No, Margaret! Im not giving that dress away! Its mine! Kates voice cracked into a squeal.
Kate, we had an agreement Annies been dreaming about it! Margaret wailed, hands flailing uselessly, clueless how to persuade her daughterinlaw.
There was never any agreement! Its a family heirloom and Ive kept it for my own child! Kate paced the room, snatching items and thudding them back onto the shelves.
Emily sat quietly in the corner, watching the drama unfold. The eldest sisterinlaw and the grandmother were at it again. Kate was usually hottempered and absolute, but today something had snapped. Normally Aunt Kate kept a tight lid on herself, especially around Emily, but now the dress had become a fullblown hurricane.
Kate, please stop, Simon, Emilys father, placed a hand on his sisters shoulder, but she swatted it away sharply.
Dont tell me what to do! Youve always been Mums little boy! Kate snapped. This dress belonged to my motherinlaw, Michaels mother! And Im the one who decides who gets it!
But Michaels mum wanted every bride in the family to wear it, Margaret said softly. She told me that herself before she passed away.
She meant genuine brides! Kate emphasized the word genuine with a cold stare. Not someone like your Annie! Shes been engaged three times and never made it down the aisle. Maybe its a sign?
A heavy silence settled over the room. Margarets face turned ashen, Simon frowned, and Emily sank into the armchair, hoping to become invisible. She breathed barely enough to avoid drawing attention. At fifteen, Emily already knew that family squabbles were best avoided, especially when they revolved around greatgrandmother Ethels wedding dress.
How can you say that? Margarets voice trembled. Annie is your niece!
So what? Niece, not daughter! Kate flared. I have my own daughter, you know. Im keeping the dress for her!
Your daughter Mary is only twelve! Simon interjected. And Annies wedding is next month!
Then let her buy another dress! Its not rocket science; every bridal boutique has a hundred readymade gowns!
Emily knew the dress was truly special. An old, handembroidered piece with tiny pearls stitching the bodice, stored in a padded case in Kates attic. Shed only ever seen it once, when the whole family was sorting through photo albums. In the pictures, greatgrandmother Ethel looked like a storybook princesstall, slender, with delicate shoulders that the dresss cut seemed to accentuate.
You know its more than just a garment, Margaret said gently. Ethel Harper wanted it to bring happiness to every bride in our line. She wore it herself in 45, after Grandfather Harold returned from the war.
I know that! Kate snapped. Which is why Im saving it for Mary! Annies already heading for her third wedding, and the dress might not hold up! Its old, the fabric is thinning.
Annie will treat it with care, Margaret pleaded, eyes on Kate. Shell even find a tailor to adjust it without a scratch.
No! Thats the end of that discussion!
Kate stormed toward the door, but Simon stepped in front of her.
Wait, his voice was calm but firm. Lets talk this through without shouting. Sit down, please.
I have nothing to discuss with you! Kate tried to slip past him, but he didnt budge.
Kate, you know Mums right. Ethel wanted the dress to pass from bride to bride. That was her wish.
My wish is to keep it for my daughter! Kate crossed her arms. I dont understand why youre all attacking me. I have the dress, so I decide who gets it!
Emily rose slowly and slipped toward the exit. Adult quarrels always left her exhausted, but before she could take three steps, Aunt Kate called out:
Emily! Tell me, girl, would you like to wear this dress when you get married?
All eyes turned to her. Emily froze, unsure how to answer. She didnt want to be dragged into this mess.
I I dont know, Aunt Kate, she said cautiously. I havent even thought about marriage yet.
See! Kate proclaimed triumphantly. Even Emily doesnt want the dress! Why force Annie to wear it then?
Kate, dont involve the child in our arguments, Simon sighed. Emily, please go back to your room.
Grateful for the reprieve, Emily slipped out, heading to her bedroom. On the way she heard voices rise again. She shut the door, flopped onto the bed, and pressed a pillow over her ears, but the echoes of the feud seeped through the quilt.
The next few days settled into a tense hush. Aunt Kate stopped visiting, Grandma Margaret paced with reddened eyes, and Simon spent most of his time at work. Emily tried to ignore the heaviness, but it clung to her like a damp coat.
On Saturday morning, while Emily was having breakfast, the phone rang. Grandma answered, and the tone of her voice changed as she listened. Emily realised it was Annie calling.
Yes, Annie No, love, not yet I understand Maybe we should look for another dress? I know, dear, I know
The call ended, and Margaret sank heavily into a chair opposite her granddaughter.
All right, love? Emily asked gently.
Yeah, dear, Margaret forced a smile that didnt reach her eyes. Annies upset about the dress.
Why is it such a big deal for her?
Margaret stared out the kitchen window before replying.
You see, Emily, your greatgrandmother Ethel was an extraordinary woman. She survived war, famine, loss, yet kept a fierce love that seemed to radiate to everyone around her. The dress its as if it soaked up that love. Ethel wore it when she married your greatgrandfather Harold after the war. Then your grandmother Sophie, my older sister, wore it. Then your mother did. All those marriages turned out happy.
And Aunt Kate? Emily asked.
Shes Margaret hesitated, choosing her words. Kate has always been a bit closed off. After Michael died she shut herself away. This dress is the only thing she feels she can cling to. Understand?
Emily nodded, though she didnt fully grasp. It seemed odd to cling to a piece of fabric, even if it was a family heirloom.
What about Annie? Why did Kate say she wasnt a real bride?
Margaret sighed.
Annies had a rough road. Shes been engaged twice, both times falling apart at the last minute. Now shes met David, and they truly love each other. Shes dreamed of wearing that dress, hoping it would bring her luck.
Why not make a new dress that looks like the old one? Emily suggested. Maybe it could be just as lucky.
Ah, Emily, her grandmother stroked her head affectionately. It isnt that simple. Its not the dress itself but the tradition, the link to our past, the roots. Its like a thread that ties every woman in our family together.
Just then, their father entered the kitchen, looking tired but determined.
Mum, I just got off the phone with Kate, he said. Shes firm. She wont give up the dress, end of story.
Oh, Simon, Margaret groaned. What are we to do? Annies wedding is less than a month away
I think we should respect Kates decision, Simon replied. After all, she does own the dress now, and she has the right to decide its fate.
But thats unfair! Margaret exclaimed. Ethel wanted every bride to have it
Mum, I know, Simon cut in gently. But we cant force Kate to hand it over. That would only tear the family apart further.
Emily listened in silence, twirling a teaspoon in her hand. Then an idea struck her.
Dad, Grandma, she began hesitantly. What if I talk to Aunt Kate? Maybe shell listen to me.
Simon and Margaret exchanged a glance.
No, Emily, thats adult business, Simon said, shaking his head. You shouldnt get involved.
But Im part of the family too, Emily insisted. Aunt Kate has always been kind to me. Maybe I can persuade her?
Im not sure, love, Margaret mused. On one hand, Kate does love you but its a delicate situation.
Please, Emily pleaded. Ill just try. If it doesnt work, thats that.
After a long discussion, Simon finally agreed to drive Emily to Kates cottage on Sunday. The whole journey, Emily rehearsed what shed say. Her plan was fuzzy, but she trusted her gut.
Kates cottage sat in a little village on the edge of the city, the same house once owned by Ethel Harper herself. After her husband died, Kate had stayed there with her daughter Mary.
Are you sure you want to go alone? Simon asked as he parked by the gate.
Yes, Dad, Emily answered. Itll be better if you dont think Im being pushed.
Alright, Simon sighed. Ill wait here. Call if you need anything.
Emily stepped out of the car, heart thudding, hands a little shaky, but determined. She knocked, and familiar footsteps echoed from inside.
Emily? Kate called, surprise in her voice as she opened the door. What are you doing here?
Hello, Aunt Kate, Emily smiled. May I come in?
Of course, come in, Kate said, stepping aside. Though I suspect youre here to beg for the dress, arent you?
Im just here to talk, Emily replied, walking into the cosy kitchen. And I was hoping to see Mary. Is she home?
Shes out with a friend, Kate softened. Come, have a cup of tea. I just baked an appleandvanilla crumble.
The kitchen smelled of warm apples and cinnamon. Kate set about serving tea, plates clinking.
So, you really just want to talk? she asked, cutting a slice of crumble. About what?
About greatgrandmother Ethel, Emily said. Grandma told me a bit about her, and Im curious. You lived in her house, you must know a lot.
Kates eyes widened, then softened.
Yes, I do, she said, handing Emily a mug. Ethel Harper was extraordinary. When I first met Michaels mother, she took me in like her own daughter. She taught me how to bake, knit, keep a proper household She told stories of the war, of waiting for her Harold, believing hed come back even when everyone thought he was lost.
And the dress? Emily asked gently. The one everyones fighting over?
Kate paused, then nodded.
Its a special dress. Ethel made it from bits of fabric she collected over the years. The last scrap was a piece of muslin a neighbour brought from London after the siege. Imagine that people dying of hunger, yet someone managed to save a sliver of cloth. She stitched love and hope into every stitch, believing Harold would return, that theyd have a family, grandchildren, a lineage. And it happened.
So she wanted every bride in the family to wear it? Emily queried.
Exactly, Kate whispered. She believed the dress carried the love of every woman who wore it, growing stronger with each generation.
Then why wont you give it to Annie? Emily asked straight.
Kates face hardened, as if a veil had dropped.
I told you, Im keeping it for Mary!
But Marys wedding is still years away, Emily pointed out. The dress could sit in a closet and deteriorate.
It wont spoil, I look after it! And Annie shes already thirty, this would be her third attempt at marriage. Something feels off, doesnt it?
Isnt it odd to think someones unwilling to keep trying is a problem? Emily said, genuinely puzzled. Isnt it admirable to keep believing in love?
Kate opened her mouth to argue but found no words.
Aunt Kate, Emily continued softly, havent you considered that Annie might need the dress precisely because she needs that extra boost of confidence? The very thing Ethel intended?
Kate stared into her tea, silent.
Also, Emily added, if the dress truly brings happiness, wouldnt it be better if more than one bride got to experience it?
What if it tears or gets stained? Kate murmured. Its a relic; you cant just wash or mend it like a regular gown.
But Ethel didnt stitch it to sit in a box, Emily replied. She wanted it to live, to bring joy, to bind hearts. Isnt that the point?
Kate sat still for a long moment, then rose and fetched a large, sturdy box from the pantry.
Here, she said, placing the lid gently on the table. This is it.
Emily held her breath. Inside, on layers of tissue paper, lay the creamcoloured dress: high collar, long sleeves, tiny pearl buttons trailing down the back, delicate lace edging the cuffs, and a bodice embroidered with a fine pearl pattern.
Its beautiful, Emily whispered.
It is, Kate said, pride in her voice. Ethel was a real master. I wore it at my wedding, and your mother did too. Havent you seen the family photos?
I have, but I never paid attention to the dress, Emily admitted. So it really did pass from bride to bride?
It did, Kate traced a finger over the lace. After your mother, it came back to me, and I decided to keep it for Mary.
What would greatgrandmother Ethel think if she knew this dress was causing a family rift? Emily asked.
Kate shivered at the thought.
Shed be sad, she whispered. She always said family was the most important thing, that no object should break the bonds between us.
Aunt Kate, Emily said, taking Kates hand, I think the dress should go to Annie. Then, after her wedding, she can return it to you, and youll give it to Mary when the time comes. The tradition can continue.
Kate stared at the dress, then at Emilys hopeful eyes. After a long pause, she sighed.
You know what? When I wore it, it fit me like it was made for me. Same with your mother. Maybe thats the magic.
Maybe thats what makes it magical, Emily smiled.
To Emilys surprise, Kate returned the smile.
Perhaps, she said, closing the box. Ill lend it to Annie for the wedding, on one condition: Ill be there to help her into it and adjust it if needed. No outside tailors.
Thank you, Aunt Kate, Emily embraced her. Thank you.
An hour later they stood together outside. Simon, seeing the box in Kates arms, could hardly believe his eyes.
Kate? You?
Im giving the dress to Annie, Kate said firmly. Just for the ceremony, and shell bring it back afterwards.
Of course, Simon hugged his sister. Thank you.
Annies wedding took place at the end of April, a bright, warm day. In Ethels heirloom dress, she looked breathtaking, and Kate was right there, smoothing every pleat, fastening the endless rows of tiny buttons.
Kate, I dont know how to thank you, Annie said, eyes shining in the mirror. This dress feels like a piece of history.
It is, Kate replied. As the final applause faded, the dress slipped back into its velvet case, poised to await the next bride who would still believe in its quiet magic.
