Whats she up to? She didnt even tell us, Emma snapped, tapping the heel of her delicate stiletto in irritation. Across from her stood her mother, Margaret.
We brought you some treats potatoes, cucumbers, jam, the elderly lady said, gesturing toward the battered Ford parked nearby. In the drivers seat was Emmas father, Arthur.
I see youre with your dad. How many times must I say I dont want any of this? No visits, no embarrassment, Margaret huffed.
And what am I supposed to do? Arthur shrugged.
Exactly, Emma declared. Come on, get your spuds away before James gets back.
Emma, leave it! Arthur shouted as he stepped out of the car.
What, so what? Emma retorted.
Off we go, Margaret, Arthur said dryly.
But the goodies? Margaret whined.
Dont start, Emma rolled her eyes. Take what you want and be off.
Arthur, could you give us a hand? Margaret asked, her face suddenly brightening.
Arthur hauled two large sacks from the boot, while Emma took the smaller one herself.
This isnt how you treat your mother, Arthur chided as Emma opened the front door.
Enough of the lecturing, Emma replied cynically.
Mustve been a rough upbringing, Arthur muttered, setting the bags down and heading down the steps.
Eleanor, the neighbour, lingered by the hallway, watching the door. When she saw Arthurs furrowed brow and brisk walk, she realised the invitation to visit could wait.
My feet wont be coming back! Arthur blurted as they drove off.
Oh, dear, Margaret dabbed a tear from her cheek. Arthur said nothing.
Emma had been born and raised in the tiny Cotswold hamlet of Willowbrook. Shed spent her whole conscious life hating the fact and dreaming of escaping the rural backwater.
Is this really life? Chickens, mud, a garden that never ends! Who could love that? The city has clubs, restaurants, trendy clothes. Ill get out of here someday, she complained to her cousin Pippa, eyerolling at a broken nail and the endless carrot rows. They were both fourteen, and the garden was part of their chores.
Is happiness bought in outfits? Pippa shrugged. Im fine here, muck and all. City life? Just hopping from one job to another. Ill study veterinary medicine and come back.
Im not going back. I wont work. In the city there are loads of rich lads; Ill marry one and never lift a finger, Emma whispered conspiratorially.
Why would you want them? There are plenty of girls in the city, Pippa laughed.
You dont get it! Im pretty, the rest is luck, Emma fluffed. Among her friends she did stand out, both for her looks and her budding figure.
Margaret and Arthur were simple folk whod lived their whole lives in Willowbrook. When Emma finally finished school, they had saved a modest sum and offered her the chance to study in Birmingham. She got a place in the university halls and, watching the welloff girls, envied their fashionable wardrobes. The money they sent barely covered tuition and essentials; designer dress was a distant fantasy. Still, Emma kept her chin up. One day therell be a fête on my street, she told herself.
In her final year, Emma landed a placement at a large firm. The boss, James, was a successful, welloff man in his prime. Both the men and women in the office wondered why he was still single, and the ladies secretly hoped for his attention. James took a liking to Emma, the trainee. She was attractive and seemed genuine.
It wasnt love at first sight, but Emma realised shed hit the jackpot with a wealthy suitor. They started dating, and James soon suggested she move in with him. When asked about her background, Emma fabricated a tale about a businessman father whod separated long ago, sending her occasional alimony, and a mother living elsewhere with a new family. She claimed shed been handling everything on her own.
She kept in touch with her parents only via brief, dry phone calls. Shed told James, My husband is a bird soaring too high; theyll only embarrass me. At first she played the good girl role, but as James fell for her, she began to chase her own dreams. She pretended to switch courses, yet spent her days drifting through shops and salons, barely cooking, and complaining that James didnt earn enough to afford restaurant meals or readymade food. Housework suffered too.
I want homemade soup, mashed chicken, James eventually sighed. We cant afford a housekeeper, can we?
Ill get you both the soup and the mash, love, but not todayIm exhausted, Emma purred, her charm always working on him.
One boastful moment Emma let slip the address of the swanky flat she now shared with Pippa. Pippa passed the information to Emmas parents. Thats why Margaret, in her best dress, and Arthur, in his single suit, arrived with a basket of treats, only to be turned away at the doorstep.
While escorting them out, Emma stashed the bags in the balcony and later dumped them in the bin. James was due back any minute, and Emma had no intention of explaining the missing parcels.
The next day Emma returned home later than usual.
Whats that smell? she asked, entering the kitchen, where the scent of fried potatoes lingered.
Where have you been? James barked. Everythings getting cold.
Stuck at the university, Emma replied, glancing at the table laden with golden potatoes, cucumber slices, tomatoes, sauerkraut, and a jug of cherry compote.
I fried the potatoes in butter at home. The cucumbers are simply divine! By the way, where did all this come from? James asked, a guilty grin spreading. I rang you earlier, but you didnt answer. Hope its all yours?
It was from my aunt, the one from the village, Emma said, feigning annoyance.
Aunt in the village? Why didnt you say before? James wondered, plating the potatoes. Which village? Far away? We could visit on weekends. I love the countryside.
Its a long way, James. A real country village. Not much to do therebetter off at the seaside, like you keep promising, Emma retorted, pursing her lips.
I know, but I cant afford a holiday yet. The project must be finished first, James shrugged.
I could have booked it if you loved me, Emma snapped, pushing her plate away.
Fine, dont get upset, James muttered, embarrassed.
A few days later James actually bought Emma a holiday voucher.
How I adore you! Emma chirped, packing her suitcase.
Im glad, James replied, his smile forced.
Emma flew off for a break, while James began to wonder whether hed made the right choice. Four days later, stepping out of the lift, he saw a young woman sitting on the floor of the hallway, a small backpack at her feet, apparently dozing against the wall. The lift doors opened, she blinked awake.
Good afternoon, she said brightly.
Good afternoon, James replied, curious.
Is Lucy Morgan living here? she asked.
Shes on holiday at the moment. Are you studying with her? James inquired.
Im her sister, the girl answered, voice trembling. When will she be back?
Your sister? James repeated, opening the door wider. Come in, come in. Emma never mentioned you. Make yourself at home. Were about to have dinner. Im James, by the way. Emma probably talked about me.
Gillian. Can I get a hold of my sister? she asked nervously.
You can, she has a new phone. Something happened? James sensed her anxiety.
Its a mess. I called her, didnt get through. My parents are in the hospital, the house had an accident, neighbours barely pulled it out, she explained.
What house? Wait, Gillian, Emmas parents dont live together. Are you mixing things up? James was confused.
Did she leave, never tell us? Aunt Annie and Uncle Arthur, the ones from our village, Kalindale? Gillian snapped.
It sounds like somethings wrong. Tell me whats going on, James said, spreading his arms.
It turned out that three days earlier the house where Emmas parents lived had suffered a serious incident. Both were now in the hospital; Arthurs condition was described as critical.
I knew Emma was ashamed of her parents. Shed almost stopped speaking to them. I tried countless times to teach her, but she wouldnt listen. Aunt Annie was in tears. Uncle Arthur, though stoic, was also worried. I was furious with Emma, and now this tragedy has hit, Gillian said, flustered.
Lets do something, Gillian. Ill go to the hospital, speak to the doctors, see whats needed. Then Ill call Emma and arrange an emergency ticket for her, James replied thoughtfully.
Dont worry, Gillian, everything will be fine, James reassured as he left the room. Mrs. Margaret is getting better. Arthur will receive the best care possible. Ive arranged for both to be under private observation.
How much will that cost? Gillian asked, turning pink.
Dont worry about that, James said. Now, shall we have dinner? He forced a smile.
Emma returned the next day, trying to explain, but James wouldnt listen. He helped her parents with treatment and rebuilding the house. In the meantime he and Gillian became friends, their friendship turning into affection, and a year later they married. James convinced Gillian to move to the city, yet most weekends and holidays were still spent in the village. Gillian even opened a small veterinary clinic, caring for the local animals. Their family later grew, but thats another story.
Emma never abandoned her ambitions. She eventually took a regular job, mended her relationship with her parents, and still dreamed of landing a prince and living a life of ease.
