Granddaughter.
From the very beginning, little Emily was an inconvenience to her mother, Rachel. She treated Emily as if she were just another piece of furniture in the flat, barely worthy of noticeher presence as inconsequential as her absence.
Rachel was constantly at odds with Emilys father, and when he left her and returned to his wife, she went right off the rails.
Walked out, has he? Didnt plan on leaving his housekeeper after all! Drove me up the wall, lied to my face she screamed into the phone, and now hes abandoned me with his brat? Ill chuck her out the window or dump her at the train station with the tramps!
Covering her ears, Emily quietly sobbed. The rejection of her own mother seeped into her bones like cold water into a sponge.
I couldnt care less what you do with your daughter. To be honest, I doubt shes even mine. Goodbye, replied David, her father, from the other end of the line.
As if possessed, Rachel threw Emilys clothes into a bag, snatched up her documents, and swept the five-year-old into a waiting taxi.
Ill show him. Ill show them all! she raged in her head, her voice haughty as she barked the address at the taxi driver.
She intended to leave Emily with Davids mother, Judith. Judith lived out in a village beyond the outskirts.
The taxi driver took an instant dislike to this arrogant young woman, especially as she snapped at the timid little girl for every question.
Mum, I need the loo, Emily mumbled, shoulders hunched, bracing for the worst.
And as expected, Rachel snapped back so harshly that the taxi driver felt his hands itch to give her a piece of his mind. He had a granddaughter nearly Emilys age, doted on by her motherno one even raised their voice to the child.
Hold it! Do it at your precious grandmothers house!
Rachel turned away from her daughter and stared out the window, nostrils flaring in anger.
Watch it, love, warned the driver quietly. Or Ill put you out right here and take the little one to Social Services instead.
Excuse me? You can shut your trap! Defender of little girls, are you? Say any more and Ill put in a complaintsay you were looking at my daughter funny and making suggestive remarks. Wholl they believethe cabbie or the terrified mother? My daughter, Ill raise her how I like. So button it!
The man gritted his teeth. Not worth tangling with a lunatic like her, though his heart broke for the child.
After about an hour and a half, they pulled up at the cottage.
Wait here, itll only take a moment, Rachel sneered, but the moment she turned, the taxi roared off with a squeal of tyres.
Walk the rest, you viper! floated back through the window.
Rachel spat on the ground, cursed after the car, and yanked Emily toward the garden gate, which she kicked open.
Here! Your precious little treasure. Do what you like with her, I dont want her. Your son gave his blessing. Shes all yours! Rachel barked with her hoarse, smoky voice, then stormed off in her heels.
Judith stood in the drive, stunned, watching Rachel disappear down the lane.
Mummy! Mummy, dont go! wailed Emily, her little fists smudging tears onto her cheeks, and she darted after her mother, howling.
Get off me! Go on, go to your gran. Youre her problem now! Rachel hollered, prising the small hands off her tartan skirt.
Neighbours peeked out of their windows. Judith, clutching her chest, managed to catch up to her sobbing granddaughter.
Its all right, my darling, come on. My little berry, she soothed, tears streaming down her lined face. She hardly knew the girlDavid had never once mentioned he had a child outside his marriage.
I wont hurt you, dont be scared. How about some pancakes? Ive even got cream, Judith murmured gently, leading the girl back toward the house.
From the gate, Judith saw Rachel jump into a passing car and disappear, leaving only a cloud of dust behind. They never heard from her again.
Judith took Emily in as a gift from above. She didnt doubt for a second that she was her own. The girl was the spitting image of young David, who now visited his mother in the country so infrequently that shed soon forget what he looked like.
Ill raise you, Emily, give you everything I can, as long as my strength lasts.
And so she did. She poured love and care into her granddaughter, saw her off to her first day at school, watched the years fly by.
And at once, Emily was in her final year, preparing for exams and dreaming of medical school. For now, though, college would have to do.
Bit of a shame Dad wont acknowledge me, Emily would sigh, hugging Judith as they sat on the terrace steps, watching sunsets together.
Judith would stroke her granddaughters silky hair with trembling fingers. What could she say? Her son David flatly refused to help raise Emily. He was back with his first wife, doting on their son, William, and poured all his affection into the boy. Emily, though, he scorned. And when he bothered to visit, he found any excuse to belittle her, calling her a ragamuffin.
Takes one to know one! Judith snapped once. You only turn up on my pension day to scrounge! Youve a job and so does your wife, yet you still bleed your mother dry. Get lost, David, and dont come back. Id rather see nobody than see you!
Thats how it is, Mum? Fine! David exploded. When youre gone, I wont bother with your funeral! He bundled a sulking William into the car and stormed off, giving Emily a hateful look. They never saw him again.
Well, God will be the judge, Emily, Judith said gently. Lets have a cup of tea before bed. Youre getting your diploma tomorrow!
The summer passed quickly with garden chores, and soon it was time for Emily to head to the city for college.
We cant manage it all aloneIll ask Victor from next door to give us a lift to your halls with the bags, Judith said, eager to make the most of the trip as her health had started to waver. It was time to settle important affairs while she still could.
Outside the accommodation, Emily hugged her grandmother for ages.
Youre my joy, love. Study hard, because soon youll have only yourself to rely on. Im getting on, not much time left in these old bones.
Emily fought back tears.
Thats nonsense, Gran. Youre a sprightly woman in her prime!
Judith smiled and, after parting, asked Victor to drop her at the solicitors office before heading homeher affairs in order at last.
Emily visited her every weekend at first, worrying over her health, revising tirelessly, and vowing to get into medical school on the back of a first. She was convinced she could keep Grandma young with what she learned.
Time moved on. Emily visited less as she fell for a fellow student, James. He was a decent lad, bright and hard-working, hoping to enter university too.
Judith was overjoyed at Emilys happiness. The two married quietly when they both finished college with top marks, aged just twenty. At the modest reception in a local pub, Judith was the sole guest on the brides side.
Youre not just my gran. Youre my mum and dad, all in one. You gave me your warmth and all the love in your heart. You raised me, fed me, clothed me, gave me a real home. I love you, Gran, and Im endlessly grateful, Emily said, her voice trembling as tears filled her eyes, kneeling by Judiths chair.
Everyone present had to wipe their eyes, even Jamess boisterous family.
Stand up, Emily, love, its embarrassing, Judith whispered, blushing with pride.
Whats embarrassing about loving your own? James declared, pulling Judith close. Youre the matriarch of our family now! Welcome! He swept his arm around his relatives.
Toasts were made all night for Emily and Jamess happiness and for Judith, the remarkable matron who raised such a lovely woman.
Not long after, Judiths health faded. It was as if, having fulfilled her purpose, her strength was spent.
Emily and James travelled back and forth to care for her, juggling studies with visits. One day, Judith grasped Emilys hand.
When I go, the vultures will swoopall in the shape of my son and his wife. Stand your ground. Years ago, I signed the house over to you, with the solicitor, all legal. Dont worry.
But, Gran
Dont say another word. You never had real parents. I did what I could, and I want to go knowing youve a roof over your head. Sell it, buy a flat in the city with Jim.
Emily simply wept, lost for words, her throat tightening with grief.
With loving care, Judith lived another year and a half, before slipping away peacefully in her sleep.
Just as expected, David turned up for the first time in ages, wife and William in tow, forty days after the funeral.
Clear out! David barked, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. While Mum lived, you could stay. Now shes gone, shift yourself.
Emily just staredat his sneering face, at his wife, whom shed never met, at her half-brother stuffing gum in his mouth while eyeing up Grandmothers cottage. No doubt he was already dreaming of selling it to get himself a car.
James came in from the shop, arms full.
And you are? David sneered.
James ignored him, set the shopping on the table.
Im her lawful husband. And you are? Dont believe weve met.
David flushed scarlet.
Out. Both of you! he bellowed, pointing at the door.
And on what grounds? Emily is the rightful owner. Want to see the deed? Jamess smile was all challenge.
W-what deed? David stammered.
She tricked your mother! Sue them, David! Take it to court! squawked his wife.
Ill prove youre not my child or even Mums granddaughter! David thundered.
Pack your bags, you little trampwell make sure you dont stay, William muttered bitterly. The thought of losing a car hardened his resolve.
They left, leaving only emptiness behind. Emily sank to the floor, face buried in her hands, sobbing.
What have I ever done to them? Dad never even brought me so much as a sweet, and now he wants to throw me out?
Theyre not struggling, are they, James? Are they homeless? This house is all I have from Gran! Emily whispered through tears.
James helped her to her feet and pulled her close.
Well put it up for sale tomorrow. Otherwise, theyll never give you peace. Dont argueremember how Gran always said wed be best off moving? Lets do it.
I just never thought wed have to sell it so soon. My whole childhood was here.
The house sold quickly. A well-off couple, keen on a country home, bought it without haggling. It was a grand place, full of fruit trees, miles from the road, its windows facing the pine woods, and a gazebo laced with grapevines at the back. Solid brickwork, warm and welcoming.
With the proceeds, Emily and James bought a cosy little flat near the city centre. Soon enough, their family would be growing, and they couldnt have been happier. Their child would be wanted and loved.
At night, Emily would lie in bed and whisper her gratitude: Thank you, Gran, for everything You gave me my life.
It strikes me now, leafing through these memories, that blood alone doesnt bind a familylove and kindness do. And sometimes, the truest parents arent the ones who bring you into this world, but the ones who hold you through it.
