Edith Leonard suddenly fell ill. Not a single one of her daughters visited while she was bedridden. Only her granddaughter, Emily, remained by her side, fussing over her with gentle care. Her daughters only appeared as Easter approached, as they always didarriving with their empty baskets for the farmhouse treats their mother had prepared.
Edith Leonard walked slowly to the front gate to meet her daughters.
What brings you here? she asked, her tone icy and distant.
Her eldest, Susan, froze in bewilderment.
Mum, whatevers the matter? she gasped.
Nothing at all, my dears! Ive sold the whole lotthe house, the animals, everything.
What do you mean? But what about us? Her daughters exchanged stunned glances, unable to fathom what was happening.
Life in Little Oakstead was dull and without excitement. Anything, however small, that broke the monotony of the countryside, became the event of the season.
But the arrival of Emily, the granddaughter of the former manageress of the village shop, sent true ripples across the parish.
The gossips whispered that even the most stoic ladies of the Womens Institute couldnt help but sigh when they caught sight of Emily.
Oh my, Emily! What a remarkable girl! the locals would mutter, envious yet in awe. What a clever young ladydone us all proud! Now they can all chew on that!
And there was Emily, the target of their talk, sailing up the lane in a shining, lacquered Range Rover, waving broadly from the window as she navigated the winding roads of her home village.
The entire population of Little Oakstead turned out to witness this novel spectacle, desperate to etch the moment in memory. The elderly dabbed at their moist eyes with handkerchiefs.
Who would have believed it? Its like something out of Cinderella!
Wasnt it always meant to be? they mused. Emilys childhood nickname in these parts had long been Cinders, after all.
Now, Emily could finally afford a touch of gentle scorn toward the villagers whod once mocked her openly.
She spotted the village organist, Peter, and waved cheerily from her car window.
Mr. Peters, lovely to see you! Hows your health keeping up?
Im perfectly well, Emily! You must pop by rehearsal at the hall!
I certainly shall!
Her gleaming car disappeared round the bend, and the impromptu gathering dispersed, gossiping lazily as they went their separate ways. Peter sat down on the bench outside the village hall and said with gentle satisfaction, Well done, that girl! Shes achieved everything she set out to do! Now lets see what our GPs make of it all.
Old Mrs. Parks asked, What have the GPs got to do with this?
Well, Mrs. Parks, envys a sickness, you know! he replied with a wink. You must have heard the expression.
Mrs. Parks batted him away, made a hasty cross gesture, and hurried to her cottage. Peter didnt mindshe meant no harm.
He let out a deep breath and allowed himself a quiet moment. Emilys return churned up old memories.
In Emilys life, Peter had played a vital partboth literally and figuratively.
Her mother passed away young, and her father had already left years earlier. With no relatives willing to take on another burden, Emily spent nearly two years in a care home. But eventually, something stirred in Edith Leonards heart, and she brought her granddaughter home.
The village praised Ediths decision. She still ran the shop and her boss boasted of her kindness to her staff.
If we were all more like Mrs. Leonard!
Yet there were those who saw self-interest in her motives. Theres a decent allowance for fostering nowadays. Kind Ediths got her sights on that, for sure. You dont think theres an ounce of real kindness in her, do you? Shes a tough old bird!
Indeed, Ediths reputation as shopkeeper was not exactly spotless. Shed overcharged customers when she could get away with it. And she was often feuding with her neighbours.
The only people she was generous to were her two daughters and her sonhimself a doctor at the county hospital, while her daughters lived in London. All three of them regularly visited when they needed to top up their larders.
On that front, the shopkeepers stores were legendary. Her sheds overflowed with hens, ducks, and a chorus of pigs and goats competing for their fair share. To feed her menagerie, Edith managed two acres at the edge of the village.
It was more than an older, solitary woman could manage. Hiring help was too costly. So she thought of her granddaughter.
She shared her plan with Zoe, her old school friend, one lunch break.
Im bringing Emily home. No good her languishing in those homes. Folk are already talking as if I threw her to the wolves.
Zoe always supported Ediths schemesit was hard not to, especially as she worked for Edith at the shop.
Quite right, Edith! Ive heard such things myself. And the girls grown nowshell be handy with the chores.
It was your idea to remind me, Zoe! Emily can manage while Im at work.
But what about school, Edith? Its all different now. My grandkids, textbooks till midnight! Clubs, music, sportskeeps them busy.
Shell be fine without all those clubs. Im feeding her, arent I?
Little Emily was overjoyed. She did everything her grandmother asked and soon earned her village nicknameCinders.
Most locals pitied Emily, whispering harsh words to Edith.
Leonard, for shame! The child looks ready to fade away! How can you work her so hard?
Edith would always rebuff them.
Mind your own business! Mind you dont trip over your own firewood! Emily wants to workshell finish school and train as a vet, just you wait.
Edith already planned out Emilys entire life. And perhaps things would have stayed that waybut fate had other ideas.
One bright summer afternoon, a new director arrived at the village hall. Mary had just finished at the county arts college and moved here to run the local community centre. Within days, she was canvassing the village for talent. Peter, ever helpful, joined the search.
Miss Johnson, if I only had a better instrument, thered be no stopping me. Remember when we used to rally the farmers with music in the old days?
Give it a go, Mr. Peters! Its a bit battered, but still plays.
He fiddled with the keys, and a tune burst forth.
He soon collected enough singers for a choirbut he was missing a soloist.
Mary, a choir with no soloist is like roast beef without horseradish! Where can we find a young voice to shine?
Miss Johnson thought it over, then smiled. I know just the place! Bring your instrument, lets go!
The casting at the school was an event like no other. Children queued nervously, awaiting the verdict on their voice. It was Emilys teacher, Miss Atkinson, who nudged her forward.
Emily, dont be silly! Youve a lovely voiceIve heard it myself.
Emily was trembling. Please, Miss Atkinson, I need to get home, Gran will worry.
She wont, I promise! Ill speak to her myself! Imagine, this could be your winning lottery ticket.
Emilys eyes were wide with fear and hope.
All rightbut can we hurry?
Without wasting time, Emily sang every song she knew. She loved to singfor the pigs, the goats, or out in the fields with the birds.
Her repertoire included old folk ballads and pop, all sung from the heart.
Mary struggled to hold back: What a gem! Shes pitch-perfect!
It was a triumph. After serious talks with the staff, Edith agreed to ease Emilys chores.
Edith grumbled: So now Im just feeding her for nothing? Dragged around to concerts and Im left trying to manage on my pension?
But you still get that allowance for her! Zoe reminded her.
Not enough! And then theres clothes, shoeswas counting on her earning her way this summer. And what good will all this singing bring?
Zoe gazed off dreamily, Just imagine, Edith, someday shell be famouson TV, in all the papers!
And what use is that to me? I need someone to help me, not be gallivanting off.
Zoe shot her a hard look. You know, youre a proper stepmother, just like in Cinderella. Look at the girl! Shes exhausted!
The friendship cracked a little that day. Edith lost her only devoted friend.
Emilys success soon spread. With the choir, she performed in every village, lifting spirits and cheering the farmers.
She triumphed at the county competition too. Yet her newfound local fame didnt change hershe remained as caring and respectful toward Edith as ever, especially when Edith took ill. Emily hardly left her bedside.
Ediths daughters, meanwhile, didnt visitnot until, as usual, Easter was near.
They arrived in hopes of collecting homemade treats, but Edith met them with cold words.
What are you doing here?
Susan gasped, Mum, whats wrong?
Nothings wrong. Ive sold the farm, the animalseverything.
But… what about us?
Head to the shops if you need anything. Ive no strength left to keep all this up!
And what about Emily, is she?
With that, something in Edith snapped. Emily isnt your servant! She doesnt owe you anything. When I needed you, were you by my side? You only show up when you want something! No more of that. I want to enjoy whats left of my life now.
And Emilyshe can study, maybe shell be a real performer one day!
With nothing left to take, her daughters departed. Edith turned to Zoe.
Thank you, old friend, for making me see sense. I nearly ruined my granddaughters life. Help me sell whats left of the meat?
What meat, Edith?
All of it. Only kept one goat for company.
Good on you! And the daughters?
They can fend for themselves now. They were only ever here to takenever to give.
For years, Emily didnt return to Little Oakstead. But she rang Grandmother every week, sent money when she could. Between concert tours and teaching, she found little time to visit, but one day managed to spend a week at home.
From the back seat, her little boy piped up sleepily, Mum, are we nearly at Grannys?
Weve arrived, love! Theres Granny waiting for us now.
Despite her years, Edith still stood straight and proud, scooping her great-grandson into her arms, showering him with kisses.
My golden boy! I never dreamed Id see this day!
She greeted Emily more reservedly, afraid to muss her hair. I watched your concert on televisiondarling, you looked beautiful!
Emily hugged her. Dont exaggerate! Im just an ordinary woman who sings a little.
No, youre a real star, Emily!
If it werent for you and Uncle Peter, Id have been no one. Just Cinders, forever.
In the fairytale, the fairy godmother sent a pumpkin carriage and a prince. You built your future yourself
Almost unconsciously, Emily hid her once-calloused hands, but Edith noticed and pressed her close, tears running down her face, asking forgiveness for years pastbut Emily had long since forgiven her.
All that mattered was that, in this world, she still had familysomeone to love and care for.
