Unwanted
Charlotte Whitmore was born and raised in a small English town that hardly anyone outside of it had ever heard of. Her father, Richard, died tragically younga dreadful accident at the timber mill, where he was working at the time. Charlotte was only in her second year of primary school then. The girl was deeply devoted to her father, and his passing struck her like a gale out of nowhere.
Her mother, Margaret, suffered terribly at first, unable to let go of the memories of Richard. But within a year, she married againthis time, to her old school friend, Edward. Only then did Margaret learn that Edward had quietly carried a torch for her for years, never confessing, always in the background while knowing she had no eyes for him.
With Richard gone, Edward was soon at her side, offering comfort and a steady hand through her grief. He did everything he could to help her recover, eventually persuading Margaret to become his wife. There was no great romance on Margarets side, but rather a gentle fondness, mingled with gratitude for his steadfastness during her time of need.
Besides, Margaret was keenly aware that it would be dreadful hard to make her way alone, raising Charlotte with little support. Her friends and relatives repeated endlessly that it would be absolute folly to reject Edwardsteady worker, hardly drank, dutiful, and, above all, smitten with Margaret for years.
If you keep him dangling as a friend, youll lose him, warned her closest friend, Harriet. Then youll be left with nothing but regret, especially if he marries someone else and youre left alone. Trust memen arent queuing up to marry a woman with a child. Theres an ocean of unattached girls out there, and Edwards besotted with you. Dont make the mistake of letting him go.
So Margaret agreed to remarry, reasoning that it would be foolish to refuse Edwards proposal.
Charlotte never really grew close to her new stepfather. Not that Edward was unpleasanthe never raised his voice to her and tried in earnest to play a part in her life, particularly at first. But Charlotte missed her father fiercely and could not warm to this new man who, she felt, her mother had found all too soon. It seemed a betrayal to her fathers memory.
Charlotte avoided open conflict, simply enduring Edward, yet he could sense that her heart was closed to him.
By the time Charlotte reached her second year at secondary school, she gained a half-brother, Henry. At once, all her mothers and stepfathers attention turned to the boy. Edward, flush with joy at becoming a father, was over the moonat last a son of his own, something hed always hoped for.
Margaret, too, was overjoyed, showering little Henry with affection and calling him her angel. Charlotte, though, began to feel herself pushed to the side, even wondering at times if her mother loved her at all anymore. After all, she had a new husband, a new child, and a new life filled with happiness…
That left Charlotte lingering between old and new. She became a living reminder of lost Richard, her resemblance to her father unmistakable. Her mother had changed her surname after remarryingEdwards, not Whitmore. Edward insisted on it, even though Margaret would have preferred to remain Whitmore. Now the three of them were the Edwards family; Charlotte alone kept Whitmore. She was the odd one out.
Charlottes thoughts drifted as she watched her mother and stepfather doting on the baby Henry, laughter and joy filling the house. She felt like a stranger watching a play in which she had no real part.
Once, Charlotte accidentally overheard a conversation that convinced her all the more that she didnt belong.
Edwards mother, Mrs. Edith Edwards, often visited. She treated Margaret kindly and utterly doted on Henry, but gave Charlotte the cold shoulder. Even on birthdays, Edith would deliver a present to Charlotte with a forced smile, clearly eager to be done with the business. Her gifts and congratulations seemed to come purely out of obligation.
These are for you, my dear, Edith would say with a stiff smile, handing over a book or a new dress. Remember to behave well and help your mother and Uncle Edward. Dont cause them any trouble.
One day, Charlotte came home from her friends place to find Edith in the sitting room. Slipping quietly to her room, she was unnoticed by Edward and his mother. Margaret was out at an appointment and had left Henry in his grandmothers care.
That Charlotte looks at me like a little wolf, Edith complained to her son.
She looks the same at me, Mum, Edward replied. Sometimes it makes me uneasy, honestly.
And yet here you are, raising her like your own, putting food on the table for all of them, exclaimed Edith, not realising Charlotte was hearing every word. Margaret makes next to nothing at that nursery, and now shes on maternity leave. Youre the only one bringing in proper money, youre shouldering it all… Youd hope the girl would appreciate that, but she barely gives you the time of day. Anyone else would be grateful, but she just glares at us.
What can I do, Mum? Shes not my flesh and blood. I tried to get close, but nothing worked out.
Thats it exactly, son. Shes another mans childspitting image of Richard, rest his soul. Same moody, silent ways. You know, I never knew how he behaved at home, but in public, he was always a bit distant. Charlottes just the same.
Edward sighed: I cant say I have any real affection for her. I honestly tried, but I just cant. I love Margaret, but with Charlotte, Im only tolerating her, really.
And Ill never love her as my own granddaughter either, Edith said firmly. Henry is my only grandchild, as far as Im concerned.
Oh, Mum, the day Henry was born I finally understood what it meant to have a child of your own. For him, Id do anythinggive up my life if I had to. Hes everything to me now.
I know, darling. You remember how I always wanted to be a grandmotherhow I worried youd never marry. Youve always been in love with Margaret, havent you?
I suppose Im a one-woman man, Edward admitted. I always knew shed be mine in the end.
Perhaps you and Margaret should consider another child while times on your side. Id be absolutely over the moon if you had more.
Im not sure, Mum, Edward replied, doubt in his voice. Margaret says two are plenty. Her pregnancy with Henry was difficult, and she says she wont go through that again.
Well, perhaps shell change her mind in time. Nothings certain yetId so love more grandchildren, Edith insisted.
Well see, Mum…
Once Charlotte leaves school, shell probably go off to the city for college, Edith continued. She might settle there, and youll have the house to yourselves. Her room will be freeHenry needs one of his own. Its not fair that Charlotte has her own space while your son shares with you.
I do think about that, Mum. But what can we do? Charlottes nearly grown; she cant bunk with us. What we need is a bigger place. A house of our own, with a garden.
Oh, wouldnt that be lovely, deara vegetable patch, apple and pear trees, currant bushes. Just imagine the children playing outside…
Thats the dream, Mum. Maybe if we take out a mortgage and sell Margarets flat, we could manage it eventually.
Have you spoken to Margaret about all this?
Not yet. But I will. I think she knows as well as I do that it would be best for everyone.
Well, dont leave it too long, darling. Youre the man of the housethe provider. Its your call, really.
I know, but I want us to make decisions together. We are a family, after all.
It would be a blessing if Charlotte does leave for college next year, Edith declared. Shell be off our hands. Shell find her way, and well manage here. Henry will have his own room, and you and Margaret your space.
That would be for the best, I think. Honestly, since Henry was born, Charlottes presence irks me more and more. She barely pays attention to her brother, hardly lifts a finger to help Margaret. She could, but she wont.
Shes just a thorn in your side, that Charlotte, Edith agreed.
Charlotte listened quietly, tears welling up in her eyes. Why was life so unfair to her? She remembered those happy days when it was only her, her mother, and her fatherlaughter, warmth, and togetherness. They said her father was silent and surly, but to Charlotte, he had been the truest father in the world.
Now, thoughher father gone, replaced by Edward and his mothereverything had changed, especially after Henry arrived. She bore no grudge against her baby brother, but she couldnt say she loved him either. Seeing her mother and Edward fuss over him filled her with jealousy, but more than anything, she resented that she no longer came second in her mothers affectionsshe ranked third, behind Edward and their son.
So it was, many years agoa story of a girl who became unwelcome in her own home, fading quietly into the background of another familys happiness.
