Ally grew up in a children’s home, and for as long as she could remember, there were always other kids like her and caretakers around. Life never felt easy, but she learned to stand up for herself and protect the younger ones. She had a strong sense of fairness and couldnt stand seeing the weak being bullied. Sometimes she got hurt too, but she never criedshe knew she was suffering for what was right.
Her real name was Albina, but in the home, they shortened it to Ally. The moment she turned eighteen, she was released into the world to fend for herself. Luckily, she already had a qualification as a cook and had been working as a kitchen assistant in a café for a few months. They gave her a room in a shared hostel, but it was in such a state she could barely stand to look at it.
Around that time, shed started seeing Tom, who was three years older and worked at the same café as a delivery driver for a van. Before long, they moved in together at his one-bed flat, left to him by his grandmother.
«Albina, just come live with me,» he said. «That hostel rooms a messno proper lock, needs fixing up.» She agreed right away.
She liked Tom because he was older and more serious. One day, they talked about kids, and he said flatly:
«Cant stand little brats. Nothing but noise and trouble.»
«Tom,» she said, surprised, «but if its yours, your own flesh and bloodhow can you say that?»
«Eh, forget it. I dont want kids, end of.»
His words stung, but she brushed it off.
«If we get married, kids are just part of it. Maybe hell change his mind by then.»
Ally worked hard at the café, even covering for the head cook, Valerie, when she called in sick with a «headache»though everyone knew it was just the drink getting the better of her.
«Valerie, one more slip-up and youre out,» the café manager, Max, warned, though he knew she was a talented cook and customers loved her.
«Top-notch chef youve got, Max,» friends and regulars would say.
So Valerie clung to her job, enduring the warnings. She knew they only kept her because she could cook. Shed also noticed how capable her young assistant Ally wasquick, passionate, and skilled. Max had taken notice too.
Once, Ally overheard him talking to the floor manager:
«If Valerie skips work again, shes out. Allys young, but shes got talent. Shes not spoiledshes responsible.»
She didnt hear the rest as they walked off.
«Huh. Max has been watching me. But I feel bad for Valerieshes good, just cant help herself.»
She kept the conversation to herself, not even telling Tom.
Time passed. Valerie missed a whole week, and Ally took over. Nobody complained, nobody even noticed the switch. When Valerie finally returned, she looked awfulshaking hands, dark circles under her eyes.
Max came into the kitchen.
«Valerie, my office. Now.»
He fired her, then addressed the staff:
«From today, Ally, youre head cook. Youve got skill, and theres room to grow. Good luck.»
«Thank you,» she said, a little nervousthis was responsibility.
She was thrilled. The pay was decent, and at her age, shed already made it.
«Ill prove Max right.»
That evening, Tom brought champagne.
«Lets toast your promotion. You did it, Ally. Finally got recognised.»
Theyd been together a while, but marriage never came up.
Ally worked hard, earning Maxs praise. She had a gift for cooking. She and Tom lived together nearly three yearshe didnt drink, was always on the road, never hurt her. They argued sometimes, but made up quickly. Still, he never proposed, never even mentioned it. She didnt push, though she wondered.
«Weve been together so longwhy wont he ask? Maybe if I get pregnant, hell step up. A real family.»
She remembered his words about hating kids. Hed never brought it up again, and she figured it wasnt the right timeshe was just getting on her feet.
Then she realised she was pregnant. The doctor confirmed it, put her on the register. Though it was early, she was overjoyed.
«Ive got no familythisll be my own little person.»
When Tom got home and saw her beaming, he asked:
«Whats got you so happy?»
«I saw the doctor today. Were having a baby.»
His face darkened.
«I dont want this. Either get rid of it, or get out. I told youI hate kids. You went behind my back. Deal with the consequences.»
His voice was quiet but terrifying. Hed never hidden his feelings, but shed hoped hed change. Seeing his clenched jaw, she knew he wouldnt.
«You grew up in care. Wherell you go, pregnant? Think carefullyget rid of it. Well go back to normal.»
The next day, after her shift, Ally packed her things and went to the hostel.
Room thirty-five had a peeling door, the number scrawled in marker over a faded plate. She sighed, pushed it openit wasnt locked.
The hinges creaked as she stepped inside. The room smelled damp and dusty. The ceiling was flaking, a dark stain in one corner. Dead flies littered the grimy windowsill.
«Cheerful,» she thought wryly.
A rusted iron bed stood against the wall, the mattress stained, the blanket dotted with marks. A rickety table and chair, a battered wardrobe with one door hanging off.
She set down her bagjust clothes, a couple of books, some plates and cups. She touched her still-flat stomach.
«Well manage,» she whispered.
Next door, a drunk neighbour shouted, slamming the door. She jumped.
«Welcome home, Ally.»
The shared kitchen was worsean ancient stove, a fridge on its last legs, cockroaches by the bin.
Back in her room, she locked the flimsy bolt. She wanted to cry, but didnt. Instead, she felt free.
Toms words echoed:
«Wherell you go?»
Well, here. Her own space. Shed fix it up, make it work.
She opened the grimy window. Overcast, a cool summer.
«Well manage,» she repeated. «Because I chose this. I wont do what my parents didabandon my child. Ive got a job, savings. Ill make this room a home.»
She got to work. An old blouse became a rag, a towel for dusting. Soon, the room was cleanfloors scrubbed, windows clear. Fresh air blew in.
«Right, break over. Time for shoppingblankets, towels, soap. A new lock firstIll ask someone to fit it. Then dishes…»
Life settled. Pete, the handyman, fitted the lock. He was kind, always joking, cheering her up.
At the café, things changed. Tim, a waiter with another job, started walking her home. One evening, she invited him in for tea.
That night, she realised he liked herbut she pushed the thought away. She was pregnant.
Tim kept trying. One day, he said:
«Ally, marry me. Youre alone, Im alone. My grans back in the villageIve got no one here. I love you. And your baby.»
«But, Tim» She touched her stomach.
«Dont say it. Thatll be my child too. I want a big family.»
She compared him to Tomnight and day. Tim was warm, caring, worked two jobs.
She said yes.
Later, he took her to the hospital, waited as she had a son.
He rushed home to finish the roomfresh paint, a cot, a pram. When she returned, she barely recognised the place.
Balloons everywhere. Hed done it all.
