Hey love, youve got to hear this crazy tale from Littlebrook its been a right rollercoaster. So, Sarah Whitaker, fresh out of a messy split, was left with a tiny bundle on her doorstep one frosty morning. A whole year later, the village women gathered round the shop door, eyes twinkling.
Did your bloke ever turn up? they asked, looking at Sarah. She dropped her gaze, unsure what to say.
No, and why should he have? Were over, Sarah replied, trying to sound steady.
The ladies kept on, Oh, Brian isnt a saint either. No ones going to swoop in and call him a treasure, but Sarah just brushed past the chatter, grabbed her groceries, and walked out. She knew the gossip would spread like wildfire divorces are rare here. Even if a husband drinks or gets angry, folks reckon you should stick it out.
Brian was the odd one out he never drank, never argued, and that made him a bit of an outcast. All the lads limp home after payday, and heres Brian, sober as a judge, theyd say, trying to put him on a pedestal while envy simmered beneath. Rumours even floated that he had someone on the side, but none of it swayed the couple; they kept their fights behind closed doors.
When the split finally came to light, it shocked everyone. Sarah withdrew into herself, not sharing a word with anyone. Though neighbours smiled and offered a pat on the back, she pulled away, trudging home through the squeaky snow with a hollow feeling inside.
Six months slipped by after Brian left, yet his face kept popping up in her thoughts. It was Sarah who’d called the divorce, but Brian hesitated at first, only agreeing when life became unbearable. The spark ignited when Sarah noticed his distant stare at the kids playing near the nursery.
One thing we need to talk about, Brian, she said one afternoon.
Sure, whats for dinner then? he joked, but Sarah was deadset.
I want a divorce, she blurted, as if a thunderclap had cracked the sky.
Why? he asked, baffled.
We should have children in a full family. We dont, and probably never will. I think its best we go our separate ways. Youll find someone else and start a family, she explained, hoping hed get it.
Brian, visibly upset, snapped, Did you ever ask if I wanted a kid if you werent around? Lets drop that and not come back to it.
No, Brian, well return to this. Ive filed for divorce, Sarah insisted.
He skipped all the court dates, and they were divorced by default. When Sarah got the decree home, Brian barely held back his feelings.
So thats it, he muttered through clenched teeth.
Yes, Brian. I want you to leave, she said.
She shut herself in her room, listening to him pack. She wanted to say goodbye one last time but couldnt bring herself to stop him. As the door slammed, Sarah bolted to the window and watched Brian walk away.
His departure felt like her soul was pulling out of her body. She struggled to adjust to life without him, often replaying old photos of their house filled with friends. Now nobody visited; shed turned everyone away.
One evening, returning home, Sarah found a large, stylish basket on the porch not the usual rustic one, but something that could hold three big potatoes. She looked around, nobody in sight. Who left this? she wondered aloud.
She peered inside, and something moved. What the heck? she gasped, lifting the basket and hurrying inside.
Inside was a tiny baby, a little girl, swaddled in a blanket. Sarah didnt know much about caring for infants, but she jumped right in. She named her Poppy. The baby curled up, tiny fingers grasping at the air, and happily gobbled down a spoonful of sweet porridge.
The night was a blur of sleeplessness, Sarah watching Poppys tiny chest rise and fall. What am I supposed to do with you, little one? she whispered, smiling despite herself.
The next day Sarah decided not to rush to the authorities. She took night walks with Poppy, keeping the baby hidden from nosy neighbours, and even took time off work to tend to her. She knew eventually shed have to hand the child over, but she kept postponing it.
Three weeks later the local officer knocked on Sarahs door. He stepped inside, surveyed the room, and turned to her, eyes soft.
Right, Sarah, lets have a chat, he said, starting his report.
Sarah, tears streaming, asked, Where are you taking her?
Im not taking her, just passing the info on, he replied. Why are you crying? Dont you want to say goodbye? If the mother doesnt want the child, who else will?
She confessed, Ive heard single women sometimes get turned down for adoption.
He reassured, Thats not always the case. Well write good references, help you out. Nothing happens overnight, though.
The bureaucracy ate up about five months of her life, but when the paperwork finally cleared, Sarah felt a rush of relief Poppy could stay with her legally.
Sarah took a oneandahalfyear maternity leave, the kind they give to folks adopting from care homes. Today was Poppys birthday she turned one, though doctors could only guess the exact date.
Sarah decided to make it special. While Poppy slept, she filled the room with colourful balloons, turning the modest cottage into a festive scene. Then she bought a giant doll from the shop. The shop assistant laughed, Whats the point of such a massive doll?
Sarah answered, Shell keep Poppy company, like a guardian.
Word spread that Sarah had adopted a child, and the villages attitude shifted. Folks started speculating about the babys real parents, many saying Sarahs little house by the road was the perfect dropoff spot. Even the officer hinted that, since Sarah cared for Poppy, the child should stay with her.
Sarah still feared a knock on the door that would demand she return the girl, but each morning Poppys bright smile chased any lingering doubts away.
Morning, love, Sarah would coo, laughing as she dressed her.
Poppy, full of giggles, played on the carpet near the big doll. Sarah nudged the doll closer, and Poppy tried to reach it, wobbling on her tiny legs. Sunshine, give it a go! Sarah encouraged.
Doctors said Poppy was healthy, but Sarah kept watching. One day Poppy took her first unaided steps, grabbed the dolls rubber arms, and Sarah spun her round in pure delight.
Their joy was shattered by a sudden knock. Sarah froze, pulling Poppy close. The door creaked open like a scene from a horror film, and in stood Brian thinner, looking weathered, but with that familiar warm gaze.
Sorry I see youve got things sorted. Whats your daughters name? he asked.
Poppy, Sarah replied, noticing a flicker of confusion. Brian, she isnt our child. I adopted her. Come in.
Brian paused, then slipped off his coat and boots. Sarah looked at his face, a hint of sadness there.
Are you alright? Eating anything? she asked.
He chuckled weakly, Lost my appetite a while back. Thats how it went.
Poppy reached out, hands outstretched, Take me? she seemed to say. Brian nodded, smiling, and took the little girl into his arms.
They all sat on the floor, playing with the doll. Brian teased, Wheres the dolls mouth? Where are its eyes? Poppy giggled, pointing confidently.
Sarah wiped away happy tears. Later, when Poppy fell asleep after lunch, Brian asked, Why didnt you try to contact me? It mustve been hard alone.
It wasnt, Sarah replied. I thought youd moved on, maybe expecting a baby of your own.
Brian looked down, murmuring, I once found love, but she turned out stubborn.
Night fell, and Brian said he had two more hours of driving ahead. Sarah crossed her arms, realizing he was leaving again.
Maybe its for the best, he said, but you cant imagine how hard it is. I dont need kids without you. I keep trying to put you out of my dreams, but it just makes it worse.
Sarah, fighting tears, answered, I feel the same. I think of you every minute. What now, Brian?
He smiled suddenly. I know what we do.
Sarahs eyebrows rose. Whats that?
Its simple, he said. We split because we had no children. Now we have Poppy. We could be a family again.
Marry again? she asked.
Brian tossed his coat aside, grabbed a small steering wheel from a vase, and stood before her. Darling, will you marry me? Ill look after you and Poppy.
Sarah sat down, met his eyes. Yes a thousand times yes.
He slipped a simple ring onto her finger and held her tight. All this time without you felt like a dream. Now it feels like Ive woken up.
A year later, they welcomed a son, Michael. The hospital initially turned him away, but after some paperwork, he found his place with them.
Now weve got a princess and a prince, Brian beamed, still tiny, but one day hell protect his sister.
They stood together, arms around each other, watching their kids. Their smiles said it all this was a truly happy family.
