And where exactly do you think youre going? Veronicas voice dripped with disapproval as she folded her arms.
Emily sighed, zipping up her bag. That tonethe one that always preceded an interrogationmade her stomach clench.
To work, Mum, she replied, forcing calm into her voice.
Work? Veronicas pitch shot up an octave. Youre not on the rota today! I checked! Where are you really going, eh? Out gallivanting with some lad?
Emily turned to face her. There she stood, barricading the doorway like a territorial guard dog.
They asked me to cover a shift at the shop. Extra cash never hurts, Emily explained evenly.
Dont lie to me! Veronica snapped, stepping closer. I know what youre up to! Ungrateful child! Ive given you everything, and this is how you repay melying to my face?
Her mothers cheeks flushed scarlet, her outrage in full swing.
Emily met her gaze. The exhaustion in her eyesthe years of bottled-up frustrationsilenced Veronica for half a second.
You can come with me if you dont believe me, Emily murmured, slipping past her without waiting for an answer.
Veronicas shouts followed her down the hall, but the words blurred into noise.
As she walked, Emilys thoughts darted like trapped birds. Twenty-four years old. Twenty-four, and she was still treated like a twelve-year-old. It wasnt normal. Other women her age had flats, careers, boyfriends. Her? She hadnt even made it to university.
The memory stung. Shed dreamed of studying education. Aced her A-levels, got the gradesuntil Veronica had erupted.
Why dyou need uni? shed shrieked. Youll just run wild like those students! And what about me? Wholl look after me?
So Emily had caved. As usual.
Her mother had landed her the job at the corner shop. Five minutes walkclose enough for Veronica to pop in unannounced. A loaf of bread, a pint of milkany excuse to check her daughter hadnt dared escape.
It had started years earlier. School and back, timed to the minute. A two-minute delay meant a full inquisition: Whod she spoken to? Where had she lingered? Wanting to stroll home with classmates? Scandal. A birthday party invite? Tears, arguments, and alwaysalwaysa no.
God knows what goes on at those parties, Veronica would sniff.
Emily pushed open the shop door. The bell jingled; the smell of fresh pastries wafted from the bakery section. She changed into her uniform in the stockroom and stepped out.
Somehow, shed accepted it. Day after year. As she restocked shelves, she eavesdropped on her coworkersLucy and Gemmachatting about weekend plans.
Saturdaythat new café, then the cinema! Lucy chirped.
Perfect! Gemma grinned. Sunday, well walk in the park if its nice.
Emily turned away. Her plans? Hoovering, telly, and Veronicas watchful gaze. Same as always.
Two days later, over porridge, the rebellion brewing inside her finally took shape.
Veronicas fist thumped the table. Emily jumped, her spoon clattering.
Whats that face for? Spit it out!
Emilys throat dried. Her heart sprinted. The words tumbled out:
I want to move out.
Silence. Veronicas face turned pink, then red, then purple.
You? Move out? She finally spluttered. Youd be lost without me! The worlds cruel, men are nothing but liars
Mum, other people manage
One more word, Veronica hissed, and Ill lock you in this flat. Permanently. Understood?
Tears spilled down Emilys cheeks.
Why? she whispered. Why do you do this?
Veronica leaned back, her expression smug and sour.
No reason. I had you for me, didnt I? Not so you could wander off.
The words hit like ice water. For her. Not out of loveownership. Like a handbag. A pet.
Veronica snorted and stalked off, leaving Emily to digest it.
…For two days, Emily played perfect. No arguments, no resistance. Veronica thawed, smug.
But Emily had already decided. Before her next shift, she stuffed her passport and secretly saved cash£200 tucked under her mattressinto her bag.
After work, she didnt go home. She knocked on the managers office.
Mr. Thompson, she said, hands shaking, I need to quit. Today. No notice.
He frowned. Everything alright?
She hesitated, then spilled itthe control, the suffocation.
Tell you what, he said. Weve a branch across town. Same pay. Your mumll have a harder time tracking you there.
Grateful, Emily accepted. She left with a new contract, found a £400-a-month bedsitbasic, but a start.
At the bus stop, she snapped her SIM card in half. Tomorrow, shed get a new number. Only her mother and a few coworkers had the old one.
…A week later, her tiny roompeeling wallpaper and allfelt like a palace. She woke when she wanted, ate what she liked, breathed freely.
Sometimes, her hand hovered over the phone. Old habits died hard. But calling meant surrender. Veronica would find her, scream, drag her back.
It was terrifying. Lonely. But then she remembered: I had you for me.
And she knewshed made the right choice.
Staying hadnt been living. Just fading.
Now? Now she had a chance. To live for herselfnot her mothers sickness. It was hard. Excruciating.
But there was no other way.
This was her life. Finally.
