Sophie grows up feeling like an orphan, even though her parents are alive. She sees her mother only in photos and brief video calls, while her father lives just next door, but never takes any part in raising her.
Sophie cant shake the feeling that her father even avoids looking her way, just to avoid being asked for anything.
At one time, Sophie was angry at her mother for leaving her behind in the pursuit of her own happiness, but now, with age, she starts to understand.
It mustnt have been easy to find yourself with a child at the age of sixteen, especially when the childs father is just a schoolmate and neighbour.
Sophie is grateful at least that her mother had the courage to have her at all, knowing things could have turned out quite differently. Even though her mother left her as a baby in the care of her own parents, Sophie feels indebted with gratitude. There is no telling what life she would have had growing up with a mother who, by all accounts, wasnt cut out for the role.
But Sophie had a warm childhood, growing up surrounded by love and tenderness.
Her grandparents doted on her, dedicated their lives to her happiness, and her mother sent trendy clothes and toys from London from time to time.
When her mother, Margaret, married a foreigner, parcels and bank transfers began arriving even more frequently.
Sometimes Sophie wondered if her mother was just trying to buy forgiveness.
For her eighteenth birthday, Margaret sent a generous sum so that her grandfather could purchase a flat for Sophie in the city.
After all, Sophie is now grown and about to start university, and its far better for her to have her own place than a stuffy room in student halls.
Margaret quietly, step by step, tried to show Sophie that everything she did was done for her daughters own good.
To her grandparents surprise, Sophie holds no grudge against her mother, but theres no particular affection either.
When Margaret would visit home, people sometimes mistook Sophie and Margaret for sistersthey looked so alike, and Margaret kept herself so well that no one would believe she was thirty-four.
Well, Sophie love, isnt it time you moved with me?
No, Ive got to finish university.
Alright, keep at it! Who knows where you get your brains. Heres my new number. If you ever need money, or anything at all, just call.
Thank you, Mum. Youve already bought me so much and sent me plenty of money. I think Ill be alright for a while.
Sophie doesnt realise the word Mum makes Margaret wince.
Margaret still isnt ready for motherhoodand to her new husband she pretends she helps her parents and a younger sister back home, never mentioning Sophie, her grown-up daughter in England.
Its as if she loves Sophie in an abstract way, the way you might care for a distant relative.
But when Margarets husband leaves her for someone from his own country, Margaret heads home to her daughter first.
Sophie, would you mind if I moved in with you?
Of course I dont mind. Im getting married soon anyhow, and once were married, well be living with Oliver.
Married? Isnt it a bit soon? You only just turned twenty.
Soon?
Sophie wants to add, You had me at sixteen, but she holds her tonguemaybe she doesnt want to remind her mother, or maybe she just doesnt want to sound unkind. Shes an adult now and can choose for herself whom and when to marry.
Sophie often compares Olivers parents to Margaret in her mind. They welcomed her warmly, like their own, while Margaret rarely asks about Sophies fiancé.
Ill come to the wedding. But right now, I need to rest and recover. Ill be off to Greece for a bit.
Mmm Greece It must be beautiful. Oliver travels there for work sometimeshe was just there yesterday on business.
The wedding is just a few days away. Sophie is exhausted with the preparations but excited for what lies ahead.
Oliver, caught up in urgent business, is delayed. Margaret, meanwhile, disappears without another word, leaving Sophie unsure what to think.
But she knows one thing for sureOliver will be overjoyed when she tells him hes going to be a father.
It wasnt her plan to have a child before the wedding, but as the date is nearly here, nobody can say anything. And besides, theyre happy.
Finally! I was starting to think youd fallen for a Greek girl and changed your mind about marrying me.
Dont be daft, love. What Greek girl? You know Im not one for affairs.
Though, in truth, Oliver is not being completely honest. An affair is exactly what hes had
It all unravels as an argumentlike a burst of fireworksleaving Sophie shell shocked.
What secrets? Im pregnant with Olivers baby. I told him ages ago that youd need to be told
Say that again? Youre expecting Olivers child? Is this some kind of sick joke?
Do I look like Id joke about something like that? We met in Greece, spent some passionate nights together, and thenright here, at your wedding preparations Oliver, tell her how good it was between us!
Get out! Both of you! I never want to see you again!
Sophie, forgive me. It was a mistake, those days together were a mistake.
No, the real mistake was marrying someone capable of betraying me like this.
Sophie files for divorce. She never forgives Oliver. Her relationship with her mother is severed for good.
She moves back to her childhood village to live with her grandparents, where she gives birth to a beautiful boy.
Nothing is ever heard from Margaret or Oliver againnot that Sophie wants to stay in touch.
A month after her sons birth, the city hospital rings:
Are you the daughter of Margaret Davies?
Yes Has something happened?
Im sorry to say, your mother passed away in childbirth. She gave birth to a healthy baby girl. We werent sureyou may want to take the child? Or should we place her in care?
I I Ill come for her.
Sophie takes the little girl home. She simply couldnt turn her back.
Oliver would never claim the child anyway; he still blames Margaret for all that happened.
But Sophie knows the blame lies on both their shoulders, and anywaychildren shouldnt bear the burden of their parents sins.
Children are joyher joyand theres never such a thing as too much happiness.
