Jenny twisted the scrap of paper in her hands, bewildereda DNA test order for Julie. Why? Who needed this? Had Julies real parents finally surfaced? Then why hadnt they come, why no word? Questions piled up, answers nowhere in sight.
Mum, whats wrong? Julie touched her shoulder. Ive been calling you.
Just thinking.
Whos it from?
No one important. Jenny shoved the letter into her apron pocket.
Picked a whole pail of blackberries. Sweet as anything. Filled the water tank tooIll water the garden later. Need anything else? Me and the girls are off to the river. Its sweltering.
Lost in thought, Jenny murmured, Go on, then. Just be careful.
Julie snatched a couple of warm pastries, grabbed a towel, and dashed off.
Jenny needed to clear her head. She stepped outside, sat on the porch steps. *What do I do? Tomorrows Julies birthday. Some gift this turned out to be. No wonder Ive barely slept all week.*
A sleek car crept down the lane, halting at the gate. An elegant older woman stepped out. Hello, Im looking for Jennifer Nichols.
Jennys heart clenched. The letter and this woman were connectedshe felt it.
Thats me.
Might I have a word? My name is Margaret Whitmore.
Ohof course, come inside. Jenny gestured, then noticed the driver retrieving a large bag from the boot. Fear prickled her skin.
Alexander, youre free untilthree, Margaret checked her expensive watch. Ill ring if needed sooner.
You could pop down to the river, Jenny fussed. Just follow that path. Lovely spot. Ill lend you a towel, and best park under the birchesno sense leaving it baking on the road.
Once the driver left, Margaret asked, May I sit?
Make yourself comfortable. Jenny brushed imaginary crumbs from the table. Ill put the kettle on. Fancy elderflower tea?
As the kettle hissed, she turned to see Margaret staring at a large photo of Julie on the wall. Margarets tear-filled eyes met Jennys.
Thats Emily. Ive found her.
Jennys legs turned to jelly, the room swayed. She collapsed onto a chair.
Thats *Julie*! Her name is Julie! Jenny slammed her hands on the table, buried her face in them, and sobbed.
Margaret stroked her back. I dont want to take her from you. I just want to be part of her life. Please, calm yourself. She hugged Jenny. We need to talk properly.
Sitting opposite, Margaret took Jennys hands. Tell me how she came to you. I know bits, but not all.
Jenny studied her facedeep sorrow etched in every line.
Found her near the woods, looking for our lost cow, Jenny sniffed. Twelve years ago tomorrowthats why we celebrate her birthday then. She was filthy, asleep in a ditch, clinging to a soaked teddy. At first, I thought it was rubbisha plastic bag or something.
Jenny twisted a lock of hair around her finger. Poor lamb could barely stand, too weak even to cry. Carried her home, fed her, and she slept for hours.
A tremor ran through her at the memory.
Sent the neighbours lad for the nurse and to ring the police. Nurse came, wanted to check her, but Julie latched onto me like a limpetfingers bone-white from gripping. Nurse guessed she was about two, healthy but starved.
The kettle whistled softly, unnoticed.
Constable came, took details, said no missing children reported locally. Promised to escalate it. Neighbours brought clothes, toys later. But she wouldnt let go of that teddywashed them together, I did.
Jenny paused, lost in thought. Margaret waited.
Wouldnt leave my arms for days. Always hungry. Nurse said little and often. For a year after, she hid bread crusts everywhere. Named her Juliefound her in July. Learned to walk, then run. Thrived, thank God. Slept with me, screamed in her sleepnightmares, I reckon. Didnt speak at first.
Jenny exhaled sharply.
A month later, social services came to take her. By then she was calling me Mum. They couldnt pry her awayleft with just a summons for me to bring her in. Thank heavens no deadline. I was beside myselfhow could I send her to a home? Id been in one; I knew the horror.
Margaret gently squeezed her hand.
Tried to adopt her, but hurdlessingle woman. Got so desperate I proposed to a bloke: Lets marry. Its just paperwork. Told him straightonce shes mine, well part. Wrote him a waiver and all. Ended up with a husband *and* a daughter. Lifes funny. Still together, happy as clams.
Calmer now, Jenny asked, You wanted to ask something?
Yes, dear. Howd *you* end up in care?
Parents died on an expedition. Geologists. I was eight, staying with Gran here. They wouldnt let Gran keep mehealth issues. No relatives qualified either. Suspect someone fiddled the booksour London flat sold right before they died. Their friends tried investigating, but
Margaret studied Jennys open face. *Good soul*, she thought.
Shunted me to a home far from London, near Gran. I kept running off to her. They threatened to send me to a psych ward. Then the headmaster, Mr. Thompson, fixed it so I lived with her but stayed registered at the home. Three years later, papers cameGran got custody. Owe him everything. He helped with Julie too.
Jenny blinked, remembering. Lord, I promised you tea! She bustled about. Fresh scones this morning.
I brought treats as well. Biscuits, fruit, proper chocolates. Margaret produced elegant boxes.
You neednt have. Butwho *are* you to Julie?
Her grandmother.
Jenny sat heavily. But you said you wont take her?
No, dear. Shes suffered enough. Margaret fumbled for pills. Water, please?
Jenny handed a glass. Youre ill?
Yes. Worse than Id like. She hesitated. Youll wonder how I found you. A private detective. All trails led here. After meeting you, Im certainEmily stays. Ill likely buy a cottage nearby. Well figure it out.
We? Jenny frowned. Never hid that Julies adopted. She knows. Sometimes asks for the storyhow I found her in the woods. Stares at that teddy like shes trying to remember. I let her. She shares everything, but some corners are hers alone.
Its not you. Its a long, ugly tale. Margaret spoke softly, measuring each word.
Our son fell for a university girlflashy, sharp-tongued. Something off about her. He was blind; we blamed poor upbringing. Smart, though. Two years together, married by final year. We gave them our London flat, moved rural. Emily camewe were overjoyed. Christopher adored her.
She dabbed her brow.
After graduation, our daughter-in-law skipped studies, stayed home with Emily. Later hired a nanny. Then tantrums starteddemands for money, rages over unfulfilled promises. Meanwhile, our family business boomed. Trips to Germany for machinery, Christopher with us. Came back to chaosflat ransacked, them gone. Police found printssome lowlife in prison now. Turned out to be her brother.
Margarets voice flattened.
He admitted theyd dumped Emily on a roadside when she cried. Pointed roughly where. No idea where his sister is now.
Jenny shook her head, sickened.
Detective dug up old police reports, social services files. It fit. He oversteppedgot that DNA order sent without my knowledge. I was abroad. Came straight here when I found out.
Jenny slid the letter onto the table.
Im sorry, dear. Mustve scared you. Margaret reached into her bag. Photos of Christopher and Emily. No test needed, really. But legally shes his heir.
Jenny stared at the photosJulies face, unmistakable.
How do we tell her?
The door banged open. Guests? Hello! Whats going on? And whys the kettle screaming?
Julie froze, spotting Margaret, who paled and clutched her chest.
Julie, this is your grandmother, Jenny faltered.
Gran? Julie eyed the woman warilythen gasped. Gran! I *knew* youd come! You gave me Teddy!
They clung to each other, all three weeping. Much remained unresolved, but one thing was clearMargaret had found more than just her granddaughter.
And on the stove, the kettle wailed on.
