Left All Alone
Dusk crept in beyond the windowpane, but still there was no sign of Mum. Sophie, spinning the small wheels of her wheelchair, rolled herself over to the table, picked up the phone, and dialled her mum’s number.
The number you have dialled is currently unavailable or out of coverage, echoed a cold, unfamiliar voice.
She stared at the phone, confusion flickering in her eyes. Remembering her credit was low, she switched it off. Mum had popped out to the supermarket but hadnt come home yet. That had never happened before. Her mum never disappeared for longSophie, with her legs paralysed since birth, could move only thanks to her battered wheelchair. With no other family, it was just the two of them.
At seven years old, Sophie wasnt afraid to be on her ownbut Mum always made sure to tell her where she was going and when shed be back. Sophies thoughts whirred: She went to the big supermarket today to save a bit of money. Weve walked there together often enough, and its not faran hour there and back, tops. She glanced at the clock and frowned. Its been four hours. Im hungry.
She directed her wheelchair to the kitchen, flicked the electric kettle on, and fetched a sausage roll from the fridge. She ate slowly, washed it down with tea.
Still, her mum didnt return. Unable to bear it any longer, she tried the phone again.
The number you have dialled is currently unavailable or out of coverage, repeated the metallic voice.
Sighing, she transferred herself onto her bed, slid the phone under her pillow, and left the lights burningdarkness was far too frightening alone. She lay awake for ages, but eventually exhaustion pulled her to sleep.
***
She woke to the sunlight teasing the corner of the curtains. Mums bed, untouched.
Mum! she called, fear creeping into her voice as she stared towards the hallway.
Silence.
Snatching her phone, she dialled again. That same empty voice met her ears.
Now terror truly set in. Tears slipped down her cheeks unchecked.
***
Christopher strolled home from the bakery café, a fresh paper bag under his arm. He and his mum started every day the same way: shed make breakfast while he fetched pastries.
He was thirty now and, perhaps to the disappointment of some, never marriednot that many women noticed him at all. Thin, pale, and awkward, ill health had haunted him since childhood, and treatments always seemed just out of reach on one mothers wage. The diagnosis that sealed his fate had come late: hed never have children. Hed made peace with the quiet life.
Something caught his eyea battered old mobile tossed among the grass, crushed as though a car had run it over and thrown it aside. Technology was his trade, his hobby, his world; he worked as a programmer and wrote about gadgets online. Of course, he had top-of-the-range phones himself, but professional curiosity made him stoop to pick it up.
Wonder if something happened? he mused, slipping the broken phone into his pocket. Ill check it out at home.
***
After breakfast, he retrieved the SIM card and slotted it into one of his own phones. The saved numbers were mostly hospitals, various support services, and government departments. The top contact was labelled Daughter.
He lingered only a moment before pressing CALL.
Mum! a bright, trembling childs voice answered.
Im not your mum, Christopher responded, flustered.
Wheres my mum?
I dont know… I found a broken phone, swapped the SIM, and called you.
My mums missing, came the muffled sob. She went to the shop yesterday and never came back.
Do you have a dad, a granny? Anyone else at home?
No. Just Mum and me.
Whats your name, love? He felt a rush of urgencythis little girl needed help.
Sophie.
Im Uncle Chris. Can you go out and ask a neighbour for help?
I cantI cant walk. My legs dont work. And the flat next doors empty.
Waitwhat do you mean your legs dont work? Chriss heart lurched.
I was born like this. Mum said we just need to save up, and then Ill have an operation.
How do you get around?
Wheelchair.
Sophie, do you know your address? He was all action now.
Yes. 7 Churchill Street, flat eighteen.
Ill be there soon, and well find your mum.
He hung up at once.
His mother, Julia, poked her head into the living room. Chris, whats happened?
I found a smashed phone, put the SIM in one of mine, made a call. Theres a little girl, all aloneshe cant walk, no family besides her mum. I got the address. I have to go.
Were both going, said Julia firmly, already putting on her coat.
Julia knew the weary road of single motherhood and sick children all too well. Now retired, she remembered her days scraping together pennies for medicine. Chris earned well now, so money wasnt an issue, but she felt the girls helplessness deeply.
They called a taxi and dashed to Sophies rescue.
***
They buzzed Sophies building.
Who is it? came the small, weary voice.
Its Chris, he replied gently.
Come in!
They made their way upstairs. The door was already half open.
Inside, perched in her wheelchair, a frail girl with clear, searching eyes watched them hopefully.
Will you find my mum?
Whats your mums name? Chris asked softly.
Linda.
And your surname?
Hampton.
Just a minute, Chris, Julia cut in. Sophie, have you eaten?
No. I had the sausage roll in the fridge yesterday, but its all gone.
Chris, pop to the shop and pick up what we usually buy.
Right, he nodded, and dashed out.
***
Chris returned to find Julia already bustling in the kitchen. They unpacked the groceries, set the table, and made sure Sophie had a proper meal.
Afterwards, Chris sat down at his laptop, pulling up the local news: anything unusual the previous day?
Lets see… Park Road, accidentcar mounted the curb, hit a woman. Taken to hospital in critical condition.
He grabbed the phone and dialled the hospital. On the third ring, someone answered.
Yes, we received a woman from Park Road yesterday, condition serious. Not awake yet.
Name?
No ID or phone on her. Are you family?
Well, not exactly…
Better come down.
Ill be there, he replied.
He turned to Sophie.
Do you have a photo of your mum?
Yes! She wheeled over, dug an album out of the drawer, and opened it to a snapshot of them together. This is us.
Your mums lovely! Chris smiled, photographing the picture with his phone. Right then, Im off to find her.
***
Linda awoke to bleached white ceilings, mind still fogged and heavy. A sudden flash: speeding car, cold pavement…
She moved and pain shot through her. A nurse appeared.
Awake at last?
Lindas eyes flew open with panic. How long have I been here?
Two days.
My daughters alone at home…
Now, calm down! the nurse soothed, hand gentle on her shoulder. A young man came by yesterday. Left his number, said a car crushed your phone.
Can I calljust once?
Of course. The nurse found daughter in the contacts, placed a phone to Lindas ear.
Mum! Sophies voice shouted.
Oh sweetheart, how are you?
Im fine! Grandma Julia and Uncle Chris keep coming.
What uncle Chris?
Now, lets not get agitated, the doctor said, taking the phone. Or Ill have to take it away. Let me check you over.
Sweetheart, Ill ring you back, Linda said quickly and the line clicked dead. The nurse set an IV and slipped the phone into her pocket.
Pleasejust a minute, let me talk to my daughter.
Doctor says no stress for you,” but the nurse relented, dialling again.
My love
Linda, my name’s Julia, came a gentle, unfamiliar voice. Listen carefully. My son found your broken phone, then traced your daughter and you. Im retiredwhile youre in hospital, Ill stay with your girl. Dont fret. Here she is.
Mum, dont worryjust get better soon! Sophie chirped.
Listen to Grandma, darling! Lindas voice broke with relief.
Alright, time to rest, came the nurse’s stern voice.
***
The next day, Linda was moved to a general ward. By evening, a visitor appearedan awkward, thin young man.
Hello, Linda. Im Chris. He set a large bag on the table, grinning sheepishly. Hope you dont mind first-name terms.
She blinked, bewildered. I dont even know you…
I found your phone, called your daughter, traced you here.
Hows my Sophie?
See for yourself. He passed her a phone and, after some tinkering, her daughters face beamed back at her.
Mum! Does it hurt? Sophie cried.
No. Not now, darling. How are you?
Grandma Julia keeps visiting.
Linda clung to the video for as long as the nurse allowed, her heart overflowing with gratitude.
I owe you everything… she told Chris.
None of that, he said warmly. And please, call me Chris! Let me show you how this phone works.
***
Two weeks passed.
The man responsible for the accident came to the hospital. With his solicitor in tow, he handed Linda a cheque for £5,000 as compensation.
She was discharged the next morning, and Chris collected her in his car.
Mum! Sophie cried as the front door banged open.
Linda knelt by her daughters wheelchair, throwing her arms around her. Tears of joy streamed down her face.
Then she turned to Julia.
Julia, I cant thank you enough.
Nonsense, Linda. Sophies like a granddaughter to me now.
Linda produced the envelope of money. The man from the accident gave me this. Pleaseaccept at least half, I have nothing else…
Julias expression grew stern. Put it away! Chris and I are fine for money. Youll need every penny for Sophies treatment. Chris has already arranged consultations at the best clinic.
Mum! Sophie crowed, Uncle Chris said Ill get to have an operation, and then my legs will work!
***
Linda and Sophie spent the next fortnight in a private clinic. Sophie had the first set of supports fitted to her legs. Three months later, they went back for another surgerysix months after that, again. After three years and three complex operations, doctors promised Sophie would one day walk.
For now, she wheeled herself everywhere, the new supports causing more than a little discomfort.
But fate wasnt done testing the little group. Julias heart began to trouble her, and she ended up in hospital in critical condition.
Linda spent all her nights sitting by Julias bedside, returning home only briefly to cook and grab some rest. Chris looked after Sophie during those long nights.
On the fourth day, Julias gaze lingered on Linda, sorrow but also firmness in her tired eyes.
Love… I dont think Ill be here much longer. Marry my Chris. Hes a good manyou and he will see Sophie walk again, I know it.
Juliahed never want someone like me…
Oh, he will. He certainly will, Julia whispered, the hint of a smile appearing at last.
***
A grey-haired woman clasped the hand of a girl with a backpack and a bunch of daffodils. If it werent for her height, you might have assumed she was starting Year One. But today, for the first time, Sophie was going to school properlyin the fourth year, after three years of home lessons. Shed aced every subject, and now she was ready to step through the gates on her own two legs.
Gran, Im a bit scared.
Oh Sophie, youre ten! Looktheres your mum and dad.
Why so glum, love? Linda joined them, wrapping an arm around Sophie.
Shes nervous, Julia shook her head.
Come on, take my hand! Chris offered his, strong and steady. Lets do this together.
With you, Dad, Im not scared a bit, Sophie laughed.
They walked towards the schoolhouseparents and grandparents together, hearts brimming, smiles bright, hope as certain as the morning sun.
