Left All Alone
Evening had fallen behind the misted window, and yet Mum was still not home. Emily, fiddling with the wheel of her wheelchair, rolled herself to the table, picked up her mobile and dialled her mums number.
The number you have called is currently unavailable or outside the coverage area, came a strangers voice.
She stared uncertainly at the screen, then, recalling that her phone barely had any credit left, she turned it off.
Mum had popped out to the shops, but hadnt returned. That had never happened before; Mum was never gone long, especially as Emily had been disabled since birth and couldnt walk at all. She relied on her wheelchair, and apart from Mum, there was no one elseno family.
Emily was seven now, and though she was never frightened to stay home alone, her mum always told her where she was going, and when she would be back. Try as she might, she couldnt figure out what had happened.
She went to the big Tesco todaythings are much cheaper there. We always go together, even though people call it the far one, its really quite close. It only takes an hour round trip, she murmured, glancing at the clock. But its been four hours. Im so hungry.
With fresh determination, she wheeled herself into the kitchen, put the kettle on, and fetched a meat patty from the fridge. She ate in silence, sipped some tea, and waited.
Still no sign of Mum.
Unable to bear it any longer, she picked up the mobile and dialled once more: The number you have called is currently unavailable or outside the coverage area, droned the machine-voice again.
She struggled onto her bed, tucking the phone under her pillow. She left the hall light on; it was just too frightening with Mum gone.
She lay there for ages before sleep finally took her.
***
When sunbeams crept through the curtain, she awoke. Mums bed was neatly made.
Mum! she called into the silent hallway.
Nothing. Only stillness answered. Desperate, she phoned again. The same metallic voice replied. Fear gripped her heart, and the tears spilled silently down her cheeks.
***
Christopher was just leaving the bakery. Every morning he picked up fresh rollshis morning ritual with his mother, whod cook breakfast while he fetched the goods.
Christopher was thirty now, and still unmarried. Women overlooked him: slight, pale, awkward. His health had always been fragile, an expensive diagnosis hanging over him since birth, and his mother raised him alone. The latest blow: doctors had just told him hed never have children. The idea of never marrying was something hed long since resigned himself to.
A glint in the grass caught his eye: a broken old mobile. Mobiles and computers were both his profession and his hobbyhe was both IT consultant and tech blogger. He had the latest gadgets, of course, but curiosity made him retrieve the battered phone. Its case was shattered, trodden under a car and thrown to the kerb.
I wonder what happened here? he thought, pocketing the wrecked device. Ill have a proper look at home.
***
After breakfast, he carefully extracted the SIM from the ruined mobile and slotted it into one of his own. The contacts were mostly for hospitals, council offices, and other institutions, but right at the top, one was marked daughter.
He hesitated, then decided to call the number.
Mum! piped a thrilled little girls voice.
Im not your mother Christopher said, bewildered.
Oh Wheres my mum?
Im not sure. I just found a broken mobile, transferred the SIM, and rang to see whose it was.
My mums missing, the child began to sob. She left for the shops yesterday, but never came back.
Where are your dad and grandmother?
I dont have a dad. Or a gran. Just Mum.
Whats your name? He realised she needed someones help, fast.
Emily.
Im Uncle Chris. Emily, can you go next door and tell a neighbour youre all alone?
I cantmy legs dont work. And nobody lives next door.
Wait a momentyour legs dont work? Christopher was completely at a loss.
I was born like this. Mum says if we save enough money, I can have an operation one day.
How do you get about?
In my wheelchair.
Emily, do you know your address? He grew brisk.
Yes. 12 Victoria Road, Flat 4.
Ill be right over, and well find your mum.
He hung up.
His mother, Margaret, walked in.
Chris, whats happened?
I just found a smashed phone, Mum. When I put the SIM in and called, a little disabled girl answered. Shes aloneher mums missing. I got her address. Im going to check on her.
Im coming with you. Margaret didnt hesitate, grabbing her coat.
Shed raised her sickly son alone and knew all too well the struggles of a single mother with a poorly child. Now retired, she had the time and the heart to spareand Chris did fine for money these days.
They rang for a taxi, determined to help.
***
Christopher buzzed the intercom.
Who is it? came a listless little voice.
Its Chris, he answered gently.
Come up!
They entered the building. The door to the flat was already ajar.
Inside was a frail girl in a wheelchair, her eyes wide and full of sorrow.
Will you find my mum? she asked, voice barely audible.
Whats your mums name? asked Christopher straightaway.
Rachel. Rachel Turner.
And your surname?
Turner.
Hang on, Chris, Margaret said softly. Emily, are you hungry?
Yes. There was a meat patty in the fridge, but I ate it yesterday.
Right. Chris, nip to the local super and pick up what we always buy, will you?
On it! In a flash, Chris dashed out.
***
By the time Chris returned, Margaret had already made something warm in the kitchen and was unpacking his bags to set the table.
After they ate, Chris immediately got to work trying to find Emilys mum.
He pulled up the local news website, scanning for incidents from yesterday.
There! On Park Lane, a woman was knocked down by a car. She was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
He rang the hospital. On the third attempt, someone picked up.
Yes, a woman from Park Lane was admitted in serious condition yesterday. She hasnt regained consciousness yet, the nurse explained.
Do you know her surname?
She had no ID or mobile on her. Are you family?
Ernot sure yet
Come by the hospital, then. Ask at reception.
He hung up, turning to Emily.
Emily, have you a photo of your mum?
Yes, she replied, wheeling herself to the side table, and retrieving a photo album. Here we are together.
Your mums beautiful, Chris said, taking a photo with his mobile. Ill go and find her, Emily. I promise.
***
Rachel awoke, gazing up at a stark white ceiling. Slowly, her memory crept backa car, screeching, flying towards her…
She tried to move, pain burning through her body. A nurse appeared, her manner gentle.
Youre awake?
Rachels eyes flew wide, terror seizing her.
How longhow long have I been here?
Two days.
My daughters aloneat home
Try to calm down now. A nice young man was here yesterdayhe left you his phone. Said he found it after it had been run over.
I need to call
The nurse scrolled through the contacts and dialled daughter, then held the phone to Rachels ear. Emilys voice piped up:
Mummy!
Emily, sweetheart, are you alright?
Im fine! Grandma Margaret and Uncle Chris are here. They come every day.
Who are these people?
Rest now, dont worry yourself, Mrs Turner, soothed the doctor as he walked in. Or Ill have to take the phone away. Let me check you over.
Mummy, Ill call you in a bit! Emily called as the doctor disconnected the call.
The nurse placed the phone back in her pocket.
Can I speak to my daughter a little longer? Rachel pleaded.
Doctor says you shouldnt get upset, but The nurse relented, dialling once more.
Rachel, my names Margaret, a warm voice came. My son found your broken mobile, traced the SIM, and found your daughter and you. Im a pensioner myself. While youre in hospital, Ill look after your girl. Dont worry. Heres Emily.
Mum, please get wellits alright here with Grandma. Im okay.
Be good for Margaret, darling! Rachel clung to those words as if clutching a lifeline.
Now, off with the phone! the nurse instructed firmly.
***
The next day, Rachel was moved to a shared ward. That evening, during visiting hours, a nurse poked her head in.
Turner, you have a visitor.
Before Rachel could react, in walked a slight, awkward-looking young man.
Hello, Rachel. Im Chris, he smiled. I thought Id come and visit. Hope you dont mind that Im on first-name terms?
Not at all. He placed a large bag on her side-table.
My mum packed this for you.
Idont even know who you are, Rachel said, bewildered.
I found your destroyed phone. The SIM card survived. I called your daughter and then came to the flat to help. Found you next.
How is my Emily?
Just a sec He picked up the phone hed left her and fiddled with it.
There you go.
Rachel saw her daughters face on the screen.
Mum! Does it hurt?
No, darling, Im mending. How are you?
Grandma Margaret comes by all the time.
Rachel spent a long time talking to her child while Chris waited patiently. When she finished, she looked down, overwhelmed.
I owe you everything.
Oh, dont be silly, Rachel. Please, call me Chris.
Thank you, Chris.
Now, let me show you how this phone works properly.
***
Two weeks went by.
The driver responsible for the accident came to the hospital with his solicitor, bringing Rachel a compensation cheque for £7,000.
She was discharged the next day. Chris collected her and brought her home.
Mum! Emily shouted, gleeful, nearly leaping out of her wheelchair. Rachel knelt beside her, wrapping her in a fierce, tearful hug.
Then she turned to the kindly woman beside her.
Margaret, thank you so much.
Oh, hush now, Rachel. Emily is like a granddaughter to me now.
Margaret, the driver brought me some compensationI want you to take some of it, please, as a thank you. She pulled the cash from her handbag.
Put that away, Rachel, Margaret said firmly. Chris and I wont go hungry, and you need every penny for Emilys treatments. Chris has already spoken to a private clinic.
Mummy! Emilys eyes shone. Uncle Chris says I can go to hospital soon and have an operation to help my legs.
***
Rachel and Emily spent two weeks in the clinic. They fitted her with pins. In three months, they would return. It would take three yearsthree surgeries and lots of therapybut they promised Emily would walk one day.
For now, Emily still got around in her wheelchair. The pins were awkward and made things tricky.
But fate wasnt yet done with this little family. Margarets heart condition flared up, and she was admitted to hospital herself.
Rachel spent three nights at her bedside, returning home only to prepare meals and sleep a bit. Chris looked after Emily during the nights.
On the fourth day, Margaret regained consciousness. She gazed at Rachel with sad eyes and whispered,
Love, I dont think Ill be here much longer. You must marry my Chris. Hes a good man. Together youll get Emily back on her feet.
But Margaretwould he want me?
He will. For the first time in days, Margaret smiled. I know it.
***
A few years later, Margaret held Emilys hand as she set off with her rucksack and a bouquet of flowers. Had Emily not been so tall, anyone would have thought she was a little girl on her first day of school.
She was, in a way. Though ten, Emily was only now starting Year Four in person, having studied at home for the first three yearsalways earning such good marksand now, at last, walking under her own power.
Gran, Im a little scared.
Oh, come on, Emily! Youre ten! And look, here come Mum and Dad.
Whats wrong, love? Rachel asked as she and Chris joined them.
Shes nervous, said Margaret, shaking her head with a smile.
Come on, hold my hand, Chris offered, grinning at her. Lets do this!
With you, Dad, Im not scared at all, Emily replied, beaming.
And so, chatting away, they made their way towards school, with Mum and Gran following just behind, as happy as any family could ever be.
