Katie was strolling home from work in a buoyant mood; her boss had let her off early for the day’s effort and hinted at a bonus. She hopped toward her flat, fingers poised over the intercom digits, when a plaintive infant cry sliced through the evening air. Katie winced at the incongruityhow could such a mournful wail break through a day that felt so bright? She turned, saw nothing, and reached for the frontdoor handle, only for the sobbing to swell.
Where are you, little one? Katies voice trembled.
Here, answered a thin whisper.
She slipped around the porch and found, perched on the cobbled pavement, a fiveyearold boy shivering in a threadbare jacket, ragged trousers, and a pair of scuffed trainers. Tears streamed down his cheeks, darkening his tiny face. Katies heart clenched.
Who are you? Why are you crying? she asked.
Im Percy, the boy sniffed, I just want to go home.
Do you live here? Katie tried to place him among the buildings residents.
I dont know. I cant find my house. Im lost, he replied, his pronunciation oddly precise.
Looking at him again, Katie decided he needed warmth and shelter before she could think of anything else. She extended her hand.
Come with me. Ill get you some tea she offered.
Percy grabbed her palm trustingly, his nose twitching as he followed. Katie had no clear plan; a maternal impulse simply surgedpity, feed, protectbecause he was a child.
I have some soup. Want some? she asked as they entered her flat. The boy nodded eagerly.
When he ladled the broth, Katie realised his palate was untrained. She thought of her spoiled niece, Lily, daughter of her sister Ivy, and sighed that Percy would never have tasted the lavish meals Ivy prepared for her children.
She sensed that no one was actively looking for the child. What should I do? she wondered, when the phone rang. Arthur, the young man shed been seeing, was on the line.
Hey! What are you up to? he asked.
Feeding Percy! she replied.
Percy? Whos Percy? Arthur sounded baffled.
The boy I found at the doorstep.
Where did he come from?
I found him outside the block.
Why bring him inside?
Hes cold.
How old is he?
Not more than five.
Percy, hidden in the hallway, held up four fingers. Katie smiled, correcting herself.
Actually, hes four.
Find his family, Arthur urged. The police can help. You shouldnt be feeding him alone.
Katie sighed, resigned. Alright, lets look for his mum.
They headed to the nearest police station, a modest brick building on the high street. The duty officer, a young constable about Katies age, seemed kinder than the seasoned detectives she imagined. He listened attentively as she recounted meeting Percy. He placed a call, noted the boys details, and told her to wait.
Soon a uniformed officer escorted Katie and Percy into a tiny office. After a series of questions, she was told they could leave.
What about Percy? she asked.
Hell stay with us for now. We need his statement, the officer said, and Percy nodded enthusiastically. Relieved, Katie said goodbye.
She left the station and made her way to the café where Arthur waited by the door, his expression a mix of irritation and fatigue at her tardiness.
I ran into a lovely officer at the police, Katie said, trying to lighten the mood. I left the boy with her.
If youd taken him straight there, we couldve caught a film, Arthur chided, but he didnt look offended.
It was so fragile, so defenseless. I couldnt hand him over to strangers in uniform. You know theyre rarely empathetic, Katie defended.
Arthur waved his hand dismissively. Their evening ended, yet the image of the trembling boy lingered in Katies mind. She kept wondering whether his family would ever be found or whether another institution might suit him better. Arthur didnt notice her preoccupation, and despite the nights overall charm, Katie returned home with a sour aftertaste.
It was Friday. On Monday, as she approached her building, Percy was again at the entrance.
Youre back? Katie asked, surprised.
I came to you. Do you have soup? he asked.
No soup, but Ill find something. Pasta? she offered.
Pasta! Im starving, he exclaimed, eyes widening.
She fed him, probing for any clue about his parents. Percy revealed that on Friday night, after being released from the station, his mother had taken him home, scolded him harshly, and barred him from going out. She had left early that morning, leaving only his uncle Samhis mothers husbandat home. Percy feared Sam, so he stayed hidden while Sam slept, snoring loudly. When the uncle dozed, Percy slipped on his jacket and fled to Katies door.
Her heart ached. After eating, Percy whispered, Ill go home, or Mum will punish me again. She never hurt me before. Maybe Ill have to find a new mum soon.
Alright, Katie said softly. Let me walk you.
Percys home was nearby. As Katie approached his block, a woman stepped out and addressed him.
Hey! No one saw you in the courtyard today. Did you skip your walk?
My mum punished me. I slipped away quietly.
Hungry?
No, Katie fed me.
Then run home before your mother notices.
Im off. Bye, Katie! Percy shouted, disappearing behind the door.
Katie turned to the woman.
Does his mother drink? she asked.
Worse. Shes a drug user. In a year shes turned from a pretty young woman into a shadow of herself, the woman sighed.
You cant leave a child with her! Katie protested.
I cant call social services; my conscience wont allow it. Vicky was good once, but she died before Percy was born. Her exhusband left, and then she fell into that monsters grip. He ruined her life, the neighbour explained, trailing off. Katie understood without further words. She asked for the womans number and left with a heavy foreboding.
That evening Arthur called. Hearing her melancholy voice, he asked what was wrong. She confessed that Vicky was again involved with Percy.
You should have taken the child to care, Arthur said after listening.
I dont know what to do, she replied.
Dont meddle in that family. Why cling to a boy? he warned.
I cant help it, Katie whispered.
Your mistake will haunt you, Arthur warned sharply. She fell silent, her mind already picturing a courtroom for adoption. Its madness, she scolded herself, yet the vision of a happy Percy in her home persisted.
Ill call you tomorrow, she told Arthur.
No, Katie? he asked.
No, just a headache. Ill rest, she lied softly.
She hung up, then dialed her sister Ivy. The sisters were close, sharing everything. After a brief exchange, Katie finally opened up about Percy.
I think I like him already, even if only in my mind. I adore children, Ivy said. You should do what feels right. By the way, how long have you been with Arthur?
Its irrelevant, Katie snapped.
Maybe youre just tired of him, Ivy suggested.
Im not sure, Katie sighed.
The rest of the night was spent in contemplation. Ivy was right; the boy could not stay in his current environment. Katie resolved to take a day off and speak again with Percys neighbour. The next morning, the neighbour called with alarming news.
Percy is in hospital with a head injury! she reported.
Katie learned that his mother had not returned home the previous day; the police were searching for her. His stepfather, a drugaddicted drunk, demanded to know where his mother was. Percy couldnt escape him, but the neighbour heard his cries and called the police, who rescued him and took him to the hospital.
I wont leave him again, Katie declared.
That evening she visited the ward, where the same duty constable, now accompanied by a socialcare officer named Gemma, recognized her. They explained that adoption was possible only if the mothers parental rights were strippeda complicated process.
What other options are there? Katie asked.
The care system can suggest alternatives, Gemma replied gently, her eyes warm with unexpected compassion.
Gemma, noticing Katies lingering worry, offered to walk her home. Would you like tea? Katie blurted, surprising herself, and Gemma accepted.
Over tea, Gemma listened to all of Katies thoughts about Percys fate, then said, Hes a good lad, clever and innocent. Id take him myself if I could. She took Katies phone number, promising to keep her updated on any news about Percys mother. The promise was kept; the next morning, as Katie rushed to work, a call came.
Hello, Katie. Weve found Victoria. She died last night from an overdose.
How do I tell Percy? Katie stammered.
Dont rush. He hasnt asked about her yet. He seems to sense something.
All this time Arthur had been silent. Later that night, a message flashed on Katies phone: I hope you see that I was right. Choose: me or your dirty streetkid! The threat ignited a fury in her. She wanted to fire back, but then Gemma called again.
Katie, would you like to visit Genny with me today? she asked.
Absolutely, but lets be on a firstname basis, Katie replied, feeling oddly relieved.
She never answered Arthur that night.
The frantic days with Percy drew Katie and Gemma closer, while Arthur waited, assuming she was merely sulking. A week later he called; she answered calmly, proposing a meeting.
Some things are better discussed in person. We need to break up. I realise I dont love you, she said, voice flat.
Arthur was stunned into silence. Katie turned and walked away without looking back. He tried to call again, but she hung up. Their twoyear romance dissolved.
A month later Katie secured guardianship of Percy.
Congratulations, Gemma said.
Thank you. I couldnt have done it without you, Katie replied.
Its my pleasure. Not everyone would take in a child of a drugaddict, Gemma smiled.
I fell in love with Percy the moment I saw him, Katie confessed.
I loved you too, Gemma admitted, blushing.
Months later, with Percys encouragement, Gemma proposed to Katie.
Yay! shouted a joyous Gena, their friend, Now I have a new mum and dad! We need a brother right away!
A year passed, and Percys wish came true. Everything ended happily.
