Betrayal by Ones Own Children
Sarah sat once again in awe, watching her brother and sister. They were so good-lookingtall, raven-haired, piercing blue eyes. They were being awarded again. Another competition, another win. She got to her feet to be the first to reach them, limping a little on her right leg. Shed knitted her brother and sister two little rabbitsone with a skirt, one with checked trousers. She wanted to give them as gifts.
She wasnt gracefulquite overweight, with thin hair clumsily pinned, and a simple smile lingering on her lips. Sophie and Michael pretended not to see her. But Sarah pushed ahead, trying to get to them.
Excuse me, please. Those are my brother and sister! Please let me through! Sarahs voice was cheerful.
Sophies friend, a fair-haired girl named Kate, turned and called, Sophie, theres some fat girl yelling that shes your sister. Is that for real?
Sophie glanced over her shoulder, spotted Sarah and thought, Oh, for heavens sake. That chubby idiot. Mum must have told her to come. What an embarrassment!
Out loud, she said, No, of course not. I only have one brother, Michael.
Thought as much, Kate laughed. Trying to tag along, I bet. What a state! And shes even shoving some weird toys at you.
Probably just our local fan, Sophie smirked. Take the toys off her, Kate, would you? Michael and I have to go! She sent a flashy kiss through the air, grabbed her brothers hand and started fighting her way through the crowd.
Kate took the rabbits from Sarah, promising to pass them on.
Brilliant! Ill wait for you at home then! Ill bake some scones! Sarah hobbled away, grinning her guileless smile.
Kate caught up, smirking. Here, the weirdo was waiting for you at home with scones. Bless her, shes round as a scone herself. Sophie, are you sure youre not related? Whys she so obsessed with you?
No! Never seen her before. We get loads of people trying to get close cause were well-known now. Its nonsense, Sophie replied, binning the stuffed rabbits as she and Michael hurried off for the prize ceremony.
She lied to her friend. Sarah really was her sister. Half-sister, actually. Sophie and Michaels mum, Agnes, had taken her in after a distant cousin died in a car crash on the way back from a family holiday. Agnes wasnt even a close relationbarely family at all, really, and their surnames were different. Everyone closer refused to take Sarah in. But Agnes did, despite the tantrums from her husband and her kids when they heard theyd be getting a little sister. Sophie and Michael were spoiled rottentheir parents never denied them anything.
Mum, dont bring her here! Shes fat, limps, and stupid. Its embarrassing even to walk near her!
Agnes tried to reason with them. My dears, the girls all alone. People take in dogs and cats without a thoughtthis is a little girl, a real person. Our house is big enough; she wont be in the way.
They agreed in the endbegrudgingly. Agnes was the manager at the local shop and the main breadwinner. Sophie’s dad, Barry, was her assistant and never did much except carry on affairs behind her back. If Agnes ever knew, she kept quiet; her Leon was a handsome man, their children took after him, and for Agnes, that counted for something.
Sarah grew upsmall, funny, with thin blonde hair. Her eyes were like her siblings, a pale, almost see-through blue.
Her eyes look like watered-down milk. Fatty! Sophie would laugh.
Sarah looked like a bunround, sweet, dimpled cheeks, always kind. But she had to play alone. Michael and Sophie never let her join their games. Whenever something went wrong, Sarah took the blame. Michael smashed the vase, Sophie ripped a new blouseSarah got the guilt every time. She never denied it: just nodded and apologised, not wanting her beautiful siblings to get in trouble, even though she knew the truth.
Agnes never scolded Sarah. Barry, on the other hand, would lose his temper. Why on earth did you bring that eyesore into this house? She can barely walk, weighs a ton. Our real son and daughter are stunningdid you just want to show her off as a contrast, or what? No wonder the rest of the family were smarter and refused. Wholl ever want her when she grows up? Shes hideous!
Sarah would stand outside their closed door, listening, then glare at her reflection in the mirror, wishing, just wishing she could be as lovely as Michael and Sophie.
She went to a different school. The twins insistedtold their mum theyd skip lessons and get bad marks otherwise. Agnes relented, seeing the fragile bridge shed tried to build between her children and her adopted daughter was about to collapseand she could do nothing about it.
Time passed. Michael and Sophie went off to university. Sarah asked her mum if she could stay home.
My girl, you can get into any college you want; Ill pay for everything! Design? Languages? What do you want, Sarah?
Sarah rubbed her head against her mothers cheek like a kitten and hugged her. Agnes felt instantly at peace. Her own kids would barely peck her on the cheek, and only out of obligation. With Sarah, there was real warmth.
Sarah always met her mother at the door, no matter how late she came home. If not in the yard, shed be waiting in the hallway. Barry and their children barely noticed Agness arrival.
One time Agnes gently suggested to her other children, Couldnt you come meet your mother sometimes? Sophie snapped, Mum, were busy! That silly girl waits for you like a puppy because shes got nothing better to donot like she has any proper dreams!
Sarah only looked up at her mum, those watery blue eyes so full of hope. Mum, can I learn to help animals? Dogs, cats, guinea pigs, even piglets. I want to be a vet. Theres a course here in our village.
It seemed obvious, really. Sarah was always bringing home stray kittens and puppiesnursing them and finding them families. One scruffy, big dog was the only one that stayed; Sophie had wanted a pedigree, but Agnes took Sarahs side.
They carried on. Then Agness health failed, and she was forced to stay home. Barry, realising the money might run out, quickly moved in with Agness best friend, who ran the local hairdressers.
When their children came home, it was usually for moneythank goodness Agnes had some saved. Only Sarah stuck by her side, still limping, but cooking for her every day, massaging her hands, making herbal tea. In the evenings, theyd sit under the apple tree, sipping tea, the happiest of moments for Sarah.
Sophie and Michael had families of their own, both helped onto the property ladder by their mother. But one night, Michael arrived at four in the morning in tears, drowning in debt.
Mum I owe a fortune. Ill lose everything.
Oh, Michael! What can we do, love? I havent got enough, even if I gave you every penny I have. What about your dad? No? Oh, Michael, I dont know what to do.
Well then, Mum. Youll have no son left if you cant help.
What are you talking about? Dont say such things!
Michael proposed selling the house, the whole lotto pay off his debt. But, Michael where will Sarah and I live? Where will we go?
That fat idiot can look after herself; shes old enough now. Ive supported her enough as it is! And youyoull come with us! Laura will be glad to have you! (Laura was Michaels wife, and Agnes didnt quite believe her sons optimism.)
Agnes insisted: Sarah comes too. Michael agreed grudgingly. But Sarah later said quietly, Mum, you go ahead. Ill move in with someone Ive been seeing. Hes been asking me to live with him for ages. Dont worry about me!
But who? You never mentioned him! Agnes smiled, relieved. Youll introduce us, right?
Later, Mum, I promise! Dont worry! Sarah hugged her tightly.
Michael was actually pleasedit meant he didnt have to involve Sophie to find a way to get rid of Sarah.
But Sarah was lying. There was no one; just her own gentle soul. She knew she wasnt welcome, and didnt want to make things harder on her mum. She loved her mother more than anything.
She found a rented room through an adin a small cottage owned by a lonely old man, Mr. Frank. He was struggling to cope, had chickens, goats, even a pig or two. She and Frank were perfect housemates. When he found out his lodger was a vet, he wouldnt accept a penny in rent, but Sarah insisted. Hed secretly tuck the money back into her bag anyway.
Sarah was happy. She had a home, a job where people respected her, and the animals adored her. She always had a kind word, a treat after each procedureeven if it meant spending her own wages. Here, Max, good boy, have a biscuit. If you have trouble, you ring me straightaway!
Oh love, the NHS could learn from you. Youve more care for my Tiddles than most have for people! Youre a real treasure, declared Mrs. Baker, owner of a magnificent, fluffy cat.
Sarah blossomed. Yet her heart ached: how was her mum? She would phone often, but her mum seemed unwilling to speak. Lately, Michael answered the phonebrusque, claiming Agnes was resting.
I miss her. Havent seen her in half a year, Sarah sighed to Frank over their evening tea.
Why not pop up? Ill drive youI still have my old Mini! Could do with the run out, the old man grinned.
Delighted, Sarah agreed. Michaels address was still scribbled in her notebook.
They knocked for ages before the door was opened by a tall, sleepy blonde in a silk dressing-gown.
Who are you? If youre selling something, not interested! She tried shutting the door.
You must be Laura, Michaels wife? Sarah ventured.
Yeah and you are?
Im Sarah. Michaels sister. Sarah tried to step in but Laura blocked her.
And you want?
I just want to see my mum, say hello. Well go straight after. This is Frank, hes with me.
Shes not here. Michael took her to a home. Shes not well, cant get about, and were too busy to look after her. Where? How should I know? Laura rolled her eyes and dialled Michael. Yeah, your sisters here with some old geezer. Wants the address. Fine. Ill give it to her. But dont come back!
Sarah barely listened. She grabbed the scrap of paper and rushed off with Frank.
I would have done something, found a way Mum never even told me shed left! Sarah whispered, heartbroken.
You should have brought her to us! Theres plenty of room at mineand they should have told you she was unwell. Unbelievable! Frank grumbled, shaking his head.
When they arrived and at last found her, Sarah barely recognised the frail woman with sunken eyes. Her mother, once tall, cheerful, bustlingnow just a shadow, gazing at the ceiling.
Mum, its me! Im here! Im so sorry I didnt come. I thoughtMum, forgive me! Im taking you home, to Franks place, youll love it! Hes got chickens, Ill rustle up scrambled eggs for you every morning, get you fresh goats milk. Just wait, youll be better in no time. Mum, dont be silent! I love you, I really do!
She wept, holding Agness weightless hand in her own.
Eventually, they managed to bring her home. Sarah was her legal daughter, after all. Frank caused a stir, toobeing an old war veteran and promising to phone his general friend unless Agnes was let go. Michael had arranged for his mum to be left in the home permanently
After ten days, Agnes stood up, walked to the window. The garden was filled with the scent of grass and milk, hens pottered about, and the air smelled faintly of freshly baked sconesSarahs handiwork. Sarah limped into the room, saw her mum standing there in tears, rushed to hug her, apologising over and over for not coming sooner, for the fact theyd have to live together, not with Michael or Sophie.
Agnes just held her close, as if she was her own little girl againfunny, sweet, caring. The only one who’d stayed when she was no longer wanted by her beautiful, successful children.
Its all right now, Sarah. Everything will be fine, my love, Agnes said softly.
Frank poked his head through the doorway. Well ladies, what dyou say to a nice cup of tea?
They all burst out laughing, joining hands, walking arm-in-arm to the kitchenand into a new chapter of their lives together.
