"Come in," resonated the voice of Mrs Kargle from within her office. The invitation hung in the air as Emily crossed the threshold, her senses tingling with a blend of intrigue and bewilderment. Rare were the instances when she summoned anyone to her office.

Seating herself upon the chair that faced the imposing black metal desk, Emily found herself under the keen gaze of Mrs Kargle. The atmosphere bore an air of solemnity. It reminded her of an interrogation room—though Emily had never set foot in such a place, she was certain this is what it must feel like for those who had: an unsettling blend of anxiety and tension. A heavy silence settled in the room, Mrs Kargle's eyes scrutinizing Emily's every nuance. Bafflement edged into Emily's consciousness, prompting her to breach the quiet.

"May I ask why you called me in here?"

A pause, taut as a wire, suspended the air. Emily anticipated the continuation, her pulse quickening under the weight of the gaze. Her palms began to moisten, a reaction unfounded in guilt, for she knew not of any wrongdoing.

"I deem it rather inappropriate for you to draw me into your personal affairs."

A perplexing mixture of surprise and confusion clouded Emily's thoughts. The words hung suspended, her mind attempting to decipher what was happening before her.

"I'm afraid I don't understand," Emily finally ventured, her furrowed brow bespoke her puzzlement.

"Don't feign ignorance!"

The words cut through the air like a knife, a momentary flash of anger in the principal's eyes. It was as swift as it was alarming, casting a shade of discomfort across the room. Emily swallowed, sensing the shift in atmosphere.

"Allow me to clarify, Miss Ewans. Maxwell wanted me to inform you tha-"

"Maxwell?" 

„Don't pret-" Mrs Kargle's words were momentarily interrupted, her expression taking an unusual turn. A fleeting sense of nervousness played across the principal's features, swiftly replaced by a composed façade. Emily couldn't shake the feeling that something had been inadvertently revealed. She was convinced that Mrs Kargle attempted to mask a nervous gulp that Emily's perceptive gaze managed to catch. Her mental gears churned as she sought to piece together the puzzle.

Did she just let slip something she shouldn't have?

Mrs Kargle's discourse continued, "As I was saying, you will not be seeing Alex anymore. Now, let me clarify, it was Alex who requested I pass on this message. It reflects his decision, and he hopes you'll treat it with due respect. To be perfectly candid, adhering to it might prove prudent. Alex does have a knack for inviting trouble, as I'm certain you've already discerned."

The words struck a chord inside Emily, setting off a storm of mixed emotions.

So now he's not suitable for my company, but he's deemed competent to care for a five-year-old on his own? It doesn't quite add up. And why on earth did she refer to him as Maxwell? Did I hear it correctly?

"Miss Ewans?" Mrs Kargle's voice cut through her reverie, drawing her attention back to the present. A silence stretched, heavy with unspoken queries. Emily grappled with her thoughts, uncertain of how to respond to the principal's revelation. With a nod, she indicated her acknowledgment, her words trapped beneath layers of confusion.

"Very well, that will be all," Mrs Kargle concluded and Emily started walking toward the door.

"Oh, and I must insist that you refrain from involving me in any further episodes of high school romance drama gone awry. Is that perfectly clear?" Mrs Kargle's words carried a sharp edge, a demand laced with authority.

"I did not involve you into anything," Emily blurted out, her utterance instant but followed by quick regret.

Initially stunned, Mrs Kargle's expression transitioned from surprise to fleeting fury before settling into a composed demeanour. It was an aspect of her character Emily knew all too well — an adeptness at navigating such situations, allowing her to articulate the harshest of things without hesitation.

"I would advise careful consideration of your words, Miss Ewans. You are well aware of your position here. It would be inadvisable to jeopardize it, wouldn't you agree?"

The tone was as frigid as ice, carrying a veiled threat masked behind a polite smile. Emily's internal response was an eruption of frustration.

You appalling little rat! I did nothing wrong. Also, it is not I who involved you in this affair. Alex, or Maxwell, or whatever his name may be—HE was the one who discussed me with you. I did not ask for any of this, so why don't you just back off?

Emily's thoughts raged, yet she understood the precarious ground she stood upon. Saying such things aloud would only amplify the consequences that would inevitably follow. Instead, she responded with a smile that masked her inner turmoil.

"Certainly, Mrs Kargle. I apologize."

The words tasted bitter as they formed, for Emily felt no remorse for actions she deemed unwarranted. But she was trapped, compelled to acquiesce. After all, Mrs Kargle was the sole barrier between her and destitution, a reality Emily couldn't ignore.

Emily commenced her employment at the nursery the prior year, marking her first long term job due to the string of life events that had unfolded thus far. The year after Lucy's death she began working at a café in town. However, her father fell ill the following year, prompting her to resign from her job and take on the role of caregiver as her mother worked and searched for a way to save her husband. When her mother was at home, Emily would tend to a modest garden on their property. On weekends, when the harvest was ample, she would vend the produce at the local farmer's market.

After her father's death, her mother advocated for a pause in seeking employment, wishing Emily to find solace within herself first. Emily might not have consented if she had known the full extent of their financial struggles, but her mother kept this burden hidden. Emily recognized they were facing difficulties and indebtedness, but her mother downplayed the magnitude of the problem, asserting they could easily repay the debt in the following year. Regardless, after a month, Emily initiated her job hunt to contribute to the repayments.

Unfortunately, the small community of the town had no open job positions, leaving her options limited. The café she had worked at earlier had no immediate vacancies for waitstaff, but the owner extended kindness, offering sporadic cleaning duties for payment when possible. Concurrently, she expanded her garden's yield to vend at the market. Upon her mother's return, in a state of exhaustion, Emily assumed more responsibilities to support her.

Despite her mother's evident emotional strain and personal struggles, she shielded her only daughter from financial worries. Emily, perplexed by the scant funds available for sustenance since her mother's return from her mission, questioned why their financial situation remained dire two years after her father's passing. Yet, each time she posed this question, her mother deflected.

Time moved forward, and when her mother informed her of another impending mission, Emily's emotions boiled over. Tears filled her eyes as she implored her not to go, emphasizing that they could manage without the extra money. Her mother remained steadfast in her decision, concealing an undisclosed truth. Emily attempted to extract the truth, but her mother remained tight-lipped.

On the day her mother left, Emily discovered a letter on her nightstand.

My darling girl,

I never intended to burden you with the weight of our harsh, adult world. I understand that you've grown beyond being a little girl, but to me, you'll forever remain that innocent soul I want to shield from life's hardships. Still, I do think you're right. You should know what's unfolding.

During your father's battle, my desperation to save him led me down paths I never fathomed. Unable to imagine a world without him by my side, I clung to any glimmer of hope, willing to do anything to keep him here. In that pursuit, I came across an experimental treatment that required a substantial sum – a sum we could only dream of. To obtain the funds, I turned to the Kargle family, who possessed the means. As you know, that treatment proved futile, prompting me to search for alternatives, and with each attempt came more loans. The enormity of the debt is beyond anything I can hope to repay. It's why I've gone on yet another mission. We need all the additional resources we can gather, especially given Mr Kargle's temperament. I've been sending him payments monthly, leaving us just enough to scrape by.

I share this with you because he's been pressing me lately, urging me to expedite repayment. If you cross paths with him, please try to avoid interaction. His demeanour can be unpleasant, and I don't want you entangled in this web.

Words fail to convey my remorse for once again leaving you in this predicament. Know that I'm immensely proud of the person you've become. Your strength, in light of your trials, is astonishing. To carry yourself with a smile despite it all is an act of remarkable courage. It's reminiscent of your father's spirit. Hold onto that always. And understand that my love for you knows no bounds. I'll ache for you in my absence. We just need to endure a bit longer; I promise, we'll find our way through.

With all my love,
Mom 

With tears cascading down her cheeks, she set the letter aside and resolved to take the matter into her own hands. She was well aware that her mother would strongly disapprove of her impending actions, yet the idea of her mother venturing on a second mission so quickly, without ample time to recuperate from the first, was a thought too agonizing to bear. Emily stormed out of the house; her determination unyielding. After a brisk ride, she found herself standing before the imposing structure of the Kargle mansion.

Mr Kargle, a business owner and executive at a small manufacturing company, and Mrs Kargle, the proprietor and director of a private nursery where Emily was employed, were known figures within their respective domains. Mr Kargle's reputation was tinged with a short temperament, a penchant for meagre employee salaries, and occasional salary delays that stretched over several months. At one point, someone had initiated a legal battle against the Kargle family, alleging embezzlement. Curiously, this lawsuit abruptly dissipated without clear explanation, leading most to surmise that Mr Kargle had employed his resources to swiftly dispel the matter.

Emily had heard these whispered tales, yet despite the foreboding rumours, she resolved to confront the Kargles in an attempt to rescue her mother from their looming financial crisis. Fortunately, Mr Kargle was out of town, so she had to negotiate solely with Mrs Kargle. After a quick conversation, a deal was made. Emily would work at the nursery for a monthly wage of £200, barely sufficient to cover utilities and sustenance. The remainder of her earnings would be channelled toward alleviating the debt. In essence, she worked virtually without compensation, compelled by the pressing obligation to extricate her family from perpetual indebtedness.