Betrayal of Ones Own Children
Daisy once again gazed, full of admiration, at her brother and sister. How striking they were! Tall, dark-haired, bright blue eyes. Once more, they were being showered with praise and awards. Champions yet again at the local competition. Eager to be the first to congratulate them, Daisy rose, limping a little on her right foot, and hurried over. For them, she had made two knitted rabbitsone in a little skirt, the other in checked trousers. Shed meant them as a gift.
Clumsy and rather overweight, with wispy, almost colourless hair pinned back as best she could, Daisy smiled shyly, hope flickering on her lips. Yet, Olivia and William pretended they hadnt seen their sister struggling toward them.
Please, excuse me. Thats my brother and sister! Let me through! Daisy pleaded, her voice happy, oblivious to the stares and whispers.
Oi, Liv, theres some fat lass shouting shes your sister. Is that true? asked Olivias blonde friend, Lucy, with a note of disbelief.
Turning her head just a fraction, Olivia caught sight of Daisy.
Bloody nuisance, she thought with a sneer. Fat and hopeless, turning up just to embarrass me. Mother, I bet, put her up to thisabsolute humiliation.
Aloud she declared, No, of course not. Ive only got one brother, thats William.
Knew it, Lucy said, sniggering. Probably wants to get in with you two. Youd think shed know her placelook at the state of her, giving you toys like some donor at a jumble sale.
Just a fan from around here, I suppose. Lucy, take the rabbits, would you? Will and I are off for the awards. Try and catch up! Olivia blew a kiss, grabbed her brothers hand, and pushed through the crowd.
Lucy took the rabbits from Daisy, solemnly promising to deliver them.
Alright! Ill be waiting for you both at home! Ill bake some Chelsea buns! Daisy called after them, awkwardly limping away, hope lining her words.
Lucy caught up, tossing the homemade toys into a bin. Here you go, she said shed wait for you back at home, making Chelsea buns. She looks like one herself. Liv, shes seriously not related to you? Whys she always hanging about?
No idea. Loads of people try to get near us now we’re well-known. Ignore her, lets get on, Olivia retorted, linking arms with Lucy and leaving Daisys little rabbits to their fate.
Lucy had been lied to. Daisy was indeed Olivias sisterwell, half-sister. After Daisys distant cousin died in a holiday car crash, Olivia and Williams mum, Annabel, had taken her in, although their connection was barely more than a distant branch on the family tree. Other, closer relatives had refused her. Yet Annabel, overcoming a storm of protest from her own family, brought Daisy home. William and Oliviaspoilt and used to getting everythinghad thrown tantrums, screaming when they found out they would have to share their lives with this new sister.
Mum, please dont bring her here! Shes fat, she limps, shes slow. Shes embarrassing. I couldnt face walking next to her! Olivia had protested.
Sweethearts, give her a chance. The poor girl has no one. People take in cats and dogs, why not another little person? She wont get in our way, we have a big house, Annabel had tried to reason.
They reluctantly agreed. Annabel ran the local supermarket and brought in most of the familys income. Their father, Peter, was technically her deputy, though he did very little, preferring secret dalliances and his own reflectionhe was as handsome as a film hero, and the children had inherited his good looks.
Daisy grew upsmall, round, with dimples and translucent blue eyes, not unlike her siblings. Yet she was always the one left out. William smashed a precious vase, Olivia tried on her mothers new jumper and ripped it, and both times they blamed Daisy. Daisy never argued, never snitched, only nodded and apologised, not wanting her beautiful siblings to be told off.
Still, Annabel never blamed Daisy. Only Peter ranted.
Why on earth did you take this scarecrow in? Were a laughingstock! She cant walk properly, she weighs as much as a baby elephant, and looks nothing like our children. What were you thinking? Even her own relatives refused to botherwhy should we? he would bellow, not caring if Daisy heard from behind the closed door.
Daisy stared in the mirror sometimes, wishing she looked like Olivia or William. But she didnt. Even her schooling was separatefor the twins insisted to their mother that theyd skip lessons or stop doing well unless Daisy was kept apart. Annabel reluctantly agreed, sensing the fragile bridge she desperately tried to build between her children and her foster daughter was collapsing.
Time passed. William and Olivia left to attend university in London. Daisy, now older, asked to stay at home.
You could go anywhere, dear. Ill pay for any coursedesign, translation, anything you wish! Annabel pressed her close.
Daisy nuzzled her like a kitten, hugging her. Annabel always felt a deeper warmth from Daisy than from either of her high-achieving children, who would only kiss her cheek, and even then, grudgingly. Daisy was always waiting when she returned home, even if late and cold, standing at the gate or perched on the hallway stool.
Peter and the twins would barely acknowledge Annabels return, if at all. When Annabel protested, Olivia would snap, Were busy, Mum! She waits for you like a dog because she has nothing better to do. Shes hopelessshe doesnt even dream.
One evening Daisy whispered, Mum, could I study to be a vet? For cats and dogs, rabbits, pigsall the animals. Can I train here, do you think?
Her choice made sense: Daisy always rescued stray kittens and puppies, walking them home and finding them new places. Their big, shaggy mongrel, Max, had been her project, and, after some grumbling, Annabel had sided with Daisy against Olivias wish for a pedigree dog.
Then Annabels health faltered and she could no longer work. Peter, sensing the gravy train was slowing, quickly ditched her for her friend, Carol, who owned the trendy hairdressers. The twins main concern now was their mothers savings and property. Only Daisy stayed by Annabels side, limping about the kitchen, cooking tasty treats, making tea, massaging her poorly mothers hands. On summer evenings, they would sit beneath the apple tree, sipping tea, happiness flickering just for them.
Olivia and William married. Annabel helped them both buy flats. But trouble soon arrived in the form of William, turning up in the middle of the night, on the verge of tears.
Mum, Im in debt, I owe a fortune. What will I do? Dads useless and broke himself. Even if I sold everything, I couldnt even raise a tenth of it. What will I do? he cried, wringing his hands.
Darling, you always have me. My darling boy, Annabel clung to him.
William proposed a solution: selling the house would cover it. He could pay off the debt if they sold everything.
But what about Daisy and me? Where would we go? Annabel gasped.
He sneered, What happens to that lump doesnt bother me one bit. Shes grown. Let her fend for herself after sponging off us for years. You come to us, MumEmma would be happy for you to stay! William flashed a cold smile.
Emma, his wife, barely tolerated Annabel, but she felt bound to agree. Annabel made one simple demandDaisy must come, too. William reluctantly accepted, but Daisy took her mother aside.
Mum, you should go without me. Im moving in with someone. Hes been asking me for ages, and you shouldnt worry, she lied, hugging her mother tight.
But who is he? When do we meet him? Why didnt you say anything, Daisy? Annabel asked, a flicker of hope crossing her face.
Later, when youre settled. Promise, Mum. Please, dont worry. I love you, Daisy said.
William was relieved. No need to involve Olivia to get rid of Daisy as wellthey all preferred it that way. But Daisys words were a liethere was no one. She felt, in her sensitive heart, that she wouldnt be welcome in Williams home. She found a bedsit by answering an adan old man named Alf lived there alone, with chickens, goats, and piglets in the back garden. When Alf discovered Daisy was a trainee vet, he was delighted and promised not to charge her rent, although Daisy always insisted on paying, stuffing the money back in his coat pockets when he protested.
Daisys small world bloomed. She had a place to stay, a job, and respect from the locals. The animals adored her, never feared her, and each one she cared for left with a treat shed bought herself.
Here you go, Roverclever boy! Daisys got you something special. Dont fret, love, your drops are all sorted. Ring me any time you need anything! she told the pet owners.
Honestly, dear, they treat me worse at hospital than you do my Barney! Youre a real treasure, said Mrs. Thompson, shaking her head in awe as Daisy sent her home with a pampered Persian.
Yet every evening, Daisys heart ached for her mum. She called often, but lately Annabel barely answered, and when she did, William snapped that their mother was resting and hung up.
I miss her so much. Half a yearhavent seen her Daisy sighed to Alf over tea.
Then go! Ill drive yougot an old Mini still running. Of course Ive got a licence, Alf suggested, eyes twinkling.
Daisys spirits soared. She had Williams new address, and they set off. After much knocking, a tall blonde in a silk dressing gown opened the door, yawning.
Who are you? Selling something? We dont need any, Emma huffed, about to slam the door in their faces.
You must be Emma, Williams wife? Daisy ventured.
Thats right, Emma drawled. And you are?
Im Daisy! His sister, Daisy smiled, stepping forward hopefully.
Emma blocked her. And what do you want? Im off to the beauty parlour; dont have all day, she said, raising a sculpted eyebrow.
It wont take longthis is Mr. Alf, hes with me. Wheres Mum? I just want to say hello. I promise I wont be any trouble, Daisy begged.
Shes not here. William took her to a home. She cant get out of bed anymore, and someone had to care for her. He works, Ive got my own life. Where? I dont know. Hang on, Ill ring him. Hello, William? Your sisters here with some wrinkly old man. Wants the address. Right then. Ill write it down and thats that. And dont come back, Emma huffed, her perfume heavy in the air.
Daisy snatched the bit of paper and hurried down the steps with Alf.
I couldve done something. If only theyd told meId have worked something out, Daisy stammered.
They shouldve let us know. Ive got plenty of roommore than enough for your mum! This is a scandal! Alf declared.
They reached the nursing home. Daisy could hardly recognise Annabela shrunken, frail old woman with sunken eyes. Once a pillar of warmth and strength, Annabel now lay motionless, staring at the ceiling.
Mum! Its me, Daisy! Im so sorry I didnt come soonerI promise well go home. Alfs got chickens. Ill make you fresh eggs every morning, goats milk too. Youll soon get better, youll see. Mum, please dont ignore me. I love you! Daisy wept, clutching Annabels limp hand.
Thanks to Daisys official status and Alfs insistent reminders that he was an old war hero not afraid to call in favours, they managed to bring Annabel homethough William had arranged otherwise.
Annabel stood by a window on the tenth day. The garden smelled of grass and milk, the apple tree heavy with fruit. Daisy, limping but beaming, bustled in holding a tray of still warm Chelsea buns. Annabel turned, tears on her cheeks, and as Daisy embraced her, she apologised for leaving her so long, for not being the daughter she perhaps wanted, and for the life she could offer.
In silence, Annabel pulled Daisy close. Like she was seeing again the funny, kind little girl she had raised. Not related by blood, but by loyalty, care, and kindness. The only one who remained when she needed someone most.
Its alright, Daisy. Its alright now, love. Everythings going to be just fine, Annabel whispered.
Ladies, how about a nice cup of tea? Alf called, grinning from the doorway.
Laughing, hand in hand, the three of them stepped into the sunny kitchenand into a new life.
