A Little Girl with a Big Heart: How Dasha Changed Rita’s Life, United a Family, and Brought Happiness to Their Home

I demand a paternity testif Daisy truly is my child, Ill accept my duty. Take her now if you wish, shes always underfootforever hungry, always needing new outfits, I never indulge myself, just so she can eat. Thats the way things are Hand me some money, Michael, will you?
Margaret readies herself for work. She quickly assembles sandwiches for her husband, wraps them in foil, and places them on the kitchen counter.
Michael is employed at a local garage, and since theres no formal lunch break, he always brings food from home.
Margaret herself cooks at a nearby canteen. Her job is a bit farther away, so she rises an hour before Michael.
Outside, a persistent drizzle falls, so Margaret grabs the umbrella from the hallway. It slips from her grasp and clatters to the floor. She pauses, glancing into the bedroomher husband remains asleep.
Margaret smiles to herself.
Still as clumsy as ever! she mutters, slipping out the front door.
The bus arrives earlier than usual. Margaret settles by the window, watching the city roll past, her thoughts drifting through her own life.
Shes nearly thirty, no longer a girl, but satisfied in her marriage. Though they have little, she feels their home is filled with warmth.
One thing troubles Margaretshe and Michael have no children, and she longs for a child, boy or girl, it makes no difference.
For three years, Margaret has visited specialists, but each time they assure her shes perfectly healthy.
The bus stops, Margaret pays her fare in pounds, and steps onto the pavementshe only needs to cross the green to reach the canteen.
After a few steps, Margaret halts, startleda little girl sits crying on a wet bench. She wears a thin jacket and shivers, her tears mixing with the rain.
Margaret approaches gently and asks,
Hello! Why are you out here alone?
Mum threw me out the girl sobs.
Threw you out? Margaret is stunned. Who sends their child out in the rain?
She was asleep, and I was hungry. I woke her up and she started shouting So I ended up here
Whats your name?
Daisy.
What am I to do with you, Daisy? Margaret wonders, checking her watch. All right, lets go. Where do you live? Is it nearby?
Yes, just round the corner, Daisy gestures.
They walk in the direction Daisy points and soon arrive at a flat. Margaret rings the bell, but no one answers for ages.
Eventually, a bedraggled woman in a stained dressing gown opens the door, her greasy hair framing a weary face.
She looks at Margaret, then at Daisy, and steps aside, confused.
Come in.
Margaret enters quietly. The stench inside is overwhelming, making her feel sick.
Rags cover the filthy floor, and dust thickly coats the sideboardno one has cleaned in ages. Margaret notices a photograph on the shelf.
Her eyes widen in disbelief
Shes seen that photo in Michaels album, though the one at home is trimmed so only Michael remains.
This photo shows Michael, but beside him stands a young, attractive womanMargaret recognises her as the flats owner. She turns to the woman, stunned.
Well? the woman asks.
What do you mean, well? Margaret, remembering her purpose, steadies herself. Your daughter was crying in the park! Dont you care? What sort of mother are you?
Dont lecture me! Go raise your own! Leave mine alone! the woman snaps, turning to Daisy. Where have you been?
The girl darts into another room and shuts the door. Margaret realises shes out of place and leaves.
All day, Margaret is haunted by thoughts of the girl, the photo, and the womansurely theres a connection to Michael.
That evening, Margaret hands Michael the photo and asks,
Love, whos this woman with you?
I told you about Helen, didnt I? We were together for years, even planned to marry, but she met someone else and left.
Why did you cut the photo?
I couldnt forgive her for not keeping my childwhen we split, she was pregnant, but said she wouldnt have the baby. So I left, met you, and we returned together. Ive nothing to hide. But why do you ask?
Something odd happened today, Margaret says, and tells him about the girl and her mother.
Michael listens closely, then asks the girls age. Margaret answers.
He grows quiet She could be his daughter
Where do they live?
Margaret explains, then goes to bed, exhausted. She barely sleeps, and when she wakes at half past one, she sees the kitchen light on.
She tiptoes over and peeks through the door. Michael sits at the table, lost in thought.
The next day, he knocks on his former lovers door. Daisy answers, staring at the unfamiliar man who smiles at her.
Hello! Are you Daisy? Wheres your mum? Daisy turns and runs inside.
Mum! Someones here for you!
Who? a slovenly woman appears.
Michael looks at her, not recognising Helenthe woman he once loved.
You? she raises her eyebrows. What do you want?
Michael steps inside, breathing the stale air.
Helen, I need the truth. Daisys age matchescould she be my daughter?
The woman slumps into a chair, looking up at Michael.
Give me some money, will you? You never paid child support. Ive fed her all these yearsnever took a penny from you. Give me a hundred.
Why did you lie? You said you didnt keep the child.
I wanted to, but Valentine said hed be her father Then he left when Daisy was three months old, said he wouldnt raise another mans child. I wanted to come back to you, but youd gone.
I want a testif Daisys mine, Ill take her.
Take her now, shes a botheralways needs food, clothes, I never buy myself anything, just so she can eat. Thats life Give me some money, Michael.
Daisy approaches Michael shyly.
Are you my dad? she looks up at him with wide, searching eyes.
Yes, Daisy, Im your father. I want you to come live with me. Would you like that?
She glances nervously at her mother and whispers,
Will you be gentle with me?
Michaels voice softens,
Never, Daisy. Ill never harm you.
She nods,
Then Id like that.
Michael strokes her hair and leaves. On the stairs, Helen catches up with him.
So got any money? Lend me some. Michael hands her a few notesher face lights up.
Unable to bear it, Michael returns to the flat. Daisy still stands in the hallway, sadness in her eyes.
Get your coat. Lets go, he says, thinking only,
Shes my Daisy! I cant leave her here.
Half an hour later, Daisy crosses Michaels threshold. She immediately recognises the aunt who walked her home, and Margaret watches in disbelief.
When Daisy, bathed and fed, plays with the cat, Margaret asks Michael,
Are you sure you did the right thing? You know nothing about her.
Ill find out. Of course its righthow else should one treat their own child?
Margaret turns and goes to the kitchen, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Why does this happen to me?
Shes always wanted children, but couldnt have themshed have cherished her own child.
Now theres Daisy. How should she treat her? Harshlyshe cant; kindlybut what if she fails?
Margaret also feels bitterness towards Michael, Helen, and life itself At that moment, she feels a gentle hand on her head. She thinks its her husband, but when she looks up, she sees Daisy.
Are you sad? Is something wrong? I cry a lot too. Want me to tell you a nice story? I know one.
Margaret sniffs and hugs the girl.
A year passes. Michael takes the test, but only to avoid legal trouble; he and Margaret have already decided Daisy will stay, regardless of the result.
Margaret grows to love her adopted daughter deeplythey share all their unspent affection and tenderness.
Michael too becomes attachedthey are a happy family.
But one day, Margaret falls ill. It happens suddenly. She feels unwell in the morning, nearly stays home, but goes to work anyway. After a few hours, she grows weak and wakes up in hospital.
Whats wrong with me? Margaret has never been frail.
Weve run some testssoon well know, but for now you must stay here. Your familys been notifiedtheyll be here soon.
Soon Michael and Daisy enter the ward.
Mum Margaret, whats wrong?
Nothing, Daisy, Im fine. I just need some rest.
Just then, the doctor returns.
Well, my dear, why didnt you say youre expecting?
No need for jokes. Its simpleyoure pregnant, and we found nothing else. So well make sure everything goes smoothly. Youll be discharged today.
Margaret sits up abruptly.
What? What did you say, doctor? Im pregnant? Michael, did you hear that?
But its trueMargarets dream has come true. She gives birth to a healthy boy, named George.
Daisy helps her adoptive mother with everything.
Margaret cant imagine coping alone, without her clever elder daughter.
Later, little Nancy is born. Michael and Margaret are overjoyedtheir family is now large, close-knit, and happy. Margaret knows this happiness entered her home with a little girl who possesses a great, kind heart.
Looking back, Ive realised that sometimes, the family you create is greater than the one you expectand kindness can change everything.