“Mum, I dont want to go to Grandmas!” cried little Emily, seven years old, wriggling out of her mothers arms. “She doesnt like me! She only likes Uncle James!”
“Oh, Emily, dont be silly,” sighed Charlotte, tiredly buttoning her daughters coat. “Grandma loves all her grandchildren the same.”
“No, she doesnt!” Emily stomped her foot. “Yesterday she gave OliverAunt Sophies sonice cream, and she didnt give me any!”
“Maybe you had a sore throat?” Charlotte tried.
“No! She just doesnt like me because Im not her real grandchild!”
Charlotte froze, the hairbrush still in her hand. How did a seven-year-old know these things? Who had told her?
“Emily, who said that?”
“No one,” the little girl turned to the window. “I just know. Oliver says his dad and my dad are brothers. And I know my dad isnt my real dad. My real dad lives far away.”
Charlottes heart clenched. She sat beside Emily on the sofa.
“Listen to me, love. Dad William *is* your real dad. Hes loved you since you were two, and he takes care of you every day. And Grandma Margaret loves you too.”
“Then why does she always praise Oliver and scold me?” Emilys eyes filled with tears.
Charlotte didnt know what to say. Because Emily was right. Her mother-in-law *did* treat her differently than her eldest sons grandson.
“Love, were running late,” William said, stepping in. “Emily, get dressed or Grandma will be waiting.”
“I dont want to go!” Emily sobbed. “She doesnt like me!”
William glanced at Charlotte, confused.
“Whats going on?”
“Ill explain later,” Charlotte whispered. “Emily, come on. Well all go together.”
They walked through the town park in silence. Emily dragged her feet behind them, sniffling now and then. William carried a bag of groceries for his mum, while Charlotte dreaded the visit.
Margaret had always been difficult. When William introduced Charlotte and her two-year-old daughter years ago, his mother had been icy.
“Why take on another mans child?” shed said. “Find a proper girl and have your own.”
But William was stubborn. He loved Charlotte and Emily as his own. They married, he adopted her legally, and gave her his last name.
Margaret accepted itbut she never loved Emily the way she should. Especially when her eldest son, Richard, gave her a *real* grandsonOliver.
“Anyone home?” William knocked.
“Come in, come in,” came the voice inside.
Margaret opened the door and hugged her son.
“Oh, William, Ive missed you!” She kissed his cheek and nodded at Charlotte. “Hello, dear.”
“Hello, Mrs. Wilson.”
“And wheres my little granddaughter?” Margaret noticed Emily hiding behind William.
“Im here,” Emily mumbled.
“Come in, sit down,” Margaret led them to the sitting room. “How are you all? William, youve lost weight!”
“No, Mum, Im fine,” he laughed. “Charlottes cooking keeps me fed.”
“Thats good. And Emily, hows school? Good marks?”
“Its alright,” Emily muttered.
“Emily, answer properly,” Charlotte chided.
“Oh, let her be,” Margaret waved a hand. “Children are like that. Oliver got a D in Maths yesterday. Richard spent all evening helping him.”
“Emily gets straight As in Maths,” William said proudly.
“Well done,” Margaret said flatly. “Richards coming today with Oliver. They miss their uncle.”
Charlotte saw Emilys face fall. She knew Grandma was happier to see one grandchild than the other.
“Mum, remember when Emily recited that poem last month?” William asked.
“I do,” Margaret nodded. “It was lovely.”
“Want me to do another?” Emily offered shyly.
“Go on, then.”
Emily stood in the middle of the room and recited a poem about spring. Charlotte watched her, heart aching at how hard she was trying.
“Very nice,” Margaret clapped when she finished. “Now go wash up, lunch is ready.”
Emily obeyed, and Charlotte stayed to help set the table.
“Mrs. Wilson, can we talk?” she whispered.
“About what?”
“Emily. She feels you treat her differently.”
Margaret slapped a plate down.
“I dont know what you mean.”
“You do. Children notice everything. She cried this morning because she didnt want to come.”
“And what am I doing wrong? I feed her, I invite her over.”
“But she sees the difference. When Olivers here, you hug him, spoil him. With Emily, its cold.”
“Because shes *not* mine!” Margaret snapped. “I didnt birth her! Shes got her own grandmotherlet *her* care for her!”
“Mrs. Wilson, Emily isnt to blame for not being Williams by blood. Shes been your granddaughter for five years. He adopted hershes a Wilson now.”
“Its just paperwork,” Margaret rolled her eyes. “Bloods thicker than water. Olivers my grandson. Shes a godchild, at best.”
Charlottes throat tightened.
“So youll never love her?”
“Why should I? When you two have *real* children, then well talk.”
Just then, Emily walked in.
“Mum, why did Grandma call me a godchild?” Her voice shook. “Im her *granddaughter*!”
Charlotte realized shed heard everything. Margaret flushed.
“Emily, go to your dad,” Charlotte said quickly.
“No! I want to know why Grandma doesnt like me!”
“Emily, I *do* like you,” Margaret tried.
“Liar! You said Im a godchild! Im *not*Im Dads *real* daughter!”
Emily ran off crying. Charlotte shot Margaret a furious look and followed.
In the sitting room, Emily was curled up beside William, sobbing. He stroked her hair, bewildered.
“What happened?”
“Your mother called Emily a godchild,” Charlotte said coldly. “And she meant it.”
William went pale.
“Mum, is that true?”
Margaret shuffled in, shamefaced.
“Son, I didnt mean It just slipped out.”
“Grandma said Im not hers,” Emily wept. “That Ive got my *own* grandma.”
William stood. Charlotte saw his jaw tighten.
“Mum, how *could* you?”
“William, I only”
“Only what?”
In the end, after tears and hard words, Grandma Margaret hugged Emily tight and promised to love her as her *real* granddaughter. And from that day on, Emily never felt alone in that family again.
