Long ago, in a quiet village in Yorkshire, Edward and Margaret sat at supper when the door swung open. A disheveled woman strode in, tossing a worn satchel into the corner before spreading her arms wide.
“Evenin, Dad,” she said, grinning crookedly.
Edward choked on his tea, coughing into his sleeve. Margarets eyes flashed. “And who might you be? Whats this Dad nonsense?”
The woman narrowed her eyes. “Keep yer trap shut, Auntie. I aint here for youIm here for me father.” She turned back to Edward, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Dont tell me youve forgotten yer own daughter? Its me, Lizzie. All these years, and Ive never stopped wonderinhows me old man? Still kickin, I see.” She sniffed dramatically.
Edward finally found his voice. “Whwhat dyou want?” he rasped, still coughing.
“Me present, Dad,” Lizzie smirked. “That doll you promised me twenty years back.”
Her mother had passed when Lizzie was seven. Edward lasted six months before bringing home Margaretand her two sons. First thing, Margaret shoved Lizzie out of her room and into the shared one. “Lads need it more,” Edward muttered, avoiding her gaze. The boys, older and rowdy, tore her schoolbooks to shreds. At night, by moonlight, shed rewrite her lessons, tears smudging the inkMargaret forbade wasting lamp oil.
On Lizzies eighth birthday, Edward took her to the orphanage. “Just for a bit, love. Ill fetch you soon. Weekends, Ill visitbring that doll from the shop window, remember?”
She waited. He never came.
Now, Lizzie plopped at the table. “Go on, Auntie, dish us some stew. Starvin, I am.” She barked a laugh as Margaret slammed a single ladleful into a bowl. Lizzie tutted. “Years gone by, and youre still stingy. More, eh?”
She turned to Edward. “Cmon, Dad, break out yer savingslets toast to family.” He glanced at Margaret, who hissed through clenched teeth, “We dont drink.”
Lizzie slapped her knee. “Knew it! But I dont come empty-handed.” She jerked her chin at Margaret. “Fetch me bag.”
Margaret flushed. “Get it yerself!”
Lizzie leaned in. “Auntie, youre missin the point. I aint just visitin. Im stayin. You tossed me out oncenow its yer turn. Clear off, or mind yer manners if you fancy stayin.”
Margaret shrieked, “Edward, are you deaf? Shes mockin me!”
He fidgeted. “Lizzie, dont be rude. Margarets mistress here.”
Lizzie sighed. “Oh, Dad. Look what shes done to you.” She shot Margaret a venomous smile. “But dont fretwell settle this. Fancy a trip to the workhouse, Auntie?”
Margaret screeched, “Ill call me son! Hell toss you out!”
Lizzie scoffed. “Tom? That drunk? Hed sell the roof for a pint. Poor luck with sons, eh? Ones gone, the others halfway there.”
Margaret crumpled into sobs. “Leave em be! Look at yerselflived rough, havent ye?”
Lizzies grin turned savage. “Thanks to you. Snatched a widowers home, shoved his girl out for yer brats. Thought youd seen the last of me? Well, Im backand Ill make yer life hell.” She jabbed a thumb at the door. “Me husbands comin next week. Three stretches in prison, that one. Well fill this house with grandkidsproper family reunion, eh, Dad?”
Edward nodded weakly. Lizzie yawned. “Now, make up a bed. Im knackered. And heat the washhouseIve filth to scrub off.”
She pretended to sleep, eavesdropping as Margaret whispered, “You spineless fool! Shell rob us blindworse! Send er packin!”
Edward mumbled, “Shes me daughter. You made me abandon her onceI wont again.”
Lizzie smirked inwardly. Sohe had a shred of guilt left.
A rustle stirred her. She cracked an eyeMargaret loomed over her, clutching a pillow.
“Theyll hang you, Auntie,” Lizzie said brightly. Margaret jumped.
“II brought this. For yer head.”
Lizzie laughed. “Cheers. Thought you meant to smother me. Washhouse ready?”
Margaret wrung her hands. “Edwards lightin it. Hungry? I made scones.”
Lizzie eyed her. “Awful sweet all of a sudden. Poisoned em, have ye? Wont workIve an iron gut. Youre still a viper.”
For a week, Lizzie tormented Margaret, who finally begged, “Have mercy, girl. Im old now.”
“Mercy?” Lizzie spat. “Where was yours when you tore a child from her home?”
Margaret sank to her knees. “Forgive me! Lifes punished me enough!”
Lizzie waved her off. “Get up. Im done. Keep yer miserable life. Im leavin.”
Edward scrambled up. “Lizzie, waittake some money!”
She shook her head. “You still dont understand. I didnt come for coin. Just one wordthat you loved me. But no matter. Goodbye.”
She slung her satchel over her shoulder and left. No one followed, though she lingered at the gate.
Beyond the village, a cart waited. She climbed in and wept like a child. Her husband pulled her close. “Told you it were a bad idea. Why dig up the past when youve all this?”
Lizzie wiped her eyes. “I thought he loved mejust slipped once. They never even remembered me.”
He held her tighter. “Shouldve listened, love. Home nowthe kids are askin for ye.”
She managed a smile. “Missed em too. But firsta wash. Scrub it all away.” She sighed. “Lets stop by Mums grave. Picked flowers on the way. As for Dad?” Her voice hardened. “Never had him. Dont need him. Got you and the little unsthats enough.”
She gazed at the fading village. “Had to try. No matter now. Gods will, I spose.”
The cart rolled on, carrying her toward the life shed builtand away from the one that had failed her.
