So, Emily was home alone when she started feeling really unwell. Earlier, she just had a bit of a stomach achenothing too badbut then she began feeling nauseous, and her forehead was all sweaty. Honestly, she was terrified, so she rang her husband, Mike, who was at work. He was absolutely swamped with things to do, especially since a big meeting with his boss was coming up, and he just told her to have a cup of tea and try to lie down for a bit.
Her sister, Claire, said the exact same thing, not thinking it was anything serious, but Emily was getting worse by the minute. She thought about calling an ambulance, but the idea of it made her too scared. Then, there was one person who didnt hesitate for a secondher mum, Margaret.
Margaret dashed out of work and raced right across London to get to Emily. She called for an ambulance straight away, and Emily was taken off to the hospital. Margaret was beside herself with worry and spent the entire drive telling off Mike for not taking the situation seriously. And she was right, tooEmilys appendix was in really bad shape, and they had to operate urgently.
Margaret never left Emilys side at the hospital. She was the first and only face Emily saw when she woke up. And just seeing her mum made Emily feel calm straight awaythe pain eased, and Margaret gripped her hand so tight.
Mum, thank you for coming, Emily said, tears in her eyes.
Youre my daughter; I brought you into this world, and I worry about you so much, Margaret replied, gently stroking Emilys hair. Your husbands another story, but you can always count on me. Id come to you no matter where you were in the world, just to hold your hand, darling.Emily squeezed her mother’s hand, the relief flooding in deeper than the morphine. Her gratitude shimmered in her eyes.
As Margaret leaned down, Emily whispered, I think that was the scariest night of my life.
But Margaret just smiled, tracing a gentle line on Emilys forehead. Next time, you phone me first, promise?
Emily nodded, and for the first time in hours, she managed a small laugh. Promise. Youre the only one who sees meeven when I try to hide.
Always, Margaret said, and together, they watched dawn spill through the hospital window, painting everything gold. Margaret brushed Emilys hair back, humming a tune from Emilys childhood, and in that moment, Emily realized something: she would never be alone as long as her mother was in the world. And somehow, that made the pain seem smaller, as if love itself was stitching her back together.
Outside, Mike rushed in, sheepish and pale, clutching a bouquet. But before Emily could say a word, Margaret waved him over. Come sit, son. Your wife needs all the love she can get.
Emily looked at themher mum and husbandand felt a new kind of strength rising in her. She knew, whatever happened, her hand would never be empty.
