Ellie and her mum just missed the tram by a hair. The old carriage clattered away from the stop, leaving them waiting at least fifteen minutes for the next one.
“Mum, youre always so slow!” her mum sighed. “How many times have I told you? When you get back from nursery, hang up your coat, put your shoes awaythen we wouldnt waste time rushing! And why did you need to hunt down your crayons? Couldnt you manage without them tonight?”
“But Mum!” Ellie pouted, eyes twinkling. “I promised Emily yesterday! And you always say if you make a promise, you have to keep it. Right?”
Her mum huffed. “Fine. Yes, I said that. But now weve missed the tram, and Ive got the night shift. I still need to iron your dress, make dinner, and pack your lunch for tomorrow. Whos going to do all that? Granny Mabel?”
Ellie patted her arm. “Dont worry, Mum. Itll all work outno need to stress. Thats what Granny Mabel says. Oh! Look, Mum! Flowers! What are they called?” On the bench lay a small, wilted bunch.
“Bluebells. They grow in the woods. Someone picked them and tossed them aside. Or forgot them.”
“Mum, theyre so pretty! Can we take them?”
“More rubbish for us to carry Fine, take them. But hurryour trams coming.”
Ellie clutched the bouquet all the way home. The stems were bent, the petals crumpled, but to her, they were magicpale violet, with the faintest sweet scent, like something from a fairy tale. A man on the tram said if she planted them, theyd come back to life. A pregnant woman shook her head. “No, no, put them in water. Only water.” Another passenger hissed, “Ridiculousshouldve bought carnations!” as she stepped off. Ellies mum stared out the window, silent, while Ellie whispered to the flowers, “Just wait till were home. Then youll be safe.”
They lived on the second floor. Below them were Granny Mabel and Grandpa Albertno blood relation, just kind neighbours who might as well be family. Granny Mabel helped with chores; Grandpa Albert fixed creaky doors and stuck locks. If Ellies mum needed a pie baked or someone to walk Ellie to nursery, Granny stepped in. They never asked for help themselvesproud, insisting they could manage.
Under their balcony grew a lilac bush, and beneath it, Ellies secret spot. A hidden nook only she knew aboutwell, and Granny and Grandpa, but they pretended otherwise. Whats a secret if everyone knows?
Ellie dashed home, desperate to save her bluebells. While her mum cooked and ironed, she dug a little hole under the lilac, planted the flowers, and watered them. But they stayed limp. “Maybe theyre still sleeping,” she thought. “Ill check after Mum leaves for work.”
After dinner, Ellie raced back outside, forgetting even Emilys crayons. The sun had dipped below the rooftops, painting the sky dusky grey. Granny Mabel, about to fetch Ellie for bedtime (she always stayed with them when Mum worked nights), paused when Grandpa Albert beckoned her to the balcony. He pointed silently. There, crouched by her secret spot, Ellie wept over the lifeless bluebells.
Granny tiptoed out, creeping behind the lilac. “Whats wrong, love?”
“Granny!” Ellie sniffled. “My bluebells wont wake up! I gave them so much water, but theyre just lying there! Are they dead?”
“Oh, sweetheart, no. Theyre poorly, thats all. Picked flowers always get poorly.”
“But I didnt pick them! Someone left them on the bench.”
Granny sighed. “Well, never mind. Ive got just the thing.” She hurried inside, scooped flour into a matchbox, and returned. “Magic powderjust a pinch left, but itll do.” She sprinkled it over the flowers, murmuring, “Winds whisper, sun shine bright, heal these blooms by morning light.” Then she dusted the rest around the soil. “There. Now they need rest. The magic will work while you sleep.”
Ellies eyes widened. “Really?”
“Cross my heart. Well check in the morning. Now, bedtime.”
Ellie cast one last worried glance at the bluebells before following Granny inside.
Later, when Ellie was fast asleep, Grandpa Albert grumbled his way onto the balcony, fetching his old bicycle.
“Albert, did you pack the torch?” Granny fretted.
“Course I did!”
“And your trowel?”
“Wouldnt go without it.”
“I made tea in the thermos”
“What for? Im not hiking the Pennines!”
“Just in case you get tired. And dont dawdle in the woodsIll worry.”
“Blimey, woman, Ill be quick. Did you pack the plastic sheet?”
“Yes, yes. Go on, then.”
He wheeled his bike out quietly, and Granny shut the door behind him, returning to Ellies side.
Morning came with chirping sparrowsand Ellie bolting outside in her pyjamas. There, in her secret spot, stood a cluster of fresh bluebells, swaying gently. She knelt, stroking their petals, whispering secrets only they could hear.
Up on the balcony, Granny Mabel and Grandpa Albert watched, smiling. And reallywho was happier? Ellie, with her “revived” flowers, or the two whod made the magic happen?
