The girl looked after her neighbours grandmother; everyone assumed she was doing it for an inheritance, but they were mistaken.
Emily never knew her fatherhed left her mother when Emily was just a small child. But she had her mother and her grandfather, who together raised her. In time, her mother fell gravely ill with cancer and passed away when Emily was only ten. She was left in the care of her grandfather, who became both a father and everything else she needed.
Her grandmother had died before her mother, so it was just Emily and her grandfather, her only remaining family. By the time Emily was a grown woman, with a job and her own responsibilities, she cared for her ageing grandfather, who had grown frail and barely left his bed. Emily knew that soon his time would come.
Emily, I have to ask you a favour, her grandfather said one evening, his voice as fragile as cobwebs.
What is it? she whispered.
You know, your grandmother had a dear friendMrs. Pemberton. They were like sisters; always visiting one another, lending a hand. After your grandmother passed, I would call in on Mrs. Pemberton now and then. Promise me, when Im gone, you wont leave her alone. Promise youll look after her.
I promise, Emily said.
The next morning, her grandfather quietly slipped away. Emily was alone. True to her word, she began visiting Mrs. Pemberton, helping with chores, and preparing her meals. Oddly, the old lady had relatives, yet none bothered to care for her. Three years drifted by like fallen leaves. When Mrs. Pemberton died, her family suddenly appeared like crows at dusk.
On the day of the funeral, the relatives turned over the little flat, searching. It was plain what they soughtmoney. Emily took nothing but a photograph from Mrs. Pembertons parlour and left in silence.
The next afternoon, a heavy knock rattled her door. It was Mrs. Pembertons sister.
Emily, theres a bit of a situation
Whats happened?
Its about the will. Mrs. Pemberton left everything to you. But youre not really anyone to her, not by blood. Her true kin are us. I admit, I didnt care for herI had too much on my plate. Ill make it up to you somehow
Thats fine, Emily replied. Pay me, then.
But did Emily hand everything over to the family? No, she gave it allevery wisp and shillingto the local orphanage, leaving whispers of kindness behind her as she walked away, unburdened, into the lavender dusk.
