The Quirky Tale of the Little Duckling

Emily walks out of the Birmingham Royal Hospital and bumps into a man in the doorway.
Sorry, he says, holding her gaze for a moment. The next instant his look turns disdainful, he turns his back on her and seems to forget she even exists.

She has collected countless looks like that. When a slim, longlegged girl passes by, a mans eyes become eager rather than indifferent. The unfairness makes Emilys stomach churn. Is she to blame for being born the way she is?

As a child, everyone praised her round cheeks, plump legs and curvy bottom. In school she lines up first in the physicaleducation class. The school bullies, led by a chunky boy nicknamed Porky, tease her relentlessly, calling her pumpkin and worse. Teachers see the teasing but do nothing.

Emily tries every diet she can find, but hunger returns, and the lost kilos creep back. Shes pretty enough, yet her extra weight mars the first impression. She once dreamed of becoming a teacher, but abandoned that hope, fearing the same cruel nicknames. After finishing school she enrolls in a nursing programme.

When patients are ill, they care little about the caregivers appearance. In her cohort there are no boys; the girls are preoccupied with dating, marriage and each other. Emily remains solitary. In class the other girls ask her to sit in the front row, then hide behind her broad back to avoid catching the tutors eye.

She watches the glossy dresses in shop windows and knows she will never wear them. She dresses in loose tops and wide skirts to conceal her shape. She excels in her studies, gives injections deftly and without pain, and the summer patients grow to like her.

One afternoon she goes iceskating with a group of girls. A couple of teenage boys tease her, shouting, Look, here comes the meatpacking plant! Their taunts make Emilys eyes brim with tears.

Her mother tries to set her up with the sons of her friends. Emily goes on a few dates. One boy pretends not to notice her and then walks away. Another grabs at her, and when she pushes him he slips into a puddle, shouting, What are you doing? I was trying to make you happy! His angry words choke her, and she vows never to go on another date.

She puts Fiona from *Shrek* as her profile picture on a socialmedia site. When a man messages, What do you really look like? she replies, Exactly like that, just not green. He laughs it off and asks to meet; she ends the conversation immediately.

Later, in the ward corridor, a sixyearold boy darts toward her.
Where are you running? she asks, catching his hand.
I want to roll on the linoleum, he admits honestly.
Who are you with? she asks.
My dad and grandma. Wheres the toilet? he queries.

She leads him down the hall. He looks at her with a pleading glance, not angry. A splash of water sounds from the next door, and the boy emerges, clutching her sleeve.

Now lets go. Can you show me which room your grandma is in? she says.
He sighs and waddles beside her, stopping at a doorway. He makes a serious face, points to the fourth door and says, I think thats it.
Emily doubts, You havent even looked at the number?
He retorts, I know the numbers. Thats the fifth door.
She pretends to be annoyed, You little rascal. He bursts into laughter and answers, Tommy.

At that moment the fifthroom door swings open and a tall, pleasantlooking man steps out. He eyes Tommy sharply, then glances at Emily, judges her in an instant, and moves on.

How long has he been playing? the man asks.
Emily sighs, He wasnt playing. Dont scold him. She walks away, hearing his indifferent stare linger.

The next day Tommy and his father return to visit his grandmother. The tall man passes Emily, and she sticks out her tongue at his back. Tommy turns, grins, and gives a thumbsup. Emily smiles and waves.

She enters the fifth ward and greets Mrs. Grace, the elderly patient.
Good morning, Mrs. Grace. Has your grandson visited? Emily asks.
Yes, hes a wonderful boy. I wish I could see how he grows up.
Soon youll have great-grandchildren to mind, Emily replies cheerfully.
Mrs. Grace sighs, My sons wife left us; she ran away with our son.
Emily listens, puzzled, and learns that the boys biological mother is alive but has abandoned him.

Emily spends the day giving injections to Mrs. Grace, and they exchange a few banterfilled remarks.

Later Tommy returns, clutching a small gift.
Good day, nurse. Are your hands reliable? he asks.
Im not sure, Emily admits, a little flustered.
Grandma says Im in good hands. Im turning six next weekwill you come to my birthday?
Id love to, but I need to ask my dad first, she says.

Tommy nods, Ill ask him now. He darts off with his father.

The next morning Emily receives a handwritten invitation from Tommys father, John, at the hospital reception.
Tommys birthday is this Saturday at 1p.m. at 23 Oak Street. Please come if you have no other plans, the note reads.

Emilys cheeks flush. I have no plans, she mutters, but I could lose a few pounds first.

At home she tells her mother about the invitation.
You should go, her mother urges. Boys understand more than grownup men. Maybe youll end up with his father.
Emily sighs, He never even looks my way.

Saturday arrives. Emily ties her hair back, chooses a modest dress, applies a light coat of mascara and studies herself in the mirror, frowning at her reflection. No amount of makeup will make me thin, she whispers.

She grabs the present she bought a week ago, takes a deep breath, and presses the doorbell. The lock clicks, her heart thunders.

Tommy bursts out, throws his arms around her, and she pats his shortcropped hair, handing him the gift. His eyes sparkle at the colourful box.

Inside the living room a festive table is laid out. John sits beside a striking blonde woman, and an elderly gentlemanTommys grandfatheroccupies the other side. The blonde raises an eyebrow at Emilys entrance.

Everyone, meet my saviour, Emily, and this is my husband, Robert, John announces. And this is my friends wife, Samantha. The blonde snorts.

A wine glass slips from Samanthas sleeve, splashing onto the blondes lap; the chair behind her crashes to the floor, causing a minor uproar.

Despite the apologies, Samantha gathers her things and heads for the door. Emily also prepares to leave.

You dont have to stay if youre uncomfortable, John begins.
Why should I be uncomfortable? Emily replies, Maybe its time I go.
Mom baked her famous pie. Dont upset her. Ill drive you home.

The car ride is silent.
I didnt ask you to accompany me, Emily says finally.
My mother would never forgive me if I didnt see you off. You keep appearing in my path. I wouldnt be surprised if my mother arranged a marriage for us.
I dont love you, and you dont love me. Im not going to marry you, Emily says, her voice trembling. Dont worry, Ill try not to get in your way again.

The car stops outside a suburban house. Emily pounds on the locked door.
Open it now! she shouts.

John leans in and kisses her. She shoves him away hard.
Whats this? Bored of blondes? Tired of the slim? Decided to toy with me for variety? Oh, thank you for the attention. Her eyes flash with anger, her face flushed.

She never imagined she could look so fierce. John stares at her, mesmerised, while the blonde watches coldly from the passenger seat.

Im sorry, truly. I dont know what possessed me. I didnt mean to offend you.
No man has ever kissed me, except when they think theyre making me happy, as you did. Im constantly met with pity, dismissed without a second glance. She steps out of the car.

Late August brings a sharp chill, rain and wind, leaves swirling down the street. Three weeks have passed since Tommys birthday; Emily has not seen John.

She returns from work, slips off her wet shoes and hears her mother in the hallway.
A young man visited you, didnt he? her mother asks.
Yes, a handsome one. He seemed nervous and asked me to call him.

Emily dials Johns number.
Its me. Tommys ill. Could you come? He needs his medication.
Im on my way! he replies.

She rushes to the pharmacy, gathers alcohol wipes, syringes and a pack of antibiotics.

Tommy greets her with a damp forehead, his hair clinging from the heat. She washes her hands, prepares the injection, and whispers, You trust my steady hands, right? Dont be scared.

Tommy squeezes his eyes shut, winces a little, then smiles, saying it hurt only a bit.

John watches Emily, his gaze lingering longer than any mans ever has. She blushes, feels a flutter in her chest.

Later John suggests they go for coffee.
Are you doing this for the boy? she asks.
No, I just hope we can be a family. Youre beautiful, kind, and the children love you.

She replies, What if Tommys mother returns?
She wont. She gave up the child, signed the divorce papers. Hes ours now.

Emily nods, Alright, lets try a date.

The story ends with the thought that everyone has a counterpart, a soulmate, though they may not recognize each other at first. Love can turn an ugly duckling into a swan, revealing a tender heart hidden beneath a plump exterior, created for one special person.