Our niece, Emily, was just thirteen when we decided to send her to her grandmothers cottage in the Cotswolds for a fortnights holiday. At first, Emily enjoyed spending time with her granny and they got on famously. Over the years though, Emily began to grow up, and the village charm started to wear thin. She missed her friends, trips to the cinema, and all the activities she loved back in London. Besides, Emily was her grandmothers only granddaughter, so her visits brought a bit of happiness into the old ladys life.
One day, Emilys father drove her down to her grandmothers while her mum, Catherine, was in hospital giving birth to their second child. Theyd agreed it would do Emily good to get a breath of fresh air and have a proper chat with her gran. Emilys arrival also helped out on the financial side, as her father would send along some pounds to cover her expenses during her stay.
At first, her grandmother didnt expect Emily to help around the house; she simply relished the company and having someone to share her daily life with. She was content to just natter away and enjoy Emilys presence. However, as time went by, Emily grew rather demanding and started to complain. She was aware that her father sent money for her keep, so she began to expect the best of everything and nicer meals.
Unfortunately, things came to a head when Emily threw a fit after discovering that someone had eaten her last pain au chocolat. She laid the blame on a relative who was staying with her grandmother at the time. The situation got out of hand, forcing Emilys father to come down and sort things. The arguments and tantrums created a rift in the family, and it was decided that Emily wouldnt be visiting her grandmother again.
The decision left her grandmother heartbroken. She cherished every moment with her granddaughter and, despite the challenges, loved having Emily around. Still, things had changed and the visits came to an end.
