You wont believe what happened on that bitterly cold night. The wind was howling outside, but inside Maggie Hughess cosy cottage the fire crackled softly, the telly was playing her favourite drama and the snow was piling up like a white blanket. Maggie, a retired district nurse, had settled into her old armchair, a cup of tea steaming on the table, while she petted her tabby, Whiskers, who was curled up on her lap.
Suddenly there was a loud rattle on the window, then a frantic bark at the front gate Rex the terrier let out such a howl his voice cracked, and then everything fell silent.
Who could be out in this weather? Maggie muttered, pulling on her woollen slippers and a heavy coat before heading out to see if she could also bring in a few more logs.
She trudged through the drifts, opened the gate and froze. Standing on the frosty doorstep, barely able to keep her balance, was a young woman, shivering, barefoot in a nightshirt and a knitted shawl. Her belly was huge you could see she was heavily pregnant.
She barely managed a whisper: Please, dont turn me away! Theyre trying to take my baby! she pleaded.
Maggie didnt waste a second. She hauled the girl inside, wrapped her in a coat and set her down by the fire.
Oh my God, what on earth is happening? Who would have the nerve to kick a pregnant woman out into the cold? Maggie gasped, her heart thudding.
Having been a nurse, Maggie knew exactly how dangerous a walk like that could be for a pregnant woman. She boiled some water, warmed the girls feet, rubbed her with a bit of spirit, handed her a mug of hot tea with raspberry jam and tucked her into a spare bed. No questions, no probing Morning is wiser than night, she thought.
The girl fell asleep almost immediately, whispering a grateful Thank you. The night outside was a mess of shouting, running figures and car lights.
Emily, thats what the girls now called herself, woke to the smell of fried eggs and fresh scones drifting from the kitchen. Her baby shifted restlessly, reminding her she was still hungry. She slipped out of the blankets and saw a warm robe and slippers waiting for her by the bedside. The feeling was like being back at her grans cottage in the countryside safe, home, far from the harsh reality outside.
Maggie bustled about, plating golden pancakes. She glanced at Emily, smiled gently and said, Alright, love, go wash up and have a proper breakfast. The little one must be starving. After that, you can tell me whats happened, if you like.
Emily ate with huge satisfaction, then sighed and began her story:
I grew up in an orphanage, never knew my parents. My grandma, Vera, raised me until she died when I was five, then I went back to the home. After I left, I got a council flat and a scholarship to train as a teacher. At a disco I met a rich bloke, James. He was ten years older, owned a house in the neighbouring village, his dad was a bigwig in the local business world. He courted me, sent flowers, took me to the cinema I fell head over heels. Everyone was jealous, thinking Id snagged an unbeatable catch. He was a dream when he looked at me, I felt like I was walking on air.
We lived together in his house at first. Everything was fine, until I found out I was pregnant. Suddenly he changed started drinking, getting angry, saying things hed never said before. A couple of weeks ago he turned downright cruel, bringing another girl home and making a fool of me in front of her. I was devastated, packed my things, and decided to leave. He stopped me, slammed the door, and shouted, You think you can run away? Youll give birth to my child, then Ill dump you! Youll never see your son again! He locked me in a room, only letting a cleaner bring me food. I cried, begged, pleaded
Yesterday evening the cleaner, Inga, finally left the door open. I ran out, didnt know where I was heading, and somehow ended up at your doorstep. Thank you
Maggies eyes widened. Good heavens, is that really happening? What will you do now? she asked, voice soft.
Emily sobbed, I dont know. Please dont turn me away. James will take the baby after its born and throw me out. Im nobody not even his wife, just an orphan. I might as well end it all.
Maggie shook her head. Dont think like that. My son, Greg, is the local police constable. Hes due back from his shift soon. Youll tell him everything, maybe he can help.
Greg, whod just finished his night patrol, was already feeling the weight of his own troubles. Hed split with his wife, Iris, after she complained about his modest police salary and wanted him to quit and chase a fancy business career. Shed since run off with a wealthy guy abroad, leaving Greg back with his mothers house. Hed grown bitter, thinking women were all after money.
He walked in, called out, Hey, Mum! and headed straight for the kitchen, where the smell of something delicious made his stomach growl.
Mum, meet our guest Emily. Shes in a terrible spot. Could you listen and maybe help? Maggie said.
Greg glanced at Emily, who looked like a startled fawn big, watery blue eyes framed by thick lashes, wheatcoloured hair tied in a loose ponytail, a tiny belly sticking out. He felt a sudden protectiveness.
Dont worry, love, we wont hand you over to anyone, he whispered.
He learned what had happened, his anger flaring at Jamess cruelty. He didnt know exactly how to fix things, but he swore he wouldnt leave her to fend for herself. He promised to get her clothes, food, and to use his connections to sort out the mess with James.
Through a few contacts Greg discovered that Jamess father, Richard Mallory, was indeed a prominent local businessman, though his empire had shady dealings and the police had been watching him for a while. Greg decided to pay a visit to the Mallory estate.
At the gate, a sleek young man answered, Who are you?
Detective Constable Greg Hughes, he said, trying to stay calm. I need to speak to your father about a serious matter.
The young bloke, clearly not thrilled, said, Make it quick, Ive got guests.
Greg said, Your father has unlawfully taken Emilys documents and belongings. Shes terrified and cant return. You need to give them back.
The son snarled, Shes a nuisance. Ive had enough of her. Ill keep the baby, too. Shes not even worth a penny.
Gregs blood boiled. Thats illegal! You cant take a child from his mother without consent! he snapped.
The son sneered, My dad controls the whole area. She gets nothing unless she gives us the baby.
Greg knew he had to go higher. He spent a month gathering evidence on the Mallory business, eventually confronting Richard in his office, laying out the proof and threatening to expose it.
Richard, after a long pause, sighed, Alright, Ive heard enough. Well return her things and the baby. I dont want any more trouble.
Greg ran back to the cottage, heart racing, to tell Emily the good news. He found her in the kitchen, rolling out pastry dough, flour dusting her nose, hair slipping out of its bun. He felt a surge of tenderness.
Emily, youre free. Tomorrow you can move into your own place. Ive sorted everything, he said, smiling.
She threw her arms around him, tears of relief spilling, Thank you, Greg. I thought Id never get out of this.
Maggie, still in the living room, interjected, How can she move tomorrow? Ive grown fond of her, and the house feels livelier with her here. What will happen to her, a single mother with no job?
Greg replied, Well try to find her family, maybe any siblings or aunts. Lets start looking.
Together they tracked down an old caretaker from the orphanage, uncovered her grandmothers name, and followed a trail of old records. The revelations were shocking: Emilys mother, a woman named Valerie, had been pregnant, given birth, then disappeared after a tragic accident. It turned out Valerie had tried to hand over her baby to a distant relative thats how Emily ended up outside the cottage doors all those years ago.
Maggie, tears in her eyes, whispered, I always felt a connection with you, like you were my sister. Now I see why.
Greg, stunned, realized they might be cousins. He stepped outside, fell to his knees, and let the emotions crash over him. Why, why now? I love you, Emily. How can I pull you away from my heart?
Life slowly settled back into its rhythm. Emily gave birth to a healthy boy, Sam, and moved into her own flat. On weekends she visited her aunt, and Maggie dotedoted the little one, humming lullabies.
Greg, however, seemed to have changed. He lost his appetite, grew withdrawn, started drinking more, haunted by the memory of Emily. He avoided looking at her, though every part of him still ached to be near her.
Maggie watched it all, praying silently, Lord, give me the strength to tell the truth. I cant keep this secret any longer. She finally gathered the courage and, one evening, called Greg and Emily to the sitting room, opened an old wooden box and began:
Greg, my dear son, I thought Id never have to tell you this, but I cant hide any longer. Your father, Ivan, died when you were thirty; I never married again. In the maternity ward, a girl gave birth and left the baby. I took her in, raised you as my own, and never told you the truth. Im sorry, love, I was terrified youd reject me.
Gregs eyes widened. Mum, is it true? Are we really related?
Maggie nodded, tears streaming. You look just like her, thats why I recognised you.
Greg fell to his knees, embraced his mother, and whispered, Thank you, Mum. I love you, no matter what.
Emily stood frozen, unable to speak. Greg then turned to her, eyes shining, Emily, I fell for you the moment I saw you. I know we cant be together, but I cant live without you. Will you marry me? Ill raise Sam as my own, and well build a life together.
She smiled through her tears, Ill say yes.
They all laughed, cried, and the darkness of the past faded. Emily knew the future was bright, and Greg finally felt hope again.
