Their mother sent them to the childrens home right after New Years The girls cried. Theyd been raised at home, sheltered. While their mum sorted out her love lifewhich she did constantlythe sisters, Emily and Lily, lived with their grandmother. But when Gran passed away at Christmas, their mother handed them over to the care home. No, she wasnt some wild womanshe didnt drink or even smoke. Still, wasnt it unfair? Her ex-husband got to live as he pleased, while she was stuck raising two kids alone?
Mum unbuttoned Lilys little coat and muttered, Stop crying. Its just how things aredyou think I wanted this? Youll be fine here, youll thank me later! Lily, just three years old, was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. She didnt really understand what was happening, but the anger in her mothers eyes and the terrified, tear-streaked face of her older sister, seven-year-old Emily, told her everything was wrong. Their mother hissed, Dont embarrass me. Im not abandoning youIll sort myself out and come back. Ill fetch you at Easter, promise! The girls sniffled but quieted down. Mum had said shed return for them.
Adjusting to the childrens home wasnt easy, though the staff adored them for their quiet manners, quick wits, and how tenderly they clung to each other. Emily charmed everyone with her serious dark eyes, while little Lily was like a sweet, round-cheeked dumpling. Lily tugged at Emilys sleeve: Whens Easter coming? Will it come and take us back to Mummy? Emily patiently explained again, Easters a holiday in spring, remember how Gran used to paint eggs? Lily nodded solemnlythen, remembering Gran, tiny tears welled up. Emily wished she knew when Easter was too. She asked one of the carers, Miss Wilkins, who was surprisedmost kids waited for Christmas or birthdays. Still, she gave Emily a little calendar: See, Easters on this dateIve circled it. Every number is a day. When I was in school, Id cross off each one till summer break. So Emily started crossing off days too, watching the chain of numbers shrink.
On Easter morning, Lily ran to Emily, clutching a red-painted egg: Em! Em! Mummys coming today! Im so happyare you happy? Emily could hardly wait either. At first, the excitement was pure joy, but by naptime, she felt like crying. And Lily wouldnt stop whining. By evening, when it was clear Mum wasnt coming, Emily soothed her sister: The bus mustve got stuck. Honest, I heard the roads are awful nowall the carers say so! Dont cry, Liltheyll dig the bus out, and Mummyll come tomorrow. Shes just staying overnight in the village! Lily nodded, swallowing tears. But Mum never came, though the girls waited every day, inventing new excuses. One morning, Emily couldnt find Lilythe staff explained their mum had taken her. Years later, Emily learned shed been officially given up.
But luck found her. Two years on, her fathers sister tracked her down. Aunt Margaret was kind, and without realising, Emily started calling her Mum. Slowly, Aunt Maggies love stitched up the holes in Emilys heart. She tried not to think of her mother or sisterthough she knew little Lily had been too young to understand. Still Emily would never have left her.
Years passed. Emily trained as a nurse, married, had a son. They werent rich, but they were happy. Then, out of nowhere, a letter arrived. From Lily.
*Dear Em, my darling sister! You probably dont remember me? I only recall your braids and those checked slippers you had. Id love to see you! Weve just moved back to the arealiving in Willowbrook now. If you dont mind, could I visit?*
Emily shrugged. Oddinviting herself over. Still, she agreed.
Lily, in a pale blue jacket, limped toward her at the bus station, waving eagerly. She spotted Emily in the crowd, hugged her tight, and burst into tears: Em, I knew it was you straight away! I just knew! Emily grumbledstill a crybaby, then?but her own eyes stung.
Over supper, Lily chattered: Dont be angry with Mum. Uncle Stevethats her husbandsaid hed take us both when they met. But she was scared to bring two kids at once. Then they had a boy, then a little girl! Sophies such a dollno room for us! Oh, dont be upset! Uncle Steves a brilliant carpenter, always swamped with work. We even go to the seaside sometimes. Oh, and when I was twelve, a bull gored methank God no one else was hurt. But, well you see the limp. Em, this pies lovelycan I have the recipe?
Emily asked, Do you work? Study? Got a boyfriend? Youre so pretty!
Lily flushed. After the accident, I was in hospital agescost a fortune. I help at home or with Uncle Steves accounts. Mums a council accountant. As for friends well, the limp puts people off. But Im used to it.
Emily talked her into staying the night, promising to see her off in the morning. Lily fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow. Glancing at her neatly folded clothes, Emily noticedeverything was clean, but threadbare and mended endlessly. Even hospital porters wouldnt wear such things, let alone for visiting!
At 3 a.m., Emily woke her husband, insisting he drive her to Willowbrook. He grumbled the whole way but listened as she explained. By the end, he just nodded.
Finding her mothers house was easy. Emilys heart hammered as she knocked. Mum opened the doorolder now, but still elegantand didnt recognise her. Emily said, Morning, Mum. Fancy meeting here. Her mother greeted her coldly, as if she were a nosy neighbour, not a daughter unseen for years. Then snapped, Wheres Lily? In the yard? Tell her to come inthe kids need breakfast, and the place is a tip. Well, come in, since youre here.
Emily kept her voice steady. Lilys staying with me a while. Pack her thingsand some money, if youve got it. Ill get her a job as a care assistant, maybe train her properly. And that leg needs treatingshes too pretty to limp! Hear me, Mum?
Her mother jutted her chin. Get lost, do-gooder. Well fetch Lily ourselves!
Emily shook her head. First, its *Lily*, not her. Call your cow whatever you likeyoull be milking it yourself now, madam. Want me to gather half the village? Let them hear how their upstanding council worker dumped her kids in a home? Think your matesll stand by you? Try taking Lily backIll shout it from the rooftops!
Her mother scowled, slammed the door, and half an hour later, a thin, stooped man emerged with a rucksack. Steve, he said. Lilys things. Tell her well send money. And its trueshes a grown woman, she shouldve been treated better. Your mum well, lifes not simple.
Walking back to the car, Emily thought: *No, lifes not simple. But is simple the same as hard? If only men didnt drink or wander, if women didnt ditch kids for a new bloke, if siblings didnt forget each other*
*Just being decentthats whats hard.*
