Everyone sat around the table, wine glasses in hand as they celebrated Emma’s new role. A smile spread across her face; Emma had never felt this proud! She was finally being recognized for all her achievements, the hard work she had put in, and all the late nights.

As everyone lowered their glasses, Emma stood to give a speech. Thank you, thank you all, you’re all too kind! What I have done over the years is nothing more than what was expected of me, I put in the hours required to fulfill my tasks and overtime when sickness hit so that there was never a backlog of work to be done. 

To see this company, grow and be part of it all, has been an absolute pleasure. There have been sad times when colleagues have left us and when things haven’t gone exactly as planned. Yet despite all of that we have grown.

I must admit to you that my new role has been something I have been dreading, as it meant less responsibility for me, but having spoken in great detail to Jon, I can see the benefits. Less work for me to do, and less running around after other people, meaning more time for me to enjoy the things I like to do, such as reading, sewing, and long walks. 

I’m not so anxious about my new role anymore, saying that there is still anxiety there! Having worked the same job for so many years, who wouldn’t be? Regardless, I feel I have jabbered on too long. Tonight is an evening for laughter, so let’s celebrate. Thank you all once again. Emma sat down, Mike raised his glass and shouted “Emma” followed by a huge cheer of “Emma” as wine glasses were raised all along the table. 

Jon smiled as he had watched his wife do her speech and now get praised. It was both of them who were going onto a new role, both of them who had worked hard over the years, but he couldn’t take the limelight away from Emma, for it was her that had kept everything together, her that had kept everything running like clockwork. Without Emma, everything would have fallen apart this much Jon knew for sure! Tonight, was her night; tonight, was a night to say thanks and to show her how much they appreciated her and loved her.

As they spent the evening laughing and joking Emma never looked happier, and the evening flew by. It was soon time for everyone to leave and the night to end. As Jon cleared the dining room table and made coffee Emma saw their guests out, hugging each one and wishing them all a safe journey, before closing the door as the last one of them left. 

With a sad look on her face, Emma walked into the lounge closely followed by Jon. As they sat on the sofa and she cuddled Jon while holding her coffee, Emma asked, 

“Is that it?”

“Is my role over now?”

Jon pulled Emma in close to him

“Emma” he replied

“You will always be needed, whether it’s a phone call for advice or they turn up on the doorstep when they need somewhere to stay”

Emma looked at him sadness in her eyes, Jon pulled Emma tighter into his arms

“We will always be their mum and dad!”

“But they are grown and have to discover the world on their own!” “Emma my dear, we have to now focus on ourselves and step into our new role!”.

This was written by our contributing writer, Leah Palmer.