Sarah lay on the old floral settee in the parlour, her eyes fixed on the ceiling while restless thoughts swirled in her mind. Sleep would not comenot when her precious little one was unwell. She silently reproached herself: Why did I send her to the nursery? If only shed stayed home a day or two more, perhaps she wouldnt have caught this dreadful illness
A tightness gripped her chest. She stood up and moved to the window. Gray, rain-swollen clouds pressed down on the village rooftops. For the third day running, drizzle had fallen in that persistent, depressing way only an English autumn knows. Sarah heaved a heavy sigh. From the bedroom came a faint rustle. Little Alice whimpered in her sleep and began to cough. Sarah hurried to her side and felt the burning hot foreheada mother didnt need a thermometer to sense another spike in temperature. She quietly switched on the bedside lamp and took the thermometer from the drawer, tucking it beneath Alices arm.
Forty, she whispered, clutching it tight. Oh, what do I do?
Alice opened her tired eyes. Mummy, Im so hot.
There, sweetheart, it will be all right. Of course its hot, darling
At that moment, James, her husband, awoke and sat up. Sarah busied herself measuring out another dose of medicine, hoping fever would let them be. But the heat refused to pass. By the time the pale blue strobing lights flickered softly in the drive at dawn, she already knew what must be done. The ambulance drew quietly up and bore mother and child to the hospital.
A kindly nurse glanced at Sarahashen, frightenedand patted her hand before deftly slipping a cannula into little Alices arm. Dont worry, love. Well help her. Shell be just fine, youll see.
Sarah just sighed in reply.
Soon, Alice did improve. She opened her eyes and asked for a sip of water. Sarah turned around and realised someone was watchingan unusually slight, thin girl of about six, perched on the neighbouring bed, gazing out with enormous blue eyes. Her fair, tangled hair hung limply over delicate shoulders. She wore well-worn leggings with a hole in one toe and an old T-shirt. By the bed, instead of slippers, there sat trainers tucked into blue surgical covers.
Hello, Sarah ventured.
Hallo, the girl replied shyly. Did you come in last night?
Yes, late last night.
Whats your name?
Im Mrs. Carter, and this is Alice. Whats your name, love?
Im Grace.
Have you been here a long time?
A while. Theyll let me go soon. On Friday.
Well, thats some days off. Todays only Monday.
Is your mum with you?
No She paused, a little sigh escaping her. My mum passed away a long time ago, when I was little. Dad started drinking after, and hes gone too. So they took me to the childrens home.
Grace gave a small, old-fashioned shrug. Thats where I live now. But I like it here better. Meals are good and the older girls dont pick on me.
She got up to fetch her trainers, ready to go. Breakfast will be soon. Shall I bring you something?
No need, sweetheart, Ill manage.
Sarah watched her go, heart aching with pity. Another woman in the ward caught the scene, sighed, and nodded in Graces direction, whispering, Such a good girl. So sweet and polite. Its a shame shes had little luck
Before Sarah could respond, her mobile rang, its ringtone breaking the silence.
Hello?
How are you, love? Hows Alice?
Mum, were at the hospital.
Oh, darling, whats happened?
Dont worry too much. Alices temperature shot up. Shes better now, but they suspect bronchitis. Shes sleeping now.
Sarahs mother gave a trembling sigh. My poor little sunshine. Which hospital are you at? Ill come right away. What shall I bring?
Mum, I forgot my slippers and Alice will need her pink pyjamas. And Mum Theres a girl from the childrens home here. Could you bring some shampoo, some soap maybe? And Do you still have Sophies old clothes?
Whos this girl, darling?
Ill tell you later, Mum. Please bring a couple of vests, a dressing gown, leggings, and slippersabout age six if you have them?
Ill bring everything.
The next morning, Alice was bright-eyed again, playing with her new friend. Sarah slipped into the corridor and gently tapped a passing nurse.
Excuse me, does anyone ever visit Grace?
No, the nurse said, her smile tinged with sadness. Theyll only come to fetch her when she leaves.
And can she have a bath?
The nurse nodded with a resigned smile. Not only may sheshe ought to. If only we had more hands.
That evening, after her first proper wash in what must have been weeks, Grace glowed with happiness, dressed in a fresh pyjama and bright new pink slippers stitched with little puppies on them.
She carefully tucked all her gifted clothes beneath her pillow and hid the slippers under the mattress.
Grace, darling, why do you hide your things? Sarah asked, surprised.
So no one steals them
Sarah could only sigha deep, weary sigh.
When the lights were switched off, Grace closed her eyes and let herself dream: she walked down a sunlit lane, hand in hand with little Alice, and Mrs. Carter held her other hand. She longed for a family of her own, to have a mummy and daddy, to be patted on the head and kissed goodnight, to wear a soft, warm pyjama and be thrown up high to the ceiling by a laughing father. She wanted them all to be happy, and she would do her bestwashing up, mopping the floor, looking after Alice or helping with her letters and sums. If only someone could love her. If only she could have a mummy.
But at the childrens home, though she had not been beaten, the matron, Mrs. Thompson, shouted a lot, and the bigger children jeered and stole food or things. Not long ago, shed dropped a bowl of porridge in the kitchen. For that, she was locked for hours in a dark, cold cupboard. Victor Johnson had sneered, Well, silly, youll keep the rats company now! Grace was terrified of ratsshe imagined one would leap at her any moment. She cried quietly, back pressed against the door, frightened and chilled, until at last she grew so tired she sat on the cold tiles, where her cough had started and then she ended up here in hospital.
These memories brought tears pressing hot behind her eyes until they spilled over down her cheeks. She sniffled softlythen felt a gentle hand stroke her hair. She opened her eyes.
Mrs. Carter
Hush, my little one. Dont cry. All will be well I promise you.
In a rush of compassion, Sarah gathered her up in a tight hug.
Dont cry, sweetheart.
Grace grew quiet. It felt so good, just like being wrapped in her own mums arms, stroked gently on her hair.
Mrs. Carter? she whispered.
Yes, love?
I wish you could be my mummy.
Tears ran down Sarahs cheeks. Her decision was made that second, not with her mind, but with her heart. All that remained was to speak with her family.
Sarahs mother understood at once and gave her blessing. Even her mother-in-lawwho had herself grown up an orphanwas enthusiastic. James, however, was less sure.
Are you mad? he asked. Do you realise what this means? Its forever.
I do! I also know that if I dont do this, Ill be haunted by my conscience forever. Can you understand that?
He looked away, eyes filling. I want to meet her, he said at last.
That evening, they went together to the lounge. James lifted Alice, kissed her gently.
Youre my sunshine. Ive missed you terribly, he said. Then, turning to his wife, who looked at him steadily, he saw her meaning.
Well, meet Grace. This is Uncle James.
Grace nodded gravely, meeting his gaze with her deep, solemn eyes. Nice to meet you, sir.
Hallo, its good to meet you, Grace.
And you, she whispered.
Something inside James stirred. Catching Sarahs eye, he nodded with tears in his own.
A few months later, a car drew up outside the childrens home where Grace lived. Sarah and James stepped out, waving. Faces pressed to the window, curious children cried out, Grace, Grace! Your people have come!
Grace rushed out, flushed with joy, to greet her new parents.
Hello, Grace! Weve come for you. Ready to come home?
Her little heart filled in her chest, a happiness shed hardly dared to wish for. Yes, Mummy!!!She squeezed Sarahs hand tightly, and together with James and Alice, Grace walked through the open gatesno bag, just her new family gathered around her, voices and laughter floating into the gray afternoon. As the car drove away, she peered back once, seeing the old red-brick building growing smaller in the distance. Then she faced forward, to where home waited.
At twilight, Sarah tucked both girls into their beds, side by side. Alice reached over and clasped Graces little hand; above them, James hung a glowing paper lantern to chase away any lurking shadows.
Do you want the door left open? Sarah whispered.
Grace nodded and, for the first time in as long as she could remember, smiled a true, unguarded smile.
That night, cradled by warmth and gentle voices, Grace slept soundlyno nightmares, no loneliness, only the soft comfort of belonging. And in the dreaming hush of their new home, it seemed as though even the rain had paused to listen, blessing the house with hope.
