Emily slammed her heel against the doorframe, furious, even though standing right in front of her was her mum, Margaret.
What are you doing here? I told you not to come! she snapped, the delicate strap of her shoe clicking against the floor.
Your dad and I brought over some treats potatoes, cucumbers, jam, the elderly lady said, gesturing toward the battered van parked nearby. In the drivers seat was Emilys father, Robert.
I see youve come with your dad again. How many times do I have to say I dont want any of this? No more visits, no more embarrassment, Margaret snapped.
And why not? Robert shrugged.
Exactly like that, Emily replied flatly. Just drive off with your potatoes before Vadim gets back.
Emily, stop this! Robert shouted, getting out of the van.
Whats it to you? Emily retorted.
Lets go, Margaret, Robert said, a little more calmly.
But the food? Margaret pleaded.
Dont start, Emily rolled her eyes. Just take whatever youve got and leave.
Robert, could you help? Margaret asked, a faint smile breaking on her face.
Robert pulled two big bags from the boot, while Emily grabbed a smaller one herself.
Dont treat Mum like this, Robert muttered as Emily opened the front door.
Enough with the lecturing, Emily snapped back cynically.
Guess you werent raised right, Robert said sadly, setting the bags down and heading down the stairs.
Emilys aunt, Anne, lingered by the doorway, hopeful, but when she saw Roberts furrowed brow as he hurried away, she realised waiting for an invitation was pointless.
My legs wont be back for a while! Robert blurted out as they pulled away from the garden.
Oh, its my dear girl, Margaret whispered, wiping a tear from her cheek. Robert said nothing.
Emily had grown up in a tiny village in Yorkshire and had always hated that fact, dreaming of escaping the country life as soon as she could.
Is this really life? Chickens, muddy boots, the same old garden? Who enjoys that? In the city there are clubs, restaurants, the latest fashions. Ill get out of here one day, she complained to her cousin, Holly, while staring at a broken nail and a endless row of carrots. They were both about fourteen, and tending the garden was part of their daily chores.
Do fancy clothes bring happiness? Holly shrugged. Im happy here. Its simple. In the city you just bounce from job to job. Im going to study veterinary medicine and come back.
I wont go back, and I wont work. The citys full of rich men Ill marry one and never have to lift a finger, Emily whispered conspiratorially.
You think youre special? There are plenty of girls in the city, Holly laughed.
You dont get it! Im pretty, the rest is luck, Emily flounced. Among her friends she truly stood out, both for her looks and her figure.
Margaret and Robert were plain folk whod spent their whole lives in that same village. When their only daughter, who had seemed a miracle after years of hoping for a child, finally finished school, they scraped together enough money to send her to study in the nearby town of Leeds. Emily got a spot in university and a room in the halls. She watched enviously as her richer classmates strutted in designer clothes, while the little allowance her parents sent barely covered tuition and basic expenses. Fancy outfits remained a dream, but she never gave up. One day my street will have its own festival, she told herself.
In her final year Emily landed an internship at a big firm run by a successful, welloff man named Vadim. The male staff wondered why he was still single, the female staff secretly hoped hed notice them. Vadim, however, was taken with the pretty intern. Emily was attractive, but also seemed genuine and downtoearth.
She didnt fall madly in love, but she recognized a lucky ticket in a wealthy suitor. They started dating, and soon Vadim suggested she move in with him. When he asked where she was from and who her parents were, Emily, embarrassed, spun a tangled story about a businessman father whod divorced long ago, barely sending alimony, and a mother living elsewhere with a new family. She claimed she was making her own way, studying alone.
She kept in touch with her parents only briefly on the phone, and when they asked to visit she said her husband was a bird of very high flight and would shame her if she went.
At first Emily played the good girl role with Vadim, but as she realized he was genuinely fond of her she began to chase her own ambitions. She pretended she wanted to switch her career path, but in reality she spent days wandering shops and salons, barely cooking, and constantly complaining that Vadim didnt earn enough to take her out for dinner or order takeaway. Cleaning became a chore she avoided too.
I want a proper homemade soup, some chicken puree, Vadim muttered one evening. We cant afford a livein help, can we?
Ill get you both soup and chicken, love, but not tonight Im exhausted, Emily purred back, and Vadim fell for her charm every time.
One night, in a bout of bragging, Emily let slip the address of the upscale flat she now claimed to live in. Holly, hearing the gossip, passed it on to Emilys parents. Seeing how worried they were, Margaret, in her best dress, convinced Robert to dust off his old suit, load up the leftovers, and drive to see their daughter only to be turned away at her own doorstep.
While they lingered, Emily hid the bags on the balcony and later dumped them in the bin, hoping Vadim wouldnt notice when he returned from work.
The next day Emily came home later than usual.
Whats that smell? she asked as she walked in, catching the scent of fried chips drifting from the kitchen.
Where have you been? Vadim called, wiping his hands on a towel. The foods cooling.
Stuck at university, she replied, eyeing the table laden with golden chips, neatly sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, sauerkraut, and a jug of cherry compote.
I fried the chips in butter, Vadim beamed. And the cucumbers are brilliant! By the way, where did all this come from?
It was my aunt from the village. She sent it over, Emily said, a little defensive.
Aunt? From the village? Why didnt you tell me before? Vadim asked, plating the chips. Wheres the village? Far away? We could visit on weekends. I love the countryside.
Its far, Vadim, really far. Nothing to do there but stare at fields. Id rather be at the seaside, Emily muttered, pursing her lips.
Emily, you know I cant afford a holiday right now. The project needs to be finished, Vadim shrugged.
I could go if you loved me enough to buy a ticket, she snapped, pushing her plate away.
Alright, dont get upset, Vadim said, clearly uncomfortable.
A few days later he actually bought her a ticket.
How I adore you! Emily chirped, packing her suitcase.
Im glad, Vadim replied, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.
Emily flew off for a break, while Vadim began to wonder if hed made the right choice. Four days later, as he stepped out of the lift, he saw a girl sitting on the floor of the hallway, a small backpack beside her, looking halfasleep against the wall. When the lift doors opened, she blinked awake.
Good afternoon, she said cheerily.
Good afternoon, Vadim answered, curious.
Is Anastasia Morgan living here? she asked.
Yes, shes on holiday, Vadim replied. Are you studying with her?
Im her sister, the girl answered, her voice a little shaky. When will she be back?
Your sister? Vadim repeated, opening the door wider. Come in, come in. She didnt mention you. Have a seat, were having dinner soon. Im Vadim. Shes probably talked about me.
Galina. Can I get a message to her? she asked, fidgeting.
You can call her on her new phone. Something happened? Vadim sensed her anxiety.
My parents are in the hospital, and theres been a fire at their house. The neighbours barely got them out, she blurted.
What house? Wait, Emilys parents dont live together, Vadim replied, confused.
Didnt you hear? Auntie Annie and Uncle Bob from our village, Willowbrook? Galina snapped.
It sounds like somethings off. Tell me whats happening, Vadim said, arms open.
It turned out that three days earlier the house where Emilys parents lived had caught fire. Both Margaret and Robert were now in hospital, Roberts condition described as serious.
I knew Emily was ashamed of her parents. She barely talks to them. Ive tried to teach her to stay in touch, but she wont listen. Auntie Annie is crying, Uncle Bob is devastated. Im angry with Emily, but shes still my daughter, Galina said, voice trembling.
Well go to see them now, Ill talk to the doctors, see if we can help. Ill also arrange an emergency train ticket for Emily, Vadim said, determined.
Dont worry, Galina, everything will be fine, he reassured her, then added, Shall we have dinner now?
Emily returned the next morning, trying to apologise, but Vadim barely listened. He helped her parents with medical costs and the repairs on their home. During that time he and Galina grew close, their friendship turning into something more, and a year later they married. Vadim convinced Galina to move to the city, yet most weekends and holidays they still spent in the village, and she opened a small veterinary practice, caring for the local animals. Their family later welcomed a baby and another, but thats another story.
Emily, after all that, never gave up on her dreams of finding a prince and living a life of ease. She eventually got a job, patched things up with her parents, but the original ambition stayed with her, a quiet reminder of the life she once imagined.
