She wasnt truly theirs, those five But who could say
George had lost his wife. She never recovered from the last birth.
Grieve or not, five children were left behind. The eldest, Michael, was nine. Elijah, seven. The twins, Alexander and Leo, four. And the youngest, little Eleanor, barely three months oldthe long-awaited daughter.
No time for sorrow when children beg for food. But after putting them to bed, hed sit in the kitchen past midnight, smoking
At first, George managed alone, somehow. His sister-in-law came by now and then, helped a bit. They had no other family. She offered to take Alexander and Leo, saying itd ease his burden. Then two social workers appeared.
They suggested sending all the children to an orphanage. George refused. How could he give away his own flesh and blood? How could he live after that? Hard, yesbut what choice was there? Theyd grow, slowly, one day at a time.
Sometimes he even checked the older boys homework. Eleanor, of course, was the most trouble. But Michael and Elijah helped where they could.
And the health visitor, Nina Thompson, came often, fussing over them. One day, she promised to send a nanny. A man shouldnt raise an infant alone. A good girl, she said, hardworkingworked as a nursery assistant at the hospital.
No children of her own, unmarried. But shed helped raise siblings, came from a big family in the next village. And so Lucy arrived in their home.
Petite, sturdy, round-faced, with an old-fashioned braid down her back. And quiet. Never a word wasted. Yet everything in Georges house changed. The place gleamedscrubbed, polished.
She mended the childrens clothes, washed them clean. Tended Eleanor, cooked meals. At school and nursery, they noticed the difference. The children were neat, tidybuttons sewn with matching thread, elbows no longer frayed.
Once, Eleanor fell ill with fever. The doctor said shed recover with care. Lucy stayed by her side all night, never once lying down. Nursed her back to health. And somehow, she never left
The younger ones started calling her *Mum*, starved for a mothers warmth. Lucy didnt hold backpraising, ruffling hair, hugging. Of course, children needed it.
The older boys, Michael and Elijah, kept their distance at first, never calling her anything. Then, simply *Lucy*. Not nanny, not mumjust Lucy. To remember, perhaps, that theyd once had a mother And she was barely old enough to be one.
Lucys family objected.
*Why saddle yourself with that lot? Plenty of lads in the village!*
*Plenty*, she answered. *But I feel for George And the children are used to me now.*
So they lived. Fifteen years slipped by unnoticed The children studied, grew. Not always smoothmischief happened. George would fume, reach for his belt. Lucy tugged his sleeve*Wait, Dad, lets hear them out first*
Theyd argue, make up. Soon, no one in the village called her Lucy anymore. She was *Mrs. Lucy Harrison*, respected. Michael, by now, was married, expecting his first.
The young couple lived apartMichael worked at the farm, no ordinary mechanic. Awards every year, bonuses. Elijah was finishing university in the cityLucys pride, her *future engineer*.
They did everything togetherplayed as children, stood united when needed. Eleanor was in her last year of school, Lucys joy. Sang, dancedno village event passed without her.
And George often thought how well Nina had chosen his wife
That summer, Lucy sensed something wrongdizziness, nausea. She shooed George and his cigarettes outside, sickened by the smell. At first, she thought itd pass. It didnt. She went to the doctor.
She returned quiet, pensive. Brushed off Georges questions*nonsense, just tired.*
But that night, when the house slept, she called him outside.
*Sit, Dad We need to talk. Know what the doctor said? Im with child Too late to do anything now, well have to keep it.* She covered her face. *The shame*
George was stunned. After all these yearsnow?
*What shame, love? The older ones are nearly gonejust us again? Nature knows best! Well manage.*
*But whatll the children say? An old woman like me*
*Old? Thirty-nine? Nonsense!*
*I dont know what to do*
*Ill tell them. Tomorrow, when theyre all here.*
And he did. As they gathered at the table, he spoke.
*My dears Youll soon have another brother. Or sister.*
Lucy stared at her plate, flushed crimson.
Michael, visiting with his wife, burst out laughing.
*Brilliant, Mum! Well done! Have yours with minetheyll grow up together!*
Alexander grinned.
*Go on, Mum! Another brother!*
Leo shook his head.
*No A girl. Too many lads here. Eleanors spoiled rotten*
Eleanor shot him a look.
*Spoiled? You spoiled me? Of course a girl, Mum! Ill tie her ribbons, buy pretty dresses!*
*Dresses? Shes not a doll!* Elijah cut in. *A child needs raising.*
*Well raise them,* George said.
Still, Lucy hid her growing bellyunder scarves, even a coat in summer heat.
The months passed. Michaels son arriveda boy! Elijah returned to university, holidays over. Alexander and Leo left tooenrolled in agricultural college.
Eleanors school year began. The house fell quiet, empty. She was either studying or with friends. Even a lad started walking her home from Sunday dances.
Lucy lay awake, waiting. Thenpain. Sharp, blinding.
*George* she whispered. *George, its started*
He paled, fumbling with his shoes.
*Wait, loveIll call an ambulance!* He yelled for Eleanor, who bolted outside.
Two minutes later, she rushed back.
*Mum, Tobyll drive youborrowed his dads car!*
*Toby, eh?* Lucy thoughtbefore another stab of pain.
*Oh, Mum! Whats happening?*
Five minutes later, the lad who walked Eleanor home entered.
*Dads driving you,* he told Eleanor. *Coming?*
*Im coming,* George grabbed his coat. *Dont fret, LucyIm with you.*
All night, George smoked on the maternity ward steps. At dawn, a nurse emerged.
*Waiting, Dad? Smoking? Youll need to cut back First one?*
*Five,* he muttered.
*Five? Try seven! Your beautys had twins!*
*Twins?* he stammered.
*Boy and girl! Boys loud.* She laughed. *Girls a picture! Go home, Dad. Come back tomorrow. Shell stay a bit longerbabes need weight. Bring whats needed. Understood?*
*Right,* George nodded, dazed.
On discharge day, the whole family gathered. Even the students skipped class. The nurse carried out two bundlesone blue ribbon, one pink. Lucy followed, flustered.
George took one, unsure how to hold the other.
*Forgot how Twos awkward.*
Michael stepped in.
*Here, Dad Not my first.*
*Oh, shes lovely!* Eleanor peeked. *My little sister!*
Flowers and cake handed over (as was proper), they piled into the farm minibusthe manager lent it. A special occasion!
*Well, Mumpleased everyone!* Michael grinned.
Lucy cradled one bundle, smiling quietly. God willing, theyd grow up kind She glanced at George holding the other.
*Well raise them,* she corrected herself. *Of course, we*
*Children,* she turned to them, *what shall we name them?*
At once, voices overlappedfavourite names, meaningful ones.
The driver, Georges old friend, listened to the cheerful noise behind him and thought*She wasnt truly theirs, those five But who could say*
