Dont you youre not my mum! Leave us alone, just go! I could hear that shout a hundred times from every girl who ever tried to share a bed, a loaf of bread and a shabby sofa with Alan. Little Rosie hissed, flinging plush bunnies and, when she got fed up, even sharp bits of plastic at anyone who dared step over the threshold of their cramped terraced flat. Maybe you should take your hysterical kid to a therapist, the last girl muttered, as Rosie smashed a porcelain dove that a neighbour had given them. Sorry, I didnt think shed throw it Alan apologised, trembling as he scooped up the broken bird with a dustpan. I warned you she could never get over her mothers death
I lost my dog not long ago, but Im not screaming like a madwoman or hurling things!
You compare losing your mum to losing a dog?
I loved her. Leave us, you bunch of misfits.
She sniffed, as if shed caught a whiff of something nasty, twisted the key in the lock till it gave, then slammed the door so hard the lights on four floors flickered on in response.
Sweetheart, whyd you do that? Its been almost four years, and I still cant cope on my own, Alan knelt on his knees in front of his daughter.
Dont worry, Ill help you. That aunt of yours isnt neededshes terrible, they all are, whispered Rosie, wrapping her arms around Alans neck.
Every new day pulled Alan deeper into himself. The cold October wind seemed to follow him all year until one day his heart warmed up a little thanks to Eve. She didnt just warm his heart; she spilled half her coffee on him in the tube. After that she stepped on his foot three times and even shot an umbrella at his eye. All of this happened after theyd already exchanged a thousand apologies.
Just in case, you never know if youll break your nose or end up covered in paint, Eve said, pulling out a second packet of wet wipes while dabbing Alans trousers.
Does this happen to you often?
Occasionally, she replied without missing a beat.
After that first coffee in the tube, Alan invited Eve for a second, then a third. She turned out to be a walking magnet for ridiculous mishaps: a bus door pinching her, a neighbours cat scratching half her face, and she even won a gold medal for jayjaying across the road in the wrong place. She never seemed to notice any of it. She was endlessly kind, never one to hold a grudge, and Alan fell for her hard, like a schoolboy with a crush.
Listen, when we get home, try not to mind her jokes. Shes good at heart, I just dont know how to reach her. All these women Im to blame, but
Take it easy, breathe deeper, Eve soothed, patting Alans hand as they reached the lift. We dont have to go to yours. How about we meet on the street instead?
The street? Alan looked puzzled.
Yeah, you said she gets nervous at home, so lets keep it out there. And my boots smell like cats, she laughed shyly. My neighbour asked me to look after his Maine Coon, but hes not a fan of me.
Dont worry. Ill take her inside, Alan said, tapping his intercom key. The door hissed open and he slipped in.
Eve was scrolling aimlessly online when a voice called from behind, Is this your wallet?
Startled, she turned and saw a sevenyearold girl clutching her purse, full of cash, cards and a prescription. Thanks, I almost lost it, Eve smiled.
You should be more careful, the girl said, rubbing her nose.
Right, and why are you alone?
Im not, Im with my granddad and Oleg, the girl pointed to an old man fiddling under the bonnet of a black foreign car, while a boy of the same age held a toolbox.
A pigeonshaped package dropped onto Eves shoulder from a nearby post.
Oops, a flying rat pooped on you, the girl giggled.
Just another day, Eve chuckled, pulling out another wet wipe. And its not a rat, its a pigeon.
My granddad says its a rat, the girl replied.
Rats delivering letters to angels? Come off it.
Angels?
Exactly. Did you know pigeons used to be mail carriers? Now they just send letters up to the sky. She spoke so convincingly that a few pigeons perched above seemed to lean in.
What if they delivered to ordinary folk instead of angels?
Why not? Just get the right postcode.
Before the girl could finish, the lift doors whooshed open and Alan stepped out.
There you are! I thought youd been nicked. He lifted the girl into his arms. Your granddad called, you didnt answer. Did you see the note?
Yes, I saw it.
Everyone, meet Eve, Alan introduced. And this is Rosie.
Rosies face twisted into a hostile glare at Eve.
The next half hour was a cringefest; conversation stalled, tension hung heavy, and everyone left feeling stretched thin.
Sorry, Alan said as he walked his daughter home.
Its fine, Eve whispered, barely audible.
A week later, Eve passed Alans block and spotted Rosie hiding behind a bench.
Hey, what are you up to?
Catching pigeons, Rosie muttered, eyes glued to a grey bird pecking at mouldy bread. Oh, its you she muttered, turning toward Eve.
How do you plan to catch one? Eve asked, unfazed by the hardened stare.
With my hands.
Youll catch very little that way. A net would help.
Where do I get a net? Rosie asked, looking at Eve like shed never heard of such a thing.
I can bring one.
You?
Sure, why not? Wait here, feed them, Ill be back from the childrens centre.
Before Rosie could protest, Eve bolted toward the bus stop. Forty minutes later she returned with a massive net and a bag of sunflower seeds.
Better to use a big bait, raise the odds, Eve said, sprinkling half the bag on the ground near the block. Rosie nodded silently.
Within five minutes a grey, cooing cloud covered the sky. Pigeons swooped down, landing on the pavement en masse.
Your turn, Eve handed the net over.
Rosie lunged, flinging the net over the flock, which scattered in a flutter.
Got one! Got one!
Great, now the letter! Eve pulled a pigeon from the net.
I havent even written it yet
What now? What do we do with it? Eve looked at Rosie, who stared back at the bewildered bird, its view a dizzying 340degree panorama.
Why did you bring this mess? a cleaning lady shouted, her voice like a kettle about to boil. The whole pavements covered in droppings!
Lets head home, Eve suggested, guiding the girl toward the lift. Dad home? she asked as they climbed to Rosies floor.
Yeah. Should we say youve been here?
No need, Eve smiled, noticing the sadness in the girls eyes. Were here for something else. Go write your letter, Ill wait on the landing.
Rosie smiled and slipped into her flat. Five minutes later she emerged with a bundle of thread and a tiny needle.
Shhh Eve placed a finger to her lips, pointing at a pigeon perched on the windowsill. Rosies eyes lit up with excitement.
Eve offered a handful of seeds; the bird pecked cautiously, then greedily. When it finally let its guard down, Eve tried to grab it, but the pigeon was quickerthough not smarter. Instead of flying out, it dove straight at Eve, flapping wildly, pecking at her eyes and claws. She scrambled around the stairwell, trying to shake it off, while neighbours began to peek out, laughing and shouting.
For the next ten minutes Eve was wiping herself and half the landing with wet wipes. The pigeon finally fluttered back to the window, never trusting people again. Rosie disappeared into her flat, returning with a bucket of water and a mop.
Thatll be faster, she said, slapping the mop against the floor. The air filled with the scent of damp stone.
Rosie, where are you going? Alan appeared in the doorway, looking halfconfused at the sight of his daughter and Eve mopping the hallway. Whats happening here?
Dont ask too many questions, Eve winked.
Yeah, dad, you dont need to know everything, Rosie muttered.
Alright, got it, Alan closed the door.
You know, Ive been thinking why are we catching pigeons? There are proper pigeon lofts with professional mailcarriers, not these freelance types, Eve said once the cleaning was done.
Seriously? Why didnt you say something before?
I just forgot. Its been ages since I sent a letter to the sky.
Can we visit them? Please! Rosie bounced with excitement.
We can, but only tomorrow. Ill swing by after work, okay?
Yay! she squealed.
That evening Eve called Alan to fill him in.
Do you think its a good idea? When she grows up and realises the truth, she might hold a grudge for being misled.
If Id been told the truth from the start, I probably wouldve gone mad, Alan admitted.
Youre right. Are you coming tomorrow without me?
Yes, I think well manage. Shes sharp, Ill have a chat with her.
Thanks.
The next day Eve collected Rosie, and they hopped into a black cab heading for the pigeon loft.
Wow, look at themso white and beautiful, Rosie cooed, eyes wide at the birds. Can I pick any? Will it definitely get my letter to the right person? Does it have a GPS? I need it to reach my mum, please.
Just write the correct postcode, Eve reminded.
I used our home address; its duplicated, right? And I added whos writing so the angels dont mix things up, Rosie explained seriously.
Eve handed the keeper a handful of pounds, and they tied the note to a pigeons leg before releasing it skyward.
Dont feel sorry for me, the keeper muttered, wiping a tear from his sleeve as he closed the cage.
Thank you, Eve, Rosie hugged the girl. Eve simply patted her on the head.
Two days later Alan called.
Rosie says she got a reply from the sky, and it mentions you. Want to come read it?
Sure, Ill be there soon.
The news hit Eve so hard she left work early, accidentally deleting the project shed been working on all day when she shut down her computer.
She rushed up to the flat, rang the bell, and Alan answered at the door.
Rosies out playing with the neighbours boy. She left a letter on the table, probably shy to hand it over herself.
Eve slipped into the room and unfolded a crumpled piece of paper, written in a childs shaky hand:
Thank you, Mum, for the letter. I miss you a lot and love you. I think about you with Dad every day. I saw Eve, shes nice. Shes not your mum, but you could be friends. Id like that. Love, Mum.
Eve swallowed hard, her throat tightening, as the ink began to smear.
Looks like she got the message, Alan said, coming up behind her and pulling her into a hug.
She could only nod, tears still streaming.
I always thought Id find her a mother, but she just needed a friend, because she already has a mum.
I never wanted more than that, Eve sighed, noticing a pigeon perched on the window, staring straight at them as if it were listening for the next skybound letter.
