Again my mother arrives with her housemate and another man. They are already a little drunk, so I slip into a corner behind the sidetable.
Nowhere to hide, the snows already fallen outside. Im fed up with everything. This summer Ill finish my ninthgrade exams and go to the city. Ill enrol at a teaching college and become a teacher. The town is only ten miles away, but Ill live in the halls.
Mother and her guests settle at the kitchen table. I hear the clink of glasses as they pour a drink, the smell of sausage drifting from the stove. My mouth waters.
Hold on, you! my mother shouts.
Whats wrong? she asks.
You two
Its the first time there are two of us, says John, my mothers housemate.
A crash of dishes follows, a hiss, a rustle. I press deeper into the corner. The noise suddenly stops.
Listen, Mike, shes asleep, says the other housemate.
Yeah, shes a good girl, but somethings off about her
Shes got a daughter, another voice adds.
A daughter?
Emily, shes grown now. Probably hidden in a room.
Bring her out, Mike calls cheerfully.
Emily, where are you? John walks into the room, sees me, and gives a sly smile. Come sit with us!
Its fine for me here.
Dont be shy, Mike tries to hug me.
I snatch the vase on the sidetable and slam it over his head. Glass shatters. I bolt from the room.
Hold her! Mike yells. Im already at the front door, shoes off, still in socks, old shorts and a Tshirt, and I dash out.
The men follow. The village street is deserted. Where can I run in the snow at night? Behind me I hear shouting. A huge house I run past barks, then a voice yells at a dog.
I fling myself at the gate and pound on it. A fortyyearold man opens the door.
Help! I whisper, pleading with him.
Come in! he grabs my arm and shuts the door.
Oliver, whos that? a woman steps onto the porch.
The lad, the owner nods toward me. There are some men after her.
Quick, inside! she pulls me by the arm. Tell us everything there.
Emily, behave! Mikes voice echoes.
Oliver, dont interfere! the lady shouts. Get inside!
From the street we hear more cries, a dog barking in the yard.
We should call the police, the woman says, pulling out her phone.
Polly, no. Ill sort it out myself. Theyre locals, I reckon.
How will you deal with them?
Nicely. Calm her down. The owner grabs a bag, walks to the fridge, and puts in a bottle and a slice of ham.
He pats the dog, they both head outside. Mike lunges at him:
Give back Emily!
Take it and go!
He opens the bag, smiles, nods at his mate. Lets go, Mike!
***
My names Polly Thompson, the lady says, setting a kettle on the stove. Sit, sit! Tell us who you are and what happened.
Im Emily, I start, teeth chattering. I live on this lane, right at the edge.
Youre Kiras daughter?
Yes.
Weve only just moved here, but weve heard about your mother. I lower my head and begin to sob.
Dont cry, she says, gently pulling me close. The gesture feels strange, but I hug her tighter and tears spill faster.
Alright, alright, thats enough. Lets have some tea.
The houseowner enters.
Everyone, settle down.
What do we do with this beauty? Polly glances at me, then smiles.
Well talk tomorrow. For now, tea and a bath.
Want something to eat? Polly places a mug of tea before me and smiles again. I see youre hungry.
Sandwiches appear on the table, alongside leftover cake.
Eat, eat! the owner says, watching my stare at the food.
They stop questioning me and try not to stare, noticing my embarrassment.
When dinner ends, Polly leads me to the bathroom.
Wash up, and put on this robe.
***
All I want now is not to be thrown out onto the street. The warm bath feels lovely while the night outside is freezing. But the owners need me to leave soon.
I step out. The husband and his wife sit on the sofa. I force a guilty smile.
Thanks!
Emily, the lady begins, I understand no ones going to look for you. You dont want to go home.
I drop my head lower.
Tomorrow we have to leave early in the morning
I get it, I whisper, my chin almost touching my chest.
Youll stay alone. Dont open the door for anyone! Jack wont let anyone in. Got that?
Yes! I shout, emotions spilling over.
You could make some soup for us while were gone, Oliver says with a sly grin. Can you?
I can, I reply hastily, still fearing Ill be kicked out. I can cook well and clean the house.
Clean the downstairs if you can, Polly agrees.
***
I awaken with the owners. I lie quietly, still terrified of being evicted. A car rumbles in the yard, then everything quiets.
I get up, wash, and head to the kitchen where a kettle whistles, bread, sausage and cheese sit on the table, and pork ribs rest on a chopping board.
I have breakfast, clear the table, wipe everything down, and mop the floor.
In the hallway I spot a vacuum cleaner, switch it on and start cleaning.
Just as I turn it off
What does all this mean? a voice asks from behind.
I spin around. A tall, goodlooking lad about eighteen, brown eyes full of curiosity, stands there.
Im cleaning, I mumble. Who are you?
He shakes his head, pulls a phone from his pocket:
Mom, Im home. Whos this?
Son, let her stay a bit.
Its none of my business. He tucks the phone away, eyes me from head to toe, then heads to the kitchen.
Would you like some tea? I ask.
Ill manage.
***
I finish vacuuming, then dust every surface, listening for any creak from the kitchen.
The lad finishes his breakfast and walks into the bathroom, emerging shirtless, smelling of aftershave.
Hey, owner, another bottle, please! a shout comes from outside.
What now? the lad walks to the window.
Dont open the door! I gasp.
He looks at me, smiles, and heads for the exit.
I rush to the window. By the fence my mothers housemate and his friend are shouting something. Fear grips me.
The owners son appears. They all lunge at him, and suddenly they tumble into the snow; it looks like both of them fall at once.
The lad bends over them, says something, and they get up, heads down, walking toward my mothers house.
***
He returns, his gaze fixed on me, frozen.
You scared?
I cant control myself; I press my face to his chest and start crying.
Whats your name? he asks suddenly.
Emily.
Im Ruslan. Dont cry. They wont come back.
***
Ruslan retreats to his room and stays there until evening. I make borscht, sit at the kitchen table and think.
Id love to stay with these wonderful people, but I know Ive crossed the line of propriety.
The owners return. Polly shakes her head in surprise at how tidy everything looks. Oliver gives the borscht a respectable nod.
I think Ill head home, I say, resigned. Thank you for everything.
Emily, stay a few more days! Polly urges.
Thanks, Polly! Ill go home now, I repeat.
I step toward the door and freeze. Since yesterday Ive been wandering the house in someone elses coat and slippers.
Come on! the lady grabs my shoulder and leads me to the living room.
She opens a wardrobe, studies the clothes for a long moment, then pulls out jeans, a sweater, and a warm sports jacket.
Put these on! Were almost the same height.
You dont have to I protest.
You cant go home naked. Dress up! I wont be short of money.
I change, sneak a look in the mirrornever have I owned such nice clothes.
In the hallway she makes me put on a hat and winter boots.
Emily, take care of yourself!
Thank you, Polly.
***
Life settles into a new routine. My mother gets a job on a farm. Her housemate disappears with a friend.
Spring arrives. Im at home studying when someone knocks on the gate. I peek out the window and cant believe my eyesRuslan stands by the fence, nodding at me as if to say, Come out!
I dont step outI sprint.
Hey! Ruslan grins.
Hello!
My mum called for you.
***
Later I walk into the house where I spent that happy day.
Hello, Emily! the lady greets me at the door and embraces me.
Hello, Polly!
Come in, lets have tea! she says, pouring tea for herself and for me.
I have a favour to ask. My husband and I are flying to Turkey for a month, she says, a dreamy smile playing on her lips. Our son is rarely home. Could you look after the house? Feed Jack the dog, the cat too, water the flowersthere are many.
Of course, Polly! I reply.
She pulls out a envelope. Heres twentyfive pounds.
Polly, why?
Take it. We wont go broke. Ill explain everything later.
I memorise where the flower pots and buckets are, where the cat food and dog meat are kept. Then Polly shouts:
Ruslan! her son rushes from his room. Introduce Emily to Jack!
Lets go! Ruslan places a gentle hand on my shoulder.
They step out into the garden, untie Jack, and stroll.
All the way Ruslan talks about university, karate, his dads business.
I think of something else. I realise the gap between me and Ruslan is as wide as the one between my mother and his parents. Theyre good people, but this isnt a Cinderella storyits real life.
Two months till my college exams. Ill pass them, study, work, become an adult. Ill marry, but not some fairytale prince. Hes a nice bloke, but not my match.
Im grateful to Polly for the coat and the twentyfive pounds. At least I can survive the first weeks in the city.
A quiet inner voice tells me that my hard childhood ends right now, in this moment. An adult life beginsstill tough, and now its all on me.
We reach the cottage. I pat Jack on the neck, smile at Ruslan, and head home. Tomorrow I start work at the cottage. Work only, and thats it.