Granddaughter.
Emilia was never really wanted by her mother, Claire, from the very start. Claire treated her as if she were just another old piece of furniture in the flat neither here nor there. She constantly argued with Emilias father, Matthew, and when he left to return to his wife, Claire completely lost the plot.
So hes gone, is he? Was never planning to leave his drudge of a wife in the first place just wasted my time and lied to me! she screamed down the phone. Now hes left me with his brat? Ill throw her out the window or abandon her at the station with the tramps!
Emilia covered her ears and wept quietly. She soaked up her mothers coldness like a sponge.
I dont give a toss what you do with your daughter. Frankly, Im not convinced shes even mine. Goodbye! Matthew, her father, replied from the other end.
Claire, as if possessed, stuffed Emilias few clothes and documents into a bag, grabbed her five-year-old daughter, and hauled her into a taxi.
Ill show him! Ill show all of them! she muttered under her breath, giving the driver the address with a haughty tone.
Her plan was to dump the girl with Matthews mother, Elizabeth. Elizabeth lived out in the countryside.
The cabbie didnt take kindly to the young womans airs, especially as she snapped at Emilia every time she asked a question.
Mummy, I need the loo Emilia whispered, bracing herself.
Claire glared and barked, Hold it! Use the posh toilet at your grannys.
The taxi driver wanted nothing more than to give Claire a piece of his mind. He had a granddaughter of his own around Emilias age, and his daughter-in-law cared for her as if she was made of glass. He couldnt bear to see the fear in this little girls eyes.
Careful how you speak to your kid, love. I could turf you out and run the girl over to social services myself.
What was that? You can keep your opinions to yourself! Claire spat back. You get ideas, Ill report you for gawping at my child or making lewd suggestions. Who do you think theyll believe? Some cabbie, or a frightened single mum? Back off and mind your mouth.
The driver clenched his jaw, deciding it was best not to argue with a madwoman, though his heart broke for the child.
After an hour and a half, they finally reached their destination.
Wait here, Ill just be a minute, Claire snapped. At that, the cabbie revved the engine and sped off.
Walk it, you snake! his voice echoed from the car as it disappeared down the lane.
Claire spat on the ground. Arsehole! she cursed, grabbing Emilias hand and dragging her into the garden, kicking the gate as she went.
Here you go! Do what you want with her shes your precious treasure now. Your son said it was fine. Shes nothing to me! Claire snarled at Elizabeth, her voice rough from years of smoking. With that, she turned on her heel and left.
Elizabeth stood, heart racing, as Claire stormed out.
Mum! Mummy! Dont leave me! sobbed little Emilia, tearing after her mother, who was already out the front gate.
Get off me! Go to your grandmother. Live with her now! Claire shouted, trying to shake Emilias tiny fingers from the check skirt.
Neighbours peeked through their curtains at the scene. Elizabeth, clutching at her chest, managed to catch up with her crying granddaughter.
Come on, darling. Its all right. Youre my precious berry, she whispered, tears streaming down her kind, wrinkled face. Shed only just discovered she had a granddaughter at all Matthew had never thought it worth mentioning.
I wont hurt you, love. Would you like some pancakes? Ive got plenty of cream, Elizabeth coaxed as she led the girl inside.
Turning at the gate, she watched as Claire flagged down a passing car and disappeared, leaving only dust in her wake.
They never heard from her again. Elizabeth took Emilia in with open arms, considering her a blessing from above. She never doubted for a second that Emilia was truly hers she was the spitting image of little Matthew! He, meanwhile, rarely paid his mother a visit.
Ill raise you, Emilia. Ill give you everything I can, she promised, and so she did, showering the girl with love and care. Elizabeth sent her off to Year One, and time whizzed by. Soon it was Year Eleven and the end of school was near. Emilia had grown into a true beauty: smart, kind, and gentle. She dreamt of studying medicine, but for now, college would have to do.
Its a shame Dad doesnt want anything to do with me, sighed Emilia as she hugged Elizabeth. In the evenings theyd sit on the porch steps, watching the sun melt into the fields.
Elizabeth would stroke her granddaughters silky hair with a trembling hand. What could she say? Matthew refused to involve himself, having patched things up with his wife and doting on their son instead. He despised Emilia, calling her a ragamuffin to her face when he occasionally showed up.
Youve no room to talk! Elizabeth snapped at him once. You only ever turn up on my pension day, begging for money, even though youve got a job and your wife works too. Stop bleeding your own mother dry. Go! And dont come back. Its better to be rid of you altogether.
So thats how it is, is it? Fine! When you pop your clogs, dont expect me at the funeral! snapped Matthew. He called to his son, Harry, whod been teasing Emilia outside, shoved him in his car, and drove off shooting a glare at the girl.
God will judge him, Em, said Elizabeth, standing up. Come on, lets have a cuppa before bed. Youve got your grades results tomorrow!
Summer flew by with chores and gardening, and soon it was time to settle Emilia into college in London.
Ill ask Victor, the neighbour, to give us a lift to the halls theres too much to carry on our own, Elizabeth said, battling her own failing health. She needed to get some paperwork sorted before long.
Outside the halls, Emilia hugged her grandmother for ages.
The most important thing is your studies, sweetheart. Remember, youll have to rely on yourself one day. Im getting on a bit now Who knows how long Ive got
Dont talk like that, Nan! Youre not old youre just mature, like a bottle of good wine! Emilia tried to smile through the lump in her throat.
Elizabeth smiled back, waved goodbye, and asked Victor to drop her at the solicitors before heading home.
From then on, Emilia visited every weekend she could, worrying about her grandmothers health and throwing herself into her studies, determined that one day shed qualify as a doctor and care for her nan. Eventually, she found herself visiting less often she had fallen for George, a classmate. He was a solid lad with good prospects, planning to study medicine next.
Elizabeth only felt joy for Emilia. When college finished and Emilia graduated with distinction, she and George got married both only twenty years old.
At the modest wedding, with sausage rolls and Victoria sponges in a little café, the only guest from the brides side was Elizabeth.
Youre not just my grandmother youre my mum and my dad, all at once, Emilia said in her speech, choking up. You gave me your love, your care, your warmth. You were my home my real, loving home. I love you, Nan. Thank you for everything.
Emilia knelt down in front of her grandmother and hugged her tightly, tears running down both their faces. The guests were all moved; there wasnt a dry eye in the place.
Get up, love, youll have me in bits, Elizabeth mumbled, full of pride.
Theres nowt to be embarrassed about! George piped up, sitting Elizabeth next to him. Youre the head of the family now! Welcome! He gestured to his huge, sprawling lot of relatives.
All evening, toasts were made to the happiness of the young couple and the health of Elizabeth, whod raised such a fine woman.
Soon after, Elizabeth fell ill, as if all her strength had suddenly left her once her duty was done.
Emilia and George took turns looking after her, making the trip from London to the countryside while trying to manage their university studies.
One evening, Elizabeth gripped Emilias hand tightly and said, Once Im gone, the vultures will come my son and his wife. Stand your ground. I sorted everything for you years ago; youre the legal owner. The solicitor has all the papers.
Nan
Say nothing! You never had real parents I did what I could. Soon Ill be gone, but at least youll have a roof over your head. Sell the house with George, buy a flat in the city and start your own life.
Emilia sobbed, unable to get the words out.
With proper care, Elizabeth lasted another eighteen months and then slipped away peacefully in her sleep, just as shed hoped.
As shed predicted, after the forty days had passed, Matthew showed up with his family in tow.
Clear out! he barked. You could stay while my mother was alive, not anymore.
Emilia gaped at their faces her fathers cold stare, his wife whom shed never met, and her half-brother Harry, chewing gum and eyeing up the place as if trying to work out how soon he could get a car out of it.
George returned from the shops and stared at the intruders.
Who are they, then? Dragging blokes back here, are you? Matthew shouted.
George ignored him, calmly set his bag on the kitchen table, and said, Im her husband. And who are you lot? Dont think weve ever been introduced.
Matthew flushed with rage.
Both of you out! he roared, pointing at the door.
Excuse me, on what grounds are you demanding this? Emilia is the legal owner. Want to see the deed? George replied serenely.
W-what deed? Matthew stammered.
Shes drugged your mum, Roms! We need to go to court, court! Matthews wife shrieked.
I wont stand for this! Ill prove youre not my daughter or my mothers granddaughter! Matthew raged, shaking his fist.
Start packing, ragamuffin. Well see you off in the end, muttered Harry, furious at the threat of losing his shot at a car.
They left, leaving emptiness behind. Emilia slid to the floor and cried into her hands. What had she ever done to deserve this? Her father had never brought her so much as a sweet, and now he wanted to take the only home shed ever known.
How badly off are they? Havent they got their own place? Emilia sobbed to George. This is all Ive got left of Nan
George gently helped her up and hugged her. Were putting the house on the market tomorrow, love. They wont let up, and you cant go on living with that. Remember, your nan said we should sell up and set up in town.
I just never thought it would be this soon Emilia said quietly. This house was my whole childhood.
It sold quickly to a wealthy couple whod always wanted a country manor they didnt even haggle. The orchard, the big red-brick house with garden arbour, the pinewoods out back; it was all perfect for the new family.
With the money, Emilia and George bought a small but cosy flat close to the heart of London. Soon after, they were expecting their first child a much longed-for, beloved baby.
At night in her new little home, Emilia would think quietly, Thank you, dearest Nan, for giving me life and a place to call my own.
Looking back, I learned that true family is forged in kindness, not blood. The love and care Elizabeth gave me carried me through the hardest times and taught me the meaning of home. Whatever comes my way, I know the warmth she showed will always be my foundation.
