Gathering Everyone at Mine
Olivia Spring closed her laptop and reached for her mobile: Gran, how are you? Are you feeling well? And hows Granddad? Well, if he’s frying chips, everything must be all right. Ive wrapped up work for today, Ill pick up Danny from his football practice, well pop by Tesco and be home soon.
Then Olivia dialled another number:
Harry, hi, Im heading home. Are you and Lily nearly there? On your way already? BrilliantGranddads got the chips on, well all eat together.
Olivia stood and started packing her bag. She called out to her colleagues, Cheerio, everyone, Im off, see you tomorrow!
Bye, Olivia, have a lovely evening!
She swapped her shoes quickly under her desk and slipped on her mac as she glanced out into the dusky, darkening window. It was a warm autumn evening. The city lights twinkled kindly, and people bustled home after their working day. Olivia caught her own reflection and smiledimagine, shed never once believed shed have an ordinary life. That shed have a family, and, just like everyone else, shed hurry home in the evenings to the ones waiting for her. Not so long ago, she was certain she would never have this.
Yes, her family was unconventional, but they were all immensely happy and cared for one another dearly.
Olivias mother left her just after she was born, vanishing from the hospital. Her social services report was briefmother unknown, no birth certificate, no father. Strangers named the baby girl. She was called Spring, given she arrived in April. No one knew why they settled on Olivia. She was always friends with the boys. Her best friend, Harry, was a year older and was also called Spring for the same reason. Olivia studied hard and was obedient, hardworking, and compassionateshe desperately wanted to be fostered. Shed only ever seen how children lived in families in films. Maybe she was too gangly and awkward, or simply unlucky. When Harry was adopted, Olivia cried all nightnot out of envy but because shed lost her only mate. He peered back at her, helpless behind his specs, Shall I refuse, Olivia? Dont be daft, Harry. You cant turn that down. Off you go, everyones got their path. Ill find you, I promise! Harry vowed, but Olivia just laughedNo need, really!
Olivia finished school, went on to a technical college in construction, and stayed in halls. After graduation, she was allocated a one-bedroom flat as a care-leaver. It was far out on the edge of town, but she didnt mind. She got a proper job in an engineering firm. Thats when real adult life began. She made friends at work, but decided it was too soon to start a family. Still, Olivia dreamed of a big house, a loving husband, and kidstwo, maybe even three. Running, playing, gigglingMum! Dad! would echo about. Olivia longed to hear those wordswarm and almost magical in their unfamiliarity. Shed open the door, and the kids would shout, Mum, Dads home! Like something out of a fairytale.
One day, as Olivia approached her flat, the door burst open and a lad ran out, nearly knocking her over, swinging a bag. Inside, an old lady was sprawled on the stairs.
My pension the bag He shoved me. My glasses, I cant see! Olivia darted after him, but hed vanished. She helped the old dear upthank goodness nothing was broken. Oh, love, how could he? Why? the woman sobbed. Olivia walked her home; inside was her bed-bound husband. Olivia began popping round, bringing groceriesher pension had been pinched. They reported it, but the lad was never found, though Olivia remembered his face. The bag turned up days later by the blockand with the papers inside, small mercies.
Olivia started visiting Granny Mabel more and more. Doctors called in for Granddad Arthur, and with help, he brightened up. The old couple started calling Olivia their granddaughter and always invited her over, grateful to have someone.
One morning on the bus, Olivia met a bloke. She felt eyes on herhe smiled. Miss, you look so familiar. Do we know each other? Olivia laughed, Dont think so. He was nice, and by the time theyd strolled from the stop to her building, she knew all about him. Ben, he lived with his mum and had a job. Oddly, he seemed like an old friend; she felt sure shed seen him before. Ben started meeting her after work, theyd walk home together. One evening, Olivia invited him in for a cuppa and sandwiches. Suddenly she found herself telling him all about her childhood in care. Ben stared at Olivia, like he wanted to say something but didnt dare. Maybe he pitied her. Olivia liked him, but a gut feeling made her wary.
Next time, something strange happened. Ben came round; as Olivia boiled the kettle, he suddenly wrapped his arms about her. She said softly, Ben, maybe we shouldnt rush? He just held her tighter, thenshe screamed, but all he said, nastily, was, I knew it was you, youre the one who shopped me! Helped them, they said, it was the girl from the childrens home! Saw the identikitbarely got away. Now you keep your gob shut, understand? No one will help you. No one cares. Or itll be worse.
Olivia never reported him. She feared the attention. A month later, she was rushed from work in an ambulancecomplications, she might not be able to have children.
Gran Mabel nursed Olivia back from hospital, whispering kind words, feeding her chicken soup, and soothing her with herbal teas. Olivia emerged, battered and bleak. She hardly spoke anymore, but one afternoon her feet brought her to the old abbey nearby. The late autumn sky was deep blue, the domes glittered gold, and the bells rang up into the heavens. Volunteers were tidying the dead flowerssummer was gone.
Spring, Olivia? she heard suddenly. She turned. One of the helpers beamedOlivia! I was hoping to find you! Harry, is that really you? she recognised her friend at last. She hugged him, crying. He wiped her tears, Come on, lets have something to eat. Porridge, pastries, hot tea. We’ll talk after. She hardly remembered how she poured her heart out to Harry, who in turn told her his storyhow hed been adopted, the stepfather who beat him for every little infraction, his escape, his injured leg and his wandering, ending up at the abbey where finally, his soul found peace.
On her way home, Olivia realised how her life had changed for the better since meeting Harry again. Shed almost refused to return home, shed spent days in the abbey. Thats when they made their plans. Gran Mabel and Granddad Arthur had long offered to leave Olivia the flat in their will. But Olivia and Harry had a better idea.
Mabel and Arthur were overjoyed at the thoughtmoving in together, all four of them. Theyd never imagined anyone would want to live with two old, ailing folks.
Now, Olivia and Harry Spring had been married five years. Theyd all moved to the suburbs, into a big flat with room for everyone. Mabel and Arthur thrived in their new homethey were now the proud elders of a real family. And two years ago, Olivias dream came truethey adopted two children, Danny and Lily, from the very same care home where theyd grown up.
Harry, do you remember how we waited for someone, anyone, to take us home? To give us a family? Olivia chattered happily, Look at those eyeslets promise to be the parents we always wanted.
Now its,
Mum, wheres Dad? Gran, come look what we built with Granddad!
Olivia never wants to think about the dark times again. Though once, Gran Mabel whispered that the man who hurt Olivia was caughtup to no good again, and this time hes locked up for years.
May everyone get whats due, in this life and the next.
