Goodness always finds its way back
Emily, at least give the kids a cuppa! said Olivia, pressing her younger daughter close. Weve been on the road since five in the morning.
Her cousin, Margaret, stood in the doorway of her flat, blocking the exit, her face wearing a mask of polite indifference.
Olivia, Ive got guests arriving soon. Youre off to the station in an hour, right?
In two. The trains at nine tonight.
Right, and Ive got people coming at seven. Sorry, I didnt plan ahead.
Olivias eldest, sixyearold Ellie, tugged at her sleeve.
Mum, I need a minute.
Molly, can I at least use the loo?
Margaret reluctantly stepped aside. Olivia and the children squeezed into the hallway. The flat was swanky modern renovation, leather settee, a massive TV mounted on the wall.
Quickly now, okay? Molly glanced anxiously at her watch.
While Ellie was in the bathroom, threeyearold Hannah poked her head out.
Mum, Im hungry.
Hold on, love. Well grab something at the station.
Molly turned away, pretending not to hear. The kitchen wafted the scent of fried chicken.
And why didnt you take Kevin? she asked, filling an awkward silence.
Hes at work. Couldnt change his shift.
Got it. All of you staying in the village?
Where else would we be? The flat isnt ready yet.
Molly made a face as if Olivia had said something scandalous.
Ellie emerged from the bathroom. Olivia grabbed the bags.
Well, off we go. Thanks for letting us in.
Dont mention it. Have a safe trip.
The door clicked shut behind them. Outside, a dreary rain drummed down. The bus to the railway station took forty minutes. The children were soaked by the time they reached the stop.
Mum, why didnt Aunt Mary feed us? Ellie asked.
Shes busy, dear. She has guests.
And were not guests?
Olivia didnt know what to say. Once, she and Molly had been as close as sisters, sharing secrets and childhood mischief. Then Mary married a businessman, moved to London, and drifted away.
The station was chilly. Olivia found a free bench in the waiting room and sat the kids down.
Sit here. Ill go ask about the train.
A queue snaked to the ticket office. Olivia slipped to the back, rummaging for her documents. Anna, a tired little girl, began to sobshe was hungry and exhausted. Ellie tried to comfort her, her own eyes brimming.
A woman in her forties, plump with a kindly face, stood nearby.
Excuse me, are you not from around here? she asked.
No, Im from Yorkshire. Heading home.
Do you have children with you?
Theyre over there on the bench.
The woman stared down the aisle, frowned, and said, Goodness, theyre soaking wet! And theyre crying. Whats happened?
Olivias tears escaped without warning.
We drove to my sisters thought shed at least give us a bite. We havent eaten since five this morning.
The woman, determined, took Olivias arm. Come on then. Do you have your tickets?
Yes, Ive got them.
Ill buy them for you. Just feed the kids first.
No, thank you, I can manage
Dont argue. Im Natalie, I work at the railway clinic. Its my shift anyway.
She led Olivia and the kids to a tiny staff room modest but warm, with a kettle, a microwave, and a fridge.
Sit down. Well sort everything.
Natalie rummaged in the fridge and produced some containers.
Heres soup yesterdays but still tasty meatballs with barley, some bread. Dig in.
The children lunged at the food. Olivia held back tears of gratitude.
Thank you. I dont know how to repay you
Oh, stop it. Youve got two little ones. I know what its like on the road. And your sister? She didnt feed you?
Olivia waved her hand. She had guests. We were in the way.
Fine guests, Natalie quipped. May the Almighty judge her. You eat, Ill sort the tickets.
She returned after fifteen minutes. The kids were finishing, laughing, warming up.
Your seats are at the lower tier, midcoach. The trains on time, boarding starts in an hour, Natalie announced.
How much do I owe you?
Nothing. Its a gift for a tired mum.
Natalie, I cant
You can. Heres my number. If youre ever in London, give me a ring. Youve got a real sister now.
From that day on they called each other regularly. Natalie became the sister Olivia had lost when Mary drifted away. They shared news, advice, and the occasional cuppa.
A year later Natalie confessed, Olivia, Im ill. Its terminal, stage three.
Olivias world wobbled. She tried to rush her to London, but Natalie refused.
No, you have a family, children. Ill manage.
Her voice grew weaker with each call. Then she revealed the truth:
I have a daughter, Sophie. Shes ten. Shes not my biological child my sister died giving birth, and I took her in, never registered her.
God bless you, Natalie
If something happens to me, I have no relatives left. Sophie will be taken to a childrens home.
Dont say that! Youll get better!
Both knew miracles were unlikely.
Natalie passed away in February. Olivia attended the funeral. Sophie a skinny girl with huge eyes stood beside the coffin. Social services were ready with paperwork for a foster home.
Come with us, Olivia whispered, hugging her. Youll live with us.
Can I? Sophies eyes flickered with hope.
Of course. Youre my sisters daughter, so youre my niece.
Her motherinlaw greeted them with a glare.
Are you mad? Were barely coping with our two, and now you bring in a stranger!
Shes not a stranger, Mum, intervened Kevin, Olivias husband. Olivia did the right thing.
Two rooms for five people? Have you lost your mind?
Olivia stood firm. Sophie would stay period.
The first months were hell. Cramped, cashstrapped, clashing personalities. Katie and Anna were jealous at first, then got used to it. Sophie tried to stay invisible, helped around the house, babysat the younger ones.
Then a miracle. Kevins old friend, a truck driver named Serge, offered his vacant cottage on the outskirts.
Its empty, the mothers gone, I dont live there. Move in until you get a flat. Free of charge.
The cottage was shabby but sturdy four rooms, a garden, a shed. A relief after the cramped inlaw house.
Dad, look! We finally have our own garden! Katie shouted, running around the plot.
We could put up a swing! Anna added.
Sophie watched, still in disbelief.
Come over here, Olivia called. Pick a room. Youre the oldest now.
Really?
Of course. Youre our eldest daughter now.
Sophie threw her arms around Olivias neck, sobbing, Aunt Natalie said youre the kindest person in the world. She was right.
Life buzzed in the cottage. Kevin repaired the roof after work, painted the fence. Olivia tended the garden. The girls helped, laughing together.
Neighbourhood folk stared.
All your daughters? one asked.
All ours, Kevin replied proudly.
A year later they were granted a threebed flat in a new development.
Are we moving? Sophie asked, fear in her voice.
Were all moving together, Olivia replied, hugging her. Were family.
The new flat had space for everyone. Sophie got her own room, just like the older girls. Anna and Katie shared another.
But they still gathered often at Sophies place she told bedtime stories, helped with homework.
Mum, can we just call Sophie a sister, not a stepsister? Katie asked one day.
She already is, Olivia smiled. Shes our older sister.
Perfect! Katie beamed.
At Sophies graduation, the whole clan turned up. She earned a gold medal and a place at a university to study medicine.
Ill be a doctor like Aunt Natalie, she declared. Ill help people.
After the ceremony, Sophie approached Olivia.
Mum, may I say something?
Yes, love?
Thank you. You and Dad gave me a real family. A true one.
It was Aunt Natalie who brought us together, Olivia replied. She knew we needed each other.
That evening, as they celebrated at home, Olivia pulled out an old photograph her and Natalie at the railway station, taken on that first meeting day.
Girls, I want to tell you something about kindness, she began. How good deeds come back around.
She recounted the day of uncharitable Mary, hungry children, and the woman who simply wouldnt walk past anothers misery.
If Aunt Natalie hadnt helped us, wed never be this big family. Wed never have Sophie. Remember one kind act can change many lives.
Mum, do you still talk to Aunt Mary? Anna asked.
No. She doesnt even know you have an older sister. Blood isnt everything. Family is who stands by you when lifes hard, who feeds the hungry and warms the cold.
Sophie hugged Olivia tightly.
Just like Aunt Natalie, she whispered.
Outside, rain fell the same dreary drizzle as that first railway day. Inside, the house glowed with the warmth of a genuine, bustling family that began with a simple act of kindness.
And Olivia knew Natalie was watching from above, smiling. Her kindness lived on in their love, in their daily lives.
Goodness always returns. Sometimes in the most unexpected ways.
