Kate Morgan strode home from work in high spirits; her boss had let her leave early the day before and promised a bonus. She bounded up the steps to her block, fingers twitching to dial the familiar intercom code, when a plaintive childs wail snagged her attention. Kate winced. What gloom on such a brilliant day? she muttered, turning over the courtyard but finding no source. She reached for the frontdoor handle, yet the crying grew louder.
Where are you, little one? Kate called, voice cracking.
Here, a thin voice replied.
She slipped around the entrance and saw a fiveyearold boy perched on the cobblestones outside. He looked miserable: a thin jacket, ragged, dirtstained sneakers, trousers that had clearly seen better days. Tears streaked his cheeks, darkening his pale skin. Kates heart tightened.
Whats your name? Why are you crying? she asked gently.
Im Tommy, the boy sniffled. I want to go home.
Do you live here? Kate tried to piece together which flat might belong to his family.
I dont know. I cant find my house. Im lost, Tommy answered, his pronunciation oddly precise.
Seeing the childs desperation, Kate decided she had to get him somewhere warm before figuring out the next steps. She extended her hand.
Come with me. Ill get you a cuppa or something, she offered.
Tommy clutched her palm trustfully, his nose twitching as he followed. In that instant Kate didnt know what would become of him; a maternal instinct swelledpity, feed, shelter, protect.
Ive got a pot of soup. Want some? she called as she stepped into her flat. Tommy nodded eagerly.
When he ladled the broth, Kate realised he wasnt a picky eater. She thought of her spoiled niece, the daughter of her older sister Harriet, and sighed. Tommy would probably never have tasted such a hearty stew.
She sensed no one was actively looking for the child. What should I do? she wondered, when the phone rang. It was Mark, the young man whod been courting her.
Hey, Kate! What are you up to? he asked.
Im feeding a boy named Tommy, she replied.
What? Whos Tommy?
The little boy I found outside.
Where did he come from?
I found him by the entrance.
Why bring him inside?
Hes cold, Mark.
How old is he?
Not more than five.
Tommy, listening on the hallway, held up his fingersfour. Kate smiled, correcting herself.
Actually, hes four.
Give the child back to his family, Mark said flatly.
I dont know where they are.
Call the police.
The police?
Exactly. You cant just keep feeding him. Theyre trained for this. Take him to them, then come see me.
Kate sighed, disappointment heavy. Alright, Tommy. Lets find your mum.
They walked to the nearest police station, where a young constable, about Kates age, took the boys details. The officer, keen and attentive, seemed less hardened than his veteran colleagues.
After a brief interview, the constable instructed Kate to wait. Soon a uniformed woman appeared, ushering Kate and Tommy into a small office. She asked a flood of questions, thanked Kate, then said, Youre free to go.
And Tommy?
Hell stay with us for now. Well need his statement later. She smiled at the boy, who nodded enthusiastically.
Relieved, Kate left, feeling a weight lift. She headed to the café where Mark waited by the door, a sigh of irritation escaping him as she approached, Youre late again.
She forced a laugh. The police had a lovely officer. I left the boy in her care.
If youd taken him straight there, we couldve caught a film, Mark teased, but Kate didnt mind. He was so vulnerable. I couldnt just hand him over to strangers. You know theyre not always empathetic.
Mark waved his hand dismissively. The nights tension eased, but Kate couldnt shake the image of the little boy. She kept wondering whether his relatives would ever be found, or if a better home might await him elsewhere. Mark, oblivious, chatted on as the evening drifted by, while Kates thoughts lingered on Tommy.
It was Friday. On Monday, as she approached her flat, she saw Tommy again at the entrance.
Youre back, she said, surprised.
I came to you. Got any soup? he asked.
No soup today, but Ill find something. Pasta, perhaps?
Ill have that! he beamed, clearly famished.
She fed him, probing for clues about his family. She learned that Friday night, after a brief stint at the station, his mother had arrived to file a missingperson report. She hauled him home, scolded him harshly, even spanked him, and forbade him from going outside. By morning shed left, leaving only his stepfather Steve at home. Tommy feared Steve, avoided his sight, but the man was fast asleep, snoring loudly. When Steves snores filled the hallway, Tommy slipped on his jacket and fled to Kates doorstep.
Kates heart clenched as Tommy finished his meal and declared, Im going home, or mum will punish me again. He sighed, She never hurt me before. I think Ill have to look for a new mum soon.
Alright, Kate said softly. Let me walk you.
He led her to his block, where a woman stepped out as they approached.
Hello, love! You werent out in the courtyard today. Did you go for a walk? she asked.
My mum sent me away. I slipped out quietly, Tommy replied.
Hungry?
No, Kate fed me.
Then hurry home before your mother notices.
Im off. Bye, Kate! he shouted, disappearing behind the door.
Kate turned to the woman. Does his mother drink?
Worse, the woman sighed. Shes on the rocks. In a year shes become a shadow of herself.
So you cant leave the child with her!
I cant call social services; my conscience wont allow it. Vicky used to be a good girl. I was close to her mother. She died before Vicky gave birth to Tommy. Vickys marriage fell apart, then she met the devil he ruined her life. She stopped, eyes flickering with pain.
The boys in danger. He cant stay there!
I agree. I try to feed him when I can, but Vicky bans it. She always loved him, never hurt himuntil that cursed Steve showed up. She left the sentence hanging. Kate understood instantly why the neighbour never called the authorities.
She asked for the neighbours phone number, promising to stay in touch. With a heavy foreboding, Kate returned home. That evening Mark called; his voice softened when he heard her melancholy. What happened? he asked.
Vickys back with Tommy again, she confessed.
You should have handed him over to care, Mark replied.
Maybe I should just stay out of this family. Why am I so attached to him?
I cant help you, Mark said sharply. Leave the boy and his mess behind.
Kate fell silent, picturing herself in a courtroom, fighting for the boys adoption. Its madness, she whispered to herself, yet the image of her holding a smiling Tommy lingered.
Lets talk tomorrow, she suggested to Mark.
Are you angry, Kate? he asked.
No, just my head aches. Ill go to bed, she lied, the first falsehood to her lover.
She hung up and called her sister Harriet. The sisters were close, and Kate always shared her worries with her. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Kate told the story.
I actually like Tommy even from a distance. You know I adore kids. Id love to meet him, Harriet said.
Hes wonderful!
Do what you feel is right. He didnt appear in your life for nothing. How long have you been with Mark?
What does that have to do with anything?
Everything! Hes been draining you for two years, but he never tells you where this is heading.
I felt today I didnt want to see him at all, Kate admitted.
Maybe you didnt really feel that?
I dont know she trailed off.
The conversation left Kate mulling over Harriets words all night. She agreed that the boy couldnt stay where he lived. The next day she took a day off work and returned to the neighbours flat, only to receive a frantic call that morning.
Tommys in hospital with a concussion! the neighbour shrieked.
Later Kate learned Tommys mother hadnt returned home the previous day. Police were still searching for her. The stepfather, drunk on drugs, demanded answers about his wifes whereabouts. The boy couldnt escape him, but the neighbour heard his cries and called the police. Officers arrived, took him to the station, and an ambulance whisked him to the hospital.
I wont let this happen again, Kate vowed.
That evening she visited the hospital. The same constable shed spoken to at the station, Gary, was on duty, along with a socialcare officer. They recognized her and explained the situation. When Kate asked if Tommy could be adopted, Gary replied gently, Adoption is possible only if the mothers parental rights are removed, which is a lengthy process.
What other options? she pressed.
The care system can arrange something, but it wont be simple, the officer said, his tone warm and attentive.
Gary, moved by the boys plight, offered to accompany Kate home. On the way, Kate, halfjoking, said, Would you like tea?
Gary smiled and accepted. Over steaming cups, he listened to Kates thoughts about Tommys future, echoing her desire to keep the boy safe.
Hes a bright lad. Id take him myself, Gary admitted, taking her number and promising to keep her informed.
The next morning, a call shattered Kates brief peace. Hello, Kate. Weve found Victoria. She died last night from an overdose.
How do I tell Tommy? Kates voice trembled.
Dont rush. He hasnt asked about her yet. He seems to sense something.
All week Mark didnt call. Finally, a text arrived: I hope you realise I was right. If not, choose: me or your filthy stray! The message ignited Kates fury. She wanted to fire back, but Gary called again, Kate, would you join me to see Tommy today?
Yes, but lets be on a firstname basis, she replied, chuckling despite herself.
She never answered Mark that night. The frantic events with Tommy had drawn Kate and Gary closer, while Mark waited, assuming shed simply blow him off. A week later he phoned; she answered calmly.
This needs to be discussed facetoface. We have to end it. I dont love you any more. Im sorry, she said.
Mark was stunned, speechless. Kate turned and walked away, leaving him hanging. He tried to call back, but she hung up. Their twoyear romance dissolved in that cold hallway.
A month later, Kate secured legal guardianship of Tommy.
Congratulations, Gary said.
Thank you. I couldnt have done it without you, Kate replied.
No, thank you. Few would take on a child of a drugaddicted mother, Gary replied, admiration clear.
I fell for Tommy the instant I met him, Kate confessed.
I fell for you too Gary blurted, blushing. Kate gave a shy, grateful smile.
Months after, encouraged by Tommys bright eyes, Gary proposed to Kate.
Yay! shouted a jubilant friend, Now we have a new mum and dad! We need a baby brother!
A year later, Tommys wish came true, and everything settled into a surprisingly happy ending.
