Late at night, the phone rang. I picked up and heard my daughters voice.
Mum, its me, Emily. Ive got a problem! My husbands kicked me out. Ill come round with Dad tomorrow morning and stay at yours.
Listen, Emily, you dont have parents or a home anymore.
What? she cut in. What did you just say? How can there be no home? Im your only daughterI have a right to this flat! Emily was hysterical, shouting down the line.
Thats just how it is, I replied calmly. You dont have a flat. We gave it to Lucyshe owns it now. And Dad and I want nothing to do with you. Youre not our daughter. Dont call again. Youve lost everything. I ended the call firmly. After what Emily had done, I had every right to say it.
Staring out the window, I suddenly remembered how our story had also begun with a phone call.
That awful call came early one morning. I leapt out of bed and rushed to the landline.
Hello?
A muffled sob came from the other end.
Yes, hello? Who is this?
Margaret, its me, Anna.
Annie, you scared me! Do you know what time it is?
Yes, I do. Margaret, Im going into hospital today for an operation, and Im terrified for my daughter. Please, you and Andrew, dont abandon Lucy. Shes still so little. Dont send her to an orphanage.
My sister Anna had always been eccentriccreative, unconventional. But this crossed the line.
I twisted the phone cord nervously, sensing something serious was happening, though I couldnt grasp it yet. Fear prickled my skin.
Anna, why didnt you tell me sooner? Whats wrong? Where are they taking you?
Anna had been ill for years but never made a fuss. Last month, the pain worsened. Shed lost weight, looked gaunt. The diagnosis was grim. She needed urgent surgery but couldnt bring herself to tell me.
Id always helped hergave her money, acted like a mother to her. And now she was dumping her problemsand her young daughteron me again.
Margaret, they cant guarantee the surgery will work. Please, dont abandon Lucy.
An hour later, we were at the hospital. The operation hadnt started yet, but we werent allowed to see Anna. In the hallway, little Lucy sat curled up. I hugged her tight.
Are they going to hurt Mummy? she whispered, tears in her eyes.
No, sweetheart. Mummy wont feel a thingshell be asleep.
Four hours later, the doctor came out. My younger sister was gone.
We took Lucy home. I went into my daughters room and told her Lucys mum had diedshed be sharing her room now. Emily glared but stayed silent.
Ten days later, Emily threw Lucys things out and banned her from coming back.
Talking to my daughter was impossible. She dug her heels in, swearing shed toss Lucys stuff every time we moved her in. To avoid a war, we gave Lucy our room and slept in the living room.
Lucy was an orphan. Anna never told us who her father was. Now her fate rested with us. So we never treated her differentlyto us, she and Emily were both our daughters.
Years passed. Emily graduated uni and married. Her husband, Richard, was wealthy and older. Neither bothered her. She packed her things and moved in with him.
A month later, she announced the wedding.
Mum, just make sure your favouritethat little suck-upisnt there. I dont want her.
Emily, you cant do this. Lucys your sister. Not inviting her insults us.
Shes not coming! Emily snapped.
Then neither are we.
Fine! Suit yourselves!
I burst into tears but pulled myself together and decided to book a getaway to Brighton.
What about Emilys wedding? Andrew asked, stunned.
Nothing. Were not invited.
Lucy, help me find a nice holiday spot.
Were going away? Lucy beamed.
Yes, love. We can afford it.
Hooray! She spun around the room, thrilled.
The three of us stayed close. Lucy finished school and aced her exams, getting into Architecture. Her mum, Anna, had been a brilliant painterfairly well-known in her circles. Lucy took after her.
Or her father, Andrew would say, suspecting a certain local figure might be Lucys dad.
I ignored that. Lucy was ours.
A year later, we celebrated Lucys 21stthe same day Andrew fell ill. He went pale, collapsed. The ambulance rushed him to hospital.
The doctor said it was serious. Only one medicine could save him, but it had to be importedand cost a fortune. We were desperate.
I called Emily, knowing Richard could lend us the money.
She answered. I explained.
Emily, darling, your dads sick. We need this medicine urgentlyits expensive. Could you lend us the money?
Silence. Just as I went to repeat myself, she spoke.
Alright, Mum. Ill talk to Richard and call you back.
An hour later, she rang.
Mum, listen Richards finally buying me that new carhe promised ages ago. But theres a catch. Its either the car or giving you the money.
Emily, love, well pay you back.
Dont be silly. When? Bit by bit? Ill never see that car at this rate.
Are you hearing yourself? Your dad could die. He needs your help.
I cant help. Take out a loan if youre that desperate. The world doesnt revolve around you.
The phone slipped from my hand. I nearly fainted.
Aunt Margaret, whats wrong?
Lucy caught me before I fell. I sobbed uncontrollably.
Listen, Aunt Margaretlets sell Mums flat. I cant stand being there five minutes anyway. Pleasewe need to save Uncle Andrew. Well price it low, get the deposit to the doctors fast.
Sweetheart, we cantits yours. What would your mum think?
Aunt Margaret, youre smarter than this. Who cares what Mum would say? Uncle Andrews life is at stake. Thats all that matters. We have to act now.
I hugged her, speechless. She was rightthis was our only chance.
We sold the flat that same day. The buyer paid a deposit, and while the paperwork went through, we got the medicine.
Two days later, it arrived. It worked. Lucy saved Andrews life. A month later, he was fully recovered. Our joy was endless.
Once Andrew was better, we transferred the flat to Lucys name. The solicitor updated the deeds. She was overwhelmed. The leftover money went into savings.
We lived happily togetheruntil that late-night call.
Emily, saying she was coming home. Richard had thrown her out.
I said no.
We only have one daughter: Lucy.
I hung up.
A couple of years later, Lucy married James, a farmer. He had a lovely countryside home, a thriving businesseven planned to open a small jam factory.
They invited us to move in, but we preferred visiting a few times a week. Our room was always readyneat, welcoming. Andrew and James became close, often fishing together. Andrew helped on the farm. Lucy designed the factory plans.
We lived in harmony, a happy familyjust not always under one roof. The only time we thought of Emily was on her wedding day, the same day Andrew and I went to Brighton years ago. Lucy organised our tripssometimes joining us.
Every year on that day, I wondered how Id raised such a selfish daughterone who valued a flashy car over our lives. Yet Lucy, orphaned so young, cherished us above all. Shed have given everything for our happiness.
