Without a Bit of Luck, Where Would Happiness Be?
How could he have taken you in, daft as you are? Whos going to want you now, trailing a child behind you? And how do you plan to bring it up? Dont look at me for handouts I raised you once already, Im not about to shoulder your burdens now! Get out of my house, take your bits and bobs with you, and dont let me catch sight of you again!
Mary Jane listened to Aunt Veras shouts, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor. Her last hope, that her aunt would let her stay until she found a job, was dashed beyond repair.
If only Mum were still here
Shed never known her father, and her mother had died fifteen years ago, hit by a drunk driver on a zebra crossing. Just as the authorities were about to ship her off to care, a distant relative turned up out of the blue Mums third cousin, apparently. Shed agreed to take Mary Jane in, with the house and steady job to satisfy the paperwork.
They lived on the edge of a sleepy town somewhere in southern England. Blazing hot in summer, utterly soggy come winter. Mary Jane had never gone hungry, always decent enough clothes, and was taught early theres work to be done, especially in a house complete with garden and assorted pets needing feeding or rescuing from a neighbours spaniel. Maybe she missed out on a mothers love, but honestly, who could afford to dwell on such things?
She did well at school, got into teacher training college, breezed through her studies, and returned home, degree in hand. But this time, her heart was heavier than her suitcase.
Off you go, and dont let me see you round here again!
Aunt Vera, just
I said enough!
She dragged her case out into the sweltering day, nose stinging with humiliation. How on earth had she ended up here? Unwanted, turned out, visibly pregnant she hadnt tried to hide it, after all.
She needed somewhere to stay. Head down, thoughts swirling, she trudged along until a voice stopped her.
Fancy a cup of tea, love?
A weathered woman, somewhere around fifty, was watching her with sharp but kindly eyes.
Pop inside, if you come in peace.
She handed over a big mug of strong tea. Mary Jane collapsed onto a battered garden bench and sipped gratefully.
Mind if I sit for a bit? Sweltering out there
Of course, pet. Where you from? I can see youre dragging your lifes possessions.
Just finished college. Looking for a teaching job, but nowhere to stay Know anyone with a spare room?
The woman, Brenda, had a good look. Clean, but eyes shadowed with worry.
Tell you what, you can stop here. Wont charge you much, mind, but youll need to pay each week. If youre keen, Ill show you the room.
Relieved at having both company and a little extra cash around the place, Brenda led her to a box room overlooking the apple trees. Bed, old wardrobe, wobbly table nothing fancy, but safe and private.
Over the next few days, Mary Jane settled in and started helping round the house. She and Brenda sat in the evenings beneath the tangled grapevine, sharing tea and chat, sometimes a cheeky chocolate biscuit, talking life and regrets.
The pregnancy was going smoothly. Mary Jane had spilled her story: about Samuel, her university sweetheart, son of well-heeled teachers, whod vanished at the first whiff of parenthood. Shed hung onto the bit of cash hed left behind knowing itd come in handy.
You did right not to get rid, Brenda muttered between bites of shortbread. An innocent childs more likely to bring you happiness than half the men in this country.
Come February, the baby decided it was time. Brenda bundled her off to the local NHS hospital. Mary Jane delivered a healthy, squalling boy, whom she named Oliver. While in the ward, news spread of a baby girl, abandoned by her mother after the birth.
Anyone able to feed her? Shes barely clinging on, said the nurse.
Mary Jane took the little one in her arms a delicate thing, pale as dawn.
Ill call you Daisy, she whispered.
Everything changed the day Captain Peter Goodwin, Daisys father, arrived on the scene. On discharge day, a car decked out in blue and pink balloons waited by the curb. Captain Goodwin helped her in, handing over two gift bags one blue, one pink.
The town buzzed for months about the wedding. The captain, bowled over by Mary Janes kindness, had proposed, and Mary Jane, now with Oliver in her arms and Daisy adopted, stepped into an entirely new life.
Really, who wouldve guessed a baking hot summer day and a mug of tea would end up rewriting the lot of them? Thats life for you turning pages you never even realised were there.
