Draw a Fairy Tale
“Maisie, darling, your father and I have news!”
Martha deftly spooned another mouthful of porridge into Arties mouth, wiping his chin with a napkin.
What is it?
Theres going to be another baby! Im four months along. Isnt it wonderful, Maisie? Her mother squeezed her shoulder, almost dancing with excitement. Seven of us soon! A proper family!
Maisie fell silent, her arms falling to her sides, even forgetting her little brother. Artie, as if he understood the mood, merely examined his big sisters face intently instead of bursting into tears as usual.
Why so quiet? her mother pressed on, ruffling Maisies hair. You dont seem happy! Dont be selfish, darling. Dont upset me! With a quick kiss to the crown of her head, Anna left the kitchen.
Ma, ma, ma! Artie flailed his arms towards Maisie, breaking the trance.
Maisie shook herself, picked up the spoon and kept feeding her brother.
Happiness Does it really exist, that thing called happiness?
Maisie remembered only one instant in her life when she was filled with absolute happiness. She was about five. They were somewhere out in the country, her mother early with Sophia. Theyd decided to get some fresh air and brought Maisie along to the holiday camp. Other children huddled together under trees, but Maisie, ever her mothers daughter, kept close to Annas skirt. Then her father swept her away to see the horses. There it wasthat fragment of endless joythe moment Dad lifted her onto a horses back. For a second, she thought shed flown up to the very clouds. Terrifying at first, then suddenly she had wings and the world was green and golden. The horse pawed the ground, Maisie clung to its mane, and then, giggling, she discovered a secret: the horse nickered back at her! Her parents burst out laughing.
Theyre having a chat!
Later, Maisie begged her parents to let her start riding lessons. Then came Sophie, then Molly, and lessons were just too dear. It couldnt be.
She could never explain why that day shone so brightly in her memory, even now. Ask her, and she wouldnt have the words. But the sun, the cut grass, the river, her parents laughterall of that, she saved deep in her mind and took out on days when the world was just too much, like today.
She washed Arties sticky hands and face and popped him in the playpen, and went to rouse little Molly for nursery. As she passed the nursery door, a wave of dizziness hit her. She straightened, shook her head. She barely slept two hours at a stretch these days, but maybe, if fate was kind, she could nap while Molly was out. And, if Sophie was halfway decent and helped with the cleaning, perhaps shed have time for revision ahead of tomorrows test. Last night, shed revised until late, but once she crawled into bed, Molly woke up, fighting the dragons of her own nightmares, and Maisie brought her in so the rest of the house could sleep. Shed told their mother many times, Molly ought to see a counsellor, but Anna always waved a hand and said, Dont fret. Shell grow out of it.
Maisie realised the best she could do was offer comforttake Molly close, help her drift off. Still, for Maisie herself, sleep stopped the second Molly settled. Shed slept lightly ever since Sophie arrived.
There were four kids in the Noble household. Maisie, the eldest at eighteen, then mischievous Sophie at thirteen, little Molly at five, and Artie, just turned one.
Anna and Owen met through friends. Annas mate Alice once mentioned that her husband had this pal, Owen, someone who, like Anna, dreamed of a big family. They met at a birthday do and hit it off straight away. Anna later told Maisie, I thought I was dreaming! Id start a sentence and your father would finish it. We were in perfect harmony!
A year later, they got hitched and moved into Annas grans flat, which she happily bequeathed to the young couple as she moved in with her daughter.
Settle in, dears! With any luck, Ill see great-grandchildren one day.
And she did. Maisie adored her great-grandmother, who lived to meet Maisie, Sophie, and Mollygone before Arties first breath.
While Gran was around, and Nan and Granddad on Annas side were healthy enough to help, Maisies life wasnt so bad. She only started truly feeling the weight when she started schooltextbooks torn, notebooks scrawled in, pencils and pens everywhere no matter how fiercely she tried to protect her little patch of privacy. Her mother was unmovable: Maisie, dont be selfish!
She wasnt, not then, not ever, not once Sophie and then Molly arrived. Over time, she caught herself repeating the same words when there were chores to do: You cant be selfish. She believed in her bones that a family meant having nothing to yourselfno possessions, no corner for solitude, not even a single hour.
Were one family, and youre my most trusted helper! her mother would say, squeezing Maisies arm. Maisie would put down whatever she was doing to pitch in.
She breathed easier when Molly started nursery and Sophie grew up enough that Maisie just oversaw her homework. It was a brief spell of order, though Molly still caught every bug going and Maisie played nurse. But then Mum and Dad announced another baby was coming, and Maisie hadnt realised that was the end of calm. With Arties early arrival and a flurry of diagnoses, life tilted. Thankfully, doctors, time, and dedicated care made all the difference. Anna darted Artie all over for checkups; the housework fell to Maisie. Despite her youth, she simply accepted it.
Sometimes, in the hush after the last clean plate, shed find herself longing to vanishto disappear and simply draw, or dream to music.
When Gran was alive, shed taken Maisie to art classes. It lasted just a year, but it became Maisies secret escapea magical realm alive with colour. But Gran became unwell, Mum started full-time, Sophie arrived, and there was no more chance. Art supplies were dear; still, a simple watercolour set and pads were enough to create a world all her own. In imagination, she was sometimes a princess, sometimes a dauntless knight, or just a girl tumbling into a fairy tale. Her faeries, kings and unicorns were so vibrant, the younger ones were glued to her pictures for hours. Then stories grew from the pictures, and the evenings belonged to Maisies magic. Even the little ones grew quiet, watching her, always asking: Draw a fairy tale!
But every morning, the carousel restartedwash, feed, walk to school and nursery. Maisie hardly left room for herself, seeing how hard her mother worked. Sometimes, though, she longed to stroll with friends or go to the cinema. Her friends had given up inviting her, for she always replied, I cant, sorry. Promised Mum Id help.
Only last month, the neurologist finally lifted Arties latest diagnosis and Maisie dared think, Just a little longer; soon Artie will start nursery too, and maybe Ill have time for myself. But there was never more time.
Maisie sighed. Nothing to be done about it, so she must carry on.
She quickly gave Molly breakfast, got her ready, and then, checking the clock, realised they were late.
Molly, lets run!
Maisie, pick up some bread on your way back! Anna called after her.
Maisie waved a hand, rushed out, and the day spun into its madness. Only by evening did she remember her secret. Shed meant to check her email in the morning. After lunch, she shooed an indignant Sophie away from the computer. Just two minutes! Homework done?
Dont start. Ive only got this one level left!
Mum will give you a level if you dont finish. Need help?
Maybe Algebras a muddle. Maisie, let me play! Otherwise Ill never finishMums coming soon.
Itll take me a moment. Maisie opened her email with her fingers crossed. There it was: she could hardly breathe, afraid to look, afraid it wasnt good news. Sophiecan you make me a tea? Ill help you with algebra.
Alright! Her brother vanished, and Maisie clicked.
A shout of joy rang through the flat and poor Sophie almost dropped the mug. Maisie was dancing across the room, clapping like little Molly.
It worked, Sophie! It worked!
What did? Sophie gaped. Hed never seen his serious sister like this.
Maisie pecked his nose, grabbed her tea. Ill explain later. Come onalgebra, quickly, so you can finish your game.
Sophie, bewildered, forgot shed been sulking, pulling out his book.
All the while, Maisies mind span over the letter from the London publishing house, to whom shed sent her stories and the illustrations. For two years, shed quietly prepared, hoping someday to share her fairy tales with other children too. What if others loved them, too? Perhaps her passion could become something more.
It had worked! They wanted an interview. Now shed need to convince her parents to let her go, and she didnt have any travel moneyno spare cash floated in this household.
Maisie! I dont know why anyone would want your picturesarent there enough professionals in London?
Mum, if they invited me, surely theres something special?
Maybe. But you know, we cant pay for a ticket or room and board. Artie needs another round of appointments soon, and that comes first; well need every bit saved. Surely you see, darling.
Maisie shrivelled inside. Of course her mother was right.
I could get a job. My mate Lucy says the café needs a waitress.
And wholl look after the house? I cant do it alone. No, Maisieits not up for discussion!
Anna went to bathe Artie. Maisie wiped her eyes against the edge of her workbook, trying not to sniffle. But Molly always noticed. She clambered into Maisies arms, clinging tight.
Dont cry!
Maisie hugged her back.
I wont!
No sense wallowing. Time to think how to scrape together travel money and how Mum would manage without her for a bit. The letter said shed a monthtime to devise a plan.
Maisie gave Molly a kiss and set her down. See if Mums finished bathing Artie, then well clean you up. What did you do at nursery to get paint behind your ears?
I was painting!
Good! You really got stuck in! Maisie laughed.
Molly scampered off. Maisie grabbed her phone and dialled Lucy.
Lucydo morning shifts exist at the café?
Yeah, but what about your studies?
Ive got exams now, then its half-term. Mornings for revision, afternoons at the café.
Ill ask if you can swap in. I desperately need someone to cover! But no promises.
Thanks, Lucy!
Lucy managed to talk the manager round. For three weeks, Maisie filled in. The pay wasnt grand, but after adding up every note, she had just enough if she was careful.
That evening, she approached her parents again.
Ive saved the money. Not loads, but enough. PleaseDad, Mum, will you let me try? I so want to give it a go. What if I succeed?
Maisie! Not again! Weve had this talk! Anna banged her cup down. Its foolish. Your pictures cant be better than what professionals do.
Its not just the pictures, Mum, its the stories
It doesnt matter. People study for years! Youll risk so much for nothing. What if they turn you down? What then?
But at least I will have tried Maisies head dropped.
Right, thats enough, said Owen. Maisie is right.
What? Anna glanced at her husband, shocked. They never contradicted each other.
Let her go! Better to try and fall, than regret never trying. Darling, we havent much, but weve a little holiday fund.
But, Dad, weve been saving up for that Cornwall trip
It can wait! This is more important. Isnt that right, Anna?
Anna had to nod.
Thank you! Maisie hugged them, slipping from the kitchen, heart pounding.
Owen
What is it, Anna? We have made her a housemaid!
Dont say that.
Its true! Shes been nanny, cleaner, tutorwho knows what else! Shes done her bit. Now its our turn.
Perhaps youre right Owen, am I a bad mother?
Dont be silly. Look at our childrenbright, talented, good-hearted. Cant be that bad.
Two days later the whole family saw Maisie off at Kings Cross.
Call us, darling! Good luck, Maisiemay it go well!
A week later, Maisie came home feeling she could handle anything thrown at her. It might be a slim book, it might only have two storiesbut it was real, it would be the first, and nothing could take that from her.
Whos home? She called, stepping into the flat.
Out dashed Molly, flinging herself round Maisies neck.
Youre back! Andthey say its a girl!
Maisie took a second to realise. Then she hugged her sister.
Thats wonderful! Youll be a big sister now!
Wow! Mollys eyes grew round. I have to be brave, in case shes frightened too.
Youll protect her, I know it.
I will! Molly balled her fists.
You little soldier! Maisie ruffled her hair. Where is everyone?
Weve got a surprise! Come and see!
Molly tugged her along to the childrens bedroom.
Look!
Maisies mouth dropped open. It was their biggest room, but now she barely recognised it. Gone were the mismatched beds; there was a partition. Moving past it, she staredher own little space, screens she could slide for privacy, almost a room to herself.
Well? Mum asked, arm round her shoulders. We thought youd need somewhere to work, away from the little ones. Sorry, darling
Sorry for what? Maisie blinked.
Ive been selfish. Youve done so much all these years. I only thought of my troubles Happiness cant exist by making someone else unhappy.
Mum, dont. If there hadnt been so many of us, Id never have had stories to tell. I wouldnt trade it.
Mum, Maisie, teas ready, and the cake! Sophie called, pulling her into the warm kitchen.
That evening, Maisie thought to herself, Tuck another lucky day into the pocket of my memory. She wasnt ready to mention her dreammoving to London in a few yearsbut shed never neglect her studies, nor leave Mum to cope with everything. Still, shed chosenlife was for moving forward, and helping came in many forms.
Five years later, Molly sat cross-legged on the bed, stroking Katies hair. Artie snored quietly at her other side, a toy car forgotten by his pillow. On Mollys lap, a brightly illustrated booktheir favourite. Of course it was, as Maisie herself had written and drawn it. Even from afar, their big sister visited often as she could. Molly would burrow close and whisper,
Can I be the littlest again?
Molly closed the book with a sigh.
Its hard being a princess, isnt it, Kate? Sitting and waiting to be rescued. Lucky that Maisies tales are differenther princess slays her own dragon and saves the whole kingdom. Isnt that great?
Mmhmm, yawned sleepy Katie.
A big sister never teaches bad habits! Off to bed, you twonursery in the morning, and at the weekend Maisies coming. Maybe shell bring a new book! Well discover if her princess finds her prince at last.
Inside, Molly smiled. Of course she willand soon after, thered be a little prince too. Molly would be an aunt, not just a big sister.
With a gentle tug, she tucked the blanket around Katie, whisked Arties toy safely away, and flicked on the nightlight. She paused before Maisies photographthere in her silver wedding dress, the image softly glowing under the lamp. She looked more queen than princess.
Not a princess. A queen, Molly whispered, tracing the glass with her finger, then slipping into bed. Tomorrow would be busy, but that was alrightfor lifes fairy tales, those made at home, were the best of all.
