Mothers arent greeted by relatives outside the delivery suite because the mother refuses to give up her baby. The bright, spacious hallway of the maternity ward at StThomas Hospital in London hums with activity. Joy mixes with a touch of nervous excitement, and happy relatives drift past: proud fathers clutching massive bouquets, freshly minted grandmothers and grandfathers, plus a swarm of friends and acquaintances. The constant chatter is punctuated by contagious laughter. Everyone holds their breath, waiting to meet the newest members of their families.
A boyour first! whispers a very young grandmother to the woman standing beside her. Tears of happiness shine in her eyes as she grips a bunch of skyblue balloons. Its two girls, can you believe itright away! exclaims her companion, already swathed in pink gift bags. They already have an older daughter, so that makes three sistersjust like a fairytale! adds another, amazed. Twins! How rare! Congratulations!
Amid the bustle no one notices a small girl struggling with the heavy doors. Her hands are full, barely managing the overstuffed parcels of baby supplies.
What is that a baby? gasps James, a young man who has come to pick up his sisters niece. He cant believe his eyeson the womans right arm, pressed between forearm and torso, lies a tiny bundle wrapped in a blanket.
How could this be? James mutters, bewildered. Where are her relatives? Where are the friends? In a city as big as London, isnt there anyone to meet a young mother and her defenseless infant?
His family has been preparing for his sisters baby for months, treating the event as a monumental celebration. James never imagined anything could unfold differently.
He hurries to help the stranger, pushing the massive doors wide, holding them until she slides through, then slipping in after her.
May I at least carry your bags to the taxi? he offers.
Thanks, but Im fine, she smiles, a mix of sadness and helplessness in her gaze, as if teetering on the brink of tears. She steadies the baby, hugs it tighter, and heads toward the bus stop.
Is she really going to catch a bus with a newborn? James thinks, horrified. Hes about to catch up and suggest a ride in his car when his relatives call, reminding him he must collect his sister and niece. Forgetting everything else, he rushes back to them.
Claire has always wanted to be a model daughter. Her mother gave birth to her late in life, and Claire never saw her father, rumored to have been a shortterm holiday fling. Mother and daughter live together in a cramped cottage on the edge of a Yorkshire village. From a young age Claire helps at home, keeps her rooms tidy, excels at school, and obeys without question. Their modest income comes from Claires parttime job at the village shop, barely enough to make ends meet. When her mother finally retires, their finances tighten even more.
Claire dreams of growing up quickly, earning a degree, and landing a wellpaid job so her little family never knows hunger again. She wants to stop worrying whether the last few pounds will buy a packet of oats or a slice of meat. Determined, she throws herself into her studies, taking extra courses. While her peers go on dates, to the cinema, and to dance nights, Claire stays hunched over textbooks, repeatedly declining her neighbour Peters attempts to coax her out.
Go for a walk with him! The weathers lovely! You look pale, you only ever sit at your books! her mother urges.
Its my exams, I need top marks. This is my only chance, our chance! Claire replies.
Peter, a shy farmhand, has loved Claire since primary school, but his feelings are unreciprocated. He watches as Claires hard work pays off: she aces every exam and gains admission to the prestigious City College of Education in Manchester. Her joy knows no bounds, while her mother begins to worry.
Where will you live? How will you pay? I cant support you much, you know how little I earn. her mother frets.
Dont worry, Claire reassures. Ill find a night job, Ive already seen adverts. The college provides halls, I called and theyve allocated me a room.
Claire moves into a dorm, sharing a room with another village girl. The roommate often shares food from generous relatives, and Claire helps with essays and assignments. A shortterm cleaning job at a local café turns into a waitressing gigtaking orders, smiling politely.
It is there she meets Harry, a regular patron. At this stage Claire is in her penultimate year, only a few weeks from graduating. Harry, attractive and charismatic, visits the bar almost every weekend with his friends, laughing loudly, joking, and engaging in lively conversation. Claire watches the dimples appear on his cheeks whenever he smiles. One evening he catches her eye; she looks away, embarrassed, and from that moment Harry shows her special attention.
They start dating. Harry proves to be caring, intelligent, and full of life. He graduated two years ago and now works as an analyst at a major bank, his career soaring. Claire soon receives an invitation to move into Harrys spacious twobedroom flat not far from his office.
When Claire tells Harry shes pregnant, he welcomes the news with enthusiasm.
I was just about to propose! This news Ill have to hurry so youre the slim bride, not a mothertobe with a belly! Though I love you any way you are. he jokes.
Claire worries about meeting Harrys parents. His father is a successful businessman who owns a dairy factory; his mother assists him. She fears the modest village girl, now pregnant, will be judged. Yet Harrys family has long embraced his choice. His mother, Olivia, immediately appreciates the tidy flat, and the dinner Claire prepares earns high praise.
This tastes like a fivestar restaurant! exclaims the father. Your hands are golden! Olivia adds.
Olivia asks Claire to call her simply Olivia. Together they plan the wedding, shopping in upscale boutiques, sipping coffee between fittings, and laughing. Olivia is warm and sincere, not a snobbish aristocrat. Claire feels no discomfort from the class gap.
Will your mum come to the wedding? Wed love to meet her. She can stay with usour house is big, yours must be cramped, Olivia says, sharing her plans.
The wedding is lavish, with a host, entertainers, and fireworks. Claire worries about the cost, but Olivia waves it off.
Dont stress, we can afford it. Youre my sons wife; I want a proper celebration. Rest and enjoy, its good for you.
Claire cant believe her luck. She has heard many stories of strained motherinlaw relationships, especially when the bride comes from a poor background, but her experience is the opposite. Youre lucky, dear! her elderly mother cries at the wedding, uncomfortable amid the glitter but grateful. Olivia keeps the atmosphere light, joking and thanking Claire for such a wonderful daughterinlaw.
Life settles into the anticipation of a new baby. During the first ultrasound, the doctor says the child will be a healthy girl. Then well get a boy next time, Harry smiles, dreaming of an heir. Olivia, mother of two sons, has always wanted a daughter; now she is thrilled, buying a pile of pink dresses and tiny outfits.
Claire admires the clothes, picturing how soon shell dress her daughter. Olivia plans ballet lessons, art school, and earlydevelopment classes. Claire welcomes it all, grateful for the attention her unborn child receives.
A routine check later reveals a risk to the pregnancy. Olivia arranges the best specialists. Claire feels terrible, nauseated, losing weight. Instead of relief in the second trimester, she worsens, spending days in hospital while Olivia tends to her at homecooking, cleaning, even scolding Harry for his inaction. Claire is grateful; she can do nothing else.
Harry grows distant, absorbed in work, friends, his phone. Claire talks only about tests, procedures, anxieties, and he grows bored. He dreams of a son, yet the wife he has lies in bed. A pretty university student appears, and Harry hides a flirtation from his parents, fearing their reaction. Olivia, oblivious to the romance, keeps expressing her desire for a granddaughter, not a second son.
Suddenly, Claires water breaks a month early. She is rushed to labour. The pain is unbearable; doctors do what they can, then call a chaplain. Claire summons all her strength for her daughter.
The baby girl is born, but nurses whisk her away, discussing something quietly. Claire soon learns the child has Downs syndromea condition the ultrasound missed. Youre still young, youll have a healthy child later. This one is better placed in a care home, the consultant suggests.
Shocked, Claire refuses outright. She demands the baby be returned and looks at her with love, naming her Alice.
Olivia calls. I know everything, well get through this, she says excitedly. Thank you! Claire replies, already finding a good therapist to help her cope. Well have another child, Olivia insists. Alice is alive! Claire snaps, Write that the baby died. Olivia pleads. Claire hangs up.
Harry also resists taking the baby. Why should a mother give up her child while the father accepts it? Im too young for this burden! he says. Olivia repeatedly calls, trying to persuade him, then threatens: either they accept the baby, or Alice wont have a place in their family.
Claire realizes she will raise Alice alone. Her last hope is that seeing his daughter will change Harry, but no one waits for her at discharge. She walks to the bus stop with her parcels.
At home she finds a coat belonging to the unknown woman. From the kitchen emerges a girl in Maxs tshirt. Who are you? Claire asks. The lover of your partner, the woman replies, and Claire gathers her things.
Alice lies in a cradled cot surrounded by expensive gifts Olivia bought, but nobody else needs heronly Claire does. Claire and Alice move in with Claires mother. Despite the turmoil, Claire pulls herself together and supports her daughter. Alice grows kind and artistic, contrary to expectations, beginning to speak, recite poems.
Claire later marries Peter, a classmate who always loved her. He adopts Alice as his own. They have two more sons. Claire isnt ashamed of Alice; she runs a blog sharing their life. One day a director of a London theatre for actors with Downs syndrome sees a video of Alice reciting poetry, invites her to perform. She becomes an actress, and the family moves to the capital, taking the grandmother along.
When Alice turns seventeen, Harry appears at her performance, bearing flowers, gifts, and a glass of wine, apologising. Claire suddenly realises she has already forgiven him.
Everythings fine, Harry. I hold no grudge. Live happily, and thank you for our wonderful daughter.
