Opening the door to her ex-husband, Emily frozestanding beside him was a blonde woman in patent leather heels.
“Mummy, why does Auntie Sarah have such pretty shoes, and you dont?” asked six-year-old Lily, peering through the window at their neighbors feet.
Emily set down her mug of cooled coffee and looked at her daughter. The little girl stood by the windowsill in her favorite pink pajamas, her nose pressed against the glass.
“Whats wrong with my shoes?” Emily smiled, though something pinched inside her.
“Nothings wrong, but theyre old. Auntie Sarahs are shiny, with heels. You always wear trainers.”
Emily walked over and wrapped her arms around Lilys shoulders. Outside, their neighbor Sarah was indeed walking by in her new patent heels, an elegant coat, and a stylish handbag. A beautiful, polished woman in her forties who had recently divorced and, by all appearances, landed comfortably on her feet.
“Lily, beauty isnt in the shoes,” Emily said softly. “Its in what kind of person you are inside.”
“But shoes matter too,” Lily insisted. “Daddy used to buy you nice things, didnt he?”
At the mention of her father, Emily tensed. James had left them six months ago, saying he no longer felt happy in their marriage. The divorce wasnt final, but their family had already fallen apart.
“Daddy bought a lot of things,” she answered carefully. “But we live differently now.”
“When is Daddy coming back?”
Lily asked this every day, and every day, Emily didnt know what to say. James saw their daughter once a week, taking her out for a few hours before bringing her home. Each time, Lily hoped hed stay.
“I dont know, sweetheart. Maybe hell call today.”
As if on cue, the phone rang. Emily glanced at the screenJames.
“Hello,” she answered, keeping her voice steady.
“Hi. Hows Lily?”
“Shes fine. Shes asking about you.”
“Right. Listen, we need to talk. Seriously.”
There was something formal, businesslike, in his tone. Emilys stomach tightened.
“About what?”
“Not over the phone. Ill come over now, alright?”
“Lilys here.”
“This involves her too.”
He hung up before she could reply. Emily looked at her daughter, still by the window.
“Lily, Daddys coming over.”
The little girls face lit up.
“Really? Is he staying for dinner?”
“I dont know, love. He just wants to talk.”
Lily dashed off to her room to change into something special. Emily stayed in the kitchen, trying to steady her nerves. Something in Jamess tone unsettled herhe usually called just to arrange visits, not for “serious” talks.
She tidied herself quickly, smoothing her hair and changing into a fresh blouse. Not for himfor herself. She wanted to hold her dignity, no matter what happened.
Half an hour later, the doorbell rang. Lily burst out of her room in her best dress, saved for special occasions.
“Daddys here!” she cheered.
Emily opened the door and saw James. He stood on the threshold in an expensive suit, smelling of unfamiliar cologne, looking happy. Beside him was a young womana blonde in her mid-twenties, wearing a smart coat and those very same patent heels Lily had admired.
“Hi,” James said, as if the womans presence were perfectly ordinary.
Emily felt heat rush to her face. Lily peeked around her and stared at the stranger.
“Daddy, whos that?”
“Lily, this is Anna,” James said, patting her head. “My girlfriend.”
Anna smiled at the little girl, but it was strained, unnatural.
“Hi, Lily. Daddys told me so much about you.”
“Can we come in?” James asked. “We really need to talk.”
Emily stepped aside, letting them into the hall. Anna glanced around the flat with poorly concealed disdainthe worn furniture, the faded wallpaper, the childrens drawings on the walls.
“Come through to the living room,” Emily said, holding her head high.
They sat at the table. Lily nestled close to her father, eyeing Anna curiously. Emily sat opposite, hands folded in her lap.
“What did you want to talk about?” she asked.
James cleared his throat, clearly nervous.
“Look, Anna and I are serious. Weve decided to move in together.”
“Congratulations,” Emily said flatly. “But what does that have to do with me?”
“We want Lily to live with us.”
The room seemed to tilt. Lily frowned, confused.
“Live where, Daddy?”
“With us, princess. Weve got a big, lovely flat. Youll love it.”
“But what about Mummy?”
James and Anna exchanged glances. Anna answered first.
“Mummy would stay here. Youd live with Daddy and me. Id be like your new mum.”
Lily scowled.
“I already have a mummy. I dont want another one.”
“Lily, dont be difficult,” James said gently. “You always wanted us to be a family, didnt you? Now we can be.”
“Not without Mummy.”
Emily clenched her fists.
“James, can we talk privately?”
“Theres no point hiding things,” he shrugged. “Annas part of the family now.”
“Our family?” Emilys voice was sharp. “James, we have a daughter. You cant just take her like shes a possession!”
“No one said that,” Anna cut in. “But surely you agree shed be better off with her father. Were stable, we can give her everything.”
“And I cant?”
Anna glanced around. “Well lets be honest, this isnt ideal. And Lily should see what a proper family looks like.”
Emily stood.
“Lily, go to your room.”
“But Mummy”
“Go, please.”
The little girl trudged off, glancing back at the adults. Emily waited until the door shut.
“James, have you lost your mind?” she hissed. “Bringing your fling here and demanding to take my child?”
“Emily, be reasonable,” James said, placating. “Look at the facts. Youre working two jobs, barely scraping by. Lily deserves more.”
“I give her everything she needs!”
“Needs, yes. But we can give her the best schools, holidays, activities. Shell grow up with security.”
Anna nodded. “And she needs a fathers influence. Stability.”
“Stability?” Emily nearly choked. “You walked out on us for a younger woman, and now youre lecturing me on parenting?”
“Hey, calm down,” James snapped. “I didnt abandon anyone. We just werent right for each other.”
“Funny, I thought we were fine until you met her.”
Anna bristled. “I wont be insulted! James and I love each other. And as for Lily, Ill be a good mother to her.”
“A good mother?” Emily stepped closer. “Do you know she hates porridge but loves pancakes? That shes terrified of thunder and needs a nightlight? That shes allergic to strawberries? Do you know how to calm her when shes upset?”
Anna faltered. “IIll learn.”
“You will. But I already know, because Im her mother. I held her when she was born, fed her at midnight, nursed her through fevers. I taught her to walk, to talk. And you think you can just waltz in and replace me?”
“Emily, no ones replacing you,” James said. “But a child has a right to be with her father.”
“And her mother! Or have you forgotten that?”
“I havent. But lets be realistic. Can you give her the life we can?”
Emilys chest ached. Yes, she worked as a shop assistant and cleaned offices at night. Money was tight. But she loved her daughter fiercely.
“James, money isnt everything,” she said quietly. “Love is.”
“Love doesnt pay for school trips or new clothes.”
“Lily has clothes! Shes fed!”
“From charity shops,” Anna sniffed. “Ive seen what she wears.”
Emilys cheeks burned. Yes, she bought secondhandbut she chose carefully, washed, ironed, made sure everything was neat.
“Charity shops have good things too,” she said.
“Of course,” Anna said condescendingly. “But new is better, isnt it?”
“And patent heels matter more than a mothers love?”
“Whats that got to do with anything?”
“Everything. This morning, my daughter asked why she didnt have pretty shoes like other women. And you know what? I felt ashamed. Ashamed I couldnt give her more. But Im doing my best.”
James sighed. “Emily, were not trying to hurt you. We
