Nora hurried home as the clock neared ten in the evening, longing to reach her flat, have supper and collapse into bed. The day had been exhausting. Her husband was already there, dinner on the table, the boyTom, twelvehad been fed.
Nora worked in a modest hairdressers on the High Street and that night she was on duty. After closing she cleared her station, set the alarm, locked the door and lingered a moment longer.
The route home passed a tiny green. By day it was a quiet spot where pensioners sat on the benches, and at night the lamps threw a gentle glow, keeping any fear at bay.
Tonight, however, one bench was not empty. Huddled together sat a boy of about ten and a little girl who looked no older than five. Nora slowed her pace and approached.
Why are you out here all alone? Its late! Lets get you home, she said.
The boy looked her over, ruffled the girls hair and drew her tighter into his arms.
We have nowhere to go. Our stepfather chased us away.
Wheres your mother?
Off with him. Shes drunk.
Nora did not hesitate.
Come with me. Well sort things out tomorrow.
The children rose slowly. Nora took the girlElsieby the hand, and offered the boy, Jack, a steady grip.
She led them to her flat and explained everything to George and Tom. Knowing Noras kind heart, they asked no questions; they simply showed the children where they could wash up and set a seat at the table. Hungry, the youngsters ate their fill, shy but eager.
Later Nora visited Mrs. Harper, who had a daughter in the first grade, and asked for a few pieces of clothing for Elsie. They gathered a modest heapevery household seemed to have a surplus after its own children had grown.
Nora bathed Elsie, dressed her in clean garments. Jack washed himself, and they found him a shirt among the old handmedowns. The children settled together on the sofa in the sittingroom; Elsie never left Jacks side, and he held her close.
Soon, fed and exhausted, the children slipped into a sound sleep on the fresh bed. Nora sent Tom to his room and lingered with George in the kitchen, whispering about what to do next.
At dawn she rose early, escorted George to his work, and prepared for her second shift. The children awoke, she fed them, packed their freshly laundered clothes into a sack and set off to return them home.
They escorted her to a house just a stones throw away. The flat on the third floor stood ajar. The children stepped inside and halted in the hallway.
Nora paused. She wanted, more than anything, to meet the woman eye to eye and ask what had haunted her through the night while her children were left alone, unknown.
A young, gaunt woman with a prominent mole beneath one eye emerged from the bedroom. She glanced indifferently at the children and said, Ah theyve arrived and who might you be?
This is Aunt Nora. We spent the night with her, Jack answered.
She muttered, Well okay, and, as if nothing had happened, slipped back to the room. Nora stared, stunned. Was this their mother?
The woman turned again and addressed Nora, Come into the kitchen, well talk.
Nora followed. To her surprise, despite the modest dwelling, everything was spotless. The dishes gleamed, the floor shone, clothes were neatly stored, and even her own old nightgown, though frayed, was clean. The woman gestured to a chair, Sit down, she said.
Nora obeyed. The woman sat opposite, her bruised eye fixed on Nora, and asked, Do you have children?
Yes a son, twelve, Nora replied.
Listen if anything should happen to me, please do not abandon my kids, alright? Theyre innocent.
You intend to leave them? Nora asked, bewildered.
I cant any longer. Ive tried to stop, but it wont work. He, she nodded toward the bedroom where a heavy snore rumbled, Ive called the police. He sits for a few days, then returns, worse than before. I cant stay sober; I drink each day. He throws the children out the door; they arent his.
Wheres the father?
He drowned when Elsie was just a year old. Ive been alone since.
Youre not working?
I used to sweep the shop floor. They sacked me last week for constant absences.
And the man?
He drifts in now and then. We manage as best we can
She fell silent, then said again, If anything happens, I beg youdont leave them. You have a good heart. If you cant keep them, take them to a childrens home, okay?
Nora rose, her mind refusing to accept the tale. It felt like a nightmare. The children came forward, each hugging her. Tears welled in Noras eyes; she dabbed them with her sleeve and told Jack where to find her if needed.
She stepped out onto the street, letting the tears fall freely, drawing curious glances from passersby. That evening she recounted everything to George. He asked nothing, only promised that the children would never be left. Tom, hearing his parents words, joined them in a quiet embrace. Together they sat in the kitchen, silent but holding one another.
Three days later AntonJacks older brothercame running, breathless and frightened. He announced that their mother had vanished and the stepfather had been taken by the police. Elsie was with the neighbour now, but the authorities would soon collect them for a childrens home. He spoke swiftly and rushed back to his sister. Later that day the children were indeed taken away.
The following morning the mothers body was discovered in the river, a violent death. It seemed she had foreseen her fate, which explained her desperate plea to Nora.
Nora and George began the arduous process of applying for guardianship. No relatives could be found for Anton and Elsie, and after thorough inquiries, bolstered by Noras testimony of that harrowing conversation, the council granted them custody.
Nora left her job. Elsie, still trembling, clung to her brother, watching George warily even when a spoon clattered, as if expecting punishment.
It took great effort to win her trust. Anton, being older, soon realized that in this new household there was no threat of pain or fear.
Gradually Elsie opened up. She approached Nora confidently, played with Tom, smiled and talked, though she still flinched at Georges presence. The fear of adult men ran deep.
George treated her gently, with great caution. He had always dreamed of a daughter, but Noras health no longer allowed her to have more children. When the day came for his return from a threeday business trip, Nora and Elsie waited for him at the doorway. He stepped forward, extending his hands toward the girl.
Elsie approached cautiously and wrapped her arms around his neck. He lifted her gently, and together they entered the kitchen. Seeing Elsies bright grin, the boys came over, then Nora. All embraced, standing there in quiet, warmth filling the room.
In that household, at last, peace settled.
