«Granny! Am I beautiful? Tell me!» chirped Emily, twirling and dancing in front of the mirror.
The little girl burst out of the changing room in a soft pink dress, embroidered with beads and sequins, its wide, full skirt adorned with tulle ruffles and scattered crystals. Yes, this dress was every little girl’s dream—utterly magical! Like a tiny fairy, Emily, flitting from my memories, brought to life a long-forgotten fairytale.
The tilt of her head, the sparkle in her deep, endless blue eyes—where had I seen that before? Ah, yes. My own daughter had looked just like this at her age. How could I have forgotten?
«Gorgeous—that’s what my mum would’ve called it,» I thought, aching for her to see my grandchildren now.
But Emily simply glowed with delight! What more could a six-year-old girl want? Just her mum and dad by her side, holding her hands, and this beautiful dress, with dazzling shoes peeking out from beneath.
«Of course, my darling, you look absolutely lovely—like a proper little princess!» I smiled, blinking back tears. «But you know what? This dress deserves the perfect shoes and a handbag too. Let’s leave it at the till and pop over to the next section. We’ll find you the finishing touches!»
«You really won’t change your mind?» Emily whispered. «I begged Mummy for this dress so many times, but she said it was too expensive. I dreamed about it, Granny! It’s the only one left—with all the beads and sparkles! You’ll really buy it?»
«Have I ever broken a promise?» I asked.
«No, Granny, never. Can I wear it home?» Her pleading eyes melted my heart like forgotten ice cream on a sunny day.
«Absolutely, my sweet! We’ll pay for it right now. Then, my love, we’ll go next door and make today a proper celebration. Let the world wait!» Laughing, we rushed to the till.
«Your daughter looks just like you—spitting image,» the shop assistant said, handing me the receipt.
«She’s my grandma!» Emily blurted, her honesty laying bare all our family secrets. «Mummy and little Oliver stayed home—his teeth are coming through, and he won’t stop crying. Granny’s visiting us on holiday.»
With my guidance, Emily found a matching handbag. The shoes took ages to pick, but it was worth it—dark pink patent leather with dainty bows on the straps.
«I’m a real princess!» she declared for the hundredth time, admiring herself in the mirror. «Let’s go home and show Mummy!»
«Emily, my love, we must celebrate properly! Just round the corner, there’s a café I used to visit with my parents when I was in school. Fancy a treat?»
«Yes! A chocolate pastry and hot chocolate, please!» she sang, tugging my hand.
Watching her little face light up as she bit into the flaky, buttery pastry, I remembered my own childhood visits here. My mum would order me a cream-filled éclair and a milkshake, while my dad proudly pulled out a bar of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk from his briefcase. I was the happiest girl in the world! Then my parents split. I stayed with Mum. Dad still visited, but the sunshine had dimmed…
At home, my daughter Kate opened the door, balancing little Oliver on her hip.
«Blimey! What’s all this? Emily, did you sweet-talk Granny into buying that dress? I know exactly whose tricks those are,» she teased, narrowing her eyes.
«Mummy! Granny got me everything—the dress, the shoes, the bag, gloves, a hairband, and clips!» Emily sang, twirling in my arms. «And we went to the café! I had the yummiest pastry!»
«You two are brilliant!» Kate set Oliver down and looked at me. «I’ll never forget how you and Nanny Anne and Nanny May spoiled me before my first day of school. That backpack was the coolest, and my uniform—oh! Crisp white blouse with pearl buttons, a pleated pinafore, lace-trimmed socks! But the shoes were the best—patent, with little jewels. No one else had them!»
In 1997, when my Katie started Reception, money was tight. But between three generations, we scraped together enough to make sure she was the smartest girl in class.
«I still remember our stop at the café after the school bell. You bought me a slice of Victoria sponge and a tiny bottle of fake champagne. Mum, I swear I can still taste it!» Her voice wavered. «But you and Dad didn’t eat anything. You said you weren’t hungry. Now I know—you just wanted me to have a perfect day.»
She hugged me tightly, tears mixing with mine as Emily and Oliver joined in.
Another memory flashed before me—me at sixteen, with my waist-length blonde plait, shopping with Mum and Dad for a dress. Seventy pounds in 1987—a small fortune.
I’d passed the department store every day after school, mesmerised by a single window display. A deep burgundy dress, embroidered with delicate broderie anglaise, a boat neckline, and flutter sleeves—it symbolised everything grown-up and glamorous.
That dream came true when, after a quiet word between them, my parents said yes. Stepping out of the changing room, radiant as the morning star, I watched them wipe away happy tears.
I wore it for years—until, after moving towns, it vanished.
I’ve owned countless dresses since—modest, stylish, expensive. But that one, that feeling? I’ll never forget it.
Later, after tucking the children in, Kate tiptoed into my room.
«Mum… why spoil Emily like this? She showed me your ruby pendant and gold earrings. They were Nanny’s—her keepsakes! Don’t you mind giving them up?»
She didn’t understand.
«Darling, making your loved ones happy—seeing their eyes light up—that’s a joy like no other. Remember: true happiness comes from giving, not taking.»