Life Forces a Change of Plans
Emma grew up in a modest familyher parents were ordinary engineers, living in an old council flat where money was always tight. She envied the other girls who dressed stylishly while she had little beyond her school uniform and a couple of plain dresses.
After finishing school and getting into university, she made a firm decision:
*My home will be different. My life will be different.*
And she made it happenthough not overnight. For a while, she worked as a schoolteacher, teaching English literature, then even transferred to the local education authority. But later, she ran into an old classmate who offered her a job at a foreign-invested firm.
«Come on, Emma, youve got nothing to lose,» her friend said. «The pays decent.» When she mentioned her own salary, Emma nearly choked. «Weve got a great team, and I know youyoure sharp and capable.»
«Thanks, love, Ill definitely come in. Everyone needs money,» Emma smiled.
By then, Emma was already married to James, and their son Oliver was four. They lived with his parentscrowded and dependent. James worked as a dental technician.
The new job exceeded Emmas expectations. She loved the work, started earning well, and soon bought a spacious flat on mortgage. Then came the expensive car. Management quickly noticed her efforts, and soon she was receiving hefty bonuses. Time flew, her career soared, and before long, she was deputy director.
Of course, it changed her. She grew a bit arrogant, especially around Jamess relatives. After all, they lived much better than his sister, Lucy.
«Emma, come on, well be late,» James urged as they got ready for Lucys birthday. «And please, try to be nice. I just want the party to go smoothly.»
Emma nodded. She genuinely intended to be on her best behaviour. James was nervousshe always took ages getting ready. But Emma carefully applied her makeup, in no rush, not particularly eager to see Lucy and Simon.
*Everything about them is so mediocre,* she thought, eyeing herself in the mirror. *Basic salads, cheap wine, outdated decor Theyve got three kids and a small veg shop, but the profits must be dismal.*
Finally done, Emma slipped into a stylish dress and stepped out. James and Oliver, waiting on the sofa, jumped up.
«About time.»
The walk-up to the fifth-floor flat soured Emmas mood. The place was cramped, the hallway tiny, the guests packed in. Kids shrieked, running around. Lucy wore faded jeans and a checked shirt.
*Couldnt she dress up for her own birthday?* Emma thought, sitting stiffly beside James. She handed Lucy an expensive bottle of perfume.
«Thanks, Emma. You always know what to giftthis is lovely.»
Emma scanned the room: peeling wallpaper, battered furniture, sagging sofa. All of it needed replacing.
Simon, Lucys husband, had always rubbed her the wrong way. That mocking smileshe assumed he was jealous. Lucy never bothered with manicures, always looking unkempt. Now, smirking, he asked,
«So, Emma, whens the big promotion?»
«Soon enough,» she forced a smile. «Youve got quite the crowd today.»
«Lucys well-liked. Thats why they came.» He shot his wife an adoring glance.
The evening passed without incident. Back home, Emma and James lounged on their plush sofa, sipping French wine.
«Went alright, didnt it?» James said.
«It was tolerable. We dont like each other, so lets drop it,» she replied, swirling her glass.
James let it go.
—
«Ive got a salon appointment tomorrow, so you two will have to manage without me,» Emma said later. «Its the weekendtake Oliver out for lunch. The fridges nearly empty. Youll cope, wont you?»
«Do we have a choice?» James sighed. «You couldve asked first. Fine, go ahead. Well figure it out.»
After the weekend, Emma learned the firm was downsizing. The director was leaving, and everyone assumed shed take his place.
«Emma, its definitely you,» a colleague said over coffee.
«No ones said anything,» she replied.
Then came the meeting with the CEO. Walking down the corridor, she was sure it was about her promotion.
«Take a seat, Emma,» he began politely, then turned grave. «Youre brilliant, capable, reliablebut you already know that. The problem is the directors being let go, and unfortunately, his entire team with him. I tried to prevent it, but cuts are cuts. Its not about performancejust who the company can do without.»
Emma left in a daze. She picked up her bag, 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 worry, well manage,» James reassured her that evening. «Youll find something else.»
«James, where will I get that kind of salary again?»
«Maybe less, but its not the end. Weve got savings. Itll work out.»
«Youre wonderful, but that doesnt help,» she sighed, leaning into him.
Still, the next day, she sent out CVs, scoured job ads. A month passednothing. No calls, no offers. The abrupt halt to her career left her adrift.
«James, we need to cut back,» she admitted one evening. «Severance wont last forever. No more eating outI hate cooking, but»
«I prefer home meals anyway. Youll learn,» he smiled.
Then, finally, a call. A polite invitation to interview. The man across the desk wore an immaculate shirt, tailored suit, a confident grin.
«Impressive client experience,» he noted.
«Ive climbed every rung in my old company.»
«Except the top. Your sons olderno plans for more kids?» She was stunned.
«Thats hardly relevant,» she snapped.
«Just covering bases. Now, salary expectations?»
She named a figure close to her old one. His eyebrows shot up.
«Thats steep. We offer halfpartly bonus-based. Jobs like yours arent easy to find these days. Seems were not aligned…»
She left fuming. At home, she ranted about undervalued skills, insulting offers. Winter dragged onsnowy, bitter. They sold the Mercedes.
«Youll get used to a smaller car,» James said, stroking her hair. «Tough times pass.»
—
Then, Lucy called.
«Emma, can I come over? Need to talk.»
They sat at the kitchen table, coffee steaming.
«Come work at the shop. Simons starting a tiling businesshes good at it. I cant run the place alone. Stock runs, shelvingits a lot. Supermarkets steal customers, but I trust you. Wed do it together.»
Emma was speechless.
«You want me hauling potatoes?» she finally muttered.
«Ill handle runs at first. Youd adjust.»
She bit back insults, made no promises. But when James got home, she erupted.
«How dare she offer *that*? Me, a shopkeeper? Its humiliating!»
James snapped.
«Enough. Im sick of your whining. Youre unemployed, miserable at home, but too proud to take help. Lucy meant well. Stop pitying yourself. If life changes your plans, *adapt*.»
Shed never seen him so angry.
«She pities me. Theyve never liked me»
«Because you flaunt your degree, look down on her for raising three kids. Yet shes a brilliant mother.»
Two days of silence followed. Then, when James came home, Emma met him with a decision.
«Ill work with Lucy. Starting tomorrow.»
«Thats my girl. Your skills will shine there too.»
—
A year and a half passed. The first month, Emma cried over her rough hands, ruined nails. Rude customers tested her patience. But by month three, shed learned the trade.
Then Lucy broke her leg. Emma ran the shop alonedriving the van, hauling stock, hiring help. They closed briefly, renovated, Emma investing her savings.
She drafted a business plan, strategised competing with supermarkets. Profits grew. Now, staring into the mirror, Emma saw a businesswomanjeans, checked shirt, trainers, no Mercedes, salon visits quarterly. But she smiled. Life had recalibrated.
Theyre even thinking of opening a second shop. And they will.
