I, the grubby mess, am about to air all my dirty laundry after all, Im still living on the highstreet.
At a respectable fifty, Natalie Saunders had, by all accounts, gotten exactly what she set out for. Shed risen to be the managing director of a large firm, raised a daughter and seen her walk down the aisle. She owned a swanky flat in Central London, a sleek Audi, and a decent husband who, thanks to his job, was often away on lengthy business trips. The catch? Their daughter now lived miles away, so visits were as rare as a quiet tube carriage at rush hour. On paper, Natalie had everything she ever wanted yet the occasional pang of loneliness still sneaked in.
Natalies one tiny weakness was the tiny bakery on the corner of her office block, famed for its buttery doughnuts and a cuppa that could wake the dead. When the thoughts got too heavy, shed duck in for a quick treat.
For several days she watched a little girl, about six or seven, with a mischievous set of pigtails, darting around that very bakery. The child would either polish a cars windscreen for a few coins or simply beg. Oddly, she never ate the scraps she collected; she tucked them into a small bag and disappeared.
Natalie kept an eye on her for a week, then decided to follow. The girl slipped into a charred, halfcollapsed house nearby and slipped inside the remaining hallway. Natalie trailed her. Inside, on a thin mattress, lay a young woman struggling to breathe. The girl crouched, eyes wide, and said,
Mum, open your eyesI’ve got something to eat for you.
The woman gave a ragged cough. Natalie moved closer, standing behind the girl.
Do you live here? she asked.
Who are you? the girl replied.
Im Natalie Saunders, but you can call me Auntie Nat. Whats your name? And your mums?
Im Lily, and my mum is Laura. Shes really sick and I keep trying to bring her food, but she hasnt eaten anything for two days.
Natalie touched the womans forehead, instantly understanding the severity. She grabbed her phone and dialed an ambulance.
Oh Auntie Nat, theyre going to take me away from Mum. I dont want to end up in a childrens home.
Who told you that? While your mum recovers, you can stay with me.
Will people still call me dirty at your house?
No, not a chance.
The ambulance arrived, took Laura to the hospital, and Natalie and Lily trotted back to the bakery. After polishing off an armful of doughnuts, they hopped into Natalies Audi. Lily settled into the back seat, soon dozing off.
Seeing the little girl asleep, Natalie decided to swing by the local shopping centre. While Lily snoozed, she zipped through a few stores, picking up snacks, a fresh set of clothes, and a tiny backpack for the girl.
When they reached Lilys flat, she woke up.
Right, Lily, were here. Lets go inside.
Inside the doorway Lily hesitated.
Im filthy, Ill make a mess.
Dont worry about that. Slip off your shoes and follow me.
Natalie led her to a large bathtub, filled it with warm water and a swirl of bubbles. Lily giggled, splashing around like a delighted hamster. Natalie fetched a fluffy towel, wrapped Lily up, and carried her to the bedroom. The little one was as light as a feather and, oddly, reminded Natalie of herself at that age.
After a quick dry, the fittingroom session began. Lily tried on each outfit, marching back and forth to the fulllength mirror.
Auntie Nat, do I look pretty?
Absolutely, youre the prettiest in the room. Choose what youll wear, then well rustle up dinner.
When the meal was ready, Lily helped clear the table, eager to be useful.
The next morning they visited Lauras ward. She looked markedly better, a faint glow returning to her face.
Doctor, whats the verdict? Natalie asked.
The good news is theres no infection, just a nasty bout of flu, bronchitis and severe exhaustion. Shell need at least a fortnight under our roof.
Back in the ward, Natalie and Lily slipped out quietly, deciding to swing by a shop for some mumfriendly supplies. Lilys eyes widened at every display, but she asked for nothing. When a plush bear caught her attention, she gently lifted it, whispered, Is this for me? Thanks, its perfect.
That night Lily fell asleep clutching the bear, dreaming of stroking its head.
A few days later they returned to the hospital. Natalie sat with Laura, who finally opened up about how shed ended up there.
Ive got no one, Im an orphan. After finishing school I got a tiny flat, the same one you found us in. I was studying at a college when I tripped, fell hard, and a handsome bloke helped me up. I fell in love at first sight. He courted me, then told me I was pregnant.
He sighed, He agreed to let me stay in his flat, but never married me. When Lily was born, I became a cleaner and dishwasher, his friends always over, never meeting my parents. When Lily turned three, I wanted a job, but he shut me down, shouting about keeping the house tidy. Then a fire gutted my flat, I lost every penny. His parents showed up, his mother threw us out, saying I and Lily had no rights.
Laura shivered, We ended up in that burntout house, tried to shield Lily from the rain, got soaked and frozen. My health worsened, I feared for Lily. One foggy night I heard your voice, felt your warmth, and everything else blurred.
Natalie squeezed her hand. Dont worry, love. Lily will stay with me while youre in hospital. Well sort the housing later. Ive got to head off now.
She left the ward, got into her car, and drove towards the leafy suburbs where her beloved Aunt Kate lived Kate Evans, a spry retiree and the closest friend of Natalies late mother. On the way Natalie stopped for a few treats, then pulled up to Kates gate.
Good heavens, who do we have here? My little girl has finally arrived! Come in, have a cuppa, tell me whats happened.
They settled at the kitchen table, and Natalie spilled the whole saga.
Oh dear, those poor souls. No one wants them. What can we do?
Aunt Kate, could you rent them a spare room? Ill pay the rent each month.
Kate laughed, Pay? Youre welcome, love. Im on my own now, my son passed ages ago. If you and the little ones stay, itll be a joy.
So it was settled. Two weeks later Natalie collected Laura from the hospital and drove her and Lily to Kates cosy cottage. Kate had already baked a pie, laid out gift boxes, and set a spare bedroom ready. Laura opened a box, sank onto the edge of the bed and burst into tears.
My darling, why is this happening to me? Ive got nothing left.
Im grateful youre here, Natalie and Kate. I have nothing to give you.
Kate soothed, Just live with us, become my granddaughter and greatgranddaughter. Well get through this together.
Time passed, and Kate grew fond of her two girls. Laura and Lily found comfort in her, and Natalie visited often, bringing groceries and stories. Whenever Kate coughed, Laura was quick to fetch tea and a blanket.
Lily started helping Kate bake pies, learning the family recipes. One day Natalie arrived with another woman, and Laura, entering the room, saw a stack of papers being shuffled. She slipped into her own room, and Kate called, Laura, dear, come over, we need to talk.
Laura sat down, eyes watery.
Im alone, no family. God sent you two my way, and I feel I must repay you. Ive drafted a will, ensuring you and Lily have a place to call your own when Im gone.
Kate, touched, replied, Youre not ill, love. Well sort everything out, together, as long as were all breathing.
And so the mismatched family settled into a new rhythm. They shared meals, laughter, and the occasional British drizzle, proving that even an orphaned girl and her mum can find a home in a strangers cottage, as long as theres a warm hearth, a good pie, and a generous heart.
