Whats she getting out of this? She never said a word, Emily asks, tapping the heel of her delicate pump in irritation as her mother, Helen Smith, stands before her.
Dont you come here! Helen snaps. I told you not to turn up!
Weve brought you some treatspotatoes, cucumbers, jam, the elderly neighbour says, pointing to the old car parked nearby. Inside sits Emilys father, George Smith.
I see youve come with your dad. How many times must I say I dont want any of this? Dont come, dont embarrass me, Helen huffs.
Then what? George shrugs.
Exactly that, Emily declares firmly. Go on, get your potatoes out before James gets back.
Emily, drop it! George shouts as he steps out of the car.
What of it? Emily retorts.
Off we go, Helen, George replies, heading toward the house.
But the treats? Helen whines.
Dont start, Emily rolls her eyes. Just take what youve got and leave.
George, could you help? Helen asks, a smile breaking across her face.
George pulls two large bags from the boot; a smaller one is taken by Emily herself.
This isnt how you treat your mother, George mutters as Emily opens the front door.
Enough of that, Emily snaps back cynically.
Probably didnt raise you right, George says sadly, setting the bags down and heading down the stairs.
Helen lingers by the entrance, hopeful, but when she sees the furrowed brow of the man who strides away quickly, she realises the visit wont be welcomed.
My feet wont be here any longer! George mutters as they drive away from the courtyard.
Its my daughter, after all, Helen wipes a tear from her cheek. George says nothing.
Emily grew up in a tiny village called Littleford. She has always despised the dullness of rural life and dreams of escaping as fast as possible.
Is this really life? Chickens, wellies, the allotmentwho enjoys that? The city has clubs, restaurants, fashionable clothes. Im leaving this place, she complains to her cousin Gillian, staring at a cracked nail and an endless row of carrots. Theyre both fourteen, and the garden work is part of their chores.
Is happiness in clothes? Gillian shrugs. I like it here. Its simple. The city is just one job after another. Ill study veterinary medicine and come back.
I wont come back. I wont work. In the city there are loads of rich menIll marry one and never have to work, Emily whispers conspiratorially.
Youll be one of many, Gillian laughs.
You dont get it! Im pretty, the rest is luck, Emily retorts. Among her friends she does stand out, both for her looks and her figure.
Helen and George are plain folk who have spent their whole lives in Littleford. When Emily finishes school, they have saved enough to send her to university in Bristol, arranging a spot in a hall of residence. Emily watches enviously as her richer classmates flaunt their designer bags and bright outfits, while the modest allowance from her parents barely covers tuition and essential expenses. Expensive clothes remain a dream, but Emily refuses to despair. Therell be a feast on my street one day, she tells herself.
In her final year, Emily lands an internship at a large firm in London. The boss, James Whitaker, is successful, welloff, and at the height of his career. The male staff wonder why hes still single, while the female staff hope hell notice them. James, however, is drawn to the intern. Emily is not only attractive but seems sincere and downtoearth.
Emily doesnt claim a deep love, but she recognises a lucky ticket in a wealthy suitor. They start seeing each other, and James eventually asks her to move in. When he inquires about her family, Emily invents a tangled story: a businessman father who divorced long ago and sends her money as alimony, and a mother living elsewhere with a new family, barely in touch. She tells him shes learning everything on her own.
Emily plays the good girl role at first, but as Jamess affection grows, she begins to chase her own fantasies. She claims she wants a different career path, yet she spends her days shopping and at salons, neglecting housework and meals, often complaining that James doesnt earn enough to dine out or order takeaway.
I want homemade soup, chicken puree, James says one evening, halfjoking.
Youll have it, love, but not todayIm exhausted, Emily purrs, and James is always charmed by her.
One night, in a burst of boasting, Emily blurts out the address of the upscale flat where Gillian now lives. Gillian, after hearing this, tells Emilys parents that shes seen how they worry about their daughters behaviour. Thats why Helen, dressed in her best dress and persuading George to wear his only suit, gathers the treats and drives to Littleford to visit her daughteronly to be turned away at the door.
While escorting her parents out, Emily hides the bags on the balcony and then tosses them in the bin, knowing James will soon return from work and she wont have to explain.
The next day Emily comes home later than usual.
Whats that smell? she asks as the scent of fried potatoes drifts from the kitchen.
Where have you been? James calls out. Itll cool down soon.
Stuck at the institute, Emily replies, stepping into the kitchen and taking in the table set with golden potatoes, neat rows of pickles, sliced tomatoes, and a bowl of sauerkraut. A decanter holds rubyred cherry compote.
I fried the potatoes in butter, James beams. And the pickles are brilliant! Where did all this come from?
It was my aunt from the village. She sent it over, Emily says, sounding annoyed.
Aunt? From a village? Why didnt you tell me before? James asks, plating the potatoes. Which village? Far away? We could visit on weekends. I love the countryside.
Its far, James, far away. What would we do there? Go to the sea instead? Emily replies, pursing her lips.
I cant yet. The project has to be finished first, James says, waving his hands.
If you loved me, youd already bought a holiday, Emily snaps, pushing her plate away.
James looks embarrassed. A few days later he actually buys her a holiday voucher.
How I adore you! Emily chirps, packing a suitcase.
Im happy, James replies, though his eyes betray a hint of doubt.
Emily flies off for a break, while James begins to wonder whether he made the right choice. Four days after she leaves, James steps out of the lift and finds a young woman sitting on the floor of the hallway, a small rucksack beside her, asleep against the wall. She wakes as the doors open.
Good afternoon, she says brightly.
Good afternoon, James replies, eyeing her curiously.
Is Anastasia Morgan living here? she asks.
Shes away on holiday, James says. Are you studying with her?
Im her sister, the girl answers, her voice trembling. When will she be back?
Your sister? James repeats, opening the door wider. Come in, make yourself at home. She never mentioned you. Have a seat, well have dinner soon. Im James. Shes probably talked about me.
Gillian. Can I get a hold of her? she asks, nervous.
You can call her on her new mobile. Something happened? James presses.
Its my parents. Theyre in hospital, and theres been a fire at their house. The neighbours barely managed to pull them out, she explains.
What house? Wait, Gillian, my Emilys parents dont live together. Are you mixing things up? James looks confused.
Whats she saying? She never told anyone she was leaving, Gillian, now on the phone, erupts. Aunt Annie and Uncle Boris from our Littleford, Kalinville?
Its coming out like that. Explain, James says, spreading his hands.
It turns out that three days earlier a fire broke out at Emilys parents cottage. Both Helen and George are now in hospital, Georges condition being serious.
I knew Emily was ashamed of her parents. She barely talks to them. I tried to teach her, but she never listened. Aunt Annie is in tears, Uncle Boris is devastated. Ive been angry with Emily, but shes my daughter, Gillian says, her voice shaking.
Lets go together, Gillian. Ill speak to the doctors, see what they need, and arrange an emergency ticket for Emily, James decides.
Dont worry, everything will be fine, he assures her, heading out of the ward. Helen is stabilising, shell recover soon. Theyll do everything for George as well. Ive arranged private care for both.
How much will it cost? Gillian asks, her cheeks flushing.
Dont think about money, James answers. Now, shall we have dinner? he adds, trying to smile.
Emily returns the next day, hoping to make amends, but James barely listens. He helps her parents with treatment and repairs, and over time he and Gillian become friends, then something more. A year later they marry. James convinces Gillian to move to the city, yet they spend most weekends and holidays back in Littleford. Gillian opens a small veterinary clinic, and later they welcome a childthough thats another story.
Emily, meanwhile, eventually finds a job, mends her relationship with her parents, but still dreams of a prince and a life of ease. The ambition lingers, even as she settles into her new reality.
