Why did you even come? asked the niece, clearing away the untouched food.
Aunt Lydia, can I change the channel? Emily didnt wait for an answer, grabbing the remote and flicking through the programmes. What rubbish you watch! Goodness, its already nineIve got an early start tomorrow.
Lydia set aside her knitting and studied her niece. The girl had grown, of courseno longer a child at twenty-eightbut she still seemed like the same little Emily who used to rush into Grandmas house in the summer, begging, Aunt Lydia, tell me the princess story again!
Whats so important tomorrow? Lydia asked, turning down the TV volume.
Just a meeting. Work stuff, Emily waved a hand, glued to the screen. Honestly, your fridge is weirdthe milks gone off already.
Gone off? I only bought it fresh yesterday…
Well, have a look yourself! Emily jumped up from the sofa and shuffled into the kitchen in her slippers. See? Its disgusting!
Lydia followed and peered into the milk carton. It had curdled. Oddshed checked the date at the shop.
Mustve spoiled in the heat. Ill get another, she reached into the fridge, but Emily stopped her.
Dont bother! I wont have any anyway. Dairy upsets my stomach. Just make some strong tea, will you?
Of course. Fancy something to eat? Ive got fried potatoes with mushrooms…
Aunt Lydia, Im on a diet! Emily rolled her eyes. No fried food. And nothing after six.
But its nine…
Exactly! Thats why Im not eating!
Lydia filled the kettle and pulled out a tin of biscuits. Emily wrinkled her nose at the oatcakes.
Cant have those either. Anything sugar-free?
Theres brown bread, Lydia offered hesitantly.
Still carbs. Fine, just tea.
They returned to the lounge where an American film played. Emily stared, unblinking. Lydia picked up her knitting but couldnt focus. Her niece had arrived that morning, said shed stay the night, then leave. At first, Lydia had been delightedEmily rarely visited, always busy in London with work. Now she sat there, silent, as if doing her a favour.
Emily, Lydia ventured, how are things? Work alright?
Fine, Emily replied without turning.
And Daniel? Werent you two planning to marry?
Emily flinched, finally tearing her gaze from the screen.
We split up. Six months ago.
Good heavens! What happened?
Nothing dramatic. Just didnt suit each other. These things happen.
Lydia set her knitting aside. So that was that. Shed been imagining wedding invitations, even eyeing dresses. She wanted to ask more, but Emilys expression said the topic was closed.
What about work? That firm you were atwhat was it called?
Left, Emily said shortly. Last month.
Left?! You were there three years!
Was. Now Im not. Looking for something new.
How are you managing?
Aunt Lydia! Emily turned sharply. Must you interrogate me? Im coping, alright?
Sorry, love. I just worry.
Dont. Im a grown woman.
They fell silent. Lydia watched her niece sidelong. Shed grown thin, pale. Her eyes dull, nothing like the lively, laughing girl who used to fill Grandmas house with chatter and plans. Now she sat like a stranger.
The kettle whistled. Emily leapt up first.
Ill make it! she called from the kitchen.
Lydia heard clattering cups, cupboard doors slamming. Then silence. She went to check.
Emily stood by the window, clutching an empty mug. Her shoulders trembled.
Whats wrong, love?
Nothing, she sniffed. Just tired. So tired.
Lydia hugged her. Emily didnt pull awayshe leaned in, just like she had as a child.
Talk to me. Whats really happened?
Everything, Aunt Lydia. Everything at once. Daniel left because he said I was boring. Work was hellmy boss hated me, humiliated me in front of everyone. I quit. Now I cant find anything. Savings are gone. Cant even pay rent.
Oh, my girl! Why didnt you tell me? Wed have figured something out!
Like what? Emily wiped her eyes. Youre on a pension. And Im supposed to handle my own mess.
Rubbish! Familys there for hard times.
Emily gave a bitter laugh.
What family? Mums wrapped up with her new husband. Brothersones in Germany, the other in Edinburgh, drowning in their own problems. The rest havent seen me in years.
But Im here!
You are, Emily conceded. But what can you do? Youre barely scraping by.
Lydia said nothing. True, her pension was small. But this wasnt about money. Why had Emily shut everyone out?
They made tea. Back in the lounge, Emily calmed down, even ate a few biscuitsforgetting her diet.
Remember, Lydia said suddenly, when you visited Grandma in summer? Wed pick strawberries in the woods.
Emily smiled. And youd tell me stories.
We baked pies. You always sneaked raw dough.
Grandma would scold, Emilys eaten it all again! Then shed say, Ah well, Ill make more for my girl. Emily laughedproperly, for the first time that evening.
She adored you.
I adored her. Wish shed lived longer… I miss her, Aunt Lydia.
Me too, love.
They sat quietly, remembering. Then Emily asked,
Ever regret not marrying? Not having kids?
Lydia blinked. I was married.
Oh, to Uncle Colin. But that was… brief.
Three years isnt brief.
Still. No children.
No, Lydia admitted softly. Never happened.
Do you regret it?
How could I not? But thats life.
Emily frowned. Ive been thinkingmaybe its good Daniel and I didnt work out. Wed have divorced anyway. He never really loved me.
How do you know?
It was obvious. Always criticising, comparing me. Claire from the office is so fun. Look how stylish Lucy dresses. Said I was dull.
The fool, Lydia snapped. Theres nothing dull about you!
There is. Im ordinary. No special talents, no striking beauty. Just… average.
Whats wrong with average? Most people are. They get by.
Dunno. Sometimes I feel like I shouldnt even be here.
Lydias chest tightened. Were things really that bad?
Emily, dont say that! Everyone belongs somewhere.
Wheres my somewhere? Minimum-wage jobs? Men who dont care? A rented flat alone?
Is that so terrible? At least youre free.
Free to do what? Emily mused. I dont even know what I want. Used to thinkmarry, have kids, like everyone else. Now… no idea.
Lydia studied her with pity. Young, healthy, yet so lost. At her age, Lydia had been married (however briefly), full of plans. Emily seemed to have forgotten how to dream.
Stay here, Lydia said suddenly. As long as you need. Figure things out.
And do what? No jobs here.
Who said anything about jobs? Rest first. Find your feet.
I cant mooch off you!
Nonsense! Theres room, theres food. Well manage.
Emily shook her head.
Ill go tomorrow, like I planned. Got that interview.
Ah yes, you mentioned. What job?
Waitressing. I knowdegree and all that… But needs must.
No shame in honest work.
Thats what I think. Just need the wages.
They chatted a while longer. Then Emily yawned, saying shed turn in. Lydia made up the sofa bed, fetched an extra blanket.
Aunt Lydia, Emily said suddenly, lying down, thanks. For listening. Helped more than you know.
Anytime, love. And remembercall if you need anything.
I will.
Lydia went to bed but couldnt sleep, worrying. How to help? No money, no connections. And Emily was too proud to accept handouts.
Morning came. Emily dressed quickly, barely touching the breakfast Lydia made.
Diet again? Lydia asked.
Not hungry. Nervous about the interview.
Far to go?
Other side of town. Long trip.
Lydia pressed sandwiches into her bag.
For later, she said.
Ta.
Emily headed for the door, then turned.
Why did you even come? she asked, clearing the uneaten breakfast.
The question threw Lydia.
You said you were visiting.
No, I meanwhyd you move here years ago? You couldve stayed where you were born.
Lydia paused. That old storyone she seldom told.
Mum fell ill. No one to care for her. Then… I just stayed.
What about your life? You had work, friends…
Had. But Mum came first.
No regrets?
Plenty. But dutys duty.
Emily absorbed this.
So you sacrificed everything. For others.
Not sacrificed. Lived as I thought right.
Were you happy?
Lydia shrugged.
Whos to say? Good times, bad times. Like anyone.
But you couldve chosen differently. Stayed, married properly, had children…
Couldve. Didnt.
Emily sighed.
Nothing works out for me either. Maybe it runs in the familyliving lives we didnt choose.
Whose life is their own, if not the one theyre living?
Dunno, Emily admitted. The one you choose, maybe. Not the one that happens to you.
You think people really choose? We make the best of what comes, then call it choice after.
Emily nodded thoughtfully.
Maybe youre right. Anywaybest go. Dont want to be late.
She kissed Lydias cheek and left. Lydia watched her go, hoping shed get the jobnot just for money, but to feel useful again. Poor girl had lost all spirit.
That evening, Emily called.
Aunt Lydia, I got it! Start tomorrow.
Brilliant! Whats the boss like?
Seem decent. Young couple, new café. Said if I do well, maybe promote me to manager.
There you go!
Early days. But at least theres wages. Aunt Lydia… can I visit sometimes? Not to stay, just…
Of course! My doors always open.
Thanks. It
