The Fairy
Fairy
When I grow up, Ill be a fairy!
Daisy, why a fairy?
Because I just want to!
Daisy slipped down from her mothers lap (where shed been basking in happy birthday songs big five today!), smoothed her tulle tutu, and twirled haughtily.
Mum, all fairies are beautiful and clever! Plusthey can do anything! So Ill be able to do anything too.
Of course you will! Emma stretched her arms to scoop up her daughter, but Daisy wriggled away, shimmying out of reach.
What about cake?
Very soon! Go on, have a play with the others. Ill call when its time for cake, alright?
Okay!
Watching those ringletsso painstakingly curled that morningspringing at Daisys shoulders, Emma smiled to herself. Determined little thing, she thought. And bright too. How many five-year-olds can articulate their ambitions so crisply? All fairies can do anything! Brilliant.
The trick is not to shatter that belief, nodded her best friend, Helen. Too many parents hear dreams like that and bang on about realism and long roads and all that. Rubbish! Just believe in your child, and theyll make their own magic. Im telling you, when my Molly first joined drama club
Oh yes, everyone knows Mollys a superstar! Ladies, lend a hand? Cake time! Emma spun gracefully in her heels and sashayed towards the kitchen.
The airy house buzzed with childrens voices. The floor was scattered with rainbow confetti and shrivelled balloon fragments. A tulip bouquet someone had tossed in a corner gave Emma a moments frown as she passedthey were from her mother, Veronica, intended as a birthday greeting for her granddaughter.
Veronica had moved in recently, but back when Emma was younger, shed only rarely pay visits, preferring to watch her granddaughter on her own patch.
I feel out of place in your house, darling. Im forever worried Ill break something or spill tea on that designer rug. Its just all a bit too grand for me.
Mum, honestly! Emma would grumble. Its not grand. Its just comfortablewell within our means! Ben works day and night and so do I. Were allowed a few nice things.
Well, I just feel easier at home.
Thats fine, Mum. All I care about is Daisys alright.
Veronica had looked after Daisy since birth.
I havent got time, Mum, Emma would hurriedly apply makeup before heading to work. If I pause, Ill lose everything Ive built these past five years. Times are tough, Mumeveryones racing. Its not just my salary, either. I have staff relying on me. But above all, I need to secure Daisys future.
Wouldnt it be more important, perhaps, for her to have you around while shes so young?
Mum, dont start. I know what Im doing! Who else but me will look after my child and her future?
What about Ben?
Mum, are you joking? Yes, of course he would, but hes a man. He might be here today, gone to someone else tomorrow. And what then?
Where do you get these ideas, darling? Veronica would gasp. Is he seeing someone?
Oh, who knows! Ive barely had time for anything except being pregnant and having a baby. The world just bypassed me for a while. I have catching up to do, Mum. And Ill need your help, wont I?
Of course, love. Veronica would peer over the cot at Daisy. So tiny you were bigger, you know.
So what? Being smalls not a crime. Shell catch up.
Daisy suffered colds one after another. After the initial panic wore off, Veronica became a pro, phoning her GP at the first sniffle, which was just as wellEmma was always caught up with deadlines.
Mum, she doesnt have a fever! Keep calm, give her some Calpol. Im in a meeting.
Daisy, hands burning hot, would cling to her grandmothers neck, nose burrowed into Veronicas shoulder.
All right, sweetheart. Ill make you some cordial, well have a nap and all will be well. Want a story?
One about a fairy?
Why not? A fairy story it is.
The dazzling storybook with its shiny pictures came all the way from Londona gift from her dad.
Ben, the books all in English! Veronica turned the pages.
So? Let Daisy get used to a second language! You taught at a college for yearsyou can handle a childrens book, cant you?
Im sure I can. Ill just have to start our English lessons a bit earlier than planned.
Veronicas days soon revolved around Daisys little joys, disappointments, and learning. She was secretly delightedlife finally had meaning again.
The past decade, since Emma had left for university and gotten married, had blurred by for Veronica. Emma was always rushing, too busy to call by, and after too many rebuffed invitations, Veronica had stopped asking. She missed the days when Emma would, after school or lectures, curl up on the kitchen settee, feet tucked under her, tea in hand, reciting the days adventures. For Veronica, Emma was her whole world.
Shed had Emma young. Not quite nineteenan ill-fated whirlwind marriage to a classmate. They separated a year later, and little Emma was the only reminder of those turbulent days. By the time Emma hit two, Veronicas own mother was bed-bound, memory failing, and the following twelve years were a sleepless nightmareincapacitated parent, small demanding child. She barely looked in the mirror.
As for beauty, Veronica considered herself average at best, but there was something about the set of her jaw and nosea quiet presence people didnt forget.
Where Veronica had only a glimmer, Emma owned in spades. She was stunning; Veronica had to bite back her smiles just to hide her pride. She wanted to give Emma every opportunityballroom dancing, music lessons, languagesby sixth form, she could honestly say shed given her daughter the best a mother could.
It bothered her, though, how fiercely ambitious Emma was. Nobody got away with rudeness; Emma could silence even the sharpest gossips. Her wishes always took priority, even if meant a few hungry months for the family.
Mum, I need those shoes, seriously. I cant go to my first interview in these! Emma would say.
Veronica would hand over her holiday savings. Who needs the seaside anyway? Emmas prospects were what mattered.
Emmas wedding to Ben felt like the pinnacle of all that hard worka proud but tearful Veronica watched her dazzling daughter walk through the most expensive hotel in town on Bens arm. Did Ben strike her as perfect? Not quite, but she brushed her doubts aside. After all, people are different. And Emma, ever the pragmatist, had her own views:
Mum, its not all about romance. Theres a partnership agreement toowhich is important, makes it more stable.
Oh?
Im not taking a penny of Bens assets pre-marriage. All I have to do, strictly speaking, is provide a son
Thats a little transactional?
Its modern, Mum. Things change. Relationships too.
As long as it makes you happy
After that, they didnt discuss it again. Emma busied herself with the business Ben set up for her, all while chasing a second line in their agreement.
Daisys birth, in fact, surprised everyone.
So much for those fancy blood tests! Emma scowled at a baby blue blanket (shed been convinced she was having a boy). Three times they told me boydoes she look like a boy?
Sweetheart, girls are wonderful.
Of course, Mum, its just I wasnt ready. And time is tight.
Therell be a son. Just wait.
But time seemed to slow. Emma ran between doctors, chasing hope. More clinics, no luck.
I dont know what else to do, Mum. Tried everything.
Why not focus on the child you have?
Mum!
What? Daisys nearly fivewonderful girl. Who says fathers only love sons? Youre smartrewrite that contract!
Emma paused, mums words made sense.
In that case, Daisy should be at home.
Shes settled here, Emma
Well, shell get used to it. She spends too long here anyway. Therell be a driver, everything she needs. Why dont you move in?
No, I think not. But I do want Daisy as much as before.
Of course, life had its way. Daisys first big fever, the day after the parents decreed home only, had Veronica moving in anyway.
Loads of space here, Mum. And you can rest easyDaisys close by.
Veronica scanned her new room, sighing, Yes Daisys close
Focusing on her granddaughter, she tried to shut out the marital mishaps going on in the house. Emma and Bens relationship was lets say, not exactly hearts and roses. Little Daisy, always slightly unkempt, raced around the cavernous rooms, only occasionally catching an adults notice.
Gran, theres more space here than at yours! Daisy spun in the middle of the lounge. Can I have a dog now?
I dont know, love. Youd have to ask your mum and dad.
Why not you? Isnt this your house too?
No, darling. This is your parents house. I have my little flat, where Im in charge. Here, things are up to your mum and dad.
So you cant even say no?
Well I can say no to you spilling your milk ever again. But as for dog-ownershipcant help you there.
I see! Daisy plonked down on the floor, thinking. Veronica recognised that lookit was the same determined face Emma had at a problem: the face that usually meant no ones getting in my way.
Ill ask Dad myself! Daisy hopped up, already plotting.
By that evening, Daisy was in Bens study.
Do you love me? she demanded.
Ben was, frankly, puzzled. He didnt really spend much time with Daisynever quite knew what to say, always busy, always distracted.
Of course. All parents love their children.
I dont care about all. I want just you.
What is it you want? A new toy, pet?
No! She scowled. I want a dog!
A robot dog?
Her eyebrows shot up into her fluffy, flyaway fringe. Why a robot? No, a real dog!
Ben pinched the bridge of his nose, looking resigned. Big one?
A small, nice one is fine.
You picklet me know.
Emma was not at all thrilled. The heated bedroom debates that followed meant Daisy, ear pressed to the door in the hallway, heard all sorts. Veronicas blood pressure soared; after an early bedtime for Daisy, she retreated to her own room, unaware her granddaughter was still awake.
Its not a toy! We cant just spoil her with everything. Dogs are actual living thingsthey need care.
Your mums here, plus the cleaner. Pay them extra. A kid and a dog are good for each other.
How about vets, or dog shows, and the rest?
In this t
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5 травня 2026
