother? Shes my daughter, and Ill raise her as I please so just mind your own business!
The driver clenched his jaw. There was no dealing with someone like this it simply wasnt worth the trouble, though he felt a deep pity for the little girl.
About ninety minutes later, they arrived at Alices cottage.
Wait here, Ill be quick, snapped Jacqueline, and barely had she turned her back when the cab shot off with a screech.
Youll walk, you serpent! he yelled through the window and was gone.
Bloody useless! Jacqueline spat, dragging her daughter along, and stomped into the front garden, kicking open the gate.
There you go! Heres your precious treasure do what you like with her. Your precious boy gave his blessing. I dont want her! she barked in a raspy, smokers voice and stormed out before anyone could stop her.
Alice stood in the doorway, completely bewildered.
Mummy! Dont go! Please, dont go! sobbed the little girl, tears streaking her dirty face as she chased after her mother, only to have her fingers peeled from her mothers tartan skirt.
Just get off me, go to your granny! Live with her now! Jacqueline screamed, shoving the child away before walking briskly down the lane.
Neighbours peered over low fences, curiosity on their faces. Alice, clutching her chest, just managed to catch up to her wailing granddaughter.
Come here, my sweet. Come, my precious berry, she whispered, tears tracing lines down her careworn cheeks. She had known nothing about her granddaughter until now.
Richard had never bothered telling her about his child by another woman.
Dont worry, darling. I wont hurt you. Would you like some drop scones? Ive got clotted cream, too, Alice said gently, leading the bewildered girl inside.
Pausing at the gate, Alice looked back just in time to see Jacqueline catch a lift from a stranger and disappear, leaving only a swirl of dust behind.
That was the last anyone ever heard of Jacqueline. Alice welcomed her granddaughter with open arms, feeling as if shed been sent a gift from above. Not for a moment did she doubt Emily was hers she looked so much like Richard as a boy! Richard, who came home so rarely that Alice could barely recall what he looked like.
Ill raise you, Emily. Ill stand you on your feet, give you all Im able to, Alice promised.
And so she brought her up, with love and kindness. She proudly saw Emily off to her first day at primary school. Time fluttered by at a dizzying speed.
Before they knew it, Emily was finishing her final year of school, looking ahead to college. Shed grown into a real beauty gentle, kind, bright, and well-read. She dreamed of becoming a doctor, though college was the first step.
I just wish Dad would recognise me, just once, Emily would sigh in the evenings, sitting with Alice on the porch steps while they watched the sun melt behind the trees.
Alice, with trembling hands, would stroke her granddaughters silky hair, never knowing what to say. Richard flatly refused any part in his daughters life. He had reconciled with his first wife, doted on their shared sonTomyet treated Emily with disdain. When he visited, he seized every opportunity to call her a ragamuffin.
Youre not one to talk! Alice had finally snapped at Richard during one rare visit. You come round only on my pension day, whinging for money. You and your wife both work, yet you still fleece your old mum! Off you go, Richard, and dont come back! Better none at all than this!
So thats how it is, is it, Mum? Richard exploded. Fine! When youre on your deathbed, dont expect me to even come to your funeral!
He left in a rage, shouting to Tom to get in the car and glaring at Emily with contempt. After that, there were no more visits from Richard.
God will judge him, Emily, Alice said as she rose. Come on, lets have a nice cuppa and off to bed. Tomorrow youll get your results.
The summer passed quickly. Soon it was time to head for the city, where Emily would live in halls and start her studies.
Ill have to ask Victor, the neighbour, to give us a lift to your dorm with all these bags. I cant manage on my own, Alice said, keen to get to town herself her health hadnt been the best lately. There was one last thing she needed to do, while she still could.
In front of the halls, Emily held her grandmother tight.
Youre my pride and joy. Study hard, love, because in the end, youll have to rely on yourself. Im old and worn out now, who knows how much time I have left Alice said, her voice soft.
Dont be silly, Gran! You? Worn out? Youre in the prime of your life! Emily replied, blinking back tears.
Alice smiled and, after saying goodbye, asked Victor to drop her off at the solicitors office. The paperwork was sorted, and, feeling at peace, Alice returned home to the village.
Emily visited every weekend. She worried about Alices health, studied fiercely, and dreamed of graduating college with honours and going on to medical school. She was sure her love and knowledge could prolong her grandmothers years.
Soon, though, her visits became less frequent. Emily had fallen for James, a fellow student. He was decent, clever, and had plans for university as well.
Alice was genuinely pleased for her granddaughter. After Emily graduated with top marks, she and James married at the age of twenty. At their small reception in a modest café, Alice was the only family on Emilys side.
Youve been more than a grandmother to me. Youve been my mum and dad all in one. You poured your warmth and love into my life. You took care of me, raised me, clothed me, fed me, gave me a real home, Emilys voice caught and her eyes brimmed with tears. I love you, Gran. Thank you for everything!
Emily knelt at Alices feet and hugged her tight, full of gratitude, unable to imagine life without her gran.
The guests were moved, many teary-eyed themselves.
Stand up now, Emily, thats enough, Alice whispered awkwardly, but she was filled with pride.
Whats wrong with that! James declared and sat Alice down at their table. Youre now the most important member of our big family! Welcome! He smiled, sweeping his arm to include all his relatives.
The night was filled with toasts for the couples happiness and for Alices health everyone grateful to the woman who had raised such a wonderful granddaughter.
Not long after, Alice began to fade. As if finishing her duty had left her exhausted. Emily and James cared for her, travelling back and forth from the city while juggling university studies.
One day, Alice clasped Emilys hand tightly and said, When Im gone, the crows will come flockingmy son and his wife. Stand your ground. Years ago, I signed everything over to you, its all with the solicitor. Legal, sealed and proper.
Gran
Say no more! True parents youve never had, so I did what I could. Soon enough Ill leave this world, but I want to know, as I go, youve got a roof over your head your own place. Sell the house with James and get yourself a flat in the city.
Emily just wept, words stuck in her throat.
With proper care, Alice managed another year and a half before she passed away peacefully in her sleep.
Just as Alice foresaw, forty days after her passing, Richard arrived with his family.
Clear out! he barked, cold as ever, While my mother was alive, you had somewhere to stay. Now shes gone, out you go.
Emily stood stunned, staring at his contempt. His wife, whom Emily had never met, and her stepbrother Tom who chewed gum and surveyed the house, clearly debating how to persuade his parents to sell up quickly and buy him a car. It might not be a posh one, but better than always begging his dad for the keys just to impress girls.
James arrived home with some shopping and took in the scene.
And whos this? Got a fancy man now, have you? Richard barked at Emily.
James ignored him, calmly placing the groceries on the kitchen table.
Im her husband, by the way. And who are you? Dont remember us meeting, he said mildly.
Richards cheeks flushed red with anger.
Out! Both of you! he shouted, waving toward the door.
On what grounds, exactly? James replied, archly. Emilys the legal owner here. Want to see the paperwork?
What paperwork? Richard stammered.
Richard! She put something in your mums tea, I swear! Weve got to take her to court! Richards wife shrieked.
Ill see to it you lose it all! Ill have it proved youre not my daughter or my mothers granddaughter! Richard fumed, shaking his fists.
Better start packing, ragamuffin. Well see you gone, Tom sneered, desperate at the thought of missing out on a new car.
They stormed out, leaving the house cold and empty. Emily collapsed to the floor, weeping behind her hands. Why? What had she ever done to them? Her father had never given her a single sweet, yet now he wanted to take her only home.
Do they really live so poorly? Dont they have anywhere else to go? Emily said through her tears. Jamesthis is all I have left of Gran!
James lifted her up and held her.
Well put the house on the market right away. Otherwise, theyll never leave you alone. Dont argue remember, Alice always said wed sell up and move to the city one day.
I just never thought it would be so soon. This was my whole childhood Emily sniffed.
The house sold quickly. A well-off couple were enchanted by the orchards, the quiet, the gardens gazebo draped with old English vines, and the solid brickwork. They paid full price.
Emily and James used the money to buy a cosy flat closer to the city centre. Soon, they were expecting their first childloved and wanted.
At night, as she drifted off to sleep, Emily would reach out in her mind to her grandmother, Thank you, my darling. You gave me my life.I wish you could see how happy I am.
Sometimes, in the early hours, she would swear she heard Alices laugh in the hush between dreamswarm, reassuring, still full of the same fierce pride.
Years later, as Emily rocked her own daughter by the window, sunlight pooling across the nursery, she would tell her storiesof scones with clotted cream, of gentle hands brushing her hair, and a love that withstood clouds of sorrow. She spoke the truth Alice had always lived: that a heart, once mended with kindness, becomes a beacon for generations.
Emily never forgot who she was, nor who had made her so. And with every giggle, every tear wiped away, every bedtime lullaby, she stitched that legacy forwardone perfect, cherished grandchild at a time.
