Life Has a Way of Changing Your Plans
Emily grew up in a modest familyher parents were ordinary engineers, living in a cramped, outdated flat in Birmingham. Money was always tight. She envied the other girls at school with their trendy clothes while she had little more than her uniform and a couple of faded dresses.
So, when she finished school and got into university, she made a vow:
«My home will be different. My life will be different.»
And she made it happenthough not overnight. She started as a schoolteacher, then moved into local council work before an old classmate offered her a job at a foreign investment firm.
«Come on, Em, youve got nothing to lose,» her friend said, naming a salary that made Emilys jaw drop. «The teams brilliant, and I know youyoure sharp. Youll smash it.»
«Thanks, love. Ill take itwho doesnt need money?» Emily laughed.
By then, she was married to David, a dental technician, and their son, Oliver, was four. They lived with Davids parentscramped, awkward, and financially dependent. But the new job changed everything. The pay was excellent, and soon they bought a spacious house on a mortgage, then a flashy car. Emilys hard work didnt go unnoticedbonuses rolled in, promotions followed, and before long, she was deputy director.
Success, however, came with a side of smugnessespecially around Davids family. They couldnt compete with her lifestyle, not like his sister, Lucy, who ran a modest greengrocers with her husband, Simon.
«Em, hurry up, were late,» David nagged as they got ready for Lucys birthday. «And please, try to be nice. Id like the day to go smoothly.»
Emily nodded, fully intending to play the gracious guestthough truthfully, shed rather not have gone at all. As she applied her makeup, she couldnt help but judge:
«Everything about them is so bland. Cheap wine, basic snacks, that shabby little flat. Three kids, a struggling shopmust be exhausting.»
Finally dressed to impress, she emerged, and David and Oliver sprang up from the sofa. «About time!»
By the time theyd trudged up five flights of stairs (no lift, of course), squeezed into the narrow hallway, and greeted everyone, Emilys mood had soured. The flat was packed, kids screeching, Lucy in scruffy jeans and a checked shirt.
«Couldnt she at least dress up for her own birthday?» Emily thought, handing over an expensive bottle of perfume.
«Thanks, love! Youve always had such good taste,» Lucy beamed.
Emily scanned the roomfaded wallpaper, battered bookshelves, sagging sofa. All desperately in need of an update.
Simon, Lucys husband, had always rubbed her the wrong way. Smirking, he asked, «So, Emily, whens the big promotion to director?»
«Soon enough,» she forced a smile. «Busy crowd tonight.»
«Ah, everyone loves Lucy.» Simon shot his wife an adoring look.
The evening passed without incident. Back home, sprawled on their plush sofa with a glass of Italian wine, David sighed. «Well, that went alright.»
«It was tolerable. Lets not pretend we like each other, though,» Emily said, swirling her glass.
David let it drop.
The next day, Emily headed to the salon. «You two will have to manage without me. Its the weekendtake Oliver out for lunch. The fridge is nearly empty.»
«Do we have a choice?» David grumbled. «Couldve asked us first, but fine. Well cope.»
Then came the bombshellthe firm was downsizing. Rumours swirled that Emily would take the directors spot.
«Em, its got to be you,» a colleague said over coffee.
«Who knows? No ones told me anything,» she shrugged.
When the CEO called her in, she walked in confidently, expecting congratulations.
«Emily,» he began, polite but blunt, «youre brilliantyou know that. But heres the problem. The directors leaving, and frankly, were letting his whole team go. You included. Its not performanceits cuts. Theres a generous severance, but thats it.»
She left in a daze, drove home, and sobbed.
«I gave everything to that company! And nowwhat? Discarded?»
«Dont panic,» David said later. «Youll find something else.»
«With my salary? Where?»
«Well manage. Im still working, weve savings. Itll be fine.»
Emily hugged him. «Youre the best. But that doesnt fix this.»
She sent out CVs, scoured job sitesnothing. A month passed, and the silence gnawed at her pride.
«David, we need to cut back. No more eating out.»
«Home cookings better anyway. Youll learn.»
Finally, a callan interview. The hiring manager, crisp in a tailored suit, asked bluntly:
«Youve got great experience. Kids all grown? No more planned?»
«Is that relevant?» she snapped.
«Just getting the full picture. Now, salary expectations?»
She named her old wage. His eyebrows shot up.
«Thats optimistic. We offer half that, bonuses included. Take it or leave it.»
She left.
By February, the Mercedes was sold. «Well get something smaller,» David said, patting her shoulder. «Tough times dont last.»
Then, Lucy called.
«Em, can I pop round? Need to talk.»
Over coffee, Lucy made an offer: «Come work at the shop. Simons starting a tiling business, and I cant run it alone. Stock, deliveries, shelvesits a lot. I trust you.»
Emily stared. «You want me to haul potatoes?»
«Ill handle deliveries at first. Youll get the hang of it.»
She didnt refuse outrightbut later, she ranted to David.
«How dare she? Mea shop girl? Its humiliating!»
David snapped. «Enough! Youre miserable at home, turning down jobsyet scoff at Lucys offer? Get over yourself. Lifes changed. Adapt.»
Stunned, Emily stewed for two daysthen met him at the door.
«Ill do it. Starting tomorrow.»
«Brilliant. Youll make it work.»
The first month was roughchapped hands, rude customers, no manicures. But by month three, shed found her rhythm. Then Lucy broke her leg, and Emily took over entirelydriving the van, sourcing stock, even investing savings into a shop revamp.
She drafted a business plan, outmanoeuvred supermarket competition, andslowlyprofits grew.
Now, glancing in the mirror, Emily saw a different woman: jeans, checked shirt, scuffed trainers. No Mercedes, fewer salon trips. But she smiledcontent.
Life had changed her plans. And, oddly enough, she didnt mind.
