Every cloud has a silver lining.
“Honestly, what bad luck, you foolish girl! Who’d want you now with a child? How do you plan to raise it? Dont expect my helpmark my words. I raised you, and now this extra burden? Pack your bags and get out of my house!”
Emily listened, head bowed. Her last hopethat her aunt would let her stay until she found workvanished before her eyes.
“If only Mum were still here…”
Emily never knew her father. Her mother had been struck by a drunk driver at a pedestrian crossing fifteen years ago. She was about to be sent to a care home when a distant cousin of her mothers suddenly appeared. The woman took her in, and with her stable home and salary, securing guardianship had been easy.
Her aunt lived on the outskirts of a southern English market town, lush and warm in summer, damp in winter. Emily lacked nothingalways well-dressed, accustomed to chores. Perhaps she missed a mothers love, but who cared?
Emily was a bright student. After secondary school, she trained as a teacher. Her student years flew by, and with them, her carefree daysuntil she returned to the town she called home. This time, though, she felt no joy.
Her aunt finally stopped shouting. “Get out! I never want to see you again!”
“Aunt Margaret, cant I at least”
“Its over, I said!”
Silently, Emily picked up her suitcase and left. She hadnt expected to return like thishumiliated, cast out, and pregnant. Yet shed decided to be honest.
She needed shelter. Lost in thought, Emily wandered, barely noticing the world around her.
Summer was in full swing. Apples and pears ripened in gardens; plums hung heavy under green leaves. The air smelled of jam, barbecue, and fresh bread. Her throat was dry. Approaching a house, she called to a woman in the kitchen:
“Excuse me, could I have some water?”
Louise, a sturdy woman in her fifties, turned. “Come in if you mean no trouble.”
She scooped a cup from a bucket and handed it over. Emily sat on a bench, drinking thirstily.
“Mind if I rest here? Its so hot.”
“Take your time, love. Where are you off to with that suitcase?”
“Ive finished teacher training but have nowhere to live. Know anyone renting a room?”
Louise studied her. Neat, though tired and troubled.
“You could stay with me. Rent wont be much, but pay on time. If that suits, come see the room.”
Louise was pleasedextra income never hurt, and their remote town offered few opportunities. Her son rarely visited. Now shed have company on long winter evenings.
Stunned by her luck, Emily followed. The room was small but cosya bed, wardrobe, table, and chairs, overlooking the garden. It would do. They agreed on rent, and soon Emily, changed and ready, headed to the education office.
Days flew bywork, home, work. Emily barely noticed time passing.
She got on well with Louise, who was kind and understanding. They grew close. Emily helped with chores when she could. Evenings often found them sipping tea in the garden, enjoying the autumn mildness.
Her pregnancy went smoothlyno sickness, just a glow and added weight. Shed confided in Louise, a story too common to shock.
In her second year, Emily had fallen for Tom, only son of well-off academics at the same university. His future was setdegree, PhD, a teaching or research post beside his parents.
Charming, clever, popular, he couldve had any girl. Yet he chose Emily. Was it her shy smile, warm hazel eyes, or quiet strength? Hard to say. They were inseparableuntil graduation. Emily dreamed of a future with him.
She remembered the day clearly. Waking queasy, certain smells repelled her. Then it hit hershe was late. How had she forgotten? A test confirmed it. Two lines. Exams looming, and now this. How would Tom react? Kids werent in their plans.
A wave of tenderness washed over her.
“Little one,” she whispered, touching her belly.
When told, Tom said hed introduce her to his parents that night.
Recalling that meeting still brought tears. They suggested abortion, leaving town after examsalone. Toms career came first; she wasnt good enough.
She could only guess their talk. Next day, Tom left an envelope silently and walked out.
Abortion wasnt an option. She already loved the life inside her. Their road would be hard, but shed keep the moneyshed need it.
Louise comforted her: “It happens, love. You did right keeping the baby. Hes innocent and will bring joy. Time may yet mend things.”
But Emily couldnt bear to think of Tom. The rejection stung too fresh. Forgiveness felt impossible.
As weeks passed, Emily waddled like a duck, counting days till birth. The scan didnt reveal the sexshe just prayed for health.
Late February, on a Saturday, contractions started. Louise rushed her to hospital. Soon, a healthy boy arrived.
“Oliver, my little Ollie,” she murmured, stroking his round cheek.
Emily befriended the maternity ward women. They mentioned a customs captains partner whod given birth days earlierthen abandoned the baby, leaving a signed waiver.
“Can you believe it? He brought flowers, gifts for the staff, visited daily! But she didnt want kidsjust left. Madness!”
“And the baby?”
“On formula. A nurse said breastmilks better, but whod volunteer?”
At feeding time, the tiny girl was brought in.
“Anyone able to nurse her? Shes so fragile,” the nurse asked.
“Give her here. No baby should suffer,” Emily said, settling Ollie aside. She took the infant.
“Oh, shes so pale! So small! Lets call her Lily.”
Next to Oliver, she seemed doll-like. The little thing latched eagerly.
“So weak,” the nurse sighed.
Now Emily fed two babies.
Two days later, the nurse announced the captain wished to thank the woman nursing his daughter.
Thus Emily met Captain Harrisa trim man with piercing blue eyes.
What followed became hospital gossip, then town legend.
On discharge day, staff gathered outside. A car decked with pink and blue balloons waited. The captain, in uniform, helped Emily inLouise already seatedthen handed her a blue bundle, then a pink one.
With a honk, the car drove off, vanishing round the corner.
Such is lifeunpredictable, full of unimaginable turns.
