The boy was roused by the sound of his mother groaning.
He crept up to her bedside, whispering, Mum, are you in pain?
Yes, darling Oliver, fetch me some water, please.
Right now! He darted into the kitchen.
A minute later, he returned with a full mug.
Here, Mum, drink.
Just then, someone knocked at the door.
Ollie, open up!
It’s probably Grandma Joan.
Their neighbour entered, carrying a large mug.
How are you, Alice? She felt Alices forehead.
Youve got a fever.
I brought some hot milk with butter for you.
I’ve already taken my medicine.
You should really go to hospital, get proper treatment.
You need good, regular meals, and your fridges completely empty.
Aunt Joan, I’ve spent all my money on medicine, tears welled up in Alices eyes.
Nothing seems to help.
Go to hospital.
If you dont, who will look after Oliver?
And wholl look after him if you die?
Youre not even thirty yet, with no husband and no savings. She gently stroked Alices hair.
There, dont cry.
Aunt Joan, what do I do?
Im calling the doctor. Joan took out her phone, made the call, got everything sorted.
They said they’ll come sometime today.
When they arrive, send Oliver round to fetch me.
Joan headed to the hallway, Oliver followed.
Grandma Joan, Mums not going to die, is she?
I dont know, sweetheart.
All we can do is ask God to help, but your mum doesnt believe in him.
Will Granddad God help? Hope shone in Olivers eyes.
You need to visit church, light a candle, and ask.
Then hell help.
Off I go now.
***
Oliver returned to his mother, lost in thought.
Ollie, you must be hungryIm sorry, weve nothing.
Fetch two glasses.
He brought them, and she poured milk.
Drink up.
He drank, but hunger gnawed even more.
Alice sensed it straight away.
She struggled to stand, took her purse from the table, and pressed it into his hand.
Heres a five-pound note.
Buy two buns and eat them on your way home.
Ill see what I can cook meanwhile.
Off you go!
She saw him out, then, leaning on the wall, shuffled to the kitchen.
The fridge held a cheap tin of fish, some margarine, and there were a few potatoes and an onion on the windowsill.
Ill have to make soup
Her head spun as she sank onto a stool, drained and weak.
Whats happening to me?
I have no strength left.
Nearly half my leaves gone.
Money is finished.
If I dont go back to work, how will I get Oliver ready for school?
He starts Year One next month.
No relatives, no one to help.
And worst of all this illness.
Should have gone to the clinic straight away.
Now, if they put me in hospital, wholl look after Oliver?
With effort, she began peeling potatoes.
***
He was ravenous, but Olivers mind whirled elsewhere.
Mum didnt get out of bed all yesterday.
What if she really does die?
Aunt Joan said to ask Granddad God for help. He stoppedand turned toward the church.
***
For half a year now Ive been home from war.
Miracle I was spared.
At least now I can walk, though always with my cane.
Ive grown used to the scars all over, even those across my face.
But now it doesnt mattera wife wont be interested, anyway, thought David as he made his way to the church.
I should light a candle for my mates.
Its a year today since we lost them, and yet I survived.
Twenty years ago he joined the army.
Now, back as a civilian, he was no longer needed.
His pension was generous enough for comfort, and the contract money in his bank would last two livesbut what was the point with no one to share it?
Outside the church, beggars gathered.
David took a handful of ten-pound notes, distributed them, and asked, Pray for my friends, Peter and Sam, who are gone.
He went inside, bought candles, lit them, and recited the prayer the priest had taught him:
Remember, O Lord our God
He crossed himself, murmuring the words, his friends alive before his minds eye.
When hed finished, he stood in silence, recalling his own rocky journey.
A small, thin boy stood nearby with a cheap candle and seemed lost.
An elderly lady approached him kindly.
Let me help. She lit his candle and placed it in the holder.
Cross yourself like this, she showed him.
And then tell our Lord why youre here.
Oliver stared at the icon for ages, then said softly, Help me, Granddad God!
Mums sick.
Shes all I have.
Please make her well.
She hasnt got any money for medicine.
Ill start school soonI havent even got a satchel
David watched the child, stunned.
His own troubles that had weighed so heavily just moments before seemed suddenly trivial.
He wanted to shout:
Why has no one helped this boy, bought his mum medicine, or got him a schoolbag?
Oliver fixed his gaze on the icon, waiting for a miracle.
Come with me, lad, David said firmly.
Where? Oliver eyed the scarred man with a cane nervously.
Lets find what medicine your mum needs, then well go to the chemist.
Are you telling the truth?
Granddad God sent your request to me.
Really? Olivers eyes lit up with hope.
Come along! David smiled, Whats your name?
Oliver.
Call me Uncle David.
***
Inside the flat, voices drifted from Alices room.
Aunt Joan, look at the prescription!
Shes put down so many medicines, and theyre all expensive.
How will I afford them?
Theres only fifty pounds left.
Oliver boldly opened the door.
The voices fell silent.
Aunt Joan peered out and whispered nervously, seeing the unfamiliar man.
Alice, look!
Alice, startled, froze at the sight.
Mum, what medicine do you need?
Uncle David and I will go get them from the chemist.
And you are? Alice asked in amazement.
All will be well, David assured her with a warm smile.
Pass me your prescriptions!
But I only have fifty pounds.
Well sort the money, David patted Oliver reassuringly.
Mum, give him the prescription!
Alice handed it over.
For some reason, she sensed the scarred stranger had a gentle heart.
Alice, what are you doing? Aunt Joan came to her senses as the two headed out.
You dont even know him!
Aunt Joan, I think hes a good man.
All right then, Alice.
Ill be off.
***
Alice sat waiting for her son, who had gone out with the man.
For a while, she even forgot about her illness.
Moments later, the door opened; Oliver rushed in, his face gleaming.
Mum, we got you medicineand loads of treats for tea!
The man stood in the doorway, smiling as brightly as the boy, his face seeming less harsh.
Thank you! Alice bowed slightly.
Please, come in!
David tried to take off his shoes, awkwardly fumbling; it was clear he was nervous.
He shuffled into the kitchen.
Have a seat, Alice said.
David sat, looking around uncertainly for where to place his cane.
Here, let me put it for you! She stood it within reach.
Sorry, I dont have much to offer
Mum, Uncle David and I bought everything! Oliver began unpacking the shopping.
Oh, you shouldn’t have! Alice sighed, noticing that half the food was unnecessary sweets.
Then she saw a packet of expensive tea.
Ill pop the kettle on.
She hurried to brew tea.
She even felt the illness liftmaybe she simply didnt want to look frail before the man.
As if sensing her thoughts, David asked,
Alice, are you sure you’re all right?
You look pale.
Its nothing Ill take my medicine now.
Thank you!
***
They drank fragrant tea, ate sweets, watched Oliver excitedly chatter.
Their eyes would sometimes meet, and there was a warm feeling among the three.
But all good things come to an end.
Thank you, David said, rising and picking up his cane.
I must go.
You need rest.
Thank you ever so much! Alice stood too.
I don’t know how to thank you.
He stepped into the hallway, Alice and Oliver following.
Uncle David, will you visit again?
Of course!
Once your mums well, well go buy you a schoolbag together.
***
David left.
Alice cleared up, washed the dishes.
Watch TV, darling, Ill lie down for a bit.
She lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
***
Two weeks passed.
The illness had gone, the pricier medicines had worked wonders.
Alice was even back at workthe end of the month is always hectic, so they called her in from leave, much to her relief.
Payday was coming, and August had begun; she needed to get Oliver ready for school.
That Saturday, they got up, ate breakfast.
Oliver, get ready!
Lets go to town, see what you need for school.
Did you get paid?
Not yet, next Saturday.
I borrowed fifty pounds, so well pick up some groceries on the way home.
They were about to leave when the door buzzer rang.
Who is it? Alice asked.
Alice, its David
Hed wanted to say more, but Alice pressed the button to let him in.
Mum, whos at the door? Oliver called from the other room.
Uncle David! Alice couldnt hide her joy.
Hooray!
He entered, leaning on his cane, buthow different he looked!
Stylish trousers and a crisp shirt, his hair neatly cut.
Uncle David, I was waiting for you! Oliver ran up, beaming.
I promised, didnt I? David grinned.
Hello, Alice!
Hello, David! That instant switch to first names made both smile.
Are you ready?
Lets go!
Where to? Alice was still stunned.
Olivers starting school soon.
David, but I
I promised Oliver, and promises must be kept.
***
Alice always chose the cheapest items, wherever they shopped.
She hadnt any spare cash, no family, no husbandexcept for that lad from college whod disappeared.
And now, a man beside her, gazing at her son with pure happiness, buying him everything he needed without checking the pricesimply asking her opinion.
Arms loaded with shopping, they took a taxi home.
Alice hurried to the kitchen.
Alice, David interrupted, Lets all go for a walk!
Maybe have lunch somewhere.
Mum, lets! Oliver cheered.
***
That night, Alice found it hard to sleep.
Pictures of the day fluttered through her mind, Davids loving eyes always there.
Her head and heart debated:
Hes not handsome, and he limps, her mind insisted.
Hes perfectly normal, kind, and looks at me with such warmth, her heart replied.
Hes at least fifteen years older.
So what?
He acts like a father to my son.
You could find someone your own age, handsome and fit.
I dont need handsome and fitIve had that before.
I want someone gentle and reliable.
But you always dreamed of a different husband.
Now, I dream of someone like him.
Your tastes change so quickly?
I just met the one I love him!
***
Three months later, they stood together before the altar in the very church where David and Oliver had met.
David and Alice, side by side, his cane now gone.
Oliver gazed at the icon hed spoken to months ago, and from the depths of his heart said,
Thank you, Granddad God!
If I learned anything through those days, it was that kindness can come from unexpected places, and sometimes, its the little miracleslike a schoolbag for a boy, or a cup of tea between strangersthat change a life forever.
