The boy awoke to the faint moans of his mother. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he crept to her bedside.
Mum, are you hurting?
Charlie, love, could you fetch me a glass of water?
At once, he replied, dashing towards the kitchen.
Within moments, he was back, passing her a brimming mug. Here, Mum. Drink up!
Suddenly, there was a firm knocking at the door.
Son, would you answer? Its probably Nana Edith.
Their neighbour entered, carrying a large mug.
How are you, Emily? Edith asked, laying a gentle hand on her forehead. Youre burning up! Ive brought you some hot milk with a bit of butter. Good for the chest, that is.
Ive just taken my medicine, Emily replied wearily.
You really ought to go to hospital, love. You need proper treatment. And a decent meal or two, but theres nothing in your fridge.
Aunt Edith, Ive spent every last penny on tablets. Emilys voice faltered as tears welled in her eyes. Nothing seems to help.
You should get yourself admitted.
And what will become of Charlie if Im not here?
Yes, and what will become of him if you dont get better? Youre not even thirty yet, no husband, no money… Edith stroked Emilys hair softly. Come now, no tears.
Aunt Edith, what do I do?
Thats it. Im calling the doctor. Edith pulled her telephone from her handbag.
After a moment, she nodded. Theyll send someone around today. I must be off, dear. When the doctor arrives, fetch me at once, Charlie.
Edith made her way to the hallway; Charlie quietly followed.
Nana Edith, Mums not going to die, is she?
She shook her head sadly. I cant say, lad. But perhaps ask the good Lord to help. Your mums never believed, you know.
Will Grandad God help us? hope flickered in Charlies eyes.
If you visit the church and light a candle, and pray, Hell surely listen. Now, off I pop.
***
Charlie returned to his mother, deep in thought.
Charlie, youre probably hungry, but theres nothing at all, darling. Run and fetch two tumblers.
When he brought them in, his mother shared what milk remained between their glasses.
Drink up, love.
He swallowed it down, but the hunger only sharpened. Emily noticed immediately. With effort, she reached for her purse.
Heres fifty pence, pet. Go and buy yourself a couple of rolls, eat them on the way. Ill rustle something up meanwhile. Off you go!
She saw him to the door, steadying herself against the wall as she headed for the kitchen. In the fridgea tin of tinned sardines, a scrape of margarine; on the windowsill, two potatoes and an onion.
I could make some soup
Her head spun. She slumped onto a kitchen chair, exhausted.
Whats happening to me? No strength left. Half my holidays gone, and the moneys all spent. If I cant get back to work, how will I send Charlie off to school next month? Theres no one to help us. Worst of all, this illness… I should have gone to the surgery straight away. But if Im admitted, how will Charlie cope alone?
She forced herself up and began peeling the potatoes.
***
He was famished, but Charlies mind was elsewhere.
Mum didnt get out of bed all day yesterday. What if she really does die? Aunt Edith said to ask Grandad God for help… On impulse, he turned and walked towards the church.
***
Its been half a year since I returned from the war. Amazing Im still alivecan walk about now, though I need a stick. I dont even notice the scars anymore. As for my face well, no womans going to look twice at me now, Richard mused as he made his way towards the church. I must light a candle for the lads. Its a year today since they fell, and somehow, I came back
Hed joined the army twenty years before, and now, civilian life left him feeling adrift. His war pension was generous, and there was plenty in the bank from his contract, yet what use was any of it, with no one to share it with?
Outside the church, beggars stood in the cold. Richard handed out a few crisp ten-pound notes and quietly said, Pray for my friends, Tom and Peter, who died with honour.
Inside, he bought candles, set them alight, and murmured the old prayer hed learnt from the vicar:
Remember, O Lord our God
He made the sign of the cross as he uttered the words, seeing his friends beside him, as vivid as ever.
Finishing, he lingered a moment, lost in memory.
A small, thin boy lit a cheap candle at his side, glancing around uncertainly. An elderly lady approached him.
Let me show you, dear.
She struck the match, set his candle on the stand, and said, Cross yourself, like this. Then tell the Lord why youve come.
Charlie gazed at the stained-glass saint, then whispered, Please help, Grandad God. My mums ever so poorly. Shes all I have. Please make her well again, and give her money for medicine. Im going to school soon and havent even got a satchel
Richard froze, listening. His own troublesso huge a moment agosuddenly shrank away. He wanted to shout: Is there no one wholl lend these two a handmedicine for the mother, a schoolbag for the boy?
The boy waited before the altar, hope shining in his eyes.
Come along, lad! Richard called, voice steady.
Where to? Charlie stared at the scarred, limping stranger.
Well ask which medicines your mum needs and go to the chemists.
Are you sure?
Grandad God told me to.
Really? The boy beamed.
Lets be off! Whats your name, then?
Charlie.
You can call me Uncle Richard.
***
Back at the flat, voices carried from the sitting roomEmilys and Ediths.
Shes written a prescription out for all this. But its so dear. Ive only five pounds left!
Summoning courage, Charlie opened the door. The women fell silent, peering nervously at the unfamiliar man.
Mum, which medicines do you need? Uncle Richard and I will fetch them from the chemist.
And who are you? Emily asked in surprise.
Itll all be alright, Richard replied, smiling. Lets have the prescription.
But Ive only five pounds left.
Charlie and I will sort out the money, Richard said, resting a gentle hand on the boys shoulder.
Mum, give him the list, please!
Emily handed it over, something in Richards weathered face instilling trust.
Emily, what are you playing at? Edith said quietly as the pair left. You dont know a thing about him.
Aunt Edith, I think hes a good man!
If you say so, love. Ill be off, then!
***
Emily sat, anxiously awaiting her sons return. For a moment, she forgot the pain in her body.
When the door finally opened, Charlie bounded in, face aglow. Mum, we got your medicine and bought all sorts of nice things for tea!
Richard followed, wearing a contented, almost boyish smile, which softened his scarred features.
Thank you! Emily said, rising and bowing her head slightly. Please, do come in.
Richard took off his shoes, fumbling a little. He looked nervous as she led him to the kitchen.
Do sit down! Emily offered, and seeing him awkward with his stick, helped him settle it within reach. Im afraid Ive nothing much to give you.
Mum, Uncle Richard and I got everything, honest, Charlie said as he spilled the groceries onto the table.
Oh, you shouldnt have! Emily exclaimed, noticing with bemusement that half the bags were jammed with sweets. Then she saw the expensive tea. Let me put the kettle on.
She hurried to make tea. A strange surge of strength came over herperhaps from the kindness, or perhaps not wishing to look so sick before their guest. As if sensing her thoughts, Richard asked gently:
Emily, are you sure youre alright? You look ever so pale.
Im fine Ill take my medicine in a moment. Thank you, really.
***
They sipped their tea, nibbling on cakes, watching Charlie chatter away. Occasionally their eyes met, and in that small, warm kitchen, everything felt a bit less lonely. But such evenings must come to an end.
Thank you, so much. Richard rose and reached for his cane. Ill be off. You must rest.
Thank you, Emily echoed. I truly dont know how to repay you.
He made his way to the hall, Emily and Charlie following.
Uncle Richard, will you come back?
Of course! Once your mums better, Ill take you both to get a school satchel.
***
After Richard left, Emily tidied away and cleaned the kitchen.
Put the telly on, love. I need a lie-down.
She drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
***
A fortnight passed. The illness had abatedclearly, the costly medicines worked. Emily had already been called back to work, the end-of-month rush demanding all hands. The extra wages would help; it was already August, and Charlie needed things for school.
That Saturday, they rose as usual, ate breakfast, and Emily said, Come on, Charlie, lets nip to the shops. See what youll need for school.
Will you get paid soon?
They havent paid yet, but by next Saturday they will. Ive borrowed a tenner to tide us over, so well get groceries on the way back.
They were getting ready when the entry phone buzzed.
Who is it? Emily asked.
Emily, its Richard
Hed meant to say more, but she pressed the door release with a happy squeak.
Mum, whos that? Charlie peered from his room.
Its Uncle Richard! Emily couldnt hide her delight.
Hooray!
Richard entered, still with his stick, but now in smart trousers and shirt, hair newly trimmed.
Uncle Richard, I was waiting for you! Charlie rushed to greet him.
I promised, didnt I? Richard grinned. Good morning, Emily!
Morning, Richard! The unintentional switch to first names surprised and pleased them both.
Were you heading out? Lets go together.
Where to? Emily was flustered.
You said Charlie needs things for school.
But, Richard, I
I promised Charlie, and a promise is a promise!
***
Emily always looked for bargains, never set foot in expensive shops, with no spare cash, no family, no husbandunless you count the lad at college who vanished years ago.
Now, beside her, stood a man who gazed fondly at her son, picking up everything needed for school without hesitation, only ever asking her opinion.
Burdened with bags, they returned home by taxi.
Emily rushed for the kitchen.
Emily, Richard stopped her at the door, Lets all go out together, for a walkand perhaps a lunch.
Mum, please! Charlie pleaded.
***
That night, Emily hardly slept, replaying the days happy moments. She remembered Richards eyes, so full of warmth. Her sensible mind and fluttering heart held a quiet conversation:
Hes not handsome, and he limps, cautioned her head.
Hes kind, and he looks at me as though he really cares, retorted her heart.
Hes a good fifteen years older.
So what? He treats my son like his own.
You could still find someone young and dashing.
I dont want thatI had it once. I want kindness and safety.
But this isnt the sort of man you used to dream of.
Ive changed, havent I?
Or perhaps youve finally found what matters. I thinkI think I love him!
***
Three months later, they stood together before the altar in that very same church where Richard had first met Charlie. Richard, no longer reliant on his cane, held Emilys hand. Charlie stood with them, gazing up at the old stained-glass figure to whom hed spoken months earlier, and whispered,
Thank you, Grandad God.for listening.
The bell chimed, and sunlight spilled through the stained glass, painting colored halos around the little familys feet. The congregation broke into song, voices rising in joyful harmony. Charlie squeezed Richards handhis fathers hand nowand Emily looked at them both, her smile brighter than any summer day.
As they walked out into the world togetherarms linked, hearts lighterCharlie glanced up at the blue sky and thought that sometimes, miracles started with the simplest prayer and a single open door.
And through all the years aheadschooldays, birthdays, laughter and tearsCharlie would remember that morning, when hope arrived as an unexpected stranger, and love turned a small kitchen into a home.
