Viper
Emily, why isnt David answering his phone? Why do I always end up talking to you instead?! I want to hear from my own son!
The frost in Mrs. Grahams voice made Emily shiver, despite knowing it was just a call.
Hes in the shed, Mrs. Graham. Left his phone on the kitchen table.
Cant you take it out to him? I need to speak to David! At once!
Emily let the rant fade out, lowering the mobile and heading out to the shed at the end of the garden, where David was elbow-deep in his motorbike, oil stains up to his sleeves.
Your mum, Emily announced curtly, offering out the phone.
Cross, is she?
What do you think? Emily smirked. You forgot? Mercurys in retrograde, as she complained yesterday. Shall I tell her connections gone, or will you do the honours?
David laughed, taking the phone.
Ill just book us tickets to the North Pole. They cant reach you there
Emily drifted back to the house, closing the door softly behind her.
Nothing changes, she thought, not really. In Mrs. Grahams eyes, shed always be The Other Woman no matter that nearly a decade had passed since shed moved in with David and helped raise his daughter from his first marriage. Sophie called Emily Mum now; her own mother, who left her at six months old for a new romance, was little more than a ghost shed glimpsed only a couple of times when she dropped by for a fleeting check-in. Marina never meant to take her child back; her new marriage came with two children of its own, so she saw Sophie mainly because her ex-husband insisted. David was firm: the girl needed to know where she came from, so there were no gaps later.
None of that seemed to matter to Mrs. Graham, who ignored Marinas affairthe true cause of the divorceand dragged Emily for stepping in at all. Shed met Emily at Sophies second birthday. Mrs. Graham had hired a photographer to take snapshots, and that photographer was Emily.
Viper! Wormed her way in, sunk her claws in! she muttered at the wedding, a year after their first meeting, shaking with inexplicable outrage. And shes trained that child to call her Mum! Well, when she cant have her own, shell have to borrow someone elses!
How Mrs. Graham found out about Emilys health issues, no one knew. The doctors had been ambiguous, but Emily still hoped to be a mother herself. In the meantime, Sophie was a gift since that day at the party when Sophie, icing smeared across her party dress, had marched up to Emily and latched on to her hand. From that moment, Emily sometimes joked, shed married David thanks to Sophie.
He always laughed, saying Emily was the luckiest stroke of fate in his life, refusing to listen to his mothers prediction that Emily would show her true colours in time.
A homewrecker, thats what she is! Mrs. Graham sobbed to her neighbours in the communal garden. What sort of woman moves into another familys home?!
Gaye, the family was over and done with, love. Davids been on his own over a year! Try not to take it out on Emily. And Marina was she much better?
At least she gave me a granddaughter, didnt she? And that Emily what will she give us, tell me that?
Well, time will tell.
I dont want to wait and see not with her! You dont know what shes like!
Mrs. Grahams dislike of Emily came from a hundred little prejudices, and first among them: Emily grew up with just her mum. Her dad died young, and Emilys mother managed as best she could, scraping by with occasional help from a kindly old aunt, who spoiled Emily on Christmases, and a neighbour who sometimes fetched her from nursery if her mum was late off-shift.
What good can come of a girl raised without a proper family?! Mrs. Graham complained over tea with her friends. She has David washing dishes in the evenings!
And is that so bad? A man helping his wife, its charming! they said, hiding their amusement at the old dragons tirades.
Men dont belong in kitchens! Mrs. Graham thundered. Itll end with disaster, mark my words!
Disaster, though, was left unspecified.
In Mrs. Grahams house there was always an order: men earned, went fishing, and kept their grievances about her difficult temperament to themselves. Her job was to keep the home a fortress, come hell or high water. And she had succeeded, until Emily appeared.
Shed known Marina Davids first wife for years. Theyd been friends with her mother. Marinas family was respectable: dad a university lecturer, mum a crisp housekeeper with ambitions her daughter would follow suit. Marina just scraped through school by the skin of her teeth, enrolled at her dads college, but soon grew bored. After dropping out in the second year, she married David and gave birth to Sophie.
And then love ambushed her.
Sorry, Dave! I cant help it. I love him!
And me? Sophie? Did you love us? Davids voice trembled as his wife zipped her suitcase, not glancing at Sophies crib.
Of course I did! But this is different, David. All reason goes out the window, just thinking of him.
Forget me, then. But at least think of Sophie! his gaze was stony; Marina didnt blink.
I am thinking of her. Shes better off safe than with a miserable mother. You know how I get. Id devour you both I dont want that. Im done. Goodbye.
When Mrs. Graham heard her daughter-in-law had left, she lifted her hands in horror.
David! How could you? Couldnt you keep her? Couldnt you stop her? Just let her walk away how is that what a husband does?
Would you prefer I handcuffed her to the radiator, mum? Locked her in the attic? Davids laugh was hollow as he rocked Sophie. Will you help with Sophie?
As much as I can. Your dad doesnt like it when I neglect the house. Maybe you should move back in? You dont need to live alone now.
No, mum. Well stay here. But Id appreciate it if you helped find Sophie a nanny.
Absolutely not! Mrs. Graham spluttered. Trust our child with a stranger? Over my dead body!
David struggled alone for a while, until he asked Marinas mum for help. She cried on the phone, but agreed in a heartbeat.
But there was little time for Sophie to get used to her grannys company heart problems Marinas mum had tried to keep secret stole her away suddenly. David returned home from work one evening to find Sophie in tears shed been unable to open the nursery door after her nap.
Wheres your grandma? David scooped her up, a chill in his blood.
He found her, sprawled on the living room sofa. For a heartbeat he thought she was just sleeping, but the ambulance affirmed the worst.
Heart attack, Id say. Young for it, still. What a pity
Mrs. Graham came at once.
Poor Sophie! The things that childs suffered!
She saw nothing, mum. Can you stay with her? I need to call Marinas dad.
Well, theres not much choice. Of course I will.
When Mrs. Graham tucked Sophie under her arm, something shifted in her at last not when she brought Marina home from hospital, not through the babys cries for a missing mum, not during those few days she babysat at Davids urging. But when Sophie turned, tear-streaked and hushed, and clung to her grandmother, suddenly Mrs. Graham felt like a gran.
My darling girl! Dont cry! Im here. Well be all right.
David never had to plead with his mum for help anymore. She came over each morning, stayed till nightfall, playing with Sophie, dressing her up in bows, parading her round the neighbourhood.
Shes got a new tooth! Kept her father tossing all night, Little Miss Trouble. But look at that smile! And those bites adorable!
Then Emily arrived in their lives, and the spell snapped. Emily quietly slipped in, managing the house, the child, and matters David once brought only to his mother.
Mrs. Graham detested that hunting, searching, yet she couldnt fault Emily for a thing.
Emily coped, the house thrived. Sophie clung to her, despite Emilys lack of indulgence; she spoke to Sophie as her own mother had spoken to her gently, but firmly, so Sophie always knew she was loved. Soon, Sophie dubbed her mum a fact that filled Emily with pride.
All Mrs. Graham could do was bide her time, making her disapproval plain but holding fire. She wanted a slip however small to pounce on. After all Marina had put David through, shed rather he stayed alone than risk another heartbreak.
When visiting her sons house, she made an effort to be civil; Emily didnt fuss about being liked, knowing that mothers never stop being mothers and a wedge would only result in family disaster. Emily cared deeply for both Sophie and David, but also believed what mattered most was Sophies chance at a home full of peace and care from all her grown-ups.
Emily had nothing to contest with Mrs. Graham: she adored David and Sophie, and ignored minor spats, placing it down to age and a mothers worry.
But one afternoon a black cat crossed their path the day Mrs. Graham dropped round with an enormous cake.
Mrs. Graham, Sophie cant have sweets just now. Doctors orders.
What nonsense!
Shes got an allergy to something; were working out what. Shes on a strict diet.
Such rubbish! In my day, no one had allergies! Sophie Gran says you can have cake! Time to celebrate!
Emily didnt argue. A tilt of her head, and Sophie gave her gran a peck and scampered off, leaving David to quell the brewing storm.
Mum, Sophie cant have it for now, but we can! Fancy a cuppa?
But Mrs. Graham was already wound up.
Not with you lot! I bought that for my granddaughter, not for that viper!
The insult slipped out so easily that even Mrs. Graham was startled. The feeling of relief that washed through her was almost pleasant as if all her resentment had been released in a single word.
David said only, softly:
Mum!
Im leaving! Mrs. Graham swept to the door, refusing to apologise.
Emily gripped Davids sleeve, begging him wordlessly not to follow.
Leave it! she whispered.
Mrs. Graham didnt so much as glance back. She sped off in her hatchback, while Emily, sliding the cake into the fridge, burst out laughing.
Whats so funny? David stared.
Just think how long your mums been bottling that up staring daggers at me, unable to admit how much she doesnt like me. Now its out! She looked almost pleased as she stormed away.
Arent you hurt? David frowned.
Oh, it stings a bit, naturally. But its funny mostly. I even pity her. Shes so locked up with her resentment, cant see the joy around her. She loses out on the warmth and love she might have had. Now shes driven off, proud as you like, never mind Sophies birthday is next week. Shell have to show up she wont dare miss it.
Will there be fireworks? He wrapped her in his arms tenderly.
Not a chance, Emily sighed. Sophie isnt to blame. Its only me Mrs. Graham despises. Sophie deserves a proper party.
Lets take Sophie away, somewhere special? Celebrate just us?
No way! Sophies invited her friends, and Ive ordered her cake. The doctor said she can have some fruit cake, just a sliver no cream.
Mum will think its all a plot.
Let your mum think whatever she likes, David. It doesnt matter. We just need Sophie to have a happy day. If I have to bite my tongue, I will.
David kissed her temple silently, then drove out to speak to his parents.
Mum, youll need to apologise.
Me? Mrs. Graham gasped. What for?
You know exactly what for.
Why are you speaking to me like this, David? Im your mother!
Not if you keep this up. Im happy, Mum. I love Emily, she loves me, and shes been a brilliant mother to Sophie. You know it, because youre a mum yourself. Did you stop loving me?
Why do you say that?
Because youre tearing my family apart for nothing! You feel things so do I. But I wont let your feelings overrule sense. Think about it.
He shook his dads hand, who tactfully stayed out of it, and left.
For Sophies party, Mrs. Graham claimed illness. Then a year passed. Then another.
Her grievance, carefully kept alive, soon became her companion. In her mind, it was Emily whod wronged her, just by existing, just by stealing away what she loved.
Now she only ever called Sophie on the telephone. Her husband cajoled her to let it go, but she refused.
Ive nothing to apologise for.
Youll end up alone!
Nonsense! Ive always got you.
I wont last forever, Gaye. And youre being daft! But do as you wish Just dont moan later when Sophie forgets your name.
She only ever rang David on business, growing ever more cross when Emily answered.
Why is your phone always with her, David?
It isnt, Mum. Its with Emily.
Same difference.
I left it on the table. Whats up?
Your fathers in a mood. His legs playing up, wont let me near him. Youd better come.
On my way.
David searched his pockets for car keys, then shrugged and hopped on his motorbike. His parents house was just round the corner.
Meanwhile, Emily was in Sophies bedroom, racing through multiplication tables.
What did you get?
Sixteen. And you?
Twenty-seven.
Oh, mum! How does that work?
Lets go through it together Emily reached for a pencil, when suddenly came the sound of brakes, a sickening crunch.
The room spun. Sophie squeaked as Emily gripped the desk and then screamed.
The impact wasnt hard David had just turned into a side road when a lorry clipped him, sending the motorbike skidding to the grass verge and knocking him against someones garden gate.
He came to in the hospital. Rain drummed against the window. His arms were heavy and bandaged, his head a sack of hurt. Emily sat on a plastic chair, dozing with her head pressed against the sheet.
Em, hey, Em. Im alive
She awoke at once, tears streaming as she hugged him careful of the dressings.
Youre alive Oh David, you scared me half to death!
Are you all right? You shouldn’t be getting upset
Im fine! Dont fuss.
Relief flooded his face.
And Sophie? he asked, suddenly anxious.
Shes with your mum. I asked her to keep her company while you woke up. Shall I call them?
Maybe wait till morning; its late
David! Emilys tone was stern, Are you mad? Shell be frantic!
Im just thinking of you, Em. You dont need the stress. Its not healthy.
Emily smiled, wry and knowing.
Dont fret so! Your mums guessed Im expecting. No more rows since she realised, shes been different. Shes taken to calling me dear Emily, can you believe!
Just like that?
Theres nothing complicated, David who wants to live on pure bile? When you were hurt, all she cared about was that you were alive. She hugged me, cried, apologised for everything even things I dont think she remembered. Maybe she was just sorry in general.
And you forgive her?
Oh David, its all in the past. What matters is whats coming. I want my children to have a gran even if she spoils them with cakes! Well deal with the allergies, teach her not to sweat the small stuff, and with time, the rest will follow.
Emily sighed, shedding old grievances.
You know, Ive been thinking Charlies a good name works for a boy or a girl.
William! And if shes a girl, lets call her Alice.
Your mum said Charlie is perfect!
Did she now? David raised an eyebrow, half-wondering if he was dreaming all of this from his hospital bed. Well, we can sleep on it. But, Emily, you know I love you?
I had a feeling. Now, get some rest. Ill ring your mum, calm her nerves. She wont sleep a wink all night otherwise.
Tell her I love her, too.
As if she doesnt know! Emily winked. Ill tell her those words are never wasted, that I do know. Sleep tight.
