I want to do a testif Daisy truly is mine, Ill take her, Thomas said.
Take her now, if you like! Harriet snapped. Shes always under my feetit’s tiring, having to feed her, clothe her, I havent bought myself a single treat in ages, just so shes got enough to eat. Thats life Give me some money, will you, Tom?
I look back now, all those years ago, when Margaret was preparing to leave for work. She moved briskly about the small kitchen, wrapping her husbands sandwiches in greaseproof paper and setting them on the table. Tom worked down at Mr. Baileys garage; there were no proper lunch breaks, so he always took a packed lunch.
Margaret herself worked as a cook in a rather humble tearoom, farther from home than Tom’s garage, which meant she had to rise an hour before he did.
That morning, a fine drizzle fell outside, so Margaret reached for the umbrella in the hallway. It slipped and clattered on the wooden floor. She stood frozen for a moment, fearing it had woken Tom, but peeking into the bedroom, saw he slept on. Margaret smiled ruefully, Oh, you daft thing! she whispered at herself, and quietly stole out the door.
The omnibus arrived surprisingly quick, and Margaret, finding a seat by the window, gazed out at the grey buildings as they hastily passed by. She mused deeply on her life.
She was nearing thirty, not a slip of a girl anymore, but she counted herself a happy wife. They did not have much moneyjust enough to get bybut they managed, and to her mind, they got along well. Only one longing troubled Margaret: the absence of a child. She craved a little one, and it mattered not if a boy or girl.
Three years of marriage had come and gone. Margaret had seen doctors and specialists, but they only shrugged and assured her nothing was wrong.
When the bus reached her stop, she alighted, paid her fare in pounds, and crossed the street towards the parkthe quickest way to the tearoom.
She had hardly set foot on the paved path when she stopped in surprise: there, on a rain-dampened bench, sat a tiny girl, sobbing. She wore a thin, battered coat, shivering, raindrops mingling with the tears on her pale cheeks.
Margaret approached gently.
Hello, love. Why are you sitting out here all by yourself?
Mum put me out the child hiccupped.
Put you out? In this weather? Margaret was flabbergasted.
She was sleeping, but I was hungry. I woke her up andshe got angry. She told me to goso now Im here
Whats your name, dear?
Daisy.
Margaret sighed heavily. Well, Daisy, what should I do with you? Where do you live?
Nearby, Daisy answered, waving vaguely down the terraced street.
The pair walked in the direction Daisy indicated, and in five minutes, stood outside a weary, crumbling flat. Margaret pressed the buzzer repeatedly; eventually the door creaked open, revealing a slovenly woman half asleep in a stained dressing gown, her wild hair framing a tired, sullen face.
The woman’s eyes darted from Margaret to Daisy without comprehension. Come in then, she grunted.
The smell inside was oppressive. Margaret fought down nausea; dirty rags littered the floor, dust lay thick on all the old furniture. On the mantelpiece, a faded photograph caught her eyeand her breath caught: shed seen the original in Toms album at home, though theirs was oddly cutand Tom was on the remaining fragment.
Now she saw the same image, but this time, a young, lovely womanwho must have been the same unkempt figure before herstood at Toms side. Margaret felt a cold confusion.
The woman turned and spat, Well? What is it?
Margaret summoned her courage. Your daughter is in the park, crying. And you? You dont even care? What sort of mother are you?
The woman shrugged her off. Look after your own! Shes none of your business! Then, turning to her own daughter, she barked, Where have you been, you little wretch?
Daisy disappeared into the next room, shutting the door. Margaret realised nothing would come of further argument, and left.
The whole day, Margarets mind returned to that little girl, and to the photograph, and to the woman who perhaps had some mysterious link to Tom.
That evening, she handed the tattered photo to her husband.
Tom, whos this woman beside you?
He looked, sighing. Ive told you about Ellen before. We were together a long time, even thought of marrying. But she met someone else, and left me.
Why did you cut the photo?
I couldnt forgive her, the way she left. She was expecting a baby just as our paths separated, but she told me she told me she didnt keep the child. I left town. Years later, met you, came back here with you. Nothing to hide. Why do you ask?
Margaret recounted the strange discovery of Daisy and her mother. Tom listened in silence, then quietly asked, How old was the girl?
Margaret told him. He looked deep in thoughtDaisy could very well be his own daughter.
Where do they live? he asked.
Margaret explained, before going wearily to bed. Deep in the night, she awoke and saw the light still burning in the kitchenand found Tom alone, deep in thought.
The next day he went to Ellens door. Daisy opened it, wide-eyed at the stranger with the kind smile.
Hello. You must be Daisy. Is your mother about?
Daisy scampered off. Mum! Someones here for you!
What? Ellen, even more dishevelled and irritable, peered round the door.
Tom staredit was hard to recognise her as the Ellen hed once loved.
You? What do you want? she snapped.
He stepped inside. Ellen, I need to knowis Daisy my daughter?
She slumped into a chair and stared back at him. Got a bit of spare money, have you? I could do with it. Child support, you never paid me. Ive raised her without a penny from you. Give us a tenner, eh?
Why did you lie about the child?
I thought I had someone who wanted her. Valentine said shed be his, hed be a father. But he left when she was a babewouldnt raise someone elses child. By the time I thought of coming back to you, youd gone.
I want to do a test. If Daisy is mine, I want to take her away from here.
Take her, for all I care! Shes always under my feettiring, feeding, clothing her, hardly get a quiet moment. Just give me some money, Tom.
Daisy crept over softly.
Are you my daddy? she whispered, her wide blue eyes searching his face.
Yes, Daisy. Im your father. Would you like to come live with me?
She looked at her mother, worry flickering across her face. Will you be kind? You wont hurt me?
Toms voice trembled. Never, Daisy. I promise.
She nodded. Then Id like that.
Tom tousled her hair gently and stepped outside. Ellen trailed after him on the stairs, eyes glinting hungrily. So, got any money? she asked. Tom handed her a few banknotes; her scowl softened to a greedy smile.
He returned and told Daisy to pack her things. In his heart, he knew he could not leave her there.
Within half an hour, Daisy stood in the hallway of Tom and Margarets neat flat. She instantly recognised Margaret. Margaret stared at Daisy in disbelief, heart pounding with an uncertain mixture of hope and fear. After Daisy had bathed and eaten, she played with their old ginger cat. Margaret turned to her husband.
Are you sure youve done the right thing, Tom? We know nothing about her.
He only said, Well find out. Of course its righthow else could I treat my own child?
Margaret slipped away to the kitchen and wept. Why has this happened to me? she thought. She had wanted her own baby more than anythingshe would have cherished it more than life. Now, here was Daisy. Would she ever grow to love her properly? Or would she fail, even at this?
Her heart ached with resentmentnot only towards Tom and Ellen, but at life itself. At that moment, she felt a warm hand on her hair. She assumed Tom had come to comfort her, but when she glanced up, it was Daisy.
Are you feeling sad? Is something wrong? I cry a lot too. Would you like me to tell you a nice story? I know a very good one.
Margaret sniffled and gathered Daisy in her arms.
A year passed. The test was done, just for the paperworkTom and Margaret knew in their hearts theyd keep Daisy, no matter what. Margaret grew truly fond of her, and all the love and affection shed saved up poured out freely. Tom too, grew deeply attached. At last, they were a family.
It was not long after that Margarets health suddenly faltered. Early one morning, overcome by weakness, she managed only a few hours at the tearoom before fainting. She awoke in hospital, bewildered.
Whats wrong with me? she asked a nurse.
Weve run some tests. Dont fret. Your family will soon be along; theyve already been called. Rest for now.
Tom and Daisy arrived, worried but smiling.
Mum Margaret, are you all right?
Of course, Daisy darling, just a bit tired. Nothing more.
Presently the doctor returned. Now then, my dear, a bit of newsit seems youre pregnant. Thats whats making you feel poorly!
Margaret sat up in disbelief. Sorry? Pregnant? Tom, did you hear that?
But it was trueher greatest wish had come to pass. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy, whom they named George.
Daisy soon became her adoptive mothers trusted companion; Margaret could never have managed without her clever, loving girl.
And some time later, a tiny girl called Lucy joined them. The joy and laughter in their home knew no bounds. Tom and Margarets little family had grownstrong, devoted, and brimming with happiness.
And in her heart, Margaret always knew it was Daisythe small girl with the gentle spiritwho first carried that happiness through their door so many years ago.
