The Trials to Endure
Vera Anne waited for her husband and son to return from their business trip. They had travelled to a neighbouring county to expand their firm, hoping to open a branch in another town. Things were going well for father and son—young Edward had a sharp mind for figures, and their company thrived.
Vera Anne longed for their return, especially Edward’s. She had urgent news about his wife, Laura, who was about to give birth. Everyone knew Laura didn’t love him, but they endured it for the sake of the coming child.
Just days before, Vera Anne had overheard Laura on the phone saying, *”Once the baby’s born, I’ll take him and leave. I’ll grab what I can from the house and disappear—there’s plenty to take.”*
Her first instinct was to call Edward, but she stopped herself. He and his father were in an important meeting—no need to disrupt them. She’d tell them when they returned.
*”We’ll take the baby from the hospital,”* she thought. *”Let Laura go where she pleases—she doesn’t want the child anyway.”*
When Laura’s labour began, her husband and son were already on their way home. The ambulance whisked Laura to the maternity ward. Soon after, Vera Anne received the call—her husband and son had been in an accident. Her husband died instantly. Edward held on for twenty minutes, but before slipping away, he whispered, *”Take the child from her.”*
The investigator told Vera Anne no child had been in the car. But she murmured, *”My son’s wife just gave birth. That’s my grandchild—they’re still at the hospital. Laura doesn’t want him. That’s why Edward said it.”*
Somehow, she found the strength to collect Laura from the hospital. How she endured, she didn’t know. Arthur, a close friend of the family and their company’s financier, took charge—arranging the funerals, the wake, even ensuring a doctor stayed by Vera Anne’s side. He also brought Laura and little Thomas home from the hospital.
After her husband’s death, Laura lingered in the grand house, showing little interest in her son. Vera Anne hired a nurse; she couldn’t care for Thomas full-time while learning the family business—now hers by legal arrangement. Arthur managed everything, and she trusted him completely.
Laura often vanished, neglecting Thomas. Then, six months later, she took him and disappeared, stealing money from her father-in-law’s desk. She couldn’t crack the safe—she didn’t know the code.
Losing Thomas shattered Vera Anne. He was all she had left of Edward. Then, months later, Laura reappeared.
*”You owe me money—my share of the company, everything I’m entitled to after my husband’s death. If you don’t, you’ll never see Thomas again. I’ll dump him in some orphanage where you’ll never find him.”*
Vera Anne gave her everything—legally, even more. She handed over her own gold jewellery at Laura’s demand.
*”Laura, just let me see Thomas.”*
Laura promised but never kept her word.
Time passed. Vera Anne slowly recovered, stepping into the business with Arthur at her side—honest, dependable. But the ache for Thomas never left.
Arthur urged her to go to the police.
*”Vera Anne, I know an inspector. Let’s speak to him directly.”*
The inspector tracked Laura down. She’d fallen in with a rough crowd, traded the shares for promises of a grand house—only to be swindled. She’d since taken to drink, neglecting Thomas. Then some drunken lout gave her an ultimatum: *”Him or me.”*
She chose him. Together, they abandoned Thomas in the woods. The inspector learned this when tracing those who’d tried to sell the stolen shares. Laura led them to where she’d left him—but the boy was gone. Searches turned up nothing. Laura was arrested.
###
Daisy had grown up in an orphanage. When the time came to start her own life, she chose to settle in a village near the city. They gave her a small cottage, and she was overjoyed—her dream come true.
*”It’s not new, but it’s sturdy. I’ll make it a home.”*
She found work in the village canteen. Cooking had always been her passion—even as a child, the orphanage cook, Martha, had let her help. Slowly, life steadied. She fixed up the cottage, and Keith, her neighbour’s son, helped with the heavy work.
Daisy never questioned why Keith helped. She assumed it was kindness—never guessing he fancied her but was too shy to say.
One day, she went mushroom-picking, humming as she wandered the woods. Then, under a bush, she spotted a boy—filthy, curled up asleep.
*”Sweetheart, wake up.”*
His eyes flew open, terrified. When she lifted him, he flailed and screamed.
*”Hush, little one. You’re safe now.”* She carried him home, bathed and fed him, then sent Keith for the local medic.
*”What’s your name?”* The boy stayed silent. *”Alright—Stevie it is.”*
The villagers quickly heard of Stevie, bringing milk, clothes—whatever they could spare. He hid behind Daisy whenever strangers neared. The medic assured her, *”He’s just weak. Feed him well; he’ll recover.”*
Stevie shadowed Daisy everywhere. At work, she left him with Keith’s mother. Then one day, he called her *Mum.* She wept. Soon, he began speaking.
*”My boy, no one will ever hurt you.”*
She was sure he’d stay with her—though she knew she ought to report him. But she kept delaying. Then the welfare officers came.
*”We’ve had reports of a child here. You’re no relation—you can’t keep him.”*
*”But I love him! Stevie needs me!”*
*”You’re too young, unmarried. A child needs a family. He’s coming with us.”*
Stevie screamed as they took him, clinging to Daisy. When they drove off, she turned to Keith in desperation.
*”Help me. I can’t live without him. I want to adopt him—but they won’t let me without a proper family.”*
*”What can I do?”*
*”Marry me. Just for appearances. I swear I’ll never burden you after.”*
Keith blinked. *”Daisy—I’d be glad to. I’ve wanted to ask you myself. I’ll stand by Stevie too.”*
Her heart soared.
At the orphanage later, Stevie barrelled into them. *”Stevie, we’re taking you home.”*
*”Yes! I waited for you, Mum!”* Daisy dissolved into tears.
They adopted him. Years passed. Stevie, now in sixth form, excelled in maths—even won a competition televised nationally. His parents couldn’t have been prouder.
###
One day, a sleek car pulled up outside Daisy and Keith’s house. A poised, elegant woman stepped out. Daisy, peering through the window, hurried outside.
*”You must be Daisy. I’ve come to speak with you,”* the woman said, noting her alarm. *”Don’t fret—I only wish to talk.”*
*”About Stevie?”*
The woman nodded. *”I won’t take him from you. But I’m his grandmother—Vera Anne.”*
Daisy invited her in, offering tea. Vera Anne showed a photo. *”No need for a test. He’s the image of my son, Edward.”*
Daisy stared—the resemblance was uncanny.
*”I saw him on television,”* Vera Anne said. *”Then the papers led me here.”*
*”Why wasn’t he searched for? I found him in the woods!”*
Vera Anne’s face darkened. *”My husband and son died when Stevie was born. His mother—she’s in prison now. She admitted abandoning him.”*
She explained the family business, how Edward had married Laura for the child’s sake, how she’d betrayed them all.
*”We’ll do the test for legalities. Then I’ll settle the inheritance on Stevie—when he’s ready.”*
Just then, Keith and Stevie returned.
*”Stevie, this is Vera Anne—your grandmother.”*
The boy studied her warily—then something in him softened.
Vera Anne stayed for hours. As she left, Daisy invited her for Christmas.
Two months later, they celebrated together. Vera Anne arrived laden with gifts. Over dinner, she announced she was transferring the business to Stevie. *”Once he finishes university, of course.”*
Then, grinning, she added, *”I’ve bought land nearby. We’ll build a proper family home—grand enough for us all.”*
Around the table, cheers erupted—Stevie loudest of all.
