**A Long-Awaited Return**
*”Hello, Dad. Ive come for my gift.”*
Henry and Margaret were quietly eating their supper when the front door swung open, and a disheveled woman strode in. She tossed an old rucksack carelessly into the corner and spread her arms wide.
*”Well then, Dad, long time no see,”* she said with a crooked grin.
Henry choked on his food, coughing violently. Margarets voice was sharp with indignation.
*”Who on earth are you? And whats this Dad nonsense?”*
The woman narrowed her eyes. *”You might want to mind your own business, love. I aint here for youIm here for my father. Dad, dont tell me youve forgotten me? Its me, your little girl, Daisy. All these years, and I still couldnt rest easy. Hows my old man doing? Not poorly, I hope?”* She sniffled theatrically.
Henry finally managed to rasp out, *”Why”* Another cough seized him. *”Why have you come?”*
*”For my gift, Dad. The doll you promised me twenty years ago,”* Daisy smirked.
Her mother had passed when Daisy was seven. Henry had struggled on his own for half a year before bringing home a new wifeMargaretand with her, two stepsons. The first thing Margaret did was move Daisy out of her own room and into the shared one. *”The lads need it more,”* Henry had muttered, avoiding her eyes. The boys were older and troublemakers, tearing up her schoolbooks so often that shed spent nights rewriting her homework by moonlightMargaret forbade wasting lamp oil.
Then, on Daisys eighth birthday, her father took her to an orphanage. *”Its only for a little while, love. Ill fetch you soon. Ill visit every Sunday and bring you that big dollremember the one in the shop window? Just like that!”*
Daisy waited. He never came.
Now she dropped into a chair and commanded, *”Go on then, Auntie, dish me up some soup. Starving, I am. Barely had a roof over me head.”* She laughed at her own joke. Margaret wordlessly ladled out a meagre portion.
Daisy shook her head. *”Years gone by, and youre still tight-fisted. Give us more, eh?”* Then she turned to Henry. *”Come on, Dad, break out your savings. Lets toast to our reunion!”*
Henry glanced at Margaret, who hissed through clenched teeth, *”We dont drink.”*
Daisy slapped her knee. *”Knew it! But no matterunlike you, Dad, I dont come empty-handed. Auntie, fetch me my bag.”*
Margaret flushed. *”Get it yourself!”*
Daisy arched a brow. *”Youre not understandin, Auntie. I aint just visiting. Im moving in. You booted me out oncesent me to that miserable place. Now its your turn. Clear off, or behave yourself, and I *might* let you stay.”*
Margarets voice rose shrilly. *”Henry, are you just going to sit there? Shes tormenting me!”*
He shifted uncomfortably. *”Daisy, dont be rude. Margarets mistress here.”*
Daisy sighed. *”Oh, its worse than I thought. Well done, Auntiegot him right under your thumb. Dont fret, Dad. Me and this onell settle things. Might send *her* packing too!”*
Margaret screeched, *”Ill call my son! Hell throw you out, you wretched girl!”*
Daisy sneered. *”Oh, you mean Johnny? Hed toss *you* out sooner for a bottle. Tough luck, Auntieyour eldests gone, aint he? Couldnt leave the drink alone. The younger onell follow soon enough.”*
Margaret crumpled into hysterics. *”Leave my boys alone! Look at yourselfliving like a vagrant!”*
Daisys voice turned cold. *”Thanks to *you*. You landed yourself a widower, took his home, shoved his daughter out for your own brats. Bet you never gave me a thought. But Im back nowand Ill make your life hell. Got big plans, I have. My manhes done time, mindhell be here in a week. Then well fill this house with grandkids. Proper family reunion, eh Dad? You *did* miss me?”*
Henry nodded, shamefaced. Daisy smirked at Margaret. *”See? Now make up a bed. Im knackered. And when I wake, get the bath readyneed to wash off the grime.”*
Pretending to sleep, Daisy listened as Margaret whispered furiously, *”You spineless fool! Shes moving inwith a convict! Theyll rob us blindor worse! Throw her out!”*
Henry mumbled, *”Shes my daughter. I cant. You made me abandon her onceI wont do it again.”*
Daisy silently applauded. *So hes got a shred of conscience left.*
A rustling startled her. She cracked an eyeMargaret stood over her, clutching a pillow.
*”Thats prison time, Auntie,”* Daisy said loudly. Margaret jumped.
*”II brought you this. For comfort.”*
Daisy laughed. *”Cheers. Thought you were up to no good. Bath ready?”*
Margaret scurried. *”Your dads heating it. Hungry? I made pancakes.”*
Daisy scoffed. *”Bit sudden, this kindness. Tryin to poison me? Wont workIve a stomach like iron. Youre still the same viper you always were.”*
For a week, Daisy worked Margaret ragged until the woman begged, *”Have mercy, girl. Im not young anymore.”*
Daisys voice was steel. *”Where was *your* mercy when you tore a little girl from her home? Ashamed? Im not. Youll pay for every tear I shed.”*
Margaret fell to her knees. *”Forgive me, for Gods sake! Lifes punished me enough!”*
Daisy waved her off. *”Fine. Get up. Suppose its sunk in a bit. Live as you were. Im leavingno gift, eh Dad?”*
Henry leapt up. *”Waitheres some money. Buy whatever you like!”*
Daisy shook her head. *”You still dont get it. I didnt come for money. Just one wordthat you loved me. But no matter. Goodbye.”*
Shouldering her rucksack, she walked out. No one followedthough shed hoped.
A car waited beyond the village. Sinking into it, she wept like a child. Her husband pulled her close.
*”Told you it were a bad idea. Why dig up the past when youve got a good life now? Disappointed?”*
Daisy wiped her eyes. *”I thought he loved mejust stumbled once. That hed take me back. They never even *spoke* of me!”*
He held her tighter. *”Shouldve listened to me, love. Lets go homethe kids are asking for you.”*
She managed a smile. *”Missed them too. Lets hurry. Need a wash firstscrub it all away. But lets stop by Mums grave. Picked flowers on the way. As for Dad best forget him. Got you and the kids. Thats enough.”*
She sighed. *”You were right. Past should stay past. But I had to try. Gods will, I suppose.”*
