Amelia had always felt like a stranger in her own home. Her mother, Margaret, clearly favoured her older sistersVictoria and Eleanorshowering them with affection and warmth. That favour cut deep, and the young girl kept her bitterness hidden, forever trying to win a sliver of her mothers love.
Dont even think of living under my roof! The house will go to your sisters. Youve looked at me like a wolf cub all your life, so go wherever you please! With those harsh words, Margaret shoved Amelia out the moment she turned eighteen.
Amelia tried to argue, to point out the injustice. Victoria was only three years older, Eleanor five. Both had gone to university with their mothers money; no one had pressed them to earn a living early. Yet Amelia had always been the odd one out. In spite of all her efforts to be good, the love she received in the family was merely superficialif it could be called love at all. Only her grandfather, George, treated her kindly. He had taken in his pregnant daughter after her husband vanished without a trace.
Perhaps Mum worries about my sisters? They say I look a great deal like them, Amelia mused, seeking an excuse for her mothers coldness. She had tried several times to have an honest hearttoheart with Margaret, but each attempt ended in a scene or a tantrum.
Her grandfather was a true rock. Amelias fondest memories were of the countryside cottage where they spent summers. She loved tilling the garden, milking cows, baking piesanything to delay the return to a house where each day brought contempt and reproach.
Grandpa, why does nobody love me? Whats wrong with me? she would ask, holding back tears.
I love you very much, he answered gently, never mentioning Margaret or the sisters.
Little Amelia wanted to believe him, to think she was loved in a special way. But when she turned ten, George passed away, and the familys treatment of her grew harsher. Her sisters mocked her, and Margaret always took their side.
From that day on she received nothing newonly handmedowns from Victoria and Eleanor. They derided her:
Oh, what a fashionable blouse! Sweep the floor, Ameliawhatever needs doing!
When their mother bought sweets, the sisters devoured them, handing Amelia only the empty wrappers:
Here, love, collect the wrappers!
Margaret heard everything but never scolded them. Thus Amelia grew up as the wolf cub, always pleading for love from those who saw her as worthless, an object of ridicule. The harder she tried to be good, the more they despised her.
So when Margaret finally expelled her on her eighteenth birthday, Amelia swore on a hospital orderlys badge. She took a job at St.Marys Hospital, where hard work and endurance became her habit, and at last she earned a modest wagethough it was barely enough. Yet here, no one turned her face. If kindness met a stranger without malice, Amelia considered it progress.
Her employer even offered a scholarship to train as a surgeon. In the small town of Bramley, such specialists were scarce, and Amelia had already shown talent while assisting the nurses.
Life was tough. By twentyseven she had no close relatives left. Work consumed her, and she lived for the patients whose lives she saved. Yet loneliness lingered; she slept alone in a dormitory, much as she had before.
Visiting her mother and sisters became a constant disappointment, so Amelia went as rarely as possible. While they smoked and gossiped on the front step, she would sit on the porch and weep.
One bleak afternoon a fellow orderly, Graham, approached her.
Why are you crying, love?
Dont call me love Stop teasing me, Amelia replied quietly.
She had always seen herself as plain, a gray mouse, never noticing that, nearing thirty, she had become a petite, charming blonde with bright blue eyes and a neat nose. The awkwardness of youth had faded; her shoulders straightened, and her hair, tied in a tight bun, seemed eager to break free.
Youre actually very beautiful. Value yourself and lift your head. Besides, youre a promising surgeon; your future looks bright, Graham urged.
He had worked beside her for nearly two years, sometimes slipping her a chocolate, but this was their first real conversation. Amelia broke down and told him everything.
Maybe you should speak to Edward Whitcombe? The gentleman you saved recently. He treats you well and has many connections, Graham suggested.
Thanks, Graham. Ill try, Amelia said.
And if that fails, we could marry. I have a flat and wont mistreat you, he added halfjoking.
Amelia blushed; she sensed his seriousness. He saw not a pitiful orphan, but a woman worthy of love.
Alright. Ill keep that option in mind, she smiled, feeling for the first time in ages that she was not a workhorse or a waste, but a beautiful young woman with a future ahead.
That very evening Amelia dialled Edward Whitcombes number.
This is Amelia, the surgeon. You gave me your card and said I could call if I needed help she began, hesitating.
Amelia! Good heavens, you finally called! How are you? Lets meet for tea and talk. We old folk love a good chat, the man replied warmly.
The next day was Amelias day off, so she went to see him straightaway. She told him plainly about her plight and asked if he knew anyone needing a livein caregiver.
You understand, Edward, Im used to hard work, but I feel I cant bear this any longer
Dont worry, love! I can get you a surgeons post in a private clinic, and you can stay with me. Without you, I wouldnt be where I am now, he said.
Of course, Edward, I agree! But will your relatives mind? she asked.
My relatives only appear when Im gone; they care only about the house, he answered sadly.
Thus they began to live together. Two years later a romance blossomed between Amelia and Graham, often over tea. Edward never liked Graham and constantly warned Amelia:
Sorry, dear, but Graham is a nice lad, just a bit softhearted. You cant rely on him. Try not to grow too attached.
Edward Its too late. Weve already decided to marry. He even proposed jokingly two years ago, and now Im pregnant, Amelia announced, glowing with happiness. She added, But you remain important to me; Ill visit every day. Youre like family.
Amelia Im not feeling well. Tomorrow well go to the solicitor and register a cottage in your name in Hawthorn. Youve always loved the country. It could be your dacha you could sell it if you wish, he said, pausing.
Amelia tried to protestit seemed too much, and he would live long enough to leave the house to his children. Yet Edward was adamant.
She was stunned to discover the cottage stood in the very village where her beloved grandfather had lived. His house had long since been torn down, the plot sold, strangers now occupied it, but the thought of a little corner of her own stirred warm memories.
I dont deserve this, but thank you, Edward, she whispered sincerely.
Just one condition: dont tell Graham the house is in your name, and dont ask why. Can you promise that? he asked gravely.
She nodded, promising to keep his secret. How to explain the origin of the cottage to Graham remained a puzzle, but she could say shed reconciled with her mother.
Later Amelia learned Edward, besides suffering after a stroke, also bore cancer. He refused surgery. In the end she arranged his funeral and moved in with her future husband.
Troubles began around the seventh month of her pregnancy, after six months together.
Maybe you should work a bit before the baby arrives, Graham suggested.
By then Amelia had left the clinic Edward had secured for her, hoping to live on her savings with Grahams support. His words hurt.
Well perhaps she replied hesitantly. It was awkward; she bought the groceries, and Graham proved stingy. Yet the child grew in her womb, and she did not wish to abandon the wedding.
A week before the planned ceremony, while Graham was out, a stranger entered their flat with her own key.
Hello. Im Lena. Graham and I love each other, and hes just too shy to tell you. So Ill say it: youre no longer needed, the tall, thin blonde declared confidently.
What? Our wedding is in days! Weve paid for everything! Amelia stammered, bewildered. She had covered most of the modest celebrations costs at a local café.
I know. No problem. Graham will marry me. I have contacts at the registry; well sort it quickly, Lena replied as if it were already settled.
When Graham finally returned, he muttered,
Amelia, Im sorry Yes, its true. Ill help with the baby but cannot marry you.
Well do a paternity test, Lena added, laying a hand on his shoulder.
What paternity test?! Youre my first and only! Amelia shouted, lashing out.
Shell scratch you up, love! Shes almost thirty and behaves like a child! Lena scoffed.
Graham stood mute, offering no defence, merely looking down. It became clear everything hinged on Lena; he was a passive observer.
Amelia began packing. There was no point fighting a man who gave up on her so easily. Lena boasted that she and Graham had dated long agoshed once been married but was now free. Amelia was merely a placeholder until the dream woman appeared.
She could have demanded answers from Graham, but what was the use when he let Lena come in and make the decision?
So the cottage finally proved useful, Amelia thought.
The cottage was modest, lacking running water, but the stove was excellenther grandfather had taught her everything needed for country life. It was livable. How would she give birth alone? Time would tell.
Firewood was stacked, the shed sturdy, and snow already piled at the doorway, waiting to be cleared. The woodpiles were abundanta rare find in such a cold winter!
It helped that Edward had introduced her to the neighbours beforehand as the new mistress and wife of his son, sparing her unnecessary questions.
Of course, Amelia phoned Margaret and her sisters. As expected, they advised her to give the baby up for adoption and warned, Next time, dont get involved with anyone before the wedding. They also chattered about how Graham hadnt returned the wedding money, half of which Amelia had paid.
No one knew about the cottage. Now Amelia could hide, gather herself, and plan.
It was bitterly cold; she kept her down jacket on. While raking coals in the stove, the poker struck something hard.
She slipped off her gloves and pulled out a wooden box that had been hidden among the firewood. The lid bore neat letters: Amelia, this is for you. She recognised the handwriting instantlyEdwards.
Inside lay photographs, a letter, and a small tin. Her hands trembled as she unfolded the note and read:
Dear Amelia, you should know I was your grandfathers brother, and he asked me to look after you.
The letter explained a longago rift between her grandfather and Edwards family. Before dying, the elder brother found Edward and begged him to locate Amelia after she turned eighteen, promising an inheritance his daughter would never relinquish.
Edward had struggled to find herher mother and sisters hid her addressbut fate brought them together in the hospital when he was a patient and she his doctor. He wanted to reveal everything sooner but never had the chance, so he left the cottage his grandfather had bought for her while alive, knowing his own daughter would never give anything to a granddaughter.
Another shock emerged: Amelias mother was not her biological mother. Amelia was the daughter of her late aunt, whom she had envied. In the photographa young couple smiling, holding a little girlAmelia saw herself, saved because she was with her grandfather on the day of the tragedy.
Inside the box lay fivehundredpound notes left by the grandfather. Touching them warmed Amelias heart. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Now she and her unborn child were safe.
When she lit the stove, it seemed the flames consumed all her fears, betrayals, and resentments. She would start anewfor the baby and for herself.
In time she would forgive those who had wronged her, but she was done with them. That cottage would be her sanctuary.
Edward had always said a good house should belong to someone who values it. He claimed hed built it in his youth with his own hands, from the finest timber.
Not just a house, but a wonder! It will stand for two hundred years! he often repeated. The village was reachable by busjust two stops away.
The pay was still low, and help with the baby remained uncertain. Yet the main thing was she now had a roof, some savings, a profession, and a baby on the way. For the first time in many years Amelia truly felt happy.
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