The air in the tiny flat smelled of earl grey and toast. Granny Edith sat across from her granddaughter, her eyes sharp behind her spectacles. «Whats troubling you, my love? Youve barely touched your soup,» she murmured, nudging the bowl closer.
«Not hungry, Nan,» Emily mumbled, stirring the spoon absently. The broth swirled, untouched.
Granny leaned in, her voice soft as wool. «Youre worrying over something. Out with it, now.»
Emily sighed, abandoning the spoon. «All the girls at uni dress like theyve stepped out of a magazine. I look like I raided a jumble sale. The lads dont even glance my way.»
«Because of clothes?» Granny scoffed. «Rubbish. Youre lovely as you are. Jealousy, thats all it is. Tomorrows pension daywell nip to Primark, get you something smart.»
Emily shook her head. «I want proper jeans, the good ones. But they cost a fortune. I shouldve gone part-time, got a job»
«None of that,» Granny cut in, firm. «Youll finish your degree proper. Clothes dont make the woman, Emily.»
«Who even cares about degrees anymore?» Emilys voice wobbled. «Maybe I could find work»
«Dont be daft. Theyll stop my benefits if you switch. Every penny counts.»
Emily slumped. Useless. Nan didnt understand the shame of being nineteen in hand-me-downs.
«Eat up. Ill think of something.» Granny vanished into her room. Emily heard drawers rattle, the creak of the wardrobe. When she peeked in, Granny was gazing out the window, her face unreadable.
«Nan, Im sorry» Emily hugged her tightly.
«For what, love? Youre right. You need proper things.» Granny sighed. «Ive got Grandads ring. Ugly old thing. Ill pawn it tomorrow.»
Emily recoiled. «Dont you dare borrow money»
«I wont. But youre not eating. Hereread my tea leaves instead.»
Granny stiffened. «What nonsense is this? Im no fortune-teller.»
«Mum said you predicted Dad for her.»
Grannys brows shot up. «When did she tell you that?»
«She did,» Emily insisted.
«Youths, always prying into tomorrow.» Granny clicked her tongue. «Fates written in stone. No good comes from peeking.»
«Predict something nice, then.» Emily grinned, nudging her.
Granny relented with a sigh. «Oh, youre a crafty one.» She fetched a deck of cards, spreading them on the lace tablecloth. «Think of your hearts desire.»
Emily held her breath as Granny flipped the cards. The Queen of Hearts. The King of Diamonds. Two sevens side by side.
«Loves coming,» Granny murmured. «True love. Soon.» Her smile faltered. «But clubs troubles ahead. No joy without sorrow, mind.»
Emilys pulse quickened. «What troubles? Nan?»
«Enough.» Granny swept the cards away. «Youll have love. Thats all you need know.»
The next morning, Emily floated to uni, buoyed by hope. Let them sneer at her thrift-shop coat. Love wasnt about labels.
After lectures, she dawdled home, savoring the rare sun. Then she saw the police car. Neighbors huddled by the lift. Auntie Marge from flat 2 clutched a soggy hankie.
«Emily, love, its awful»
Emily bolted upstairs. The flat door stood ajar. A uniformed man rose from the sofa.
«Emily Whitmore?»
«Wheres Nan?» Her voice cracked.
«Sergeant Harris. Your grandmother she was attacked. A blow to the head. But it was her heart that gave out.»
Emilys knees buckled. The room spun.
«Robbery, likely. Did she collect her pension in cash?»
«Y-yes. She didnt trust cards.»
«Anything valuable missing? Jewelry?»
Emilys gaze darted. «Nan mentioned pawning Grandads ring. Gold, with a yellow stone. She was going today»
«Not on her when we found her. The killer mustve followed her from the post office.»
Emilys tears fell hot and fast. «Over a pension?»
Auntie Marge helped tidy the wrecked flat. That night, Emily curled up in Nans bed, breathing in her lavender scent. Theyd been alone since Mum and Dads crasha minibus t-boned by a lorry. Front seat. Gone in seconds.
At the funeral, Emily chose Nans navy dressthe one shed joked would be her burial gown. The memory lanced through her.
Days blurred. She switched to part-time studies, took a job at Tesco. Sergeant Harris visited often. One evening, he cleared his throat.
«Emily Ive arrested the man who did it. Confessed, but the rings long sold.» He hesitated. «I well. I fancy you. If you ever need anything»
He saved his number in her phone. His fingers trembled.
Their first date was cinema and chips. He talked of his kid sister, his law studies, his dream of being a detective.
When he proposed, Emily said yes.
That night, she whispered to Nans photo on the dresser. «You knew, didnt you? You saw the clubsthe sorrow before the joy.» The glass was cool under her fingertips. In the frame, Nans smile was wise, secret. As if shed played her cards just right.
