Ally grew up in an orphanage, and for as long as she could remember, there were always other kids like her and caretakers around. Life wasnt easy, but she learned to stand up for herself and protect the younger ones. She had a strong sense of justiceshe couldnt stand seeing the weak being bullied. Sometimes she got hurt too, but she never cried. She knew she was suffering for what was right.
Her full name was Albinia, but everyone in the orphanage called her Ally. When she turned eighteen, she was sent out into the world on her own. Luckily, she already had a tradeshed trained 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 house, but it was in such a state she could barely stand to look at it.
Around that time, she started seeing Victor, who was three years older and worked as a delivery driver for the same café. Soon enough, they moved in together at his one-bed flat, left to him by his grandmother.
«Albinia, come live with me,» he said. «Whats the point of that dingy room with a broken lock? It needs proper repairs.» She agreed straight away.
She liked Victor because he was older and more serious. One day, they talked about kids, and he made himself clear.
«I cant stand little brats. All they do is make noise and cause trouble.»
«Victor,» she said, surprised, «but if its your own childyour own flesh and bloodhow can you say that?»
«Whatever, drop it. I said I dont like them, end of story.»
His words stung, but she told herself, *If we get married, kids will come sooner or later. Maybe hell change his mind by then.*
Ally worked hard at the café. She could even cover for the head cook, Valerie, when she called in sick with a «headache»though everyone knew Valerie just couldnt stop drinking.
«Valerie, if you mess up one more time, youre out,» the café manager, Max, warned herthough he knew she was a talented cook, and customers often praised her.
«Your chefs brilliant, Max,» friends would say.
So Valerie kept her job for a while, quietly taking the warnings. She knew they only kept her because she cooked so well. Shed noticed how Ally, her young assistant, handled things with skill and heart. Even Max had started paying more attention to her.
Once, Ally overheard him talking to the floor manager.
«If Valerie skips work again, shes done. Allys young, but shes got potential. Shes responsible, not spoiledshe could handle it.»
*Wow, Max is actually considering me.* But she felt bad for Valerieshe was kind, just ruined by her habit. She decided not to tell anyone, not even Victor.
Time passed. Valerie ended up vanishing for a week, and Ally took over. Not a single customer complainedno one even noticed the change. When Valerie finally returned, she looked awfulshaking hands, dark circles under her eyes, barely able to lift her head.
Max walked into the kitchen.
«Valerie, my office. Now.»
He fired her, then came back and announced, «From today, Ally, youre head cook. Youve got talentkeep improving.»
«Thank you,» she said, a little nervous at the responsibility.
She was thrilledthe pay was good, and she was still so young. *Ill prove myself,* she promised.
That evening, Victor brought home champagne.
«Lets celebrate your promotion,» he grinned. «You did it.»
Theyd been together a while, but hed never mentioned marriage.
Time went on. Ally worked hard, and Max occasionally praised her. She really did have a gift for cooking. She and Victor lived together nearly three years. He didnt drink, was usually on the road, and never mistreated her. They argued sometimes, but made up quickly. Still, he never proposeddidnt even bring it up. She wondered.
*Weve been together so long, but he wont marry me. Maybe if I get pregnant, hell step up. A family should be proper.*
She remembered him saying he hated kids. He hadnt mentioned it since, but she knew now wasnt the timeshe was just getting on her feet.
Then she realised she was expecting. The doctor confirmed itstill early, but she was overjoyed.
*Ive got no family of my own, but this little one will be mine.* She touched her still-flat stomach, knowing someone was there.
When Victor got home, he saw her glowing.
«Whats got you so happy?»
«I went to the doctor today. Were going to have a baby.»
His face changed. He stared at the floor and said flatly,
«I dont want this. Either you get rid of it, or you leave. I wont stop you. I told youI hate kids. You went behind my back. Now deal with the consequences.»
He never raised his voice, but his tone chilled her. Hed never hidden his feelings, but shed hoped hed change when it was his own child. She watched him clench his jaw, then add coldly,
«You grew up in carewhere will you go, pregnant and alone? Think hard. Get rid of it. Then well go back to normal. Where else have you got?»
The next day, after her shift, she packed her things and went back to the shared house. The peeling door with «Room 35» scrawled in marker creaked open.
Inside was damp and dusty. The ceiling plaster was crumbling, dead flies littered the grimy windowsill.
*Not exactly cheerful.*
A rusty bed stood against the wall, the mattress stained, the blanket dotted with marks. A wobbly table and chair sat in one corner, a battered wardrobe with a broken door in the other.
She set down her bagjust some clothes, a few books, cups and plates. She touched her stomach, still flat, but someone was there.
*Well manage,* she whispered.
Next door, a drunken neighbour yelled curses, then slammed his door. She flinched.
«Welcome home, Ally,» she muttered.
The shared kitchen was grima stained stove, an old fridge, cockroaches by the bin.
Back in her room, she locked the flimsy bolt. Her chest achedshe almost cried, but stopped herself. Suddenly, she felt free.
Victor had sneered, *Where will you go?*
Well, here. This shabby room was hers now. Shed clean it up, make it liveable. She wasnt afraid of hard work. Here, she was freestarting fresh. And she wasnt alone anymore.
She looked out the grimy window. The summer was grey and drizzly.
*Well manage. We have to.*
She got to work. By evening, the room was cleanfresh air blew through the open window.
*Right. Now to buy bedding, towels, soap, a proper lock. Then dishes*
Slowly, life settled. Pete, the handyman, fitted the new lock. He was kind, always joking to cheer her up.
At work, a new waiter, Timothy, started. He wasnt just there for the jobhe watched Ally closely. Soon, everyone knew shed be on maternity leave.
One evening, he walked her home. Out of politeness, she invited him for tea. That night, she realised he cared for herbut she pushed the thought away. She was pregnant.
Timothy didnt give up. One day, he said,
«Albinia, marry me. Youre alone, Im alone. My grans back in the village, but hereits just us. I love you. And your baby.»
«But» she touched her stomach.
«Dont say it. Thisll be my child too. I want a big family.»
She compared him to Victorso different. Timothy was warm, caring, working two jobs. She said yes.
When her time came, he drove her to hospital, waited till she gave birth to a son. Overjoyed, he rushed home to paint the room, set up the crib and pram.
When he brought her and the baby home, she barely recognised the placefresh paint, balloons everywhere. Timothy had done it all.
