“Sir, todays my mums birthday… I want to buy flowers, but I dont have enough money…” I bought the boy a bouquet. Later, when I visited the grave, I saw that same bouquet lying there.
When Alfie was barely five years old, his world shattered. His mother was gone. He stood in the corner of the room, bewilderedwhat was happening? Why were there so many strangers in the house? Who were they? Why did everyone speak in hushed tones, avoiding his gaze?
The boy couldnt understand why no one smiled. Why they kept telling him, “Be brave, lad,” while hugging him as if hed lost something precious. But he hadnt lost anythinghe just hadnt seen his mum.
His father spent the day distant, never drawing near, never hugging him, never speaking. He sat apart, hollow and unreachable. Alfie crept toward the coffin and stared at his mother for a long time. She wasnt herselfno warmth, no smile, no bedtime songs. Pale, still, lifeless. It frightened him. He didnt dare go closer.
Life without her turned grey. Empty. Two years later, his father remarried. The new womanMargaretnever became part of his world. Instead, she bristled with irritation, snapping at every little thing, as if searching for reasons to be angry. His father stayed silent. Never defended him. Never intervened.
Every day, Alfie buried a pain inside himthe ache of loss, the longing. And with each passing day, he wished harder to return to the time when his mother was alive.
Today was specialher birthday. Alfie woke with one thought: he had to see her. To visit her grave. To bring flowers. White liliesher favourite. He remembered them in her hands in old photos, glowing beside her smile.
But where would he get the money? He decided to ask his father.
“Dad, can I have a little money? I really need it…”
Before he could explain, Margaret stormed from the kitchen.
“Whats this, then? Already begging for money? Do you have any idea how hard your father works?”
His father glanced up, trying to intervene.
“Margaret, wait. He hasnt even said why. Son, what do you need?”
“I want to buy flowers for Mum. White lilies. Its her birthday today…”
Margaret scoffed, folding her arms.
“Oh, really! Flowers! As if weve got money to waste! Pluck some from the gardenthatll do!”
“Theyre not there,” Alfie said softly but firmly. “You can only get them at the shop.”
His father sighed, then turned back to his newspaper. Alfie knewhe wouldnt get a penny.
Silently, he retreated to his room, dug out his old piggy bank, and counted the coins. Not much. But maybe enough?
He dashed out of the house toward the florist. Through the window, he spotted the liliespristine, almost glowing. His breath caught.
Then he stepped inside.
“You lost, boy?” the shopkeeper snapped, eyeing him skeptically. “We dont sell sweets here. Only flowers.”
“II want to buy lilies. How much are they?”
She named the price. Alfie emptied his pockets. Barely half.
“Please,” he whispered. “Ill work! Ill sweep, mop, anything… just let me take them today…”
“Are you daft?” she barked. “Think Im made of money? Clear off before I call the police!”
But Alfie didnt move. He needed those flowers.
A man entered just as the woman raised her voice. He frowned.
“Whats all this shouting? The lads done nothing wrong.”
“And who asked you?” she snapped. “Hes trying to swindle me!”
The man ignored her, crouching beside Alfie.
“Hey, mate. Im James. Whats all this about?”
Alfie wiped his sleeve across his face.
“I wanted lilies… for Mum. She loved them. Shes been gone three years. Todays her birthday.”
Jamess chest tightened. He turned to the shopkeeper.
“Wrap up two bouquets. One for him, one for me.”
Alfie pointed to the lilieswhite as porcelain. James hesitated. Those were the very flowers hed meant to buy. A coincidence? Or something more?
Soon, Alfie clutched his bouquet like treasure.
“Mr. James… can I give you my number? Ill pay you back.”
James chuckled.
“Dont worry about it. Todays special for me, too. Theres a woman Ive loved for yearsalways adored these flowers. Maybe todays the day I tell her.”
For a moment, his gaze drifted, lost in memory.
He and Claire had been neighbours. Met by chance when he stepped in as some louts hassled her. He took a black eye that daynever regretted it. That was the start. Years passed. Friendship turned to love.
Then came the army. A head injury. Woke up remembering nothingnot even his name.
Claire called. He never answered. His parents told her hed moved on. By the time his memory returned, shed changed her number.
He returned with lilies, ready to surprise heronly to see her arm in arm with another man, expecting a child. Heartbroken, he fled. Started fresh. Married, but it fell apart.
Eight years later, he came back. Had to find her. Had to explain.
And then he met Alfie.
“Need a lift, son?” James offered.
Alfie shook his head.
“No, thank you. I know the bus.”
He hugged the flowers and ran. James watched him go, struck by something familiar.
Later, he stood at Claires old flat, asking a neighbour.
“Oh, love… shes been gone three years.”
James staggered.
“After she married Robert, she never came back. He was good to hertook her in even with the baby. But then… well. She passed.”
Jamess throat closed.
“…Baby?”
The neighbour nodded.
Jamess hands shook. If Claire had been pregnant when she married Robert…
He raced to the cemetery. Found her grave. And therefresh white lilies.
“Alfie,” he whispered. “Youre mine.”
He ran back to the house Alfie had mentioned. The boy sat on the swings, alone.
James knelt beside him, pulling him close.
Then Robert stepped out. He recognised James instantly.
“Youve come for him,” he said quietly. “Hes yours. Claire always loved you. She wanted to find you, tell you about him. Never got the chance.”
James swallowed hard.
“Thank you… for looking after him.”
The next day, hed gather Alfies things. But nowhe couldnt wait.
“Forgive me, son,” he murmured, lifting Alfie into his arms. “I didnt know you existed. Ill never leave you again.”
Alfie looked at him, calm as dawn.
“I always knew Robert wasnt my real dad. Mum talked about someone else. I knew youd come one day.”
James held him tighter, tears falling freely. For the first time in years, his heart was full.
