A Glass of Milk
You know, its not only the downtrodden who have a rough time in lifepeople around them struggle too. That much, Sarah Chapman learned ages ago. Shes been working in social care for eight years now and its taken its tollshes grown sharper, leaner, and more cynical with anyone daring to criticise her work. Who are you to judge me? shed fire back, glaring with those piercing green eyes beneath her copper fringe. People usually lost interest or just scarpered without a word. Thats how she got her nickname: Sarah the Plague.
All those years, Sarah shopped for elderly clients, cleaned their homes if needed, and somehow got along with just about everyone. Only once did she nearly fall foul of the department when one old gent gave her a bar of chocolate. Shed never accepted gifts beforeits against the rules and, well, it would just stick in her throat if she kept it. She brought it home but couldnt even break off a piece. Ended up giving it to the little boy next door instead and quietly refused the next gift from that old man. But he complained to social services, claiming, You cant please todays carers, only cash in an envelope will do They nearly sacked Sarah, but she just shruggedGo ahead, Im not a doormat for you to wipe your feet on. Others stuck up for her, especially Emily Ford, one of her favourite clients. After that, Sarah and Emily became closelike sisters, really, though neither had any family left.
Their lives ran weirdly parallel, both orphaned young. Emilys struggled with a disability since she was a kid, while Sarah seems healthy on the outside but is riddled and fragile inside, always on the verge of tearsthough even Emily doesnt quite get why. Not having children is what really bonds them. Sarahs made her peace with it, but Emily is still feisty, always chivvying Sarah out of her sulks. She got even more spirited after a few rehearsals at the local rehab centres arts studio, prepping for a concert. At first, she wouldnt hear of performing. Even Father Luke, the local vicar who often brought round presents and prayers, tried to talk her out of it, saying embroidery suited her best. And Emily was good! Her fingers might be clumsy, but her grit made up for it. She started with napkins and handkerchiefs, then decorated a linen dress with intricate coloured thread, swirling red flourishes, and strange green birds. It was so stunning the dress went to a county craft showand won first prize. Then, on the last day, someone bought itwith Emilys blessing. She called Sarah in tearsit was her first ever earnings, and she had no clue what to do with them.
Dont fretwell soon put the money to use! Sarah laughed, then got serious. Well buy more linen dresses, give you work for a year or two. Better than those thoughts youve been having lately. Emily didnt reply, a bit hurtit was true she longed for marriage these days. Shed seen enough love stories on TV to know how marvellous it must be. In her position, envy was as close as shed get.
After the craft show, the rehab centre rang and asked if shed join their new dance studio, working towards a duet for a coming performance. Emily was gobsmacked, hung up thinking it was some mistake. But they called back, and Margaret Johnson, the head of the studio, talked her into at least giving it a try. Youre a prizewinner now! This is your momentlets see how far you can go! And don’t worrysocial care have sorted you an escort for rehearsals.
Who am I dancing with? Emily asked, suspicious.
The same as youdont worry. Weve several similar pairs. In this country, everyone can find something to love, whatever their circumstances! Margarets no-nonsense bulldozed any doubts out of the way.
So Emily agreed, and the next day, a grumpy, sharp-cropped driver showed up to collect her. In the minibus was her new dance partnera wheelchair user named James. She shook his hand, nerves all over the place. But there it wasa firm, strong handshake.
At the centre, Sarah and the driver helped Emily inside. Rehearsals Well, they were a right mess at first. Both sweating buckets, blushing, fumbling for the steps and counting the beat while the willowy blonde choreographerso graceful she looked like shed float awaydarted around them. Even Margaret was a whirlwind of energy. Twice a week, all through autumn and most of winter, Emily found herself living for those practices, even letting her embroidery slide.
On this particular day, she was waiting for Sarahwho stomped in, clearly in a foul mood.
Whats with the long face? Emily teased.
Nothings wrong! Sarah tried to hide it, but she was obviously fed up.
Sall right, Emily switched tack. Look at usonly forty! We could still start families if we wanted.
You with your family talk Ive been married, you know. Seven years my husband stuck it out before he leftrightly so! I dont blame him. My parents never got to see grandchildren. And dont lecture me.
Well, if I were you, Id give marriage another go!
You keep at it
If you dont want a husband, you can always have a baby on your own these days.
Takes a fat lot of cash, doesnt it? You think Im rolling in it?
Theyre saying on TV you can get it done for free now.
Well talk about this later So what are you wearing to rehearsals?
Cant even finish my sentence The pink jumper and grey skirt!
For once, try the performance dress? You have to get used to it. It’s long for a reason.
Ill save it for the final rehearsalthe bus is dirty, Ill ruin it.
They rehearsed late into the evening before the dress rehearsal, and when Sarah wheeled Emily indoors, Emily was still buzzing, chattering non-stopeven in the bath, where Sarah propped her up to rest.
Later, cozy in her dressing gown with a mug of tea, Emily suddenly asked quietly, What was your first time like?
Sarah blinked. First time?
With a bloke Emily blushed crimson.
Dont remember
Pull the other one. You were married! What about that Nick I saw hanging around?
He hung about for two months post-divorce, found someone younger. Nothing to envy there, honestly!
I think James likes me. Emily smiled shyly. He looks at me that way, you know?
Brunettes always fall for blondes. Stop ityoull only upset yourself and regret it.
So? What was it like then, your first time?
Not telling you. Drink your tea and go lie down, you look like a ghost!
Emily fell silent, and Sarah could tell that hopeless longing had crept inthe very thing shed warned Emily about. Quick as she could, Sarah washed the mugs, packed up and reminded Emily from the door, Ill lock upwait for me tomorrow at lunch. Need anything from the shops?
You know what I like Emily grumbled, closing her eyes.
Get a good sleep, general rehearsal tomorrow!
Emily didnt reply.
See what dancing does to people! Sarah muttered as she left, biting back, Youll drive yourself round the bend! but kept it to herself.
Outside, Sarah thought, Maybe I ought to help her meet someone. People think theyre helpless, but lookjust see how she envied me over Nick. Shouldnt have told her anything.
Emily, meanwhile, regretted snapping at Sarah. Shed have listened if only Sarah wasnt so prickly. Now, who was she supposed to talk to? If only I could write poetry, she thought, Id put all this heartbreak into a verse! She squeezed back tears, missing James terribly. On those first rehearsals, shed been petrified of falling but now realised she actually felt safe with him. Praise from the choreographer started comingWell done!and Emily was quietly thrilled.
She had the dance down pat, and had got used to James, to Sarah always watching from the benches, even the funny electrician in orange dungarees who always fiddled with cables backstage.
Now she was fretting about the big rehearsalwould it go OK? But she worried even more about afterwardswould she ever meet James outside these walls? Could she ever bring him home for everyone to see her with a man? Or was this ither happiest moments, always in rehearsals? Tomorrow had to go perfectly if she wanted a chance at anything more.
The morning of, Emily laid her concert dress out on the sofaa dark purple number festooned with sequins and jewels, silk shining, almost slipping from her fingers. She tried not to think too far ahead, just committed to listening to the music and keeping time with James, not letting one mistake slip past.
She was half swept away by nerves when Sarah arrivedbrisk, half-mocking. Ready for the big rehearsal, star?
Ready as you can bebut honestly, Im terrified!
Thats goodyou care. All right, lets get going, slowly but surely.
They took ages packing, and Sarah even had the driver come early so Emily could change first and get used to her dress. Arriving, she suddenly felt all eyes were on herwhich wasnt helped by seeing James, dapper in a black suit and bowtie, being accompanied by an unfamiliar lady.
In the wings, as they got ready, James wheeled himself over and kissed Emily on the cheek. Dont worryitll go brilliantly!
Her cheek burned; she absent-mindedly touched it and barely registered a voice at her elbow. When Emily turned, she saw the woman accompanying James, leaning on a cane.
Itll all be all right, she said softly.
And you are? Emilys voice wavered, struck by a bad feeling.
As if on cue, James piped up, Emily, meet my wifeCaroline.
Emily nodded, numb, and then noticed, for the first time, Jamess wedding ring. Her world seemed to implodeall those hopes vanished in an instant. She couldnt breathe and the room swam away
When she came to, she was surrounded by anxious faces, Margaret Johnson looking more exasperated and withered than ever.
What happened to Ford? Margaret snapped. Whys she fainted?
She needs to go home, said Sarah firmly, Shes exhaustedcant you see?
She needs a doctor! Get her sorted and back on stage. We havent grafted for six months just for her to quit now!
Somehow, Emily found her voice, and though she didnt look at anyone, she answered whatever they asked with silence. She kept silent in the bus too, but as they reached her street, she finally mustered, Wheres James?
Hes still at rehearsal, doing his old routine. Youwell, thats how it goes, Emily. Dont fret. Its for the best. You dont need all that dramajust like Father Luke said! Sarahs tone was clipped and annoyed.
Emily felt cut to the quick by her.
When the driver helped Sarah get Emily into her flat, she just collapsed onto her bed, still in the concert dress.
Thats the end, then? the driver joked, actually smiling for once.
Yup, all finished now Cheers! Off you go, Sarah shooed him and sat beside Emily. So, will you tell me what happened? she asked, looking into her eyes.
After a bit, Emily finally muttered through tears, James is married
Sarah nearly laughed, realising that, of all things, heartbreak over James was the emergency.
And you were planning a whole future? Thought youd hit the jackpot?
Leave me alone! Go away! Emily shot back.
Sarah sat on quietly, but Emily snapped again, Go! And dont come back. Ill manage without you. Youre just cruelyoure a right plague!
If Emily had spat it out full of venom, Sarah would have taken it seriously, but she just whimpered as always. Still, it was wounding. After all these years, Sarah knew her well enough to read between the linesEmily had no one else, family had long since washed their hands of her. Sarah was probably her only real friend, but now that seemed wrecked. Was this how it ended? Other carers just drop food, tidy up and go. But Sarah would spend evenings, cook, set the place to rights, sometimes even stay over. And now she was cruel and, worst of allthe Plague.
Thank you kindly, Emily Ford, Sarah said bitterly.
She left with a brave face but her legs were like jelly. Ill ask to be transferred tomorrow, she decided. Or maybe Ill quit altogetherget a job at the nursery instead. Worked there after teacher training and no one ever called me names!
Back home, Sarah tried to cook but ended up sipping tea and eating biscuits on the sofa, just exhausted from the dress rehearsal and the emotional tornado. She drifted off, thinking, Let Emily fend for herself a couple of days, then see whos needy.
Of course, she woke with a start to the phone ringingFather Luke, sounding deadly serious.
Sarah, you need to get to Emilys, quick. She needs to go to hospital
Sarah flew into a panic, realising shed forgotten to lock up Emilys flatsomething really must have happened. She dressed and rushed out, meeting an ambulance on her way; dread hit herwas Emily inside? At the flat were police, neighbours, and Father Luke.
What happened? Sarah cried.
Seems shes poisoned herself, Father Luke explained gravely. She rang, said she felt dreadful, asked for help but didnt explain. I found her on the floor, medicine spilled everywhere. I called for the ambulance and the police.
A young officer in a too-tight uniform approached Sarah. How are you connected?
Im her carerwell, her social worker. Whats happened?
She tried to well, end things.
Dont be daftshes like an angel!
Somebody must have pushed her. Well find out. Do you have her keys?
Yes
Come on then. Lets check everythings off, fridge included.
But the food will spoil!
Put it on the balcony.
Clearing out the fridge, Sarah spotted Emilys phone. Can I take this to her?
Leave everything as is, the officer insisted.
Sarah did as told. When all was locked and sealed, she thanked Father Luke and was then taken in for a statement. The officer actually smiled reading what she wrote. So its all over love? Nothing for us to worry about, then. Home time for you.
But instead of home, Sarah grabbed a cab to the hospital. At A&E, she found out Emily was in intensive care, but coming round. The nurse told her strictly, No visitors for three days. Theres a flu quarantine anyway. You a friend or family?
Friend.
Good. We werent sure she had anyone. And dont worry about her chairweve plenty. Call later, well see when shes ready to go home.
Sarah left feeling a bit lighter, back in her own silent, chilly flat. Too quietno one to ring, the phone just taunted her all evening. Barely ate or slept, and rang her manager the next morning not to reassign Emily.
Shes still under your care, dont worry, her supervisor reassured, clearly in the loop.
Sarah phoned the hospital every day. Emily never asked to speak to her, but on the fourth day, a strange voice rang. Are you Sarah Chapman? Im a nurse taking care of Emily Ford. Shed like you to comebut youll have to say hello from outside. Shes on the second floor, third window from the left above the main entrance at one oclock.
Thanks. Anything I can bring?
Nope. No flowers eitherits March, and quarantine, nothing at all.
After seeing her morning clients, Sarah rushed to the hospital and stood under the right window, not seeing Emily at first. She nearly threw a snowball up, when Emily appearedpale but her eyes shining with hope. She tried shouting but, through thick glass, all Sarah saw was Emily pressing up a sheet of paper with SORRY written in giant letters. Sarah waved it away, frowning out of affectionits OK, nothing to forgiveand felt a surprising rush of relief. Emilys frostiness was gone, thank God. Sarah signalled that it was time to go, telling her to ring soon, then wandered off, blinking away happy tears.
Trudging through melting snow, it hit Saraheverything around looked brighter, sunlight glinting off the windows, even the church dome in the distance was dazzling. It was spring, for realthe darkest days really had passed. Life felt new again, and Sarahwiping away joyful, ridiculous tearscould finally look at what had happened and let it go. And she thought, Honestly, Emily, youre an impossible cow, but I wouldnt have it any other way.Sarah was almost home when she ducked into the corner shop. Passing shelves of bread and tea, she caught her reflection in the windowshe looked older, she realized, if also a little lighter. At the till, she spotted a jug of milk on special; on impulse, she bought it. Might as well have milk in when Emily came home, after all.
Late that evening, Sarah sat by her kitchen window, turning her phone in her palms, watching streetlights glitter in lingering slush puddles. Loneliness seeped through the walls, the way it does after crisis ebbs, but this time a quiet pride softened it. Shed stayed. Shed saved her friend, or at least stood by. That had to mean something.
The phone finally rang. Sarah almost dropped it scrambling to answer.
Hello? Emily? That you?
Silenceand then Emilys soft, tired voice, a little smaller and much more real. Will you come tomorrow? Only if you want. I Ill need someone to help me home.
Sarah grinned, tears behind her eyes now, but there was only warmth in her words. Ill bring cake. And milk, for your tea.
Emily gave a shaky laugh. Dont suppose youll forgive me?
Sarah shook her head, though Emily couldnt see. Nothing to forgive. Besides what would I do all day, if not clear up your messes?
The two of them laughed, the sound awkward, cracked, and perfectly human.
But Sarah already knew: when Emily was home, thered be pain to talk through, awkward pauses, plenty more rueful jokesand always, always a kettle singing somewhere between them.
And as Sarah tucked the milk into the fridge for morning, she realized it was enough. Second chances didnt need romance, nor heroes. Sometimes, all they demanded was courageand a glass of milk shared, poured into tea at a kitchen table, in the gentle, golden light of a brand new day.
