Wheres she off to? She never even mentioned it, I muttered, halflaughing.
What are you doing here? I told you not to come! Natalie snapped, tapping her sleek stiletto against the floor in irritation. Across from her stood her mum, Margaret.
Weve brought you some treats potatoes, pickles, jam, the older woman said, gesturing at the battered old Ford parked nearby. In the drivers seat was Natalies dad, Robert.
I see youve come with your dad. How many times have I said I dont want any of this? No visiting, no embarrassment, Margaret scolded.
And why not? Robert shrugged.
Just like that, Natalie declared. Go on, get your potatoes out before Vince gets back.
Natalie, stop this! Robert shouted as he stepped out of the car.
Whats it to you? Natalie snapped back.
Lets be off, Margaret, Robert said, heading for the door.
And the treats? Margaret whined.
Dont start, Natalie rolled her eyes. Just take what youve got and go.
Robert, could you help? Margaret asked, a smile suddenly brightening her face.
Robert hauled two big bags from the boot; the smaller one Natalie took herself.
Thats not how you treat your mother, Robert chided as Natalie opened the front door.
Enough with the lecturing, Natalie replied cynically.
Seems you werent raised right, Robert muttered, setting the bags down and heading down the steps.
Meanwhile, Aunt Annie stood by the hallway, hopeful, eyes fixed on the doorway. When she saw the furrowed brow on Roberts face as he hurried off, she realised the invitation to stay was gone.
My feet wont be coming back to this place! Robert blurted as they pulled out of the drive.
Poor thing, Margaret sniffed, wiping a tear from her cheek. Robert said nothing.
Natalie had grown up in a tiny Norfolk village and hated every bit of it. She dreamed of escaping the farm life as fast as she could.
Is this really life? Chickens, muddy boots, that endless garden? Who could love it? City life has clubs, restaurants, fashion. Im getting out of here, I swear, she complained to her cousin Poppy, inspecting a broken nail and a row of carrots. They were both fourteen and expected to tend the garden.
Is happiness really in the clothes? Poppy shrugged. I like it here, the fresh air. City life is just one job after another. Ill study to be a vet and come back.
Me? Ill never go back. I wont work. Ive heard there are loads of rich blokes in the city Ill marry one and never lift a finger, Natalie whispered.
Youll be one of a hundred girls there, Poppy laughed. You dont get it! Im pretty, but the rest is luck.
Their parents, Margaret and Robert, were simple folk whod lived their whole lives in that same village. When Natalie finished school, they scraped together enough savings to let her study in the nearest town, Norwich. She got a place in the university halls and, like many of her more affluent classmates, watched them flaunt the latest fashions. Her parents contribution barely covered tuition and basic expenses, let alone designer clothes, but Natalie kept her chin up. One day therell be a celebration on my street, she told herself.
In her final year she landed a placement at a big firm run by Vince a successful, welloff man in his prime. The male staff wondered why he was still single, while the women secretly hoped for his attention. Vince took a liking to Natalie, not just for her looks but for her seeming sincerity.
She didnt fall head over heels, but she knew shed got a lucky ticket in the form of a wealthy suitor. They started dating, and soon Vince suggested she move in with him. When he asked about her background, Natalie clammed up, inventing a tale about a businessman father whod split from her mother years ago, sending only occasional alimony. She claimed her mum lived elsewhere with a new family, barely keeping in touch.
She told Vince she was handling everything on her own. The story sounded odd, but to Natalie it felt like a twisted fate that didnt break her, just left her with questions. She spoke to her parents only on the phone, short and formal. She told them she couldnt visit because her husband a highflying bird, as she put it would be embarrassed.
At first Natalie played the perfect good girl for Vince, but as his affection grew she started pulling the strings of her own dreams. She pretended to be unhappy with her current role, claiming she wanted a different career, while she actually spent her days hopping between boutiques and salons, skipping work and university. Shed complain to Vince about being too tired to cook, Isnt your salary enough for a dinner out or a takeaway? and even avoid cleaning.
One evening Vince said, Id like some homemade soup, maybe chicken puree. We cant afford a housekeeper.
Sure, love, Ill make you puree and chicken, but not tonight Im knackered, Natalie replied, purring. Vince fell for her charm every time.
One night, in a fit of bragging, Natalie let slip the address of the posh flat where Poppy now lived. Poppy told Natalies parents about it. So Margaret, in her nicest dress, convinced Robert to dust off his only suit, gather the treats, and drive to see their daughter only to be turned away at the doorstep.
While the parents waited, Natalie hid the bags on the balcony and later dumped them in the bin, knowing Vince would be back from work any minute. She didnt want to explain where everything had come from.
The next day she arrived home later than usual.
Whats that smell? she asked as she walked in, catching the scent of fried potatoes drifting from the kitchen.
Where have you been? Vince called, wiping his hands on a towel. Cool everything down.
Stuck at the university, Natalie answered, stepping into the kitchen and taking in the table set with golden fried potatoes, neat jars of pickles, tomatoes, and sauerkraut, plus a jug of cherry compote.
I fried the potatoes in butter at home, Vince beamed. And the pickles are amazing! By the way, where did all this come from?
It was Aunt Annie who sent it. From the village, Natalie replied, sounding annoyed.
The village? Why didnt you tell me before? Vince asked, plating the potatoes. Where is it? Far away? We could visit on weekends. I love a bit of country life.
Its far, Vince. What would we do there? See the countryside? Id rather fly to the sea. You keep promising, Natalie muttered.
I know, I just cant right now, Vince shrugged. The project needs to be finished.
I could go if you loved me enough to buy a holiday, she shot back, pushing the plate away.
Fine, dont get worked up, Vince said, embarrassed.
A few days later he actually bought her a holiday voucher.
I adore you! Natalie squealed, packing her suitcase.
Im glad, Vince replied, his smile thin.
Natalie left for a break, and Vince started to wonder if hed made the right choice. Four days later, when he stepped out of the lift, he found a young woman sitting on the floor of the hallway, a small backpack beside her, halfasleep against the wall. She woke as the doors opened.
Good afternoon, she said, stretching.
Good afternoon, Vince replied, curious.
Is Natalia Smith living here? she asked.
Shes on holiday right now. Are you studying with her? he replied.
Im her sister, the girl answered, her voice a little shaky. When will she be back?
Your sister? Vince repeated, opening the door wider. Come in, make yourself at home. Natalia never mentioned you. Weve been expecting you. Dinners soon. Im Vince. She probably talked about me.
Gillian, she said, fidgeting. Can I get a hold of her? She has a new phone number.
Sure, shes got a new one. Something happened? Vince asked, feeling a knot in his stomach.
My parents are in hospital, and their house had an accident. Neighbours barely got it out, she explained.
What house? Vince asked, confused. Natalias parents dont live together. Are you sure youve got the right people?
Its the same! Aunt Annie and Uncle Brian from our village, Kalinfield? Gillian snapped.
Its a mess. Tell me whats going on, Vince said, spreading his arms.
It turned out that three days earlier the Smiths house had suffered a serious fire. Both Margaret and Robert were in the hospital, Roberts condition listed as critical.
I knew Natalie was ashamed of her parents. Shed stopped talking to them. I tried to help, but she wouldnt listen. Aunt Annie was crying, Uncle Brian was devastated. I was furious with Natalie, but shes still my daughter, Gillian said, voice trembling.
Lets go see them, Vince suggested. Ill speak to the doctors, sort out any costs. Then Ill call Natalie and send her an emergency travel ticket.
How much will that cost? Gillian asked, her cheeks flushing.
Dont worry about that, Vince answered. Now, shall we have dinner?
The next day Natalie returned. She tried to make excuses, but Vince didnt listen. He helped her parents with treatment and even with repairing the house. During that time he and Gillian grew close, their friendship turning into something more, and a year later they married. Vince convinced Gillian to move to the city, but most weekends and holidays they still spent time in the village. Gillian opened a small veterinary practice, and eventually they welcomed a child and more.
Natalie, meanwhile, kept chasing her ambitions, finally getting a decent job. Her relationship with her parents improved a bit, but the old dream lingered to find a prince and live on easy, readymade comforts.
