The mother sent them to the orphanage right after New Years Day…
The girls cried. They had been raised at home. While their mother was busy sorting out her love lifewhich she did constantlythe sisters, Emily and Lily, had lived with their grandmother. But their grandmother passed away on St. Nicholas Day, and their mother sent them away. No, she wasnt irresponsibleshe didnt drink or even smoke. But was it fair, she thought, that her ex-husband lived as he pleased while she was left to struggle alone with two children?
Their mother unbuttoned Lilys coat and muttered, Stop crying. Its just how things areits not my fault. Youll be fine here, youll thank me later! Lily was barely three, too young to understand what was happening. But staring into her mothers cold eyes and the tear-streaked, frightened face of her older sister, seven-year-old Emily, she knew something was terribly wrong. Dont embarrass me, their mother hissed. Im not abandoning you. Ill come back for you at EasterI promise! The girls sniffled but quieted down. Their mother had said shed return.
Adjusting to the childrens home was hard, though the carers loved them for their quiet manners, sharp minds, and the way they clung to each other. Emily won everyone over with her serious dark eyes, while little Lily was like a sweet, round-faced cherub. Lily tugged at Emilys sleeve. Whens Easter coming? Is that when Mummy takes us home? Patiently, Emily explained again, Easters in spring, remember, like when Grandma painted eggs? Lily nodded solemnly, but tiny tears welled up at the mention of Grandma. Emily herself wished she knew when Easter would come. She asked one of the carers, Miss Catherine, who was surprisedmost children looked forward to Christmas or birthdays. Still, she gave Emily a little calendar. See? Easters on this dateIve circled it. Every number is a day. When I was in school, I used to cross off days till summer break. So Emily did the same, watching the chain of numbers shrink as the day of her mothers return drew nearer.
On Easter morning, Lily raced to Emily, clutching a red-painted egg. Em! Em! Mummys coming today, Im so happy! Are you happy too? Emily could hardly wait either. At first, the anticipation was joyful, but by naptime, she wanted to cry. Lilys constant whining didnt help. By evening, when it was clear their mother wasnt coming, Emily soothed her sister. The bus mustve got stuck. The roads are awfuleveryone says so! Dont cry, Lily. Theyll dig it out, and Mummy will come tomorrow. Shell have to stay in the village overnight. The little girl nodded, swallowing her tears. But their mother never came, though the sisters waited every day, inventing new excuses for her absence.
One morning, Emily couldnt find Lily. The staff explained their mother had taken her. Years later, Emily learned shed been formally relinquished. But she was luckytwo years on, her fathers sister tracked her down. Aunt Margaret was kind, and before Emily knew it, she was calling her Mum. Their warmth slowly mended the wounds in her heart. She tried not to think of her mother or sister, though she knew Lily had been too young to understand. Still she would never have left her behind.
Years passed. Emily trained as a nurse, married, had a son, and lived modestly but happily. Then, out of nowhere, a letter arrived. From Lily.
*Dear sister, you probably dont remember me? I only recall your braids and your checked slippers. Id love to see you! Weve moved back to the areawe live in Willowbrook now. If you dont mind, could I visit?*
Emily shrugged. Strangeinviting herself over. Still, she agreed.
Lily, in a pale blue jacket, limped toward her at the bus station, waving eagerly. Spotting Emily in the crowd, she threw her arms around her and sobbed. Sister, I knew it was you right away! Youre my Em! Emily huffedstill a crybabybut her own eyes stung.
Over dinner, Lily explained: Dont be angry at Mum. Uncle Stephen told her when they met that hed take her with kids, but she was scared to bring both. Then they had a son, then a daughterVictorias such a doll! Uncle Stephens a brilliant carpenter, always busy. We even go to the seaside sometimes. But when I was twelve, a bull gored me. Thank God no one else was hurt, but now I limp Your pies deliciouscan I have the recipe?
Emily asked, Do you work? Study? Have friends? Youre so pretty!
Lily flushed. After the accident, so much money went on treatment I help at home or with Uncle Stephens accounts. Mums a council accountant. Friends? Not really. The limp But Im used to it.
Emily insisted Lily stay overnight, promising to see her off in the morning. The moment Lilys head touched the pillow, she was asleep. Emily glanced at her neatly folded clothesclean but threadbare, repeatedly mended. Hospital orderlies earned pennies, but even they wouldnt wear this, especially to visit family.
At 3 a.m., Emily woke her husband, demanding he drive her to Willowbrook. Grumbling, he obliged. On the way, she explained. He scowled at first, then nodded.
Emily found her mothers house easily. Her heart pounded as she knocked. The woman who answered didnt recognize herbut Emily knew her at once. Still elegant, despite the years. Morning, Mum. Here we are. Her mother greeted her like a nuisance, not a long-lost daughter. Wheres Lily? In the barn? Tell her to come inthe kids need breakfast, and the place is a mess.
Emily kept her voice steady. Lilys staying with me. Pack her things. And money, if you can spare any. Ill get her a job as a care assistant, then proper training. That leg needs treatmentshes too pretty to limp!
Her mother jutted her chin. Get out. Well fetch Lily ourselves.
Emily shook her head. Not Lily*Lily-petal*. Call your cow Lily. Youll be milking her now, madam. Want me to gather the whole village? Let them hear how the upstanding council worker dumped her kids in care? Think your friends will forget? Try taking Lily back, and Ill shout it across the county.
Her mother scowled, slammed the door, and half an hour later, a thin, stooped man emerged with a rucksack. Im Stephen. Lilys things. Tell LucyI always called her thatwell send money. Shes been Cinderella here too long.
Walking back to the car, Emily thought: Life isnt easy. But is *easy* the same as *hard*? If men didnt drink and stray, if women didnt abandon children for new lovers, if siblings didnt forget each other
Just being decent peoplewas that so difficult?
