Mum, Give Us a Smile
Emily absolutely hated it when the neighbour ladies popped over and begged her mum to sing.
Go on, Anne, sing us a tune, your voice is lovely and you dance like a pro! Mum would pipe up with a song, the neighbours would chime in, and before you knew it, everyone was dancing round the garden as if in a musical.
At the time, Emily was living with her parents in a little village, in an old but sturdy house. She also had a younger brother called Archie. Mum was always cheery and welcoming. When the neighbours finally tottered off, shed say, Come round next time, ladies always enjoy a natter and a cup of tea! Which, of course, they promised to do.
But Emily squirmed with embarrassment whenever Mum burst into song and pirouetted about. She was in Year 6 then, and one fateful day she confessed, Mum, can you please not sing and dance when the neighbours come? I get so embarrassed. She couldnt even explain exactly why.
Even as an adult, now a mum herself, she still cant quite put her finger on it. But Anne only replied, Emily love, dont be ashamed when I sing be happy! Im not going to be singing and dancing forever, best make the most of it while Im young-ish
Young Emily didnt give it much thought at the time. After all, arent things always a bit of a lark when youre a kid?
Then, when Emily was in Year 7 and Archie was in Year 3, their dad left. Packed up his things and simply vanished. Emily didnt know what had prompted this, not really. As a teenager, years later, she mustered up the courage to ask,
Mum, why did Dad leave us?
Youll understand when youre older, Mum responded.
Anne couldnt quite bring herself to explain that shed come home from work, having forgotten her purse, only to find her husband in their own bed with Veronica, the woman from down the road. Emily and Archie were at school, and Anne had walked straight into an awkward tableau: Ivan and Veronica, as bold as brass, staring at her as if to say, Fancy seeing you here.
That evening, when Ivan waltzed in from work, fireworks erupted while the kids were out playing and blissfully unaware.
Ive packed your things, Ivan. Theyre in the bedroom. Please leave. I will never forgive this, Anne declared.
Ivan, knowing her well, made a half-hearted attempt: Anne, people make mistakes, lets just forget about it? Weve got the kids, after all.
No. Go, was all she said, retreating into the garden.
And so Ivan left, Anne watching from behind the corner of the house, heart thumping with betrayal so sharp she thought shed choke. Well just have to manage, me and the kids, she wept, but Ill never forgive him.
And she didnt. There she was suddenly a single mother of two, knowing itd be tough, but not realizing just how tough. She ended up with two jobs to keep the family afloat cleaner by day, bakery worker by night. She hardly slept, and somewhere in all that, her smile packed its bags and left too.
Though their dad had moved out, Emily and Archie still saw him. Hed taken up residence just four doors down, living with Veronica, who had a son the same age as Archie. The boys even ended up in the same class. Anne never stopped her kids from visiting; theyd play at their dads and then trot home for meals. Veronica, it seemed, drew the line at cooking for them, but games were fair game.
Sometimes, Veronicas son would join Emily and Archie at their place, to the neighbours raised eyebrows. Anne would feed the lot of them, never one to leave a child hungry. But Emily never once saw her mum smile again. She was kind, she cooked hearty meals, but shed gone quiet and rarely laughed.
Sometimes Emily would return from school, desperate for a chat. Shed spill the latest class gossip: Mum! Youll never believe Ben brought a kitten in his backpack. It was meowing all lesson, and Mrs Brown had no idea where the sound was coming from! She gave Ben a right telling off, thinking he was making the noise. When we told her about the kitten, she sent Ben (and the kitten!) out and called his mum in for a proper talk.
Mum just said, Oh. Right, her voice far away.
Emily realised nothing really cheered her mum up now. She often heard her crying at night, standing for ages by the window and staring out as if waiting for something to change. Grown-up Emily finally understood: Mum was exhausted two jobs, no sleep, probably half-starved of vitamins. She worked herself to the bone for me and Archie. We always looked neat, clothes clean and pressed. She never let us see how hard it really was.
Back then, Emily would attempt: Mum, give us a smile I miss it.
Anne adored her children in her own quiet way was more likely to praise them for good grades than wrap them in hugs. But she cooked for them and kept the house spotless. And when she brushed and plaited Emilys hair, she became gentle and sad. Annes teeth were crumbling early, too she had them pulled, but never the means or desire to replace them.
After school, Emily never even considered university. She couldnt bear to leave her mother alone, and besides, tuition and travel cost money. She took a job as a shop assistant at the local grocer, eager to help. Archie was growing fast new shoes and clothes were a constant need.
One day, a man named Michael strolled in. Not local, but from a nearby village.
Whats your name, gorgeous? He flashed a cheeky smile, New round here? Havent seen you before when Ive stopped by.
Emily. Ive not seen you, either.
Im from Oakley, about five miles that way. Michaels the name.
And off they went. Before long, Michael was turning up in his battered car to fetch Emily at closing time for a wander or a sit in the park. He even invited her to see his place a tidy, busy little farm with a sizeable house and his ailing mother tucked away in her room. Hed split up with his wife (shed scarpered off to the county town with their daughter, not wanting to care for a sick mother-in-law).
Michael was generous the kitchen table groaned under the weight of cream, roast beef and sweets. Emily enjoyed his company. Michael wasted little time:
Emily, how about marrying me? I know Im a bit older and come with strings my mum needs caring for, but Ill help.
Emilys eyes flickered, but she was happy enough it didnt bother her looking after someone in need. Michael waited nervously.
Might as well say yes Ill never go hungry for beef and cream again, she thought. Out loud, Alright, Ill marry you. Michael practically danced with delight.
Im over the moon, Emily. I love you. Honestly, I never thought youd say yes to an old divorcé like me. I swear, Ill always look after you and make you happy.
And he did. After the wedding, Emily moved to Michaels place in Oakley. In truth, she didnt really miss home Archie was now off at college in the nearby town, learning the trade of a mechanic, only coming back for weekends and holidays.
Time ambled along. Emily found she was happy. She and Michael soon had two sons, one after another. Emily didnt work outside the home between the kids and the lively farm, her plate was full. Michaels mother passed away two years after she moved in, and the farm demanded constant attention. Michael did most of the heavy lifting, sometimes grumbling at Emily,
Put those buckets down Ill muck out the pigs. You just mind the cows and sort the chickens and ducks.
Emily knew Michael adored both her and their boys. Shed grown up without much farming, but she picked things up quickly. Michael was generous.
Lets send some beef and cream and a couple of bottles of milk over to your mum. Shes got to buy everything these days, and weve got plenty.
Anne accepted the parcels gratefully, but the smile never quite made it to her lips, even with the grandchildren hovering. They visited often Emilys heart always ached, wishing she could find a spark to bring her mum back to life.
Emily, why not pop over to church? Ask the vicar for a bit of advice? suggested Michael, and Emily seized on the idea.
The vicar promised to pray for Anne, then added, Ask the Lord to send your mum someone good to walk with in life. Emily prayed, often.
One day, Anne called her daughter: Emily, could I borrow some money? Ive decided to get some teeth!
Oh Mum, Id pay for the lot! Emily was thrilled, although she knew Anne would only accept the minimum. She loaned her the money, but Anne insisted shed pay it back.
A little while later, Emily hadnt been round (Michael was busy helping his uncle Colin move to Oakley after his wife gave him the boot and their children left home). Michael was sorting paperwork for his uncles new house, a big comfortable place just down the road. Emily tagged along a couple of times.
Then, one day, Michael came home, grinning: Bit of gossip I reckon Uncle Colins got romance on the cards. I heard him on the phone, and it certainly sounded like someone special!
Good for him! Emily agreed. No sense rattling around in that big house alone.
Soon enough, Colin himself arrived. Wanted to invite both of you over. Bumped into my first love we were at school together. Shes moving in tomorrow come round the next evening, will you?
The next day, Michael and Emily turned up with flowers and sweets. Emily walked into the house and nearly fell over there, right in front of her, was her mum. Anne looked every bit the spry, new woman, and best of all she was smiling. For the first time in years.
Mum! Im so happy for you! But why didnt you say anything?
Didnt want to jinx it, darling, in case it didnt work out
Uncle Colin! Why didnt you tell me?
Didnt want Anne to change her mind But now were both happier than ever.
Emily and Michael were thrilled. Anne and Colin beamed their home was filled with laughter and smiles for the first time in yonks.
Thanks for reading and for all your support. Wishing you every bit of luck in life!
