“You’re no longer my daughter. Who he is and where he’s fromno one knows. I’m ashamed of you. Move into your grandmother’s cottage and live like an adult. Face the consequences of your actions.”
“Liz, did you hear? Theyve brought in some workers to help out in the village. Fancy going to the pub tonight?” Maddy sprawled in the armchair, grinning.
“Maddy, what? Wholl look after Billy? Should I drag him along?” Lizzie laughed.
“What if we ask Aunt Lucy?” Maddy suggested cautiously.
Lizzie waved her hand dismissively.
“Dont be daft. She still hasnt forgiven me for having Billy. She wanted me to marry Andrew, but I went off to university instead. Didnt get in, came back pregnant. She didnt speak to me for a year, only started again two months ago. You go with someone elsemaybe youll get lucky.”
Maddy sighed.
“Alright, Ill go with Sarah. Ill tell you everything tomorrow.”
Lizzie put Billy to bed and stepped onto the porch. The distant thump of music reached her. Wrapped in a shawl, she imagined everyone dancing and laughing. Maddy had probably worn that awful leopard-print dress again. Lizzie smiled faintlyshe looked like a stuffed caterpillar in it. With a sigh, she went back inside.
At dawn, Maddy burst inand, of course, Lizzies mum had come to visit. Lizzie pressed a finger to her lips, but Maddy was unstoppable.
“Such a shame you werent there last night! There were these ladsone even walked me home. His names Will, proper chatty, good sense of humour. Im seeing him again today!”
Lizzies mum frowned.
“Married, I suppose?”
Maddy shrugged.
“Didnt check his ring finger. Even if he is, at least itll be something to remember.”
“Oh, girls, what are you playing at? Andrews a decent lad. Lizzies missed her chance, but you could still charm him,” Aunt Lucy chimed in.
“Honestly, Aunt Lucy, whod want him? And his mothers worse! No thanks,” Maddy scoffed.
She turned to Lizzie.
“There was this bloke last nightutterly gorgeous. All the girls were smitten, but he just stood with his mates, then left alone. Didnt ask anyone to dance.”
Then came the shock. Aunt Lucy said thoughtfully,
“You should go to the pub too, Lizzie. Ill mind Billy. Maybe youll meet someone proper. Billy needs a fatherjust steer clear of married men. They can sniff out a single mother a mile off.”
Lizzie, hardly believing her luck, nodded eagerly. She kissed her mum, who huffed,
“Off you go, you little flatterer.”
In her best dress, Lizzie stood with her friends, laughing freely. Shed missed carefree evenings like this.
“Look. Hes here again,” the girls whispered.
Lizzie glanced overthen her legs trembled. She turned away sharply.
“I should go home. Billys probably crying.”
Maddy gaped.
“Liz, youre joking! First night out in ages, and youre running off?”
But Lizzie was firm.
“Im going. Looks like your Wills heading overyou wont be bored.” She strode toward the exit.
At the door, someone caught her wrist.
“Care for a dance?”
Lizzie refused to look up.
“I dont dance.”
He persisted.
“Just one. Please.”
She turnedand her heart lurched. It was *him*, the man whose brief encounter had changed her life forever. And judging by his expression, he didnt recognise her. Relieved, she forced a smile.
“Fine. One dance, then Im off.”
He spun her gently.
“Your husband must be worried.”
Lizzie stiffened.
“Im not married.”
He winkedfamiliar enough to steal her breath.
“So Ive got a chance?”
Lizzie pulled away.
“Dont count on it,” she snapped, fleeing the pub.
Tears streaked her face as she walked home. Shed remembered him forever, loved him instantlyyet he hadnt known her.
Theyd met on a train. Heartbroken after failing her exams, shed been returning home. He was visiting family. Seeing her gloom, hed tried to cheer her up.
“Names James. Mum calls me Jamie, my niece says Jaz. Take your pick.”
Lizzie smiled.
“Jaz it is.”
He grinned.
“Almost properly introduced. And you are, lovely creature?”
“Lizzie.”
He nodded.
“Fit for royalty.”
Bit by bit, she confessed her failure, her mothers certain wrath.
“Study over winter and try again,” he suggested.
Lizzie brightened.
“I never thought of that. Thanks.”
He studied her.
“No need. Has anyone told you youre stunning?”
She blushed.
“Im ordinary. But thanks.”
He leaned closer.
“Its true,” and kissed her. What followed was sweet and shameful. He left early, promising,
“Ill find you.”
Only later did she realisehed never asked where she lived.
Then she discovered she was pregnant. Her mothers verdict was brutal:
“Youre no daughter of mine. Some strangers got you in trouble. Live in Grans cottage and grow up.”
Lizzie worked at the library until her due date. Maddy met her at the hospitalher mother never came. Only when Billy was five months old did she soften, bringing toys.
“Not our blood,” shed muttered, yet visited often.
“Youre back early,” her mother said now. “Was it dull? Hows Billy?”
Lizzies mother smiled.
“Fast asleep. Since youre here, Ill head home.”
Lizzie shut the door, exhausted. At dawn, half-asleep, she fed Billy, who fussed over his porridge.
“No porridge, no growing big and strong like your dad.”
“Talking about me? Flattered. And this must be my son?”
The spoon clattered. Lizzie gasped.
“You? How?”
James grinned.
“Told you Id find you. Didnt know Id be a dad, though. Forgot to ask where you livedbut fate sorted that.” He pulled a face at Billy, who giggled.
Next morning, Lizzies mum found her radiant, a stranger bouncing Billy on his shoulders.
“This him?”
“Yes,” Lizzie beamed.
Her mother offered her hand.
“Im Margaret Hughes. And Ill be watching what kind of man and father you are.”
James shook it solemnly.
“Understood.”
Sometimes lifes hardest storms wash away the paths we cling toonly to lead us where we truly belong.
