“Excuse me, miss, do you know who I belong to?” a small voice asked.
I turned to see a little girl, no more than six, staring up at me with wide, hopeful eyes. “Im looking for my mumhave you seen her?”
I hesitated. Id only just moved into this building, and as far as I knew, the flat she was standing in front of had been empty the whole time.
“No one lives there, love,” I told her gently.
At that, her face crumpled, and she sank onto the stairs, tears spilling over. “Please, miss, we really need her. Dad misses her so much.”
I stood there, unsure how to comfort her. Id never had children of my own, so I didnt quite know what to dohug her? Offer tea? But would she even trust a stranger? My phone rang just then, and I asked her to wait while I answered. When I returned, she was gone.
She stayed on my mind all evening. Later, I called my landlady, Margaret, to ask about the neighbours.
“That flats been empty for years,” she said. “Why do you ask?”
“A little girl came by today, looking for her mum.”
Margaret went quiet, as if remembering something. “That must be Emilys daughter. She shes not with us anymore. Her husband was left alone with the baby. Couldnt bear to stay theremoved out not long after. The place has been vacant since.”
She added, “They live nearby now. If the girl comes back, take her home,” and gave me the address.
Weeks passed, and I nearly forgot about ituntil one evening, just before Christmas, I heard soft knocking and sniffles at my door. There she was again, the same grey-eyed child, cheeks wet with tears.
“Whats wrong? Wheres your dad?”
“At home,” she whispered. “I just want my mum.”
Remembering the address, I rushed to find it, asking her to wait inside this time. She perched on the hallway stool, quiet and small. By the time I found the slip of paper, shed curled up and fallen asleep. I carried her to the sofa and called Margaret.
“Shes here. I meant to take her home, but she dozed off. Her father must be worried.”
“Ill check on them,” Margaret said.
As I waited, I studied the girls face, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Id always wanted children, but life had other plans. Years ago, my husband and I had dreamed of starting a family, but after two heartbreaking losses, it never happened. When he left, I heard hed remarried and had a daughterthough Id cut all ties, choosing to move forward alone.
A quiet knock interrupted my thoughts. I opened the doorand froze. My ex-husband, James, stood there.
“James? How?”
“Im here for my daughter. Sarah Close, number 5?”
I nodded, stepping aside. “Shes asleep. Come in.” We settled in the kitchen, the kettle boiling between us.
“Shes come to the landing a few times now, knocking on that empty flat,” I said.
James sighed, rubbing his face. “We lived there years ago. It was Katesmy late wifesfamily home. After we married, we moved in. When she fell pregnant, I thought I was the luckiest man alive.” His voice wavered. “But when the time came… there were complications. She didnt make it.”
“Im so sorry,” I murmured, watching him struggle against tears.
A small voice called from the living room. “Daddy?”
James rushed to her, gathering her close. “Annie, you scared me. Why did you leave?”
“I just wanted to find Mummy.”
“Well find her together, sweetheart. Just not today.” He turned to me. “Thank you, Irene. Heres my numberif she turns up again…”
“How did she even know this address?” I asked.
“I showed her,” he admitted. “I had to collect some things. She saw Kates photos and… started asking to see her. I told her Mummy was away but would come back someday.”
They left, but James called a few days later. Slowly, we rebuilt somethingweekends in the park, cafés, cinemas. Annie grew attached, even calling me “Mum” once.
One evening, James hesitated. “Irene… move in with us. No more rented flats. Annie misses you. I… I do too.” He took my hands. “Im sorry for everything.”
Now, were a family. Annie may not be mine by blood, but that doesnt matter. Every day, Im grateful for this second chanceto love, to be loved, and to give all the tenderness Id saved up.
Sometimes, the family were meant to find isnt the one were born into, but the one that finds us when we least expect it.
