Sometimes bad luck turns to good.
“What a disaster, you foolish girl! Who needs you now with a child? How do you expect to raise it? Dont expect my help. Ive already raised you, and this is my reward? Pack your things and get outI wont have you under my roof another day!”
Emily listened, head bowed. Her last hopethat her aunt might let her stay until she found workvanished before her eyes.
*If only Mum were still here.*
Emily had never known her father, and her mother had been struck by a drunk driver at a pedestrian crossing fifteen years ago. Just as she was about to be sent to a care home, a distant cousin of her mothers had stepped in. With a stable house and income, the woman had easily secured guardianship.
Her aunt lived on the outskirts of a quiet market town in southern England, lush and warm in summer, damp and grey in winter. Emily had never gone withoutalways well-dressed, always kept busy with chores. Perhaps shed lacked affection, but who cared about that?
She had been a good student. After secondary school, shed trained to become a teacher. The years flew by, and with them, her carefree daysuntil she returned to the town shed come to think of as home. This time, though, there was no joy in coming back.
Once her aunt had worn herself out shouting, she snapped, “Get out, and dont let me see you again!”
“Aunt Margaret, please”
“I said thats enough!”
Silently, Emily picked up her suitcase and left. She hadnt expected to return like thishumiliated, cast out, and pregnant. Yet shed decided to confess everything.
Now she needed shelter. Lost in thought, barely noticing the world around her, she walked. Summer was in full swing. Apples and pears ripened in gardens; plums hid beneath green leaves. The air carried the scent of jam simmering, barbecues sizzling, fresh bread cooling. Her throat was dry. Spotting a woman in a summer kitchen, she called out, “Excuse me, could I have some water?”
Louise, a sturdy woman in her fifties, turned. “Come in, if youre friendly.” She scooped a cup from a bucket and handed it over. Emily sat on a bench and drank thirstily.
“May I rest here a while? Its so hot.”
“Take your time, love. Where are you off to with that suitcase?”
“Ive finished my training and want to teach, but Ive nowhere to stay. Do you know anyone renting a room?”
Louise studied her. Clean, tired, troubledbut decent.
“You can stay with me. The rent wont be much, but its due on time. If youre interested, Ill show you the room.”
Louise was pleased. Extra money never hurt, and in their little town far from the city, opportunities were scarce. Her own son visited rarelyat least now shed have company through the long winter evenings.
Hardly believing her luck, Emily followed. The room was small but comfortable: garden view, a table, two chairs, a bed, an old wardrobe. Enough. They settled on rent quickly. Changed and composed, Emily headed to the education office.
Days passed in a blurwork, home, work. Time flew. She and Louise got on well. The older woman was kind, understanding. They grew close. Emily helped with chores when she could. Often, they shared tea in the garden, enjoying the autumn air.
The pregnancy was smoothno sickness, just glowing skin and added weight. Shed confided in Louise. A common story, really.
In her second year, Emily had fallen in love. Not with just anyonewith James, only son of well-off parents, both professors at the same university. Theyd refused to send him to London. His path was set: degree, doctorate, teaching or research alongside them. Clever, charming, sociablegirls adored him. Yet hed chosen Emily. Had it been her quiet smile, her warm hazel eyes, her slender frame? Or something deeper, a resilience he sensed? Hard to say. Theyd been inseparable until graduation. Emily had seen a future with him.
She remembered the day clearly. Waking queasy, unable to stomach food. Certain smells turned her stomach. And she was late. *How had she forgotten?* She bought a test, rushed back to her dorm, drank water, waited. Two lines. Positive. Exams looming, and now this. How would James react? Children werent part of the plan.
Suddenly, tenderness for the tiny life inside her flooded in.
*Little one,* she whispered, touching her belly.
When she told James, he insisted she meet his parents that night. Remembering it still brought tears. They suggested terminationthen leaving town after exams. Alone. James needed to focus on his career. She wasnt suitable.
She could only guess what was said after. The next morning, James walked in silently, left an envelope on the table, and walked out.
Termination wasnt an option. She already loved the fragile being within. *Her child.* But their life would be hard. No help. After thought, she kept the money. Shed need it.
Louise had comforted her. “These things happen. You did right keeping the baby. Hes innocenthell be your joy. Time may yet mend things.”
But Emily wanted nothing more to do with James. The rejection was too raw. She couldnt forgive the humiliation. Reconciliation was impossible.
Winter passed. Emily waddled like a duck, counting the days. The scan hadnt revealed the babys sexit didnt matter, so long as they were healthy.
Late February, a Saturday, contractions began. Louise drove her to hospital. Hours later, she gave birtha strong, healthy boy.
“Oliver,” she murmured, stroking his round cheek.
Other mothers on the ward became friends. They told her a customs officers partner had given birth days earlierthen abandoned the baby.
“Can you believe it? He covered her in flowers, gave gifts to the staff, visited daily! But she didnt want childrenjust left a note. Madness!”
“What about the baby?”
“Formula-fed. A nurse said breastmilk would be better. But whod do it? Everyone has their own.”
At feeding time, the little girl was brought in.
“Will anyone nurse her? Shes so fragile,” the nurse asked the mothers.
“Give her here. No baby should go hungry,” Emily said, laying Oliver down. She took the infant.
“Oh, shes so tiny! Lilywell call her Lily.”
Next to Oliver, she seemed miniscule. The moment she latched, Lily fed eagerly.
“So weak,” the nurse murmured.
So Emily nursed two babies.
Days later, the nurse announced the fatherCaptain Harriswished to meet the woman feeding his daughter.
And so Emily met hima man of average height with piercing blue eyes.
What followed became hospital gossip, then town legendthe tale too remarkable to forget.
On discharge day, staff gathered outside. A car decked in pink and blue balloons waited. The young captain helped Emily inLouise already insidethen handed her first a blue bundle, then a pink one.
With a honk, the car pulled away and disappeared round the corner.
Such is lifeunpredictable, full of unimaginable turns.
