Evelyn has always felt like an outsider in her own home. Her mother clearly favours her older sistersMabel and Gwenshowering them with affection and warmth. The injustice wounds Evelyn deeply, yet she keeps her resentment hidden, constantly trying to please her mother in the hope of earning even a sliver of love.
Dont even think about staying with me! The flat will go to your sisters. Youve always looked at me like a wolf cub, her mother snaps, throwing Evelyn out of the house the moment she turns eighteen.
Evelyn argues, pointing out the unfairness. Mabel is only three years older, Gwen five, and both have already graduated from university on their mothers dime; no one rushed them into independence. Evelyn, however, has always been the odd one out. Despite all her efforts to be good, the familys love for her is merely superficialif it can even be called love at all. Only her grandfather, Arthur, treats her kindly. He had taken in his pregnant daughter after her husband vanished without a trace.
Maybe Mum worries about my sisters. They say I look a lot like one of them, Evelyn muses, trying to make sense of her mothers coldness. She has tried several times to have an honest conversation with her mother, but each attempt ends in a scene or a tantrum.
Arthur is her real support. Evelyns happiest memories belong to the Yorkshire village where they spend summers. She loves working in the garden, tending the vegetable patch, milking cows, baking piesanything to postpone returning home, where each day greets her with contempt and reproach.
Grandpa, why does nobody love me? Whats wrong with me? she often asks, fighting back tears.
I love you very much, he replies gently, never mentioning her mother or sisters.
Little Evelyn wants to believe him, that she is loved in a special way But when she turns ten, Arthur dies, and the familys treatment of her worsens. Her sisters mock her and her mother always sides with them.
From that day on, she receives nothing newonly handmedowns from Mabel and Gwen. They tease:
Oh, what a fashionable top! Sweep the floor, Evelyn, or whatevers needed!
When their mother buys sweets, the sisters eat everything and hand Evelyn the empty wrappers:
Here, love, collect the wrappers!
Their mother hears it all but never scolds them. Thus Evelyn grows up as the wolf cubunwanted, always begging for love from people who see her not just as worthless but as a source of ridicule. The harder she tries to be good, the more they despise her.
When her mother finally kicks her out on her eighteenth birthday, Evelyn finds work as a hospital orderly. Endurance and hard work become her habit, and now at least she earns a wagethough its a modest £8 an hour. Here, nobody despises her. If youre met with kindness where you once faced malice, thats already progress, she tells herself.
Her employer even offers her a scholarship to train as a surgeon. In the small market town of Harrogate, such specialists are scarce, and Evelyn has already shown talent while assisting as a nurse.
Life is hard. By twentyseven, she has no close relatives. Work consumes her lifeliterally. She lives for the patients whose lives she saves. Yet loneliness never leaves her; she still lives alone in a staff dormitory, just as before.
Visiting her mother and sisters is a constant disappointment, so Evelyn goes as rarely as possible. When the household steps out to smoke and gossip, she retreats to the back porch to cry.
One afternoon, while shes wiping away tears, a colleagueorderly Georgeapproaches.
Why are you crying, love? he asks.
What love dont mock me, Evelyn replies quietly.
She has always thought of herself as plain, a grey mouse, not noticing that, approaching thirty, she has become a petite, charming blonde with bright blue eyes and a neat nose. The awkwardness of her youth has faded; her shoulders stand straighter, and her hair, tied in a strict bun, seems ready to break free.
Youre actually very beautiful! Value yourself and lift that head. Besides, youre a promising surgeon, and your future looks bright, George encourages.
George has worked with her for almost two years, occasionally slipping her a chocolate, but this is their first real conversation. Evelyn breaks down and tells him everything.
Maybe you should call Sir Derek Aldridge? The patient you saved recently. He treats you well; they say he has many connections, George suggests.
Thanks, George. Ill try, Evelyn says.
And if that doesnt work, we could get married. I have a flat, wont mistreat you, he adds jokingly.
Evelyn blushes and suddenly realises he means it. He sees not a pitiful orphan but a woman who deserves love.
Alright. Ill keep that option in mind, she smiles, feeling for the first time in ages that she is not a workhorse or unnecessary, but a beautiful young woman with a future ahead.
That evening she dials Sir Dereks number.
This is Evelyn, the surgeon. You gave me your number and said I could call if there were any problems she begins, hesitates.
Evelyn! Splendid to hear from you! How are you? Lets meet. Come over for tea and a chat. We older folk love a good conversation, he replies warmly.
The next day is her day off, so she heads straight to his townhouse. She honestly explains her situation and asks if he knows anyone needing a livein caregiver.
Listen, Evelyn, Im used to hard work, but I feel I cant keep going like this
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 here now, he says.
Of course, Sir Derek. Will your relatives mind? she asks.
My relatives only appear when Im gone. They only care about the property, he replies sadly.
They move in together. Two years later, a romance blossoms between Evelyn and George, often over cups of tea. Sir Derek, however, dislikes George and never misses a chance to warn Evelyn:
Sorry, dear, but George is a good lad, just weak and too impressionable. You cant rely on someone like that. Try not to get too attached.
Oh, Sir Derek Its too late. Weve already decided to marry. He jokingly proposed two years ago, and now Im pregnant Evelyn announces, glowing with happiness. She adds, Youre still very important to me! Ill visit every day. Youre like family.
Evelyn, Im not feeling well. Tomorrow well go to the solicitor and register a cottage in the village in your name. Youve always loved country life. It could be your dacha or you can sell it if you wish, he says, hesitating.
Evelyn objectsit seems too much, and he will outlive her. Still, Sir Derek insists. The cottage turns out to be in the very village where her beloved grandfather lived. His house was long demolished, the plot sold, strangers now occupy it, but owning a little corner there stirs warm memories.
I dont deserve this, but thank you, Sir Derek! she says sincerely.
Just one thing: dont tell George the cottage is in your name. And dont ask why. Can I ask that of you? he insists.
She nods, promising to keep his secret. How to explain the origin of the cottage to George remains an open question, but she can claim shes reconciled with her mother.
Later she learns Sir Derek, besides suffering after a stroke, also has cancer. He refuses surgery. In the end, Evelyn arranges his funeral and moves in with her future husband.
Problems surface around the seventh month of pregnancyby then they have lived together six months.
Maybe you should work a bit before the baby arrives, George suggests.
By then Evelyn has temporarily left the clinic Sir Derek secured for her, hoping to live on savings and Georges support. His words sting.
Well maybe she replies uncertainly. She does the grocery shopping, yet George proves stingy. The child grows, and she refuses to abandon the wedding.
A week before the planned ceremony, while George is out, an unfamiliar woman walks into their flat with her own key.
Hello, Im Clara. George and I love each other, and hes just scared to tell you. So Ill say it: youre no longer needed, the tall, thin blonde declares confidently.
What? Our wedding is in a few days! Weve already paid for everything! Evelyn stammers. She financed most of the modest celebration at a café.
I know. No problem. George will marry me. I have contacts at the registry office; well sort it quickly, Clara says, as if its already decided.
When George returns, he mutters, Evelyn, Im sorry Yes, its true. Ill help with the baby but I cant marry you.
Well do a paternity test, Clara adds, placing a hand on Georges shoulder.
What paternity test?! Youre my first and only! Evelyn shouts, lunging at him.
Shell scratch you up, love! Shes almost thirty but acts like a child! Clara scoffs.
George stands silent, offering no defence, eyes downcast. It becomes clear everything hinges on Clara; he is merely a passive observer.
Evelyn begins packing. Theres no point fighting a man who gives up on her so easily. Clara explains that she and George dated long agoshe was married then but now free. Evelyn is just a temporary placeholder until the dream woman appears.
She could demand explanations from George, but whats the use when he lets Clara walk in and take over?
So the cottage finally comes in handy, Evelyn thinks.
The cottage is modest, without running water, but the stove is superbher grandfather taught her everything needed for village life. Its livable. How will she give birth alone? Theres still time; she will figure it out.
Firewood is stacked, the shed sturdy, and snow lies at the doorway, waiting to be cleared. The woodpiles are fulla real blessing in this cold.
Sir Derek had introduced her to the neighbours in advance as the new mistress and wife of his son, avoiding unnecessary questions.
Evelyn, of course, calls her mother and sisters. As expected, they advise her to give the baby up for adoption and say, Next time dont get involved with anyone before the wedding. They gossip about how George hasnt repaid the wedding money, half of which Evelyn paid.
No one knows about the cottage. Now she can hide from everyone and gather herself.
Its bitterly cold; she hasnt even removed her down jacket. While raking the stove coals, her poker hits something hard.
She removes her gloves and pulls out a wooden box that had been blocking the firewood. Its neatly sealed, with large letters on the lid: Evelyn, this is for you. The handwriting is instantly recognisableSir Dereks.
Inside are photographs, a letter, and a small tin. Her hands tremble as she opens the envelope and reads:
Dear Evelyn, you should know I was your grandfathers brother, and he asked me to look after you.
The letter explains that many years ago a serious rift formed between her grandfather and Sir Derek. Before dying, the elder brother found Derek and asked him to locate Evelyn after she turned eighteen. He also left her an inheritance that his daughter would never part with.
Derek couldnt find Evelyn at onceher mother and sisters hid her address. Fate brought them together in the hospital when he was a patient and she his doctor. He wanted to tell her everything sooner but lacked the time, so he decided to give her the cottage his brother bought for their grandfather, knowing his daughter would never give anything to a granddaughter.
Another shock emerges: her mother is not her biological mother. Evelyn is actually the daughter of her late aunt, the very sister she envied. In the photoyoung mother and father smiling, holding a little girl. Evelyn survived because she was with her grandfather on the day of the accident.
In the box lie fivepound notes left by her grandfather. Touching them warms her heart. Tears stream down her cheeks. Now she and her baby are safe.
When she lights the stove, she feels all her fears, betrayals, and resentments melt into the flames. She will start anewfor the baby and for herself.
Soon she will forgive those who hurt her, but she is done with them. This cottage will be her refuge.
Sir Derek always said a good house should belong to someone who values it. He built it in his youth with his own hands, from the finest materials.
Not just a house, but a marvel! It will stand for two hundred years! he used to say. The village is reachable by a bustwo stops away.
The pay is low, and help with the baby remains uncertain. The main thing is she now has a roof over her head, savings, a profession, and shes young, beautiful, and expecting a son.
For the first time, Evelyn truly feels happy.
