Mum Catherine
Whats with all this sniffling then? Youre making a real puddle here! Its damp enough outside as it is without you adding to it!
A large, broad woman, as wide as the bench itself, plopped herself down beside Clare.
Its sweltering today! And that rain this morning, just typical, wasnt it? Feels just like a sauna! Its only noon and Im soaked through alreadyI may as well wring myself out!
She rummaged in her bag, pulled out a bottle of water, and after a bit of a struggle, managed to unscrew the top.
Fancy some? She offered the bottle to Clare. People say a sip of water can help you calm your nerves. Never works for me though. I could drink a bucket and still feel the same.
Clare eyed her strange bench companion with dread. What had she done to deserve this now? Had she really upset the heavens that, on top of everything else, shed been landed with this ordeal? With her, of all people
Shed never liked overweight people. They made her feel listless. How could anyone let themselves go like that? Surely it wouldnt kill you to do a bit of exercise, stop overeating, and consider, for a moment, the people around you. It was just souncouth. All those folds, the massive clothes, the sweat, the smell Yuck! Clare remembered a time she and her friends were at a spa and saw a woman like this swimming in the pool.
Im not getting in that pool, girls! Honestly, Ive had enough for today! Lisa, Clares best friend, had stood and stretched, sleek and tanned from hours spent in the gym with a personal trainer.
Why? Wed planned to stay all day.
With her? Lisa pulled a face and pointed behind her. I cant even bear to look at that. No way am I sitting next to it. Its revolting!
Lisa had launched into a tirade Clare had tried to forget. At the time, Clare was unsettled by her friends words, but she wasnt a hypocriteshe had to admit she privately agreed. There was no excuse for letting oneself go like that. If you cant be bothered to make an effort, you might as well stay at home. She thought Lisa had a fair point.
And now, here she was, sharing a bench with a woman easily three times the size of the swimmer they’d seen. And it wasnt enough that she just sat there; she wouldnt stop talking! Still, Clare had no energy to get up. Shed already been here for hours, crying at first, then just staring blankly ahead. She had nowhere to go except the station. Despite herself, she started to listen to the odd woman and froze.
So pretty! No suitcase, not even a bag. Not going anywhere then? Waiting for someone? Or nowhere to go?
Clare finally pulled her gaze from the wall and reluctantly looked at the woman.
Her face was friendly, with rosy cheeks like something out of a painted wooden doll, and her welcoming smile vanished abruptly when Clare hiccuped then burst into tears. There was something about the womans sudden, enveloping hug that Clare would never be able to explain. Clare pressed her tear-streaked head, hair in a stylish mess, into the womans thin blouse and sobbed openly, soaking the fabric. Oddly, Clare noticed there was no expected smell of sweatjust a gentle scent of wildflowers. Was that from washing powder or had the woman actually rinsed her blouse in herbs? Clare sniffed, puzzled, and then jerked away in fear. That was it! Now she rememberedher mothers hands had smelled exactly the same when she was little, crafting daisy chains on a summers meadow. Her mum had died when Clare was fivethe only memory she had was those gentle, floral-scented hands.
Whats all this, eh? Did someone upset you?
Clare shook her head, denying it all, but then nodded as tears began again.
Rascals! To upset a girl like you! The woman dug through her bag, pulling out a bundle of sandwiches and a large red apple. Here you go! Tuck in!
The smell made Clares stomach wrench itself into a knot. She hadnt eaten for almost a dayshe simply had no money for food.
Go on! Hamwell, chicken ham. Made it myself. Good for you. Eat. Youre so skinny, youll vanish into thin air!
I dont eat meat Clare croaked and turned away.
What was that? The woman pushed the sandwich into Clares hands, ignoring her protests, and broke the apple in two.
Nothing Clare watched these strong, unmanicured hands and realised the idea of catching a train wasnt brilliant after all. She took a hefty bite of the sandwich, groaned with pleasure, feeling that taste spread warmth inside her.
Tasty, isnt it? There you go! The rest are just silly ideas.
The woman fussed about, settling her skirts, and looked at Clare as she eyed the second sandwich hopefully.
Eat up! And tell mewhat on earth happened, leaving you here alone at the station, with no suitcase or even, let me guess, any cash?
Clare nodded, tears streaming again.
Dont start crying again! Tell me first, then well have a good cry togethermaybe even a laugh if were lucky.
Clare didnt want to talk, but it seemed she had no choice. Her story might not be worth a penny, but it was hersand she had no other.
Shed left home the night beforeor run away, reallyafter her father told her she wasnt his daughter and that he was going to have a child of his own. Clare couldnt get her head around it. The man shed called Dad all her life wasnt her father? No wonder she felt lost Hed never let on she wasnt family.
She never clicked with her stepmum either. How could she? Anna was only a few years older than Clare. Anna had pursed her lips when they met, even as she cooed, Youre such a darling! That was when Clare knew her quiet life was over.
The endless nagging from Anna, her dads sudden coldness, tearsit was like a tacky TV drama. Clare understood, couldnt change it, and, honestly, didnt want to. Shed always relied on her dads steady presenceit was only when it was gone that she realised just how drastically things had shifted.
The final straw was their last conversation, her dad dumping paperwork in front of her and saying words that left her with no foundation. He wasnt her father Hed adopted her when she was only three months old. But when Clare asked about her real parents, there was no answermaybe he didnt know, or maybe he didnt want to say. She couldnt ask her mumshe was gone.
Clare spent most of the night staring at her bedroom wall, then just pulled on her jacket and left. She had no plan, no idea what to do. By dawn shed ended up at the station. Her phone was dead, not that shed wanted to talk to anyone. She didnt have close friendsher parents had moved a lot, and making lasting friendships was tough. The friends she had were hardly the supportive type. Their lives seemed summed up by that old cartoon phrase, Love yourself! Forget the rest! Thats how youll win in life! She used to have a keyring with a stubborn little devil on ita mascot, lost ages ago.
The woman listened carefully, not interrupting, and, when Clare finished, handed her a packet of tissues.
Wipe your eyes.
She rummaged in her mammoth bag, brought out a sturdy purse, and looked at Clare.
Right then, love. You need to talk to your dad at some point, but that can wait. Is your phone working?
Its run out.
Figured as much. Here. She passed her an old button phone. Not very trendy, but I like it. My daughter gave it to me. Buttons are nice and big. Send your dad a message. Let him know youre safe. Hes not going to win Parent of the Year, but no need to worry him more than he is.
She watched as Clare sent a text, then stood up, brushing down her still-damp blouse.
Im Cathy, by the way. I live in a village outside town. How about you come to mine? No sense wandering about when youve nowhere to go, right?
Why?
What do you mean, why?
Why help me? Im nobody to you. Why do you want to help?
Cathy smiled, holding Clares chin with warm, gentle fingers.
Because, love, there arent any nobodys when it comes to children. No child should ever be left to fend for themselves.
But Im not a child
Course you are! Up you get! We need to buy a ticket. Otherwise well miss the next train.
That was how Clare ended up at Catherines.
On the train, Cathy didnt ask further questionsshe later explained she was waiting till Clare was ready to talk.
You have to be careful poking about in peoples hearts, pet. Some are ready to share, some need time. Give them the chance and youll know everything, in the end.
Clare was soon drifting off on the train and only woke when Cathy nudged her gentlyWake up, love, were here.
On the platform, Cathy waved at someone, and a tall, thin woman almost bowled her over.
Mum Cathy! I nearly missed two trains! Thought youd never arrive. Hows Nicky?
All fine. Got her and Harry settled. Ill pop over in a couple of days.
Have you spoken to the doctor?
He promised to do everything he can. Very young, but seems to know his stuff.
Whos this, then? The woman glanced at Clare curiously.
Less questions, Susan. Weve been travelling and were starving.
All right, all right! Lets go then!
Clare grinned at the battered old hatchback. Whats so funny? Thats custom artwork! My brother Sam did it.
Airbrushing, Clare corrected, gazing at the cartoon Tom drawn on the side.
Mum Cathy, whered you find someone with such an eye for detail? Susan helped Cathy into the car. You can draw, then?
YesI went to a specialist art school.
Samll be well chuffed. Hes self-taught, you see. Just learnt by feel.
Its brilliant! Clare exclaimed. Looks like a pros work.
Tell him that yourselfhop in, weve people to meet.
Who?
Youll see!
Susan drove at a pace that had Clare shutting her eyes on the bends.
Slow down, Susan, theres no rush! Cathy chuckled. Im used to you, but Clare isnt prepared for the full experience yet.
Shell get used to it! Susan skidded to a stop beside a house gate. Here we are!
Children tumbled out to meet them.
All mine, love! Cathy climbed out with a grunt. Dont worryI live alone really! Theyre just always waiting for meeveryones nearby so theres always a crowd.
The kids swarmed around, Cathys big hands ruffling hair and patting cheeks.
My lovely ones!
Clare spent nearly a week getting to know Cathys massive family, struggling to remember who was who, until Susan dropped by with her youngest son for Cathy to look after, and, once errands were done, gave Clare the lowdown.
See, along this streetthree of ours: Zoe, Mike, Ann. All with families. You saw them when we arrived. A couple more live on the next streetOlivia and Vera. Olivias got twins, Vera got married last month. Down the way, I live with my lot: me, my brother Sam, and Nickyyou know, the one with Harry, the little lad with the bad heart.
Its a bit much to keep up with Clare admitted.
Dont worryyoull get used to it quickly. Theres loads of us!
Cathys incredible to take on so many children.
Susan suddenly burst out laughing.
She didnt give birth to us, you know. Were all foundlings, like you.
Clare stopped in her tracks.
How do you mean?
Thats a story for another timecome on!
Susans house was small but homey. In the cosy kitchen, she shooed a sleek tabby off a cushion and nodded at Clare.
Make yourself comfortable. Ill settle little John and be right back.
Clare gazed aboutthe place was spotless. White curtains hung at each window, covered in hand-stitched flowers. She reached out in awe. Each bluebell perfectly sewn.
Admiring my handiwork? Theyre Vickysmy daughters favourite. I got obsessed when expecting, nearly went mad with boredom on bed rest, so I embroidered away: bluebells for Vicky, poppies for John, daisies for Lizzie.
Theyre beautiful. Clare traced a flower.
Mum taught me. I knew nothing when she took me in.
Took you in?
Like you. Susan placed a mug in front of Clare. My parents were drinkersbad ones. I can talk about it now, but I hardly remember my childhood. Mum Cathy used to say you forget things as a shield against too much pain.
Dissociative amnesia.
What?
Memory loss. I wanted to study psychologyread up on everything.
What stopped you?
I was ill for two years at school, so needed to pay for uni. Dad paid my fees, but not anymore. Not sure how Ill get the money.
What illness?
Bad backhad an operation. Im all right now, just aches sometimes.
Makes sense. Go ontell me more.
After one beating too many from Mum, I ran away at thirteen. Couldnt go back. Friends could only offer the samechaos. I landed up at the station, penniless. Thats where Cathy found megave me lunch and brought me here.
Just like you Clare smiled.
Yeah, shes got a sixth sense for lost souls, our Cathy. Fought hard to foster me but couldnt, so she adopted me. Took in Sam as a baby later. She did everything for us! And for all the rest. Helped with paperwork, benefits, housing. Shes got an army of kids because local families, if moving, always came to her first.
But where did she find the money? Clare blurted out.
Good question! Susan nodded. Some is governmentshe learnt everything there was about the law while fighting our case. If youre fostered, sometimes you get a council home when the parents lose custody. Cathy practically became a legal expert! But most help comes from Patrick.
Whos Patrick?
Hes after Zoe. Cathy picked him up in the cityhed run away, filthy and starving, with all kinds of health problems. People gave him a wide berth, but he found Cathy and wouldnt let go till she took him home. Cathy told our local police everything, and the next day, his father showed up.
Who?
His dadMr. Simon. Terrifyingbig black car, men in suits. Like a gangster film. Turned out he wasnt scary at alla decent man. He didnt abandon Patrick to care, brought him home, where Patrick now lives with a carer and security.
How did he escape?
They were in town for a doctor visit. The guards lost sight of him. Hes like a shadow when he wants, disappears completely. Cathy always calms himno medicine needed. Mr. Simon offered her everything to become Patricks carer, but she wouldnt leave us. Suggested friendship, like the cartoon cat on my car. She visits, and sometimes Patrick comes to stay. Mr. Simon supports us allsorts money, legal help. Cathy jokes that after all, shes found a king, not just a princekind and fair as any youd read in a fairy tale. Hes got his reasons, of course, but the help he gives is real. So thats our little soap opera, Clare. Would you believe it if you heard it somewhere else?
No way! Sounds unreal.
Exactly. But its life. Without Cathy, some of us wouldnt have made it at all. Not even angels could have rescued us where she found us. Susan glanced at the wall clock and sprang up. Gosh, Ive nattered on. Samll be in for lunch soon and so will my husband Rob.
I should go
Go where? Susan pulled out a pot of cold summer soup. Get the plates from the shelfeat first, then you can go. Cathy is sewing at Zoes; no point sitting home alone.
For Clare, this felt like a dreama bustling family lunch, laughing children, cheerful men coming in and kissing Susan on the cheek, earning a playful flick with a tea towel. Shed never had anything like this. Meals with her dad were always quick, and after Anna arrived, Clare ate out or in her room. She realised now how much she wanted this: a home, childrens voices, caring people around her. Suddenly, tears splashed down into her bowl.
Oi! I already salted the soup! Susan hugged her and fetched a towel. None of that, now. Youre home! No one will hurt you here.
That evening, for the first time, Clare told someone everythingabout her mum, her dad, Anna, the lot. Not just the brief version shed given Cathy, but the whole truth. With every word, the pain lifted until she felt lighter. Susan listened intently, only asking when she had to.
I see she said when Clare finished. You know what I think?
What?
Dont be too hard on your dad. After all, he raised you as his own. Not everyone copes well with happiness. He, whatthought he couldnt have children all these years?
Clare nodded.
Well, there you go. Now hes over the moon. Let me guesspaternity test already done?
How did you know?
Your dads a business type. No one stops him doing what he wantsnot even if its risky to the unborn child. Hard-nosed, Id say. Sorryno offence
And why did you say not everyone copes with happiness?
Susan sighed, loading the dishwasher. Sometimes joy is overwhelmingpeople just lose their heads. Like Nicky. When Mr. Simon helped her buy her house, she went wild with celebration. We tried to calm her, but it was no use. Things spiralledher husband, Steve, started drinking too. Then she found out she was pregnant with Harry. Gave up drinking, thoughwe locked her in and took turns watching her. Steve quit too, sobered up for good. On special occasions, he wont even touch a drop.
And Nicky?
She wanted to end the pregnancy, at first, but never did. Once she came round, she wouldnt let anyone nearhit out even at doctors to protect Harry. She grew up wildlived with the dog in a shed till Cathy heard about her and rescued them both. The dog, Minty, wouldnt let go of Nicky. Cathy had to take them as a set.
At that moment, the kitchen door banged open.
Aunt Sue! Someones come for ClareGran says she should come home!
The girl stared at Susan, mortified.
Did I wake the baby? Sorry
No, love, hes with his dad. Go on, then. Thanks, Irene!
Irene hurried off, and Susan nodded at the door.
Nickys eldest. Lovely girl. Off you go, Clare. Or shall I come with you?
No need. Clare hugged Susan impulsively. Thank you!
What for? Susan hugged back. Remember, youve got a home here nowdont be a stranger.
Its odd, Sue All these people, not really blood, but living like a proper family.
Nothing odd at all. Susan smoothed her hair. Familys not just who youre born to, but who you share your soul with. Whos to say which kind is stronger?
Clares father, when he arrived to collect her, looked thoroughly embarrassed. Clare didnt know that Cathy had visited him and spoken at lengthand that result now stood before her, apologising and begging her to come home.
No, Dad. SorryI dont want to. I dont want to get in the way. Its for the best.
Ill get you a flat thenhelp you start off.
Clare glanced at Cathy and nodded.
Id really appreciate your help starting out. Ill get a job, transfer to distance learning, begin to earn something.
Ill sort it.
No, Dad. This is my turn. Time I stood on my own two feet.
Because you dont trust me?
Clare shook her head.
No. Because you always told me to rely on myself. Im just doing what you taught me.
He paid her tuition. Clare finished university, became the best child psychologist in town, and her diary was booked out weeks in advance. Anna gave birth to a boy. Clare was genuinely happy for them, but hardly saw her fathernot because she bore a grudge, but because her new family was much closer to her heart. When Cathy, whom shelike everyonecalled Mum, became bedridden, Clare dropped everything to care for her. Those six months after Cathys stroke were the hardest, yet the happiest, of Clares life. She was surrounded by people who needed her, who accepted her exactly as she was. She understood, at last, what Susan had meant.
The family did everything humanly possible; Cathy got back on her feetshe couldnt walk far now, and speech was muddled, but Sam and Rob built her a beautiful bench and set it by the garden gate. Cathy spent countless hours there, waving off the kids exaggerated bows.
Hows the throne? Lovely! Your Majesty, would you like some tea?
Children raced around her, calling her to judge their games:
Gran, did you see how high I swung? And Freddie scored his first goal! It was glorious! He could play for England! Wed never lose another match!
Clare only returned to the city when she was sure Cathy was comfortable as possible.
And, six months later, Cathy would be her very first guest at her wedding.
Mum Cathy, will you be there?
Always, love. AlwaysClare pressed Cathys hand in hers as laughter and music drifted across the sunlit garden. The wedding tent gleamed white, decked in bluebells, poppies, and daisiesevery flower stitched into those curtains once upon a time now came alive, woven into garlands by dozens of happy hands.
Sam had painted a sign for the gate: Welcome Home, Clare. Children charged under it with party hats askew, faces streaked with cake. Anna walked past, baby on hip, exchanging a glance with Clarebrief, but peaceful at last. Her father stood beside the food tables, uncertain, holding his hands awkwardly before mustering the courage to nod, proud and unsure, at his daughter.
Clare caught Susan’s eye across the lawn, both grinning at the familiar chaos. The fleeting years uncurled before her: lonely nights vanished by quiet understanding, a sandwich pressed into a shaking hand, the flowering of family in unexpected places.
She bent to hug Cathy, her Mum, now dignified as any queen, overcome by emotion but smiling broadly.
You were always the bravest of them all, Clare, Cathy whispered. You just needed to find where you belonged.
The bells for the ceremony pealed, and her new husband extended his arm, grinning as the entire patchwork family formed a noisy procession. Clare glanced back: Cathy, encircled by every child shed rescued, sunlight gleaming in her silver-threaded hair. Clare tucked a daisy into her bouquet and turned to face the path aheadsurrounded, at last, by the love shed given and received.
As vows were spoken, tears glimmered on a hundred cheeks, but the laughter soon drowned them out. For every end, Clare understood now, is only the place where new stories beginones built not by blood, but by kindness, courage, and the guiding hands of those who believe, fiercely and unshakably, that every child is already family.
