Ally was raised in an orphanage, and for as long as she could remember, she was surrounded by other children like her and the caretakers. Life was never sweet to her, but it taught her to stand up for herself and protect the younger ones. She had a strong sense of justice and couldnt bear to see the weak mistreated. Sometimes she suffered for it, but she never criedshe knew she was fighting for what was right.
Her name had always been Alison, but at the orphanage, they shortened it to Ally. The day she turned eighteen, she was sent out into the world on her own. Thankfully, she already had a tradeshed trained as a cook and had been working as an assistant in a café for a few months. They gave her a room in a shared house, but it was barely livable.
Around that time, she was seeing Vincent, a man three years older who worked at the same café as a delivery van driver. Soon enough, she moved into his one-bedroom flat, which hed inherited from his grandmother.
«Alison, come live with me,» hed said. «That room in the shared house is a dump, and the lock doesnt even work properly. Mine could use a bit of fixing up, but its better than that.»
She agreed without hesitation. Vincent seemed more mature, more seriousqualities she admired. But one day, when they talked about children, he said plainly,
«I cant stand kids. Nothing but noise and trouble.»
«Vincent,» she said, surprised. «But if its your own childyour own flesh and bloodhow could you say that?»
«Lets drop it. I dont like them, end of story,» he muttered, waving her off.
His words stung, but she pushed the feeling aside. *Maybe hell change his mind if we get married. Children are part of life, after all.*
Ally worked hard at the café, often covering for the head cook, Valerie, when she called in sick with a «headache»though everyone knew Valeries real problem was drink.
«One more slip-up, and youre out,» the manager, Mark, warned her. But he kept her on because the customers loved her food.
«Brilliant cook youve got, Mark,» friends would say.
Valerie knew she was only kept around for her skills. She also noticed young Ally was quick, capable, and poured heart into her cooking. Even Mark had started paying more attention to her.
One day, Ally overheard Mark talking to the floor manager.
«If Valerie skips work again, shes out. Allys young, but shes got talentjust as good, if not better. Hardworking, responsible too.»
She didnt catch the rest as they walked away. *So Marks been watching me. But I feel bad for Valerieshes kind, just struggling.* She decided not to tell anyone, not even Vincent.
Time passed. Valerie missed a whole week, and Ally took over. Not a single customer complainedno one even noticed the switch. When Valerie finally returned, she was a mess: shaking hands, dark circles under her eyes, barely able to look up.
Mark called her into his office and fired her. Then he came out and announced,
«From today, Ally, youre head cook. Youve got potentialkeep pushing yourself.»
«Thank you,» she said, nerves fluttering at the responsibility.
She was thrilled. The pay was good, and at her age, she was already running a kitchen. *I wont let Mark down.*
That evening, Vincent brought home champagne.
«To your promotion,» he smirked. «You made it.»
Theyd been together nearly three years. He didnt drink much, was usually on the road, and never laid a hand on her. They had their arguments, but nothing major. Still, he never mentioned marriage, and she didnt push.
*Weve been together so longwhy wont he propose? Maybe if I get pregnant, hell want a proper family.*
She remembered his words about children. They never spoke of it again, but she knew now wasnt the timeshe was just getting on her feet.
Then she found out she was expecting. The doctor confirmed it, and though it was early, she was overjoyed. *This little one will be my family.*
When Vincent came home and saw her beaming, he asked, «Whats got you so happy?»
«I went to the doctor today. Were going to have a baby.»
His face darkened. «I dont want it. Either get rid of it, or get out. I told youI hate kids. You knew that.»
His voice was calm, icy. Shed hoped hed change, but he hadnt.
«Youve got no one. Where will you go, pregnant and alone? Think about it.»
The next day, after her shift, she packed her things and returned to the shared house. Her old room greeted her with peeling paint, a damp smell, and a grimy window.
«Not exactly cosy,» she murmured.
The bed had a stained mattress, the table was wobbly, and the wardrobe door hung loose. She set down her bagclothes, a few books, some plates. Then she rested a hand on her still-flat stomach.
«Well manage,» she whispered.
Next door, a drunk neighbour shouted curses before slamming his door. She flinched but then smiled faintly.
«Welcome home, Ally.»
The shared kitchen was grimcracked tiles, a fridge that hummed too loud, cockroaches by the bin. But back in her room, she locked the door and exhaled. For the first time, she felt free.
*»Where will you go?» he said. Well, here I am.*
It was shabby, but it was hers. Shed make it work.
She cleaned fiercely, scrubbing floors, washing windows. Then she went shoppingblankets, towels, a new lock. Slowly, life settled. Pete, the handyman, fitted the lock, cheerful as ever.
At the café, a new waiter, Timothy, started. He wasnt just working therehe had another job too. He was kind, always watching out for her. One evening, he walked her home, and she invited him in for tea.
That night, she realised he cared for her. But she pushed the thought awayshe was pregnant.
Timothy, though, was persistent. One day, he said, «Alison, marry me. Youre alone, Im alone. My grans back in the village, but hereits just me. I love you. And your baby too.»
«But, Tim» She touched her stomach.
«Dont say it. That child will be mine. I want a familya big one.»
She thought of Vincenthow different they were. Tim was warm, steady. She said yes.
When the baby came, Tim was there, waiting. He rushed home to wallpaper the room, set up the crib, prepare everything. When she walked in with their son, she barely recognised the place.
It was clean, bright, balloons everywhere.
Life had given her a second chanceand shed taken it.
**Sometimes the hardest choices lead to the brightest beginnings.**
