**Diary Entry**
Ill never understand you, love. Youre a woman, after allwhats that poor little girl done wrong? So shes from another womanso what? Youll raise her, and one day shell call you Mum. Thats just how it turned out, but youve got to be wiser. If you love your husband, love his daughter too.
They rang David from social services today, telling him to collect his own daughterone he never knew existed.
Mary, sit down. Ive got something important to tell you, David sighed.
I had a call from social services today. My daughters in care now. Mary gasped, stunned.
What daughter? From who? Are you joking? She couldnt believe it.
David hung his head. No, love, Im not. About six years backbefore you and I got seriousI was seeing a woman named Lucy. When things got serious with you, I ended it with her. A year later, she tracked me down and told me shed had my little girl, Annie. I didnt believe her at first, but when I saw the child well, no DNA test needed. Shes mine. I dont even know what happened to Lucyjust got the call asking if Id take Annie in or not.
Marys first instinct was to shout, *No, I dont want some strangers child!* But the look in her husbands eyes made her say something else entirely.
Alright. Lets go see her first. Together.
David brightened at that, and by morning, they were on their way. When Mary saw Anniejust five years old, tiny and thinshe couldnt find any resemblance to David. The girl clutched a ragged teddy bear, hiding her face in its fur whenever spoken to. Truth be told, Mary didnt take to her. Pity, yes, but jealousy for the other woman had settled onto the child now.
Turns out, social services took Annie from Lucy, whod been living roughdrinking, staying out all hours, barely remembering she had a daughter. But shed named David as the father, and that was that.
Mary saw the steel in Davids resolve to bring Annie home. She fought him on it, but one day, he snapped.
If you cant give me children, at least dont stand in my way. I wont abandon my own flesh and blood. Dont like it? Leave. Ill manage alone.
Harsh words, but he wasnt wrong. David wanted children. She couldnt give him anydoctors had written that possibility off years ago, thanks to health troubles in her youth. And besides, she loved him. He was hardworking, hardly touched a drop, every penny went into the home. Plenty of women would fight for a man like that. Could she really do better?
When David brought Annie home, he warned Mary straight off. If I catch you mistreating her, dont expect kindness.
Mary forced herself to care for the girlbathed her, scrubbed the grime away, though the sight of that bony little back nearly broke her. Dressed her in a clean frock, plaited her hair. Felt like a weight had lifted.
Annie was quiet. Kept to herself, whispering to that teddy in the corner.
Shes feral, Mary complained to the neighbours. Wont even acknowledge Davidjust yes or no, thats it. Sometimes I wonder if theres something wrong with her. Too quiet, you know? Like one day shell snap.
The neighbours nodded sympathetically.
David changed too. Used to greet Mary at the door with kisses. Now it was all for Annie. At first, the girl shied away, but soon she was trailing after him like a shadow.
Mary burned with jealousy. David started grumbling. One day, while Annie played outside, he snapped again.
You treat her like some stray doll. Wont even smile at her. She needs a mother, not some cold stranger.
That set Mary off.
Im *not* her mother! Shes nothing to me, you hear? I wont dance attendance on her. Im leavinggoing to Mums. You two live how you like.
She stormed out, certain David would come begging. But he didnt. A week passed. Then another. No word. Mary was in tears. Her mother, at first soothing, soon lost patience.
I dont understand you, girl. Youre a grown womanwhats that child done to you? So shes another womanswhat of it? Raise her, and shell call you Mum. Thats how it is. Be wiser. Love your husband? Then love his daughter.
Mary returned home. David was tinkering in the garage, Annie playing happily beside him with her bear. He spotted Mary, eyes dark, and she froze. Then Annie stood, took her fathers hand, and led him to Mary.
Make up, she said, joining their hands.
Forgive me, Mary wept.
David pulled her close with one arm, drawing Annie in with the other. Mary hugged the girl tight, all three standing there until Annie piped up, Me and Teddy are hungry!
David and Mary exchanged a look. They went inside together. At last, they were a family.
**Lesson:** Pride and jealousy blind us to loves quiet chances. Sometimes, the family we resist is the one we need most.