The Betrayal of Ones Own Children
I often think of those distant days when young Dorothy would gaze in awe at her brother and sister, marveling at how splendid they lookedtall, dark-haired, blue-eyed, their awards gleaming as they stood victorious yet again at school competitions. Each time, Dorothy would hurry to be among the first to greet them, limping slightly on her right leg. With all the care in the world, she had knitted bunnies for Edward and Christineone in a frilly dress, the other in checkered trousershoping to give them as a gift.
But Dorothy, awkward and plump, her thin hair gathered in an unruly pin, would be met by nothing but coldness. Her innocent smile would falter whenever Christine pretended not to see her. Still, Dorothy pushed through the crowd, calling out with innocent excitement, Please, let me through! Thats my brother and sister! Pleaselet me past! Her simple joy echoed down the assembly hall.
A fair-haired girl, Lucy, nudged Christine and spoke with a sneer, Chris, theres some fat girl shouting that shes your sister. Is that true?
Christine barely glanced back, spotting Dorothy in the crowd. Embarrassed, she fumed inwardly, That stupid, chubby girlof course shed turn up. Mother must have told her to come. What shame! Aloud she replied, No, of course not. Ive only got one siblingEdward.
Thats what I thought. As if she wants to get in on your glory, Lucy snickered. Shes even trying to shove some ugly little bunnies at you.
Christine waved Lucy off. Probably just our local fan. Grab the toys, Lucy, and catch up. Edward and I are off! She blew a kiss, seized her brothers arm, and navigated the crowd with him in tow.
Lucy took the little bunnies, promising Dorothy shed deliver them. All right! Ill be waiting at home for you bothIll bake some Chelsea buns! Dorothy called after them as she hobbled away, hopeful.
Lucy tossed the toys into a bin. There, job done. She says shell be waiting, baking buns, Lucy drawled. Honestly, Chris, she cant really be related to you, can she? Whys she hanging about?
No, shes nothing to do with us, Christine declared. People just want to be close to fame, dont they? Come on now, lets go! And off Christine went with Edward and her friend to receive more praise.
But she had lied. Dorothy really was her sisterher half-sister. Their mother, Mrs. Agnes Hathaway, had taken Dorothy in when a distant relation passed away. Returning from a holiday, the family had been struck by tragedy, leaving only little Dorothy behind with her limp. Technically, Agnes was only a very distant cousinhardly related at alland their surnames didnt even match. Yet Agnes had stepped up despite protests from her own children and husband. Christine and Edward, spoiled since birth, had protested furiously, but Agnes remained unmoved.
Mum, please dont bring her here! Shes fat, limps, and dimshes embarrassing!
Darlings, the poor girl is all alone, Agnes pleaded. People take home stray cats and dogs, after all. And we have this great big houseshe wont be any bother.
Reluctantly, they agreed. Agnes managed the village shop and brought in most of the familys income, while her husband, Leonard, served as her assistant and preferred to flirt behind her back rather than help at home. If Agnes knew, she said nothingfor Leonard, dashing as a painting, had given her those beautiful children.
Dorothy grew up, diminutive and cheerful, with fine fair hair and almost translucent blue eyes. Christine would taunt, Her eyes are like watered-down milkpoor lump! But Dorothy was as sweet as a bun, with adorable dimples and an endless kindness.
She was never allowed to play with the twins. Whenever there was trouble, it was always blamed on Dorothy. If Edward smashed a vase, or Christine ruined a blouse, the finger always pointed to their clumsy sister. Dorothy never protested, nodding and apologisingshe didnt want her stunning siblings to be told off.
Agnes never scolded Dorothy. But Leonard did. Why did you bring that gawky girl here, Agnes? Shes a disgracecant even walk straight, heavy as a baby elephant. Our children are so handsomedid you really need to bring in that eyesore?
Dorothy would listen behind closed doors, then stare at herself in the mirror, wishing she could be beautiful like Edward and Christine.
When it came time for school, the twins demanded to go elsewhere, threatening to skip lessons if they had to be seen with Dorothy. Agnes reluctantly agreed, realising the fragile bridge shed laboured to build between her own children and their half-sister was collapsing.
Time went on. Edward and Christine left for university, but Dorothy asked to remain at home.
My dear, you can go anywhere, Agnes said, hugging her. Ill pay for your studydesign, translationwhatever you want!
Dorothy rubbed her head against Agness cheek like a kitten. Unlike her actual children, who rarely showed affection, Dorothy exuded warmth. She waited for Agnes every evening, no matter how late it greweither just outside, even in the cold, or on the hallway pouffewhile Leonard and the twins never bothered.
Once Agnes tried to scold her children for not greeting her, Christine snapped, Were busy, Mum! That silly girl waits for you because shes got nothing else to do and no dreams of her own!
Dorothys pale eyes looked up at her mother, then she whispered, Mum, can I be a vet? To help animalsdogs, cats, hamsters, piglets? I want to care for them, and we can train here at home.
It made sense. Dorothy was forever adopting abandoned kittens and puppies, nursing them back to health. One large, scruffy mongrel stayed with themmuch to Christines irritation, who wanted a pedigree. But Agnes backed Dorothy.
So life went on. When Agness health declined, she had to retire from her shop. Leonard, realising his free ride was at an end, promptly ran off with a friend of Agnessa hairdresser in the high street. Edward and Christine only visited to ask for money, but Agnes was well off and had savings. Only Dorothy remained, tending daily to her mother, cooking delights, massaging her weary body, preparing teas and herbal infusions. Theyd sit together under the apple tree in the evenings, drinking tea and sharing tales. For Dorothy, there was no greater happiness.
Edward and Christine settled down with families of their own. Agnes helped both buy houses. But trouble soon came. One night, Edward burst in at four in the morning, on the verge of tears, and confessed he was drowning in debts.
What on earth, Edward? Where would we find such a sum? Have you asked your father? No? Hes hardly likely to help. Even if I gave you everything, it wouldnt be enough. What are we to do? Agnes cried, clutching her hands to her chest.
Well, Mum, Edward replied coldly, if you dont, youll lose your son.
Agnes, in anguish, hugged him, demanding an explanation. Edwards solution was to sell the family hometheyd have just enough to pay off his debts.
But Edward! Where will Dorothy and I go? Agnes blurted, horrified.
I dont care where that fat fool ends up, her son replied. Shes a grown woman; she can look after herself. Enough is enough. Youre coming with me! My wife Laura will be delighted!
Agnes doubted Laura would be delighted but did not argue. Her sons life was at stake! She agreedon the condition that Dorothy could come too. Edward reluctantly assented, but when Dorothy heard of the plan, she took her mother aside.
Mum, go without me. Ill move in with someone Im seeinghes been asking me for ages. So dont worry about me.
But who is he? Why didnt you say, darling? Agnes smiled.
Dorothy just hugged her mother, Later, youll meet. Dont worry, Mum.
Edward was delightedno need to invent a way to get rid of Dorothy. She, however, had liedthere was no fiancé. Dorothy realised she would not be welcome in Edwards home and feared causing her mother distress. So Dorothy quietly rented a room in a farmhouse owned by an old man, Mr. Proctor, who lived alone with hens, goats, and piglets. Thrilled to have a lodger who was a vet, Mr. Proctor barely charged rent, but Dorothy insisted on paying.
Life was kinder to her after that. The animals adored her, never shying away, and Dorothy found affectionate words for every creature she treated. She would even buy them treats with her own pay.
There now, Spot, good boy! Heres something Ive saved for you. Dont worry, little oneIll leave you your medicine, and if theres trouble, ring any time, day or night! Dorothy would reassure each visitor.
Dear girl, you treat my old Tom better than folk at the doctors treat mesuch a treasure you are! said Mrs. Ann Perkins, proud owner of a tremendous, fluffy cat.
Dorothy flourished, but she worried about her mother. When she rang the house, Edwards cold voice would brush her off, saying Agnes was resting. Dorothy missed her desperatelyhalf a year gone without seeing her once.
One evening, over tea, she sighed, I do miss Mum so. I wish I could visit.
Why dont you? suggested Mr. Proctor. My old Morris is still going, like melets go together! Ive got a spare room, too, you know.
Dorothy brightened at once. She had Edwards address, and they set off together.
It took many knocks before anyone answered. A tall, blonde woman answered, wrapped in an expensive robe, yawning.
Yes? Are you selling something? We dont need anything, she tried to shut the door.
You must be LauraEdwards wife? Dorothy asked.
Yes, Laura replied, raising an eyebrow.
And you are? she demanded.
Im Dorothyhis sister! Dorothy tried to step forward, but Laura blocked her.
Hmm, I see. And what do you want? Im off to my beauty appointment and havent time for this, she said, deeply unimpressed.
I just want to see Mumthis is Mr. Proctor, hes with me. I promise I wont stay long; I just want to see her and go.
Shes not hereEdward moved her out. Some sort of home, I thinka retirement place. Shes been quite badlywhod look after her? I havent time. Where? I only know the address. Hang on, Ill get it. She scribbled it down and stuffed the paper into Dorothys hands with a blast of perfume. And dont come back.
Dorothy hardly heard the rest; she snatched the paper and hurried down the stairs with Mr. Proctor.
Oh, why didnt anyone tell me? I would have found a way, she whispered, crestfallen.
Nonsense! You could have brought her to oursplenty of room, Mr. Proctor huffed indignantly. They shouldve told youwhat rot!
They arrived at the home. Could this frail, shrunken figure really be Dorothys motheronce so hearty and bustling? Now, she just lay staring hopelessly at the ceiling.
Mum! Its me, Dorothy! Forgive me for not coming sooner. Oh, Mum, Ill take you home. To Mr. Proctorshes lovely. Hes got hens and goats, and Ill feed you lovely breakfasts and fresh milk. Everything will be betterplease, Mum, say something! I love you so.
With some effort and persistence, they managed to bring Agnes home, Mr. Proctor declaring himself a veteran and threatening to ring his mate from the Legion if anyone tried to interfere. After all, Edward had arranged for Agnes to stay at the home indefinitely
On the tenth day, Agnes stood at the window, breathing in the country air, as the scent of fresh grass, morning milk, and the Chelsea buns Dorothy baked filled the house. Outside, the pig trotted gently past; the cockerel crowed beneath the apple tree.
When Dorothy limped into the room, her mother was there, for once shedding tears of joy. Dorothy hugged her, apologising for being away so long, for not living with Christine and Edward instead.
Agnes held her close in silence; once again, it was like holding the little girl who wasnt hers by blood, but who, in lifes twilight, proved the truest and most loving of all.
Dont worry now, my Dorothy. Everything will be all right. Well be just fine, my dear, Agnes murmured.
Ladies! Are we having that tea, then? Mr. Proctor called from the hall, and laughing, hand in hand, the three went off to the kitchenand into a new life.
