You are no longer my daughter. Who is he and where is he from? I am ashamed of you. Move into your grandmothers cottage and learn what it means to be an adult. Face the consequences of your actions.
Emma! Have you heard? Some lads from London are visiting on business, helping out at the council! Lets go to the village hall dance tonight? Lucy sprawled contentedly in the armchair.
Lucy, youre not serious? Who will I leave Alfie with, take him along? Emma laughed.
What if you ask Aunt Margaret? Lucy suggested carefully.
Emma waved a dismissive hand. Not a chance. Shes never forgiven me for having Alfie, you know. She wanted me to marry Mark, and off I went to uni in Birmingham. Didnt get in, and came back with a bump instead. Wouldnt speak to me for a yearonly just started talking again two months ago. So, you go with someone else. Maybe youll meet someone.
Lucy sighed. Alright, Ill go with Rachel. Ill fill you in on everything tomorrow.
Emma put Alfie to bed, then slipped onto the porch. She could hear the thump of music drifting down the lane from the village hall. Wrapping herself in a shawl, she imagined everyone dancing and enjoying themselves. Lucy had probably worn her leopard print dress again. Emma smiled quietlyLucy always looked more like a caterpillar than a leopard in that dress. With a wistful sigh, she headed to bed.
At dawn, Lucy turned up out of breathand, as fate would have it, Emmas mum was visiting too. Emma put a finger to her lips, but nothing would stop Lucy.
You missed a right night. There were actually some decent blokes. This chap walked me homeBen, his name. Proper witty, kept me laughing all night, and today Im meeting him for coffee, Lucy gushed in one breath.
Emma’s mum commented disapprovingly, Hes married, I suppose?
Lucy shrugged, Dunno, didnt check his certificate. Even so, at least Id have something exciting to remember.
Oh girls, what are you playing at? That Marks a good match. Well, my Emmas missed her chance, but Lucy, you could still turn his head, Aunt Margaret chimed in, fired up by the idea.
Lucy rolled her eyes, Aunt Margaret, please. Who needs Mark, with his mother hanging over him like a raincloud? No, thank you. Ill pass!
She grinned at Emma, There was another guyabsolutely gorgeous. All the girls were smitten. He stood with his mates for a bit, then left alone. Never asked anyone for a dance.
Then, unexpectedly, Aunt Margaret said thoughtfully, You should go to the hall as well, Emma. Ill watch Alfie. Maybe youll meet someone? Someone reliable, not like these married types. They can sniff out a lonely woman at fifty paces. You hear me?
Emma, hardly believing her luck, nodded eagerly and couldnt help but hug her mum, who just grumbled, Off you go, you flatterer.
That evening, Emma, in her best dress, was laughing and chatting with her friends. Oh how shed missed feeling carefree.
There, look, hes back! someone whispered excitedly.
Emma glanced overher legs began to tremble and she turned away abruptly, whispering to Lucy, I think Ill head home. Alfies probably in bits without me.
Lucy was surprised, Emma, dont be daft! Your first night out in ages and youre leaving already? You havent even danced!
But Emma was firm. Im off. Besides, isnt that Ben coming over for you? You wont be lonely, trust me, and she made her way towards the exit.
Near the door, someone caught her hand, Dance with me, love?
Emma tried to pull away without looking, I dont dance.
But her would-be dance partner persisted, Just one danceplease?
She finally looked up and her heart skipped a beat. It was himthe one whose brief memory had changed her life forever. Apparently, he didnt recognise her at all. Feeling a bit safer, she smiled, Just the one, but Ive got to dash after.
They span around the floor together.
Your husband wont mind, will he? he teased.
Emma replied briskly, Not married.
He grinned, an all-too-familiar twinkle lighting his eyes. So youre saying I might have a chance then?
Emma stepped aside, Dont count on it, and quickly hurried out.
The walk home was full of tears. She realised shed remembered him for yearsperhaps even fallen for him instantly. And he hadnt recognised her at all.
Theyd first met on a train, returning home with dashed hopes after a failed university entrance exam. He was heading to visit his family.
Hed tried to cheer her up. Im Jack. My mum calls me Jackie, nephew says Uncle J. Take your pick.
Emma had smiled, Uncle J sounds good to me.
He extended his hand, Weve nearly done the formal bit. Whats your name, lovely?
Emma.
Jack nodded gravely, I thought so. Very regal name.
One thing led to anotherEmma confessed shed failed her exams and that her mum would never let her forget it.
Jack encouraged her, Get ready over winter, have another go. Its not the end of the road.
Emma had looked up in surprise, Youre right! I hadnt thought of that. Thank you.
Hed looked at her with surprising kindness, No thanks needed. Did anyone ever tell you youre beautiful?
Shed blushed, Plain, really, but thank you for saying so.
Hed leaned in close, Just telling the truth, and suddenly kissed her. The world spun, everything after was both sweet and a bit embarrassing. Jack got off the train a few stops earlier.
Ill find you, he promised as he left.
Only later did Emma realise, with a sinking heart, he hadnt even asked for her address.
Not long after, Emma found herself expecting a baby. Her mum, cold and disappointed, declared, You are no daughter of mine. Who he is, where hes fromIm ashamed. Go live in your grandmothers cottage and learn some responsibility.
Emma worked at the local library until her due date. Lucy greeted her outside the hospitalher mum didnt come. It wasnt until Alfie was five months old that her mother finally turned up, though still disapproving.
Not one of us, she declared, but she did start visiting, bearing gifts for Alfie.
That was quick, her mum remarked the next night, Was it really so dull? And hows Alfie?
Smiling, her mum answered, Hes asleep. Since youre home, Ill be off.
Emma shut the door, struggled to rest, and only caught brief sleep towards dawn. Bleary-eyed, she fed her son as he fussed and pushed away his porridge.
If you dont eat, youll never grow strong like your dad. He was so handsome and clever.
A voice from the doorway interrupted, Talking about me? Thats good to hear. And this must be my son?
Emma dropped the spoon in shock. You? Howwhere
Jack smiled. Told you Id find you. I had no idea I had a son though. Back then, I forgot to even ask your address, but perhaps fate thought we deserved a second chance, he said, pulling a silly face at Alfie.
Alfie giggled joyfully.
The next morning, Emmas mum found her daughter happier than shed been in years, Jack bouncing Alfie delightedly on his shoulders.
Is this him? her mum asked, measuring Jack up.
Yes, Emma replied with a beaming smile.
Her mum offered her hand to Jack, Im Margaret Jones. Ill be keeping a close eye on the sort of husband and father you turn out to be.
Jack shook her hand earnestly, nodding, Understood.
Sometimes, the greatest happiness follows hardship and courage. One must face consequences, but life always seems to offer a glimmer of hope if you stay true to your heart.
“You’re No Longer My Daughter: Banished to Your Gran’s Cottage to Face Grown-Up Consequences—But Fate Intervenes When a Chance Meeting at the Village Dance Brings the Mysterious Father Back Into Our Lives”
