Step-Mother: A Tale of Rivalry and Resilience

— Well then, love, this is your room now. Make yourself at home.
Emily took a few tentative steps. A bed with a ridiculous, fluffy duvet, a writing desk with a laptop perched on it, a wardrobe with mirrored doors, and beside it a rectangular rug bearing a geometric pattern. Everything was carefully chosen, stylish and expensive nothing like the cramped bedroom she had known before.

Her father hauled two large suitcases filled with Emilys belongings and set them by the wardrobe.
Will you sort it out yourself? he asked.

Of course, Emily thought. As if he expected her to beg for help, or perhaps to ask Claire?

Claire entered, balancing a potted plant with long narrow leaves, and placed it on the windowsill.
I thought it would look lovely here. She beamed at Emily, who stood sullen and silent.

Lets go, David, Claire said. Emily laid a hand on her fathers shoulder and guided him toward the front door.

Settle in, she whispered one last time, gently closing the door behind her.

Settle in, Emily muttered under her breath. A wave of melancholy washed over her; the room felt cold and unwelcoming. She fell onto the bed, turned to face the wall, curled into a ball, hugged her knees and shut her eyes.

Mother, why? We were always together and now youve left me. Why didnt you go to the hospital straight away? Why did you let it go this far?

For ten years Emily had been her mothers little girl. After her father left, she saw him rarely, if at all. Evenings with mum, the television, the warmth of home, the smell of her mothers fresh cakes and a steaming mug of tea were now only memories. Now she was forced to live with strangers. Her father never called her by name, only daughter. The word dad felt awkward on her tongue. She turned her thoughts to her stepmother instead.

Emily had imagined that wealthy men, once divorced, would marry glamorous models whose looks would suit their daughters. Claire, though younger than David, was plainlooking: short, with a bob haircut, and ran a modest law firm. She was clever, perhaps overly businesslike, unlike her mother. The house used to reek of freshly baked pies or roast meat, but now Claire often ordered takeaway.

Did she arrange this room for me? Most likely, yes. It couldnt have been David. She does have a decent eye. Emily ran her hand over the soft, long pile of the duvet something shed never owned before.

At her new school Emily quickly made friends, largely because of her fathers money and her striking looks. The girls decided it was better to be pals than rivals. Previously she had only spoken to a handful of classmates, and her mother had been her closest confidante. Now the new crowd welcomed her, understood her, and made her feel needed. For the first time she sensed attention from boys and felt a secret thrill.

At first she truly suffered from the circumstances, and the class took her on as a halforphan, forced to live with an uncaring father and a cold stepmother. Emily liked the role and, over time, deliberately kept up the image.

She didnt hear a classmate whisper to the boys, Whats she saying about her stepmother? My mums friend works for her and says shes a decent lady.

When Emily first returned home late one night, David said, Girl, I know you want to spend time with friends, so I didnt call you. But Id like you not to stay out so late again. Deal? Emily said nothing and retreated to her room.

The next time they planned a night out, she switched off her phone. At home David waited, his expression foretelling trouble.

If it happens again, Ill have to act, he warned.

Emily shot him a quick, angry glance and strutted into her room. Claire was sitting on the bed, rising instantly when Emily entered.

I wanted to talk to you.

Emily stayed silent, her posture screaming, What else do you want? Claire flustered, losing some of her resolve.

Davids worried about you.

Im almost sixteen! Emily snapped.

She began coming home on time to avoid angering David. She had plans for her sixteenth birthday, hoping to celebrate with friends. Her older brothers friend had promised them a flat for the party. She was seeing a boy she liked and dreamed of a private moment with him.

Later David announced, Claire has booked a table for tomorrow. Well mark your birthday. If you wish, you can invite your friends.

What? A restaurant with you lot? I was planning to party with my mates!

When were you going to tell us?

I dont know, Emily muttered. Maybe tomorrow.

So on the day itself? Fine. If you want your friends, you can gather at our house. Claire will sort the food.

Emily felt a chill. Everything was ready: Maxs brothers flat, drinks supplied, the whole lot anticipating a lively night. She imagined the ridicule shed face if she accepted the fathers suggestion. She fled to school, thinking shed figure something out.

In the hallway a harsh light blazed as an enraged David confronted Emily.

What do you think youre doing? he roared, smelling alcohol and cigarette smoke on her.

You think you can yell at me? he demanded, raising his hand as if to strike her cheek.

David!

Behind him Claire appeared, eyes wide with fear, mascara streaked from recent tears. She gently pushed David back, took Emily by the shoulders and led her away.

Tell me quickly, anyone hurt you? Did something bad happen? Claire whispered.

Emily shook her head.

No. Its fine.

Ill speak to David. How can I help?

Bring me a drink.

Claire assured David that all was well, then returned to find Emily already asleep, still in her nightclothes.

Did you smell the alcohol? David snapped, entering the bedroom where Claire had been talking about his daughter.

Of course. Imagine yourself at sixteen.

And what? Shes just a girl!

Right. Think of your peers. Emily isnt foolish, but her friends now mean more to her than we ever did. Give her time. Remember, her world turned upsidedown in an instant; perhaps that makes it easier for her to cope.

Whats she coping with? She has everything food, clothes, the lot. Ill grant any whim.

David! Stop playing the fool! She lost her mother. What she needs most is love and attention, and shes seeking it from her friends. Something happened today, perhaps a fight?

I dont know. David sighed, shoulders slumping. I never imagined it would be this hard.

Then what am I to do? Claire replied, smiling, hugging her husband and planting a kiss on his forehead. Dont worry. Well manage together.

The next morning Claire entered Emilys room. The girl was awake, eyes open.

How do you feel? Head still hurting?

Claire drew back the curtains and handed Emily a glass of water.

Emily sat up, drank greedily.

Why did you look after me yesterday?

Because I was sixteen once too. Happy birthday, by the way.

Emily fell silent.

You hate me?

Its because of you that David left.

You know that isnt true. We met a year after.

Exactly! What if hed come back?

Claire sighed. Its never simple, Emily. Often people cant reconnect after a breakup.

Why? What stops them? People like you? My mum was wonderful!

Your mum was brilliant, Claire began, but Emily pulled her hand away. Adult relationships are messy. Some can be fixed, some cant, and partings are sometimes kinder than endless fighting. No single person is to blame.

And me? What am I to blame for? He didnt care about me!

Thats not true. He tried to provide for you, kept up with your life.

He never wanted to see me!

He wanted to. He just thought youd be better off with mum.

Claire kept quiet about how Emilys mother had asked David not to interfere when she married Claire, fearing hed take too much of the childs time. David had given up after the first argument.

He loves you deeply. Youre just growing up.

Claire placed her hand on Emilys shoulder; this time the girl did not pull away.

So if the boy I was seeing turned up at my birthday with another girl and dumped me, is he the only one at fault?

Hmm. Need to think on that. Did he say anything else?

She called me overthinking.

See?

In that moment Emily craved a hug, a reassurance that she could be a little girl again, that someone would sort out her troubles, that the painful knot in her chest from yesterdays betrayal would finally loosen. Claire seemed to sense this and pulled the sobbing teenager close.

EmilyEmily, I know I cant replace your mum, but Id like to be a friend. I fell in love for the first time at sixteen, too. He was a year older, and soon I discovered he was seeing another girl from a nearby school.

What a scoundrel! What did you do?

We both left him.

And what was your fault?

I spent too much time on my studies.

They both laughed, the tension lifting, and felt a step forward in their bond.

Listen, Claire said, lets both take the day off. You go to school, I finish work, and well splash a bit of your dads money together. Sound good?

Emily managed a shy smile. All right! I spoke to him yesterday. He said we could pick any gift. Shall we go?

The two chatted excitedly about shopping and the day ahead, oblivious to the sudden, violent jolt that sent their car skidding, brakes screeching, another thud as if something had struck the vehicle from the outside, and then silence.

Dad! Dad, were in the hospital!

Half an hour later Emily saw her fathers silhouette at the end of a ward corridor and waved.

Emily!

David lunged toward her, cradling her shoulders, his eyes sweeping over her bruises and cuts.

Are you okay? Any pain? he asked, voice trembling.

Just a scratch, Dad.

David stared at her, his voice cracking, Wheres Claire?

In the ward. The impact came from her side. Some lunatic sprang out. Shes alive, Dad!

He pressed her close, shaking. Emily pressed her head against his shoulder.

Im ashamed of what happened yesterday.

He stroked her back cautiously. Never mind that. Lets forget it, alright?

Emily nodded. A doctor entered.