Life Forces a Change of Plans
Emily grew up in a modest familyher parents were ordinary engineers, living in an outdated council flat, always struggling to make ends meet. She envied the girls who wore stylish clothes while she had nothing but her school uniform and a couple of faded dresses.
After finishing school and getting into university, she swore to herself:
«My home will be different. My life will be different.»
And she made it happen. Not right away, of course. For a while, she worked as a schoolteacher, teaching English literature, then even moved to the local education office. But later, she ran into an old classmate who offered her a job at a foreign-invested firm.
«Come on, Em, youve got nothing to lose,» her friend said, mentioning her salaryEmily nearly dropped her jaw. «Weve got a great team, and I know youyoure sharp and capable.»
«Thanks, love, Ill definitely come. Moneys always welcome,» Emily smiled.
By then, she was already married to James, and their son, Oliver, was four. They lived with his parentscramped and dependent. James worked as a dental technician.
The new job exceeded all her expectations. She loved the work, started earning well, and soon bought a spacious flat on a mortgage. Then came the expensive car. Her bosses quickly noticed her efforts, and hefty bonuses followed. Over time, her career skyrocketedshe became deputy director.
Of course, success left its mark. Emily grew a bit smug, especially around Jamess relatives. After all, they lived far better than his sister, Sarah.
«Em, hurry up, well be late,» James urged as they got ready for Sarahs birthday. «And please, try to be nice. I want her day to go smoothly.»
Emily noddedshe genuinely intended to be sweet as pie. James knew she took ages to get ready, but she carefully applied her makeup, not particularly eager to visit Sarah and her husband, Daniel.
«Everything about them is so dull, grey, and charmless,» she thought, eyeing herself in the mirror. «Old-fashioned salads, basic sandwichesno smoked salmon, no decent wine, just cheap vodka and the flats so dated.»
Finally done, she slipped into a stylish dress and stepped out. James and Oliver jumped up from the sofa.
«About time!»
Walking up five flights of stairs in the old block, squeezing into the tiny hallway, and greeting everyone put Emily in a foul mood. The place was packed, the table cramped, kids shrieking. Sarah wore faded jeans and a checked shirt.
«Couldnt even dress up for her own birthday,» Emily thought, sitting beside James.
Before dinner, she handed Sarah an expensive bottle of perfume.
«Thanks, Em. You always know what to pick.»
Emily scanned the roompeeling wallpaper, battered bookshelves, worn-out sofa. It all needed replacing.
Daniel had never liked her. He smirked at her, and she assumed he was jealous. Sarah was plain, no manicure, no effort.
«Hows work, Em? Soon to be the big boss?» he asked with a smirk.
«Fine, maybe,» she forced a smile. «Quite a crowd youve got.»
«Sarahs well-liked. Thats why they came.» He shot his wife an adoring glance.
The evening passed without incident. Back home, Emily and James lounged on their plush sofa, sipping Spanish wine.
«Sarahs party went alright,» James said.
«Tolerable. You know I dont like them, and they dont like me. Lets drop it,» she replied, swirling her glass.
James let it go.
The next morning, Emily announced, «Ive got a salon appointment tomorrow, so you and Ollie will have to manage. Its Saturdaytake him out for lunch. The fridges nearly empty anyway.»
«Do we have a choice?» James sighed. «You couldve checked first. Fine, go ahead. Well figure it out.»
After the weekend, rumours of layoffs spread at work. The director was leaving, and everyone assumed Emily would take his place.
«Em, youre probably next in line,» a colleague said over coffee.
«No ones mentioned it yet,» she replied.
Then came the meeting with the company president. Walking to his office, she was sure it was about her promotion.
«Take a seat, Emily,» he began politely before switching tone. «Youre brilliant, capableyou know that. But theres an issue. The directors leavingbeing let go, honestly. And his whole teams going with him, including you. I tried to avoid it, but cuts are cuts. Its not about performancejust who the company can spare.»
Emily left in a daze. She collected her things, went home, and collapsed on the sofa in tears.
«What good is a generous severance? I gave everything to that companylate nights, thinking I was indispensable. And now»
«Dont fret, well manage,» James reassured her that evening. «Youll find something else.»
«James, where will I get a job like that?»
«Maybe less pay, but weve got savings. Itll work out.»
«Youre the best,» she sighed, leaning into him. «But it doesnt help.»
The next day, she sent out CVs and scoured job listings. Weeks passednothing. She felt lost after years of professional drive.
«James, we need to cut back,» she said one evening. «Severance wont last forever. No more eating outeven if I hate cooking.»
«Home-cookeds always better. Youll learn,» he smiled.
Finally, a call camean interview. The young manager wore a crisp white shirt, a sharp suit, a polished smile.
«Impressive client experience,» he noted.
«Ive climbed every rung at my last firm.»
«Except the top. Your sons olderno more kids planned?» She stiffened.
«Is that relevant?»
«Just covering bases. Salary expectations?»
She named a figure close to her old pay. His eyes widened.
«Thats steep. We offer halfpartly bonus-based. Jobs like yours are scarce now. Not keen? Understood.»
She left fuming. At home, she ranted about undervalued skills.
Winter dragged on. They sold the Mercedesheartbreaking, but necessary.
«Cheer up, Em,» James said, stroking her hair. «Well get something smaller. Tough times pass.»
Then Sarah called.
«Em, can I come over? Need to talk.»
They sat at the kitchen table over coffee.
«Come work at the shop. Daniels starting a tiling businesshes good at it. I cant run the place alone. Stock, shelves, its too much. Supermarkets are stealing customers, but I trust you.»
Emily froze.
«You want me hauling potatoes?» she finally choked out.
«Ill handle deliveries at first. Youll get the hang of it.»
She didnt insult Sarah but made no promises. Later, she vented to James.
«How dare she offer me that? A greengrocer? Its humiliating.»
James snapped.
«Enough. Youre miserable jobless, but too proud to try? Sarahs being kind. Stop wallowing. If life changes plans, adapt.»
Two days of silence followed. Then, when James got home, Emily said,
«Ill work with Sarah. Starting tomorrow.»
«Brilliant. Your skills will shine there.»
The first month was roughcalloused hands, rude customers. But by month three, shed adjusted. Then Sarah broke her leg, and Emily ran the shop alonedriving the van, stocking shelves, even investing savings into renovations.
She drafted a business plan, outmanoeuvred supermarkets, and profits grew. Now, in jeans and a checked shirt, no Mercedes, salon visits rare, she smiled at her reflectiona businesswoman, content.
Life had changed. Theyre even considering a second shop. And theyll open it.
