Kate was drifting home from work in a bright mood; her boss had let her off early the day before and promised a bonus. She bounded up the steps to her block, fingers poised over the intercom to punch in the familiar code, when a plaintive infant cry snagged her attention. Kate frowned: why such gloom on a day that felt so lovely? She turned, saw no source, reached for the doorhandle again, and the wailing grew louder.
Where are you, little one? Kate called, voice trembling.
Here, a thin voice answered.
She slipped around the landing and peered onto the cobbled street, where a boy of about five sat huddled. He looked pitiful: a threadbare coat, torn muddy trousers, sports pants that had long since missed a wash. Tears smeared his cheeks, dark streaks that ran like ink. Kates heart tightened.
Who are you? Why are you crying?
Im Alfie, the child sniffed, I just want to go home.
Do you live here? Kate asked, trying to match the boy to any neighbour she knew.
I dont know. I cant find my house, Im lost, Alfie replied, his pronunciation oddly precise.
Seeing him shiver, Kate decided he needed a warm place first. She reached out a hand.
Come with me. Ill get you a cuppa
Alfie clutched her palm, his nose twitching, and followed. At that moment Kate didnt know what she would do later; a sudden, maternal impulse swelledpity, food, comfort, a child in need.
Ive got some beef stew. Want some? she asked as they entered her flat. Alfie nodded eagerly.
When he ladled the broth, Kate realised the boy was not fussy at all. She thought of her spoiled niece, the daughter of her older sister Megan, and sighed: Alfie must have never tasted the kind of homecooked meals Megan prepares daily for her children.
She sensed that no one was looking for the child. What should I do? she wondered, and a ring cut through the thoughts. It was Mark, the young man who was courting her.
Hey! What are you up to?
Feeding Alfie!
Alfie? Which Alfie?
The boy. Alfie.
Where did he come from?
I found him by the stairwell.
Why bring him inside?
Hes cold.
How old is he?
Hes small. No more than five.
Alfie, listening on the other side of the line, held up his fingers: four. Kate laughed, corrected herself, Actually, hes four.
Give the child back to his family.
I dont know where they are.
Let the police handle it.
Police?
Yes, you cant just keep feeding him. There are trained people for that. Take him to them, and come back to me.
Fine, Kate sighed, lets go, Alfie. Well look for your mum.
Alfie agreed with a sad nod, and they walked to the nearest police station. The officer on duty was a young constable, about Kates age, which gave her a flicker of hopeyoung officers often seemed kinder than the hardened veterans. He listened politely, noted the story, and after a brief call instructed her to wait.
Soon a uniformed woman appeared, invited Kate and Alfie into her office, asked the details, thanked her, and said, Youre free to go.
And Alfie?
The lad will stay with us. His statement is important. She smiled at the boy, who nodded eagerly. Seeing Alfie in safe hands, Kate felt a weight lift.
Ill be off then. Thanks. Bye, Alfie.
Bye! the boy waved cheerfully.
Kate left the station and headed toward the café where Mark waited by the door, looking a little exasperated as she arrived.
Youre late again, he muttered, a hint of irritation in his tone.
Did you know theres a lovely officer at the station? I left Alfie with her, Kate replied.
If youd taken him straight there, we could have gone to the cinema, Mark chided, but she didnt mind.
He was so vulnerable, I couldnt just hand him over to strangers. You know theyre not always empathetic.
Mark waved his hand dismissively. The evening turned into a blur of thoughts about Alfiewhether his family would ever be found, whether another home might be better for him. Mark seemed oblivious to her preoccupation, and despite a generally pleasant night, Kate returned home with a lingering sense of unease.
It was Friday. On Monday, as she returned to her flat, Alfie was again by the entrance.
Youre back? Kate asked, surprised.
I came to you. Got any stew? he asked.
No stew, but Ill find something. Pasta?
Yup! he beamed, clearly famished.
She fed him again, probing for any clue about his parents. She learned that on Friday evening, after the police visit, his mother had arrived to file a missingperson report. She took Alfie home, scolded him harshly, even slapped him, and forbade him from going outside. By the next morning she left, leaving only her brother Dave, the husband, at home. Alfie feared Dave and tried to avoid him, but Dave was sound asleep, snoring loudly. When the snore faded, Alfie slipped on his coat and walked to Kates door.
Kates heart tightened as Alfie ate. He sighed, Ill go home, or Mum will punish me again. She never hurt me before. I think Ill have to look for a new mum soon.
Alright, Kate said thoughtfully. Let me walk you.
She wanted to know where he lived. Alfie obliged; his home was not far. As Kate approached his block, a woman stepped out, addressing Alfie immediately.
Hey! Havent seen you in the courtyard today. Did you not go for a walk?
Mum punished me. I slipped away.
Hungry?
No. Kate fed me.
Then run home before Mumrealises.
Im off. Bye, Kate! Alfie called, disappearing behind the doors.
Kate turned to the woman.
Does his mother drink?
Worse, the woman sighed. Shes a drug addict. She started not long ago and in a year went from a pretty young lady to something else.
You cant leave a child with her!
I cant call social services; my conscience wont allow it. Vicky used to be a good girl. I was close with her mum. They were neighbours. Vicky died before she gave birth to Alfie. Her husband and she split up, and then she met that brute He ruined her life.
But Alfies in danger. He cant stay there!
True, I try to feed him when I can, but Vicky forbids it. Shes always shouted at him, though she loved him once. Now that that cursed Dave showed up
The unfinished sentence hung in the air, and Kate understood without words why the neighbour hadnt called the care system. Still, she could not simply let it stay that way. She asked for the neighbours phone number.
Heavy premonitions followed her home. That evening Mark called; hearing her melancholy voice, he asked what was wrong. Vicky confessed she was still looking after Alfie.
You should have taken the boy to care, Mark said.
I dont know, Mark.
Then stay out of that family. Why cling to the child?
I cant help it.
Youre making a mistake, Mark said sharply.
Kate fell silent, her mind already picturing a courtroom for adoption. Its madness, she scolded herself, yet the image of a happy Alfie in her house lingered.
Lets talk tomorrow, she told Mark.
Youre angry, Kate?
No, just a headache. Ill go to bed, she replied, lying to him for the first time.
She hung up, called her sister Megan, with whom she was close, and after a brief exchange of pleasantries, she shared the whole tale.
I liked your Alfie even from a distance. You know I adore children. Id love to meet him.
Hes wonderful!
Do what you think is right. Im sure he didnt appear in your life by chance. How long has Mark been well, in your life?
What does Mark have to do with this?
Everything! Hes been draining your time for two years, using you, yet never clarifying where this is heading.
I feel like I dont want to see him any more, Kate admitted.
Maybe thats just a feeling?
Im not sure
The conversation lingered all evening. Megan was right; the boy couldnt stay in those conditions. Kate decided not to wait. She would take a day off work the next morning and speak again with Alfies neighbour.
But the neighbour called early that day with distressing news:
Alfie is in hospital with a concussion!
Later Kate learned his mother still hadnt returned home. The police were searching for her. His stepfather, drunk on drugs, was demanding explanations from Alfie about his mothers whereabouts. The boy couldnt escape. Fortunately, the neighbour heard his cries, called the police, and they rushed him to the station, then an ambulance took him to the hospital.
I wont let that happen again, Kate vowed.
That evening she visited Alfie in the ward, where the same constable shed met before and a young officer named Graham were on duty. They recognised her, offered to explain the situation. When Kate heard that Alfie would be taken from his mother, she bravely asked if anyone could adopt him.
Adoption is a complex process, possible only if parental rights are removed, which isnt simple.
What other options? she asked.
Youll get details from social services; its possible, though. The young officer spoke softly, his eyes warm and unusually attentive.
Grahams sympathy for Alfies friend did not go unnoticed by the nurse in the ward, who suggested he finish the paperwork himself. Later, alone with Graham, he offered to escort her home.
Would you like tea? Kate blurted out, surprising even herself, but she could not take the words back. Graham agreed.
Over tea he listened to her thoughts about Alfies fate, fully supporting her wish to take him in.
Hes brilliant, clever, and earnest. Id take him myself if I could, Graham confessed.
Before leaving, he took her number, promising to keep her updated on any news about Alfies mother. He kept his promise; the next morning, as Kate was hurrying to work, the phone rang.
Hello, Kate. Weve found Victoria. She died last night from an overdose.
How do I tell Alfie? Kate stammered.
Dont rush. He hasnt asked about her yet. He seems to sense something.
All day Mark hadnt called. That evening she finally received a text from him: I hope you see I was right. If not, choose: me or your dirty streetkid!
The message ignited fury. She wanted to fire back, but then Graham called again: Kate, would you like to visit Alfie together today?
Absolutely! she replied, but lets be on a firstname basis. It feels odd otherwise.
She never answered Mark that night.
The shared concern for Alfie quickly forged a bond between Kate and Graham. Mark, meanwhile, waited for her reaction, assuming she was just sulking. He called again a week later; she answered calmly and suggested a facetoface talk.
I dont like to discuss this over the phone. Such matters need a personal meeting. We need to break up. I realized I dont love you at all. Im sorry, she said.
Mark was stunned into silence. Kate didnt wait for his response; she turned and walked away. He tried to chase her, but after a few minutes he called againshe hung up. Their twoyear romance ended there.
A month later Kate secured guardianship of Alfie.
Congratulations, Graham said.
Thank you! I couldnt have done it without you.
No, thank you. Im amazed at your couragetaking in the son of a drugaddicted mother.
Its not heroism. I fell in love with Alfie the moment I saw him.
I loved you too Graham blurted, blushing, while Kate smiled, a mix of embarrassment and tenderness.
A few months later, encouraged by Alfie, Graham proposed to Kate.
Yay! shouted a delighted little voiceAlfies. I have new mum and dad! Theyre wonderful, we need a brother!
A year later Alfies wish was fulfilled, and everything settled into a strange, contented peace.
