«Hey, Dad, Ive come for my present,» Rita said as she strolled in, tossing her tatty backpack into the corner.
William and Emily were having a quiet supper when the front door swung open, and in walked this rough-looking woman. She flung her arms wide. «Alright, Dad, long time no see!»
William choked on his food, coughing hard, while Emily glared. «Who the hell are you? And whats this Dad nonsense?»
The woman squinted. «Mind your own business, love. I aint here for youIm here for my old man.» She turned back to William. «Dad, dont tell me youve forgotten your own daughter? Its me, Rita. Been years, but I couldnt stop thinkinghows my dad doing, eh? Hope youre not poorly.» She fake sniffled.
William finally managed to rasp, «Why?» Another cough seized him. «Whyve you come?»
Rita smirked. «For my present, Dad. That doll you promised me twenty years back.»
Her mum had passed when Rita was seven. William lasted about six months before bringing home a new wife, Emily, along with her two lads. First thing Emily did was kick Rita out of her roomgave it to the boys. «They need it more,» William mumbled, avoiding her eyes. The boys were older, right little terrorsripping up her schoolbooks, forcing her to rewrite homework by moonlight cause Emily wouldnt let her «waste electricity.»
Then, on Ritas eighth birthday, William dropped her at a childrens home. «Its just for a bit, love. Ill fetch you soon, bring that doll from the shop window, the big onejust you wait.»
She waited. He never came.
Now Rita plonked herself at their table. «Go on then, Em, dish me some soup. Starvingnowhere decent to kip last night.» She cackled at her own joke. Emily slammed a ladleful into a bowl. Rita tutted. «Decades gone, and youre still skimping on me. Fill it proper, yeah?»
She turned to William. «Right, Dad, break out the boozelets toast our reunion!» He glanced at Emily, who hissed, «We dont drink.»
Rita slapped her knee. «Knew it! But dont worryunlike my dear old dad, I dont show up empty-handed. Em, fetch my bag.»
Emily snapped, «Get it yourself!»
Rita raised an eyebrow. «Youre missing the point, love. I aint just visitingIm moving in. You chucked me out once, shoved me in care. Now its your turn. Pack your bagsunless you behave, maybe Ill let you stay.»
Emily shrieked, «William, say something! Shes bullying me, and youre just sat there!»
He fidgeted. «Rita, love, dont be rude. Emilys the lady of the house.»
Rita rolled her eyes. «Christ, shes got you wrapped right up. Dont worry, Dadme and Auntie Em herell sort it. Might even send *her* packing!»
Emily screeched, «Im calling my sonhell toss you out!»
Rita sneered. «Which one? Jamie? Bloked sell you for a bottle. Tough luck, Emyour eldest drank himself to death, didnt he? And the younger ones headed the same way.»
Emily sobbed. «Leave my boys alone! Look at *you*living like a tramp!»
«Thanks to *you*,» Rita shot back. «You landed nicely, didnt you? Snagged a widower, turfed his kid out for your own. Bet you never gave me a thought. But Im back nowgonna make your life hell. Hubbys joining me next weekex-con, three stretches. Well fill this place with grandkids. Proper family reunion, eh, Dad?»
William nodded weakly.
Rita smirked at Emily. «See? Nowmake up a bed. Im knackered. And light the boiler laterI need a bath.»
She pretended to sleep, eavesdropping as Emily whispered, «You spineless git! Shes moving a bloody convict in! Theyll rob us blindchuck her out!»
William mumbled, «Shes my daughter. You made me abandon her onceI wont do it again.»
*Well, well*, Rita thought. *Maybe hes got a shred of guilt left.*
A rustling made her peek. Emily loomed over her, clutching a pillow.
«Theyll lock you up, love,» Rita said brightly. Emily jumped. «II brought you this. For your head.»
Rita laughed. «Cheers. For a sec there, I thought you were up to no good. Boiler on?»
Emily babbled, «Your dads doing it. Hungry? I made pancakes.»
Rita narrowed her eyes. «Suddenly Mother Teresa? Trying to poison me? Wont workIve got an iron gut. Youre still a snake.»
For a week, Rita ran Emily ragged. Finally, the woman begged, «Have mercyIm not young anymore!»
Rita coldly said, «Where was *your* mercy when you tore a little girl from her home? Too ashamed to answer? Im not. Youll pay for every tear.»
Emily fell to her knees. «Forgive me! Lifes punished me enough!»
Rita waved her off. «Get up. Youre finally getting it. Live your lifeIm leaving. No present, eh, Dad?»
William blurted, «WaitIll give you money!»
Rita shook her head. «You still dont get it. I didnt come for cash. Just wanted to hear you say you loved me. But guess thats too much. Bye.»
She slung her backpack over her shoulder and left. No one followedthough shed hoped.
A car waited outside the village. She climbed in and sobbed like a child. Her bloke hugged her tight. «Told you it was a bad idea. Why dig up the past when youve got now? Regrets?»
Rita looked up, tearful. «Yeah. Thought hed missed me, just made a mistake. They never even *remembered* me.»
He squeezed her. «Shouldve listened to your husband. Kids are asking when youre home.»
She wiped her eyes. «Miss them too. Lets go. Need a showerwash this place off me. But firstflowers for Mums grave. As for Dad? Hes dead to me. Ive got you and the kids. Thats enough.»
She sighed. «You were rightpast should stay past. But I had to try. Gods will, I suppose. The car pulled away, tires crunching gravel, and Rita watched the house shrink in the rear window. She didnt look back. The sun broke through the clouds as they reached the highway, warm on her face. She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, the weight of twenty years finally lifting. «Next stop,» she whispered, «home. The car pulled away, tires crunching gravel, and Rita watched the house shrink in the rear window. She didnt look back. The sun broke through the clouds as they reached the highway, warm on her face. She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, the weight of twenty years finally lifting. «Next stop,» she whispered, «home. The car pulled away, tires crunching gravel, and Rita watched the house shrink in the rear window. She didnt look back. The sun broke through the clouds as they reached the highway, warm on her face. She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, the weight of twenty years finally lifting. «Next stop,» she whispered, «home. The car pulled away, tires crunching gravel, and Rita watched the house shrink in the rear window. She didnt look back. The sun broke through the clouds as they reached the highway, warm on her face. She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, the weight of twenty years finally lifting. «Next stop,» she whispered, «home. The car pulled away, tires crunching gravel, and Rita watched the house shrink in the rear window. She didnt look back. The sun broke through the clouds as they reached the highway, warm on her face. She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, the weight of twenty years finally lifting. «Next stop,» she whispered, «home. The car pulled away, tires crunching gravel, and Rita watched the house shrink in the rear window. She didnt look back. The sun broke through the clouds as they reached the highway, warm on her face. She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, the weight of twenty years finally lifting. «Next stop,» she whispered, «home. The car pulled away, tires crunching gravel, and Rita watched the house shrink in the rear window. She didnt look back. The sun broke through the clouds as they reached the highway, warm on her face. She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, the weight of twenty years finally lifting. «Next stop,» she whispered, «home.»
