«Dont you dare touch her!»
Mum called, her voice thin and childlike, barely recognisable. «Emily, can you come over?»
Emilys heart dropped into her stomach. Shed heard that tone beforewhen Grandad passed away. Back then, the whole family had scrambled for black clothes, though only William, her older brother, owned any from his rebellious phase when he refused to wear anything else. Theyd spent hours on a stuffy train, then wandered aimlessly around a gloomy flat that didnt feel like theirs. Grandad had been an artist, surrounded by admirers, yet only his daughterMumhad been left to bury him. That same hollow voice had come through the phone then, just like now.
«Whats wrong?» Emily asked nervously, already imagining how David would react if the wedding had to be postponed again. The first delay happened because shed gone skiing with friends and broken her leg. David had shouted at herhis parents had already booked flights, taken time off work, and there she was, reckless as ever. Hed warned her: dont go if you cant ski properly.
This time, though, it wasnt her fault. And yet, guilt gnawed at her.
«Grans ill. Weve just got back from the hospitalher tests arent good.»
Emily knew Gran had been for tests, and if Mum had led with that, shed have been upset straight away. But thisthis was almost a relief. No one had died. The wedding wouldnt need postponing. In fact, they ought to hurry, while Gran was still
Her throat tightened. It was too awful to think about. For as long as Emily could remember, Gran had always been there. Mum said that when Grandad left, abandoning them with nothing, Gran worked triple shifts without complaint just to keep Mum fed and clothed. It wasnt until Mum turned seventeen that the «great artist» deigned to helpuntil then, Gran had carried everything alone. Even now, she still slipped money to Mum, to William, to Emilyhow she managed to save anything on her pension was a mystery.
«Ill come now.»
Gran put on a brave face, even cracking a joke.
«Dont fret, love. Ill be alright. Theyre starting chemomight do the trick. Shame about my hair, though. Had this braid my whole lifecant imagine myself without it.»
Grans hair was magnificentlong, thick. Though lately, it had turned silver.
«What if we dye it for the wedding?» Emily suggested. «Youll be the most glamorous one there!»
Gran brightened but immediately reached for her purse.
«Gran, noIll get it myself!»
«Dont be silly. Youve a wedding to pay foreverythings so dear these days. Take it, no arguments. Oh! Ive got something for youhang on.»
She rummaged through drawers, rustling bags until she pulled out a small pink one.
«Three months of knittingeyes arent what they were,» Gran admitted, and Emily sensed her nervousness, waiting for approval.
Inside was a delicate, snow-white shawlslightly old-fashioned but achingly tender. Emily decided then shed wear it at the wedding.
«Its perfect, Gran. Thank you!»
«Your mum said you wouldnt wear it,» Gran muttered. «She was always like thatmade her a yellow dress once, raglan sleeves, and she spilt ink on it just to avoid wearing it…»
Grans voice trembled, so Emily fibbed quickly: «Mum said it was an accident!»
They chatted, drank tea, dyed Grans hairbefore they knew it, evening had come. Emily had left her phone in the hall, so she missed the calls. Who else would ring today, anyway? Then the doorbell chimed, and as she hurried to answer, she noticed the flood of notifications.
On the doorstep stood William and his best mate, Christopher, holding a box. Inside, a ginger kitten peered up with bright, curious eyes.
«Margaret Thompson, look what weve brought you!» Christopher announced.
Gran gaspedthen burst into tears.
Three years ago, her beloved cat, Marmalade, had died. A bold ginger tom with amber eyes, hed been her companion for twelve years. Shed grieved deeply, refusing to get another.
«Chris, lovewhat use is a cat to me now? Im dying! Youll just toss him out after»
«Dont be daft,» William cut in. «No ones tossing anyone. And secondguess youll have to stick around now.»
«Whatll I feed him? Havent even got milk!»
«Ill go!» Emily offered.
«Ill join you,» Christopher said. «Fancy a bite myselfwell pick up something for tea»
Truthfully, Emily didnt want to be alone with Christopher. There was something in his gaze that unsettled herespecially when she handed him a wedding invite, and he took it without smiling.
«Shame. Was hoping I still had a chance.»
But arguing in front of Gran was unthinkable, and dragging William along seemed silly. So they went together.
Her worries were needlessChristopher stayed quiet most of the walk. Only mentioning how sorry he was about Gran and that he hoped shed recover. When Emily asked if David would attend the wedding, he just said,
«Course.»
Nothing more, though she could tell he wanted to.
They bought a cake and pasties, which Gran sniffed at, saying hers were better. William praised her hair, while Christopher asked Emily to try on the shawlhis stare lingering. It was a lovely evening, though Mums absence stungshe was on shift with no one to cover.
Emily finally checked her phonemessages from David. Shed forgotten tonight was dinner with his parents. He was furious.
«I told you I was visiting Gran,» she defended. «Shes just been diagnosed, and»
«Shes had her time,» David snapped. «No need to ruin ours. Mums devastated, you know?»
She rushed home to placate him. William drove her; Christopher promised to stay with Gran.
The row at home was brutal. David called her irresponsible, selfish, incapable of priorities. When he saw the shawl, he hissed it was hideousshe wouldnt wear it.
The arguments lasted until the wedding. Then Gran was hospitalised, and Emily suggested cancellinghow could they celebrate now? But David reminded her of the money lost from the first postponement, the non-refundable bookings, the arriving guests. «Let her restshe wouldnt enjoy it anyway.»
Emily knew David hated the shawl. Gran wouldnt be there. But photos last forever. Gran had spent three months knitting itfor her. So shed wear it, no matter what.
«Love, whyd you put that tablecloth on?» Mum fretted. «We bought you such a lovely dress!» She burst into tearsmore touch-ups needed.
Then David arrived, and Mum flurried aboutnothing was ready, and the «grooms games» were starting! Emily had hated the ideadolls on cars, silly challengesbut his parents insisted. Waiting was agony, especially as her bridesmaids were outside. So she rang Gran.
«Could you visit me?» Gran asked softly. «Id love to see you.»
«Of course!» Emily said, though David might disagree. «Whos got the kitten?»
«Chris took him. Such a good lad…»
Christopher was their driver todayWilliam had vowed to get «properly pissed» at his sisters wedding. Gran was rightChristopher was good. Why hadnt Emily seen it before? Too late now.
When David saw the shawl, he snarled: «Take that off! I told youits hideous!»
Bridesmaids, family, photographersall watched. Emily flushed.
«Stop. Its my wedding too.»
«And my wife obeys me!»
«Im not your wife yet!»
Mothers tried mediating, but Emily realisedshe didnt want this. His nitpicking, her shrinkingjust to please him.
«I want to see Gran,» she said.
«Are you mad?» David hissed.
She pushed past, but he grabbed her wristhard.
«Dont you dare touch her!»
Christopher stood there, eyes blazing.
«Piss off,» David spat. «My wifemy business!»
Then William punched him. Took Emilys hand. «Lets go to Grans?»
Chaos eruptedshouting, swearing, Mum pleading. But Emily didnt care. She followed William, thinking only of Gran. She caught Christophers eyesilently beckoned him. And he followed, past the balloon-strewn steps.
