Left Alone
Its already growing dark outside the window, but Mum still isnt home. Emily wheels herself over to the table, picks up the phone, and dials her mums number.
The number you are calling is currently unavailable or outside the coverage area, a robotic strangers voice announces.
Emily stares at the phone in confusion, then remembers theres hardly any credit left. She turns it off.
Mum set off to Tesco for the shopping, but shes never been gone this long before. Its simply unheard ofshe never leaves for ages, because her daughter is disabled and cannot walk. Emily moves around in her wheelchair, and besides her mum, they dont have any other relatives.
Emily is already seven and not afraid to be left at home alone, but her mum always tells her where shes going and when shell return. The girl just cant work out whats happened:
Today she went to the further supermarket for groceries; things are cheaper there. We used to go there lots. Even though its a bit further, its really not that faryou could get there and back within an hour, she glances at the clock. Its already been four hours. Im so hungry.
She wheels herself into the kitchen, boils the kettle, and takes a leftover sausage out of the fridge. She eats quickly, then sips her tea.
Still no sign of Mum. Emily cant resist and tries calling again.
The number you are calling is currently unavailable or outside the coverage area, comes the recorded voice once more.
She climbs onto her bed, tucks the phone under her pillow, and leaves the light oneverything feels scarier without Mum.
She lies there for ages, but eventually, sleep overcomes her.
***
She wakes up when the sunlight peeks through her window. Mums bed is made.
Mum! she shouts towards the hallway.
Only silence answers her. She grabs the phone and dials again. The same artificial voice responds.
Panic sweeps over her and tears start to pour from her eyes.
***
James is on his way back from the bakery café. Every morning, Mum made breakfast, and hed fetch fresh rolls for them both. James is now thirty, still singlenot that women pay him much notice. Hes rather skinny, ill-looking, and not what the world would call attractive. Hes been unwell since childhood and needed expensive treatments, but it was just Mum and him. They gave him a final diagnosis as an adulthed never have children, they said. James had already come to terms with never marrying.
As he walks, something glints in the grassits a battered old phone. Technology is both Jamess job and hobby; hes a software developer and tech blogger, so, despite owning the latest and greatest phones, out of curiosity he picks this one up. It looks like a car has driven over it, crushing it before tossing it to the verge.
Could be something nastys happened, he thinks, slipping the remains into his pocket. Ill see what I can find out at home.
***
After breakfast, James extracts the SIM and puts it into one of his own mobiles. Most of the contacts are officialNHS, Social Services, and the likebut the first on the list is simply labelled daughter.
He hesitates, then calls the number.
Mum! a young, gleeful voice answers.
Im not your mum, James stutters, caught off-guard.
Wheres my mum?
I dont know. I found a broken phone, put the SIM in mine, and called.
My mums missing, comes the sob. She went to the shops yesterday and never came back.
Wheres your dad, any grandparents?
I dont have a dad or granny. Just Mum.
Whats your name? James realises he needs to take responsibility.
Emily.
Im Uncle James. Emily, can you come out of your flat and tell the neighbours youre alone?
I cant, my legs dont work. Besides, the next flats empty.
James is shocked, What do you mean your legs dont work?
I was born this way. Mum says, if we save enough money, they can do an operation.
And how do you move around?
In my wheelchair.
Emily, do you know your address? James presses on.
Yes, 7 Churchill Road, flat 18.
Ill come now, and well look for your mum, he says and hangs up.
Just then, his mother enters the room.
James, whats wrong?
Mum, I found a smashed phone and put the SIM in mine. Theres a young girl, disabled and alone at home. No other relatives. Got her address. I need to go round there.
Im coming with you. She starts gathering her things.
Jamess mum, Margaret Williams, had raised him alone through his many illnesses, so she knows exactly what its like to be a single parent with a poorly child. Shes recently retired, and James earns well now.
They book a taxi and head out to rescue the girl.
***
They buzz the intercom.
Who is it? comes a small, anxious voice.
Emily, its me, James.
Come in!
They enter the building. The door to flat 18 is already ajar.
Inside, a slight girl in a wheelchair looks up at them with sad eyes, Will you find my mum?
Whats your mums name? asks James without hesitation.
Rachel.
And her surname?
Harper.
One moment, says Margaret gently. Emily, are you hungry?
Yes. There was a sausage left, but I ate it last night.
James, nip to the shop and get our usual stuff.
Right away! he says and races out.
***
When he returns, Margaret is already bustling in the kitchen. She quickly puts together a meal.
Once theyve eaten, James sets about searching for Emilys mum.
He pulls up the local news website and scrolls through the incidents from yesterday.
Here. On Oak Avenue, a driver in a Ford Fiesta knocked over a woman, who was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
He gets out his phone and calls around. After the third attempt, someone answers.
Yes, a woman from Oak Avenue was admitted to us last night. Shes in serious condition, hasnt regained consciousness yet.
And her surname?
No ID or mobile on her at admission. Are you a relative?
Wellnot exactly
Come down to the hospital.
Understood, Ill be there, he finishes and turns to Emily.
Do you have a photo of your mum?
Yes. She wheels to a chest of drawers, gets out a photo album. We had this picture not long ago.
Your mum is beautiful! James snaps a quick photo on his phone and smiles at Emily.
Im offto look for your mum.
***
Rachels eyelids flicker open. A stark white ceiling above her. Bit by bit, she remembersthe car careering towards her
She tries to move, pain flaring through every inch of her body. A nurse appears, speaking softly.
Awake?
Suddenly, Rachels eyes fill with terror. How long have I been here?
Two days.
My daughter is at home all by herself
Please, Rachel, stay calm! The nurse gently puts her hand on Rachels chest. There was a young man here yesterday, hes left his number for you. Said your phone was crushed by a car.
Can I call
Of course! The nurse dials daughter and holds the phone to Rachels ear.
Mum!
Emily, darling, are you alright?
Im fine! Granny Margaret is with me, and Uncle James comes over!
Uncle James?
A doctor enters, Dont get upset, or Ill have to take the phone away. Let me check you over.
Ill ring you back, darling, cries Rachel, ending the call.
The doctor examines her, barks orders to the nurse, and they fit her with a drip.
As the doctor leaves, the nurse pockets the phone.
Can I talk to my daughter just a moment longer? whispers Rachel.
The doctor said you mustnt get upset, but she relents, dials the number, and hands over the phone.
Darling
Rachel, this is Margaret Williams speaking. Please listenwe found your broken phone, and my son traced your daughter and you through the SIM. Im retired, and while youre in hospital, Ill look after your girl. Dont worry. Heres Emily.
Mum, dont worry. Get better soon! her daughters voice rings out.
Do as Granny Margaret tells you, my love! Rachel pleads, clinging to hope.
Now, you must put the phone away, says the nurse.
***
The next day Rachel is moved to the general ward. That evening, during visiting hours, the nurse says, Harper, youve a visitor.
Before Rachel can respond, a thin, awkward young man enters. Hello, Rachel, Im James, he says, beaming brightly. Hope you dont mind me being so informal?
No, of course not.
He sets a large carrier bag on the cabinet beside her bed. My mum put this together for you.
James, I dont even know you, Rachel says awkwardly.
I happened to find your mangled phone, the SIM was alright, so I rang your daughter, then managed to track you down.
Hows Emily?
Lets see. He picks up the phone he left during his last visit, fiddles with it.
Here you go!
Rachels heart leaps as she sees her daughter on the screen.
Mum! Does it hurt? Emily cries.
No, darling, not anymore. How are you?
Granny Margaret visits me.
Rachel speaks to her daughter for ages. James waits patiently. As they finish, Rachel sighs.
I owe you everything.
Oh, dont be silly, Rachel, he laughs. And do call me James!
Thank you, James.
Now, let me show you how to use this phone.
***
Two weeks pass.
The driver involved in the accident brings Rachel compensation of £5,000 right to the hospital, with his solicitor in tow.
The next day Rachel is discharged. James collects her and brings her home.
Mum! Emily cheers. It looks as if she might leap out of her wheelchair.
Rachel kneels beside her, hugs her tightly, and weeps with joy.
Then turns to Margaret. Thank you ever so much, Mrs Williams.
Dont be daft, Rachel. Emilys like a granddaughter to me now.
Mrs Williams, the man who hit me gave me a settlement, says Rachel, taking out the money. Pleasetake it. Ive nothing else to thank you with.
Put it away, love! Margaret scolds. James and I wont go hungry. Youll need that for Emilys treatment. James has already arranged with a private clinic.
Mum! Emily grins. Uncle James said well go to the hospital and get my legs fixed!
***
Rachel spends two weeks at the hospital with Emily. She gets pins put in her legs. In three months, theyll go back. Then again in a year, and a third time the year after. After three years, with all the operations and therapy, they promise Emily will walk.
For now, shes still moving about in her wheelchair, coping with the discomfort from the pins.
But fate isnt finished testing this little makeshift family. Margaret falls seriously ill with heart trouble and is taken into hospital in a bad state.
Rachel spends three nights at her side. She only ever goes home to cook for everyone and snatch a few hours sleep. At night, Uncle James stays with Emily.
On the fourth day, Margaret regains consciousness. She gazes at Rachel with gentle eyes, then quietly says:
My dear, Im not long for this world. Marry my James. Hes a good man. Together, youll help Emily walk again.
Mrs Williams, do you think hed want me?
He would. I can see it, Margaret manages a faint smile. He certainly would.
***
A grandmother holds a little girls handEmily with her backpack and a bunch of flowers. If you didnt know better, you might think today was Emilys very first day at school, but although shes taller than most, shes walking to school for the very first timefor Year Four.
Shed studied the previous three years at home, with lessons online. She got As and Bs across all her subjects. And now, finally, shes walking into school on her own legs.
Gran, I feel a bit scared.
Nonsense, Emily. Youre ten! Look, theres your mum and dad.
Darling, whats the matter? Rachel joins them.
Shes nervous, Margaret says with a shrug.
Give me your hand! James offers his palm, smiling warmly. Lets go!
With you, Dad, Im not scared at all, Emily grins.
Chattering happily, they walk towards the school, with Mum and Grandma following behind, as happy as any family in England ever was.
