The Granddaughter’s Journey.

Emilyd never been wanted by her mum, Margaret, from the day she was born. Margaret treated her like just another piece of furniture in the flat there, then gone, never really there at all. She fought constantly with Emilys dad, John, and when he finally left for his new wife, Margaret snapped completely.

Off you go, huh? So you never meant to toss your brokendown laundry machine in the first place! Youve ripped my nerves apart! You lied to me, she screamed into the phone, and now you ditch me and my child? Ill throw her out the window or leave her at the station with the homeless!

Emily pressed her ears shut and sobbed quietly. The lack of love from her own mother soaked into her like a sponge.

I dont care what you do with my daughter. I doubt shes even mine. Bye, John said on the other end.

Margaret, as if possessed, shoved Emilys thin coat into a bag, tossed in some papers, grabbed the fiveyearold and flagged down a cab.

Ill show you! Ill show everyone! she muttered, her voice dripping with arrogance as she told the driver the address of a small village outside town, where a woman named Dorothy lived.

The driver didnt like the haughty young woman who snapped at the frightened little girls questions.

Mum, I need to go to the loo, Emily whispered, pressing her head against her mothers shoulder, hoping for a sliver of kindness.

Instead, Margaret barked at her so fiercely that the drivers knuckles turned white, ready to give the girl a hard slap. He had a granddaughter his own age, and even he knew when to hold back.

Bear it! Youll grow up decent, youll see! Margaret snarled, turning away and staring out the window, her nostrils flaring with rage.

Take it easy, love. I could just drop you off at the council, or hand you over to social services, she threatened.

Are you kidding? Keep your mouth shut! Im your protector now, you hear? If you try anything, Ill accuse you of leering at my child and making lewd suggestions. Wholl believe a cab driver over a terrified mum? Ill raise her the way I see fit, so shut up! she shouted.

The man clenched his jaw dealing with someone so unhinged was a waste of his time, even if he felt sorry for the little girl.

After about an hour and a half, they pulled up at a tidy cottage.

Hold on, Im quick, Margaret said, but the driver slammed the accelerator as soon as she turned away.

Walk the rest of the way, you snake! shouted someone from the back seat.

Emily spat out a curse and cursed back.

Useless lot! Margaret snapped, grabbing Emilys hand and sprinting toward the gate, kicking it open.

Take it, you little treasure, do with her what you like. Your son gave his blessing. I dont need her! she barked, her voice ragged, and strutted out on high heels.

Dorothy, standing in the garden, watched helplessly.

Mum! Mum! Dont go! the tiny voice wailed, tears splattering across her cheeks as she flailed her grimy fists.

Emily bolted after her mother, who was already stepping out onto the road.

Get lost! Go live with your granny. Thats where you belong! Margaret shouted, trying to pull her daughters fingers away from her patterned skirt.

Curious neighbours peered from their windows. Dorothy lunged forward, heart pounding, and caught her screaming granddaughter.

Come on, love. Come on. My dear sweet pea, she cooed, tears streaming down her lined face. Shed never known this child before.

John never bothered to acknowledge the outofwedlock daughter.

I wont hurt you, dont worry. Want some pancakes? Ive got cream too, Dorothy said gently, guiding Emily toward the house.

At the gate, Dorothy turned and saw Margarets car disappear down the lane, kicking up a cloud of dust. No one ever heard from her again. Dorothy welcomed Emily with open arms, convinced she was a gift from above. She never doubted that Emily was her own. She reminded Dorothy of little Tommy, Johns son, who rarely visited the countryside and was soon to be a distant memory.

Ill raise you, Emily. Ill get you on your feet, give you everything I can, as long as my strength lasts, Dorothy promised, and she kept that promise, loving and caring for the girl, taking her to school, watching her grow. Time flew, and soon Emily was eleven, about to finish secondary school. Shed blossomed into a kind, thoughtful, wellread young lady dreaming of medical school, though only a college seemed within reach.

Its a shame Dad wont acknowledge me, Emily sighed, hugging Dorothy. In the evenings they liked to sit on the terrace steps and watch the sunset.

Dorothy ran her trembling hand over Emilys silky hair. What could she say? Her son John flatout refused any part in raising his daughter. Hed patched things up with his first wife and their son, a boy John adored. Emily, on the other hand, was treated as a burden, a raggedyouth. Whenever he visited, hed belittle her, calling her a tattered girl.

Youre a tattered mess! Dorothy snapped, fed up. You only show up when you need money for your pension. You work, your wife works, yet you still mooch off your mothers last pound. Get out, John! And dont ever come back. Better that than this!

Fine, youve spoken, old woman. Ill die without a proper burial, I wont even bother sending a hearse! John erupted, shouting at his halfbrother Vadim, who was hanging around the house, and shoved him into a car, driving off with a hateful glare at Emily. He never returned.

God judge him, Dorothy muttered, rising. Lets have a cup of tea and get some sleep. Tomorrow youll get your school certificate! Summer slipped by with garden chores, and soon it was time for Emily to head to the city for further studies.

Well manage. Ill ask neighbour Vicky to drive us to your hall of residence with the suitcases, Dorothy said, hurrying herself to the town. Her health had been waning, and she needed to settle a few things while she could.

Outside the student hall, Emily clung to her grandmother.

Youre my joy, study hard. Its the most important thing. In the future youll have to rely on yourself. Im old, frail now. How many years do I have left?

Emily swallowed the tears threatening to burst.

Stop it, Gran! Im not frail, youre a vibrant woman in your prime! Dorothy laughed, smiling at her. After saying goodbye, she hopped into Vickys van and asked to be taken to the solicitors office. The paperwork was done, and the old lady returned to her little village with a calm heart.

Emily visited her grandma every weekend, worried about her health, crammed for exams, and dreamed of graduating with top marks and getting into medical school to give Dorothy a longer, happier life. Then she started seeing her classmate, Sam. He was a decent lad, also studying hard, planning to go to university.

Dorothy was over the moon. After Emily finished college with a firstclass degree, the two were married at twenty, in a modest wedding at a cheap café on the brides side, with only the granny in attendance.

Youre not just my beloved gran. Youre my mum, my dad, all in one. All these years youve given me warmth, love, care. You raised me, fed me, clothed me. You, Emilys voice trembled, eyes welling up, you gave me a real home. I love you, Gran. Thank you for everything!

Emily sank onto Dorothys knees, hugging her tightly. She couldnt imagine a world without her. The guests were moved to tears.

Get up, love, Dorothy whispered shyly, her heart swelling with pride.

Nothings awkward about this! Sam shouted, pulling Dorothy onto a chair beside him. Youre now the matriarch of our big family! Welcome! he gestured around, smiling at the growing clan.

The evening was full of toasts to the newlyweds and to Dorothys wonderful upbringing of such a lovely daughter.

Soon Dorothy fell ill, as if shed simply breathed her last after a life well lived. Emily and Sam took turns caring for her, shuttling between the city and the village while Emily finished her medical degree.

One afternoon, Dorothy clasped Emilys hand firmly and said:

When Im gone, my son and his wife will try to swoop in like vultures. Youll have to stand up to them. Ive already signed a deed of gift at the solicitors. Its all legal, verified.

Gran?

Dont speak. You never had real parents. Ive done all I could for you. When Im gone, I want you to have a roof over your head. Sell the cottage with Sam, buy a flat in town.

Emily burst into tears, a lump choking her voice.

Thanks to Dorothys careful planning, she lived another year and a half, then passed away peacefully in her sleep, without suffering. Just as shed warned, a month after her death John turned up with his new family.

Clear the house out! he barked. While Mum was alive you could stay. Shes gone now, so get out.

Emily stared at his contemptuous face, his unfamiliar wife, his brother chewing gum and loitering around the cottage, already plotting how to offload the property and get a car. Sam walked in, eyes narrowed at the unwelcome guests.

This lot again? Who invited you? John roared.

Sam calmly set his grocery bag on the table.

Im her lawful husband. And who are you? I dont recall ever meeting you before.

Johns face turned beet red.

Out, both of you! he shouted, pointing at the door.

Excuse me, on what grounds are you so rude? Sam replied, Olivia is the rightful owner. Want to see the deed? (Dorothy had called Emily Olivia in the deed.)

What deed? John stammered.

Mate, your mothers been drugged by this snake. We need to go to court, fast! Johns wife hissed.

I wont let this happen! Ill prove she isnt my daughter nor my mothers granddaughter! John fumed, pounding the air.

Pack your bags, raggirl. Well make sure you never live here again, his halfbrother snarled, his anger growing.

They left, the house empty. Olivia sank to the floor, covering her face, sobbing. Why are they doing this? He never bought me a candy as a child. Now he wants to strip me of my home.

Are they really homeless? Or just greedy? Sam whispered through tears. Shes the only thing left from my Gran!

Sam lifted Olivia gently, hugging her tight.

Well put the house up for sale tomorrow. They wont be able to bother you any longer. Remember, Gran always said wed sell and move to the city!

Yes I never imagined wed have to sell so soon. This is where my whole childhood happened!

The house sold quickly to wealthy buyers whod always dreamed of a country retreat. They never even haggled. The estate was massive, full of fruit trees, far from the road. The windows faced a pine forest, and a wooden gazebo wrapped in vines sat in the garden. The new owners loved the solid brick manor.

Olivia and Sam bought a modest flat in the city centre, planning to start a family. Their first child arrived, a bright little thing they adored.

Lying in bed, Olivia thought of Dorothy: Thank you, love, for giving me life.