**No Joy Without Struggle**
*Diary Entry, 12th March*
What on earth were you thinking, you foolish girl? Whod want you now with a child on the way? And how do you plan to raise it? Dont expect any help from me. I raised you, and now your child as well? I wont have you under my roof. Pack your things and go!
Emily kept her head bowed, silent. The last shred of hopethat Aunt Margaret might let her stay, at least until she found workvanished before her eyes.
If only Mum were still here
Emily had never known her father. Her mother had been struck by a drunk driver at a crossing fifteen years ago. Social services were about to send her to a childrens home when a distant cousin of her mothers unexpectedly stepped in. With a steady job and her own house, Aunt Margaret made guardianship easy enough.
She lived on the outskirts of a quiet market town in the Midlandslush in summer, damp in winter. Emily was well-fed, neatly dressed, and no stranger to hard work. The house, garden, and small livestock kept her busy. Perhaps she missed a mothers warmth, but who had time for such things?
Emily did well in school and later attended a teaching college. Those carefree years passed in a blur, but now they were over. Exams done, she returned to the town she called homethough not to a welcome.
After her outburst, Aunt Margaret finally simmered down.
Enough. Out of my sight. I dont want you here.
Please, Aunt Margaret, just
Ive said all I need to!
Emily lifted her suitcase and stepped onto the pavement. Had she ever imagined returning like this? Humiliated, cast out, and expecting a childstill early days, but she couldnt hide it any longer.
She needed somewhere to stay. Lost in thought, she wandered aimlessly, barely noticing the world around her.
It was high summer in the Midlands. Gardens brimmed with ripening apples and pears; plum trees drooped under the weight of fruit. The scent of jam, roasting meat, and freshly baked bread hung in the warm air. Parched, Emily approached a gate where a woman stood by a summer kitchen.
Excuse me, could I trouble you for some water?
Margaret, a sturdy woman in her fifties, turned. Come in if you mean no harm. She dipped a cup into a pail and handed it over. Emily sat wearily on the bench, drinking deeply.
Mind if I rest here a moment? Its sweltering.
Of course, love. Where are you headed with that suitcase?
Just finished college, hoping to teach. But Ive nowhere to stay. You wouldnt know anyone with a room to let?
Margaret studied herneat but weary, weighed down by something.
You could stay here. Id appreciate the company. Rent wont be much, but pay on time. If it suits, Ill show you the room.
A lodger suited Margaretextra money never hurt, especially in a quiet town like theirs. Her son lived up north and rarely visited, so company through the long winters would be welcome.
Emily, hardly believing her luck, followed her inside. The room was small but cosya window overlooking the garden, a table, chairs, a bed, and an old wardrobe. Perfect. They settled on rent, and after changing, Emily headed to the education office.
Days flew bywork, home, work. Emily barely had time to flip the calendar.
She grew close to Margaret, who proved kind and caring. In return, Emily helped where she could. Many evenings, theyd chat over tea in the gardenautumn came slowly here.
The pregnancy went smoothly. No sickness, just the steady swell of her waistline. She confided in Margareta common enough tale.
In her second year, shed fallen for Daniel, the charming son of well-off university lecturers. His path was set: degree, postgraduate studies, a career in academia. Handsome, witty, popularyet hed chosen quiet Emily. Perhaps it was her shy smile, her gentle eyes, or the quiet strength of someone whod known hardship. Whatever the reason, theyd been inseparableuntil that day.
Shed known something was wrong when food turned her stomach and smells became unbearable. Then came the realisationshe was late. A pregnancy test confirmed it. Two lines. Exams loomed, and now this. How would Daniel react? Children werent part of the plan.
Yet, a fierce love for the tiny life within her surged.
Little one, she whispered, cradling her belly.
Daniels reaction was swift. That evening, he took her to meet his parents. The memory still stung. In short: they suggested termination. Daniel had his career; she wasnt the right match.
What passed between him and his son, Emily could only guess. The next day, Daniel left an envelope of cash on her table and walked out without a word.
Abortion never crossed her mind. This was her child, hers alone. Still, she kept the moneytheyd need it.
Margaret listened, then squeezed her hand. These things happen. Youre brave to keep the babyevery childs a blessing. Who knows? It might all work out.
But Emily couldnt forgive Daniel. The humiliation lingered.
Time passed. She stopped work, waddling like a duck as her due date neared. Would it be a boy or girl? The scan couldnt tell. It didnt matterhealthy was enough.
In late February, her labour began. Margaret drove her to hospital, where she delivered a healthy boy.
Baby William, she murmured, stroking his round cheek.
The other mothers shared gossip. Two days earlier, the partner of a local police inspector had given birth to a girl. Unmarried, shed left a note and abandoned the baby, claiming she wasnt ready.
The poor things bottle-fed, but the nurses say breast would be better, one woman said.
When feeding time came, they brought the tiny girl in.
Could anyone nurse her? Shes so fragile, the nurse pleaded.
I will, Emily said softly, laying William down and cradling the girl. Oh, shes so small. Ill call her little Charlotte.
Compared to sturdy William, Charlotte was delicate. Emily offered her breast, and the baby fed hungrily before drifting off.
Told you she was frail, the nurse said.
So Emily nursed both.
Two days later, the nurse announced the babys father had come to thank the woman feeding his daughter. Thats how Emily met Inspector Thomas Whitmorea man of average height with steady blue eyes and a quiet strength.
What followed became local legend.
On discharge day, staff gathered at the entrance. A car decked with blue and pink balloons waited. The inspector helped Emily inside, where Margaret sat, then handed her William and little Charlotte.
With a honk, they drove off, vanishing round the bend.
Funny, how life turns out. You never know what consequences your choices will bringsometimes, the surprises are beyond imagining.
