Whats your name, lovely? The stranger crouched down beside the girl.
Emily! she replied.
And you?
Im Charles. Your mum and I are going to live together soon. Now were a family you, me, and your mum!
Very soon, Emily and her mother moved in with Charles. The stepfather owned a spacious three-bedroom flat where Emily had her own room. Charles was kind and often bought her sweets and toys, while her own father only called when he wanted to quarrel with her mum.
Then, her mother told Emily that her dad had a new family and had moved away. The girl was deeply hurt; she loved him dearly. Her mum could shout and smack her bottom, but her father never laid a finger on her. Emily vividly remembered the day her parents divorced her mother had yelled at her dad and had even wanted to hit him. What stuck in Emilys mind forever was her mums parting words to her dad:
Dont think you were the first to cheat, youve been wearing horns for ages, just like a stag!
After those words, her mum packed up and they went to live with grandma. The little girl couldnt understand why her dad would have horns, since he was bald and didnt even have any hair. After that, her parents parted ways for good.
Things went well with Charles until Emily started year one. She didnt like school, was cheeky in the playground, and her parents were frequently called in by the teachers. Sometimes Charles had to go instead of her mum. The stepfather was strict about Emilys studies and often sat down to help her with homework.
Youre nobody to me, so you cant order me around! Emily would sometimes repeat a phrase shed heard from her grandma.
Actually, I am your father now; I feed you and clothe you, dont forget that Charles would reply.
When Emily turned ten, her real dad returned to the city. By then, she understood all too well what wearing horns meant. Probably his second wife cheated on him too, thats why he left her, her mum had remarked. When her father returned, he asked permission to see his daughter, and her mother agreed. Both Emily and her dad were delighted to reunite.
How are things? her father asked.
Not so good Emily replied. My stepdad is always telling me off.
Hes got no right to shout at you; hes not your real dad! her father said indignantly.
Even grandma says so, but Charles doesnt care Emily exaggerated, although Charles had never raised his voice to her. She just wanted her dad to worry about her.
Well, Ill sort this out her father assured her.
When they went for a walk in the local park, they found that children were allowed only on eight of the slides, and the rest needed an adult, but her dad refused to go on the carousel. Emily then told her dad her birthday was coming up, and she was hoping for a new smartphone. When her mum came to pick her up, she said that Charles never shouted at Emily, but her father didnt believe her.
My dads a real miser! Emily complained to Charles. He didnt buy me anything in the park, just an ice cream. All we did was walk around. Charles, youre better than my dad.
Lets fix your dads mistake and spend this weekend at the kids leisure centre.
Unfortunately, the outing was cancelled when Charles had an emergency at work. He also brushed off Emilys hints about a new smartphone.
Dad, Charles tricked me! Emily said tearfully to her father. He promised wed go to the leisure centre, then said I didnt deserve either the trip or a new phone.
Although it wasnt true, it had precisely the effect Emily wanted her father went out and bought her a smartphone. Last time, hed ignored her hints, but this twist meant her wish had to be granted. Sadly, it was a budget version, as her father didnt have enough money for anything more expensive.
Couldnt you just wait for your birthday? Charles asked.
I just want a dog! Emily replied.
Oh, no, youll have to walk it every day, and I know you wont want to! her stepdad replied.
Emily threw a tantrum and called her father, crying: Dad, please come and get me! Charles picks on me and gives me lectures! she sobbed.
That was the start of a long argument, with everyone trying to sort things out. Meanwhile, Emily was sent to her grandmas house, and soon after, her mum arrived too, carrying her things and announcing she was leaving Charles. Her real dad reunited with her mum, since she was expecting a baby. Now Emily wouldnt have the new smartphone or a dog, and with grandma, shed be lucky even to get a cat!
