I’ll Take Him Home: “Mum, look, it’s that girl!” “Which girl? What are you talking about, Alice?” “The one whose mother visits Dad. Remember I told you?” Karina turned to the children in the sandpit, her heart clenching and then plunging. But she let nothing show, mustering up a smile for her daughter. “Sweetheart, so what? Dad has lots of clients, he’s an artist…” “Yes, but that girl said she’s going to take our dad away!” Alice whimpered. Karina crouched down to Alice’s level. “No one’s taking our dad, darling! Let’s go talk to her and find out why she’s saying those things. Alright?” “Alright!” “Show me which one she is, OK?” Alice pointed at an older girl in a blue jacket, standing a bit apart from the other children. “Hello there!” Karina sat on the edge of the sandpit and smiled warmly. “What’s your name, sweetheart?” “I’m not your sweetheart! What do you want? I’ll call my mum!” “Don’t worry, I just want to chat. Just like grown-ups, face to face. You understand?” The girl glanced away, fidgeted, and then nodded. “Dolly. My name’s Dolly.” “Dolly? That’s a unique name!” “Everyone says that… What do you want?” “Alice gets upset after talking with you. Can you tell me what you talk about? Maybe she misunderstood something.” “Oh, I’ll tell you!” the girl shouted. “My mum’s going to take your husband soon! I’ll have a dad and your Alice won’t! We’ll all live happily ever after together, and you’ll be crying all alone! Got it?!” Karina froze as everyone turned to stare, embarrassment washing over her. “Dolly, why would you say that?” “Because your husband loves my mum! And she loves him!” All composure left Karina. “She has no reason to lie, has she? Oh Tim… how did I miss this?” Fumbling for composure, Karina stood to leave but stopped. “I understand, Dolly. Sorry for bothering you.” Back home, Alice pleaded, “Mum, our dad’s not leaving, is he? You’re not crying, are you? Mummy…” Karina brushed the tears away, “No, darling. It’s just the wind in my eye.” “You are crying! So dad is leaving! She’s right, isn’t she? Tell me!” Alice burst into tears and ran off, with Karina wiping her face, mascara smudged, chasing after her… *** “I hate painting in the studio!” Tim, a man in his forties, shrugged off his blazer. “At home it’s different, I feel so energised in my own space.” Karina dropped the plate she was drying, smashing it in the sink. “Karina, are you alright? Did you cut yourself?” “It’s fine…” She tried to smile but couldn’t meet his eyes. “Sorry, I’m just tired. Had a tough day with the kids and there are clients tomorrow, too.” “Who’s coming?” “That woman from abroad. The one whose portrait I’m painting.” “The one with long blonde hair and a perfect figure?” Tim stared, surprised. Karina tried to control her voice, but her tone gave her away. “I’ve no idea what figure she has! I’m painting her face. Yes, her hair’s fair, I think. Doesn’t matter—she pays well, doesn’t talk much, doesn’t tire me out. She’s rather passive.” “Passive?” Karina murmured. “Yes, seems depressed. Once asked to stop so she could take some pills. Looked up the name, prescription-only.” “But you said you knew nothing about her.” “Just got curious, was all.” He hugged her tightly from behind. “Don’t worry about us not spending much time together… Once I finish this portrait, we’ll take a holiday.” “Promise?” Karina whispered, relaxing into his embrace. “Promise. My stubborn, suspicious Karina—I love you,” Tim said, squeezing her closer… The next day, Karina stayed home just to see the woman Tim was painting. When the doorbell rang, her heart raced. “Get a grip, Karina,” she thought, opening the door. “Hello! I’m Karina, Tim’s wife. Come in!” The client nodded and stepped inside. Karina turned to close the door, only to see a small girl—Dolly—from the playground. “She’ll sit very quietly. Won’t be a bother, right, Dolly?” the mother said. Dolly nodded, but didn’t look at her mum. The woman removed her coat, moving right past Karina into Tim’s studio as if she owned the place. “So, Dolly, shall we introduce ourselves again? Are you hungry? Take off your coat, I’ll make some tea.” Dolly sat silently on the shoe bench, eyes on the floor. “It’s so warm! Shall I help you?” Karina offered, crouching beside her and gently placing a hand on Dolly’s shoulder. “Is something wrong, Dolly? Did something happen?” Silence. But as Karina met her eyes, she saw they brimmed with tears. “I’m sorry,” Dolly whispered. “I lied to you.” “Dolly, darling, what do you mean?” “No one’s taking your husband. I just… I just wanted a dad, too…” Dolly began to cry, her tiny voice shaking before dissolving into sobs. “My mum’s always sick. She named me after her pain—Dolores means grief, sadness… She’s never happy. And Mr Tim gave me food, showed me his paints… I saw him play with Alice at the park. I’m always alone. Always!” Karina embraced the sobbing girl, her own heart breaking. “Poor child… If she opened up so quickly, maybe she feels safe here. What’s become of this world?” Karina thought, holding little Dolores close.

Ill take him

Mum, that girl over there!
Which girl? Whats on your mind, Emily?
The one whose mum comes to visit Dad. I told you about her, remember?

Sarah turned her head towards the children playing in the sandpit. Her heart twisted and seemed to tumble right down to her knees but of course she didnt let it show. She even smiled at her daughter.

Sweetheart, so what? Daddy has lots of clients, hes an artist

Yes, but that girl just told me shes going to take our daddy soon! Emilys voice quivered on the brink of tears.

Sarah crouched down to her daughters level.

No ones going to take our daddy away! How about I go and talk to her right now, see whats really going on? See why shes saying things like that? All right?

Yes, please!

Will you show me which one she is?

Emily pointed out a girl in a sky blue coat. She looked a little older than the others, standing apart and keeping to herself.

Hello there! Sarah perched on the edge of the sandpit, offering the girl a smile. Whats your name, love?

The girl looked startled at first, then quickly pulled her face into a scowl.

Im not your love. What do you want? Ill get my mum if you bother me!

Dont worry, please. Id just like a little chat, just you and me. Like grown-ups, face to face. You understand?

The girl hesitated, then glanced away and nodded.

Maisie My names Maisie.

Maisie? Sarah couldnt help her surprise. Thats a lovely name!

People always say that So, what do you want?

Emily gets upset by things you say to her. Would you mind telling me what you two talk about? Just so I know what actually happened? Maybe she misunderstood something

She didnt misunderstand anything! the girl blurted out suddenly. My mums going to take your dad! Then Ill have a dad and your Emily wont! Well all live together and be happy, and youll be all on your own and crying! Got it?!

Sarah froze, alarmed by the outburst. Other parents glanced over, confused.

Maisie, I why would you say something like that?

Because your dad loves my mum. And she loves him too! So there!

Sarah felt her poise shatter in an instant. Why would she lie? She has nothing to gain by making this up. Oh God, Tom how did I miss this? How blind have I been? Thoughts tumbled over themselves as she hurriedly stood up. She opened her mouth to say something but just shook her head.

All right, Maisie. Sorry I bothered you.

So, Mum, Daddys not going anywhere, is he? That nasty girl cant take him away, can she? Emily peered anxiously at Sarahs face. Mum are you crying?

Sarah raised the back of her hand to her cheek, surprised to find it wet.

No, darling, no Something got in my eye, thats all. Must be the wind.

You are crying! Emily burst out. So Daddy really is leaving, isnt he? Shes right, isnt she, Mum? Say something!

Sobbing, Emily bolted towards the flats. Snapping out of her daze, Sarah chased after her, desperately trying to wipe away smeared mascara and the tear tracks from her cheeks…

***

I cant stand painting in the studio! Tom, her husband, shrugged off his jacket and hung it on the back of a chair. But at home, its different. I feel so much more energy in my own workshop.

Sarah dropped the plate shed been scrubbing for ages. It clattered loudly in the sink and split in two.

Sarah, are you all right? You didnt cut yourself? Tom asked, genuinely concerned.

Im fine

She tried to force a smile, but couldn’t quite meet his eyes.

Sorry Im just exhausted. Spent all day with the kids, you know how it is. And Ive got a client coming round tomorrow.

Who?

The one from abroad? Im doing her portrait, traditional style.

The one with long blonde hair and a perfect waist?

Tom gave her a puzzled look. Sarah struggled to keep calm, but the tremor in her voice gave her away.

How should I know what her waist is like? I only see her when I paint! Her hair is blonde, yes. But what does it matter if it’s blonde or brown? She pays well, doesnt give me trouble, not a word of complaint. Very quiet

Quiet, is she Sarah whispered.

Yeah, a bit down, I think. Once she asked to stop the session to take some tablets. I looked them up, you have to get them on prescription

You say you hardly know anything about her.

I was just curious. Ordinary curiosity.

Tom got up and came over to Sarah. He hugged her from behind and spoke softly:

Dont get upset that were barely together lately Once I finish this portrait, well take a holiday, just us.

Promise? Sarah said, bewildered, but she melted into his embrace.

Of course, my little Sarah. My stubborn, suspicious girl, who I love so much, Tom whispered, holding her even closer…

The next day, Sarah stayed home. She wanted to see the woman Tom was working with for herself. Her heart thudded wildly when the doorbell rang. Im all nerves When was the last time I felt like this? Get yourself together, she told herself and hurried to answer the door.

Good afternoon! Im Sarah, Toms wife. Please, do come in!

The client nodded politely and stepped inside. Sarah turned to close the door, and there, behind the woman, stood a little girl the very same one Sarah had met at the playground the previous day.

Shell sit quietly, wont disturb anyone the woman said, taking off her coat. Isnt that right, Maisie?

Maisie nodded but didnt look at her mother. Without another word, the woman walked past Sarah towards Toms studio. She acts like she owns the place! Sarah thought, but pushed the idea aside.

So, Maisie, shall we get to know each other properly? You must be hungry, arent you? Take your coat off, Ill put the kettle on.

Maisie sat silently on the shoe bench, staring at the floor.

Its warm in here, you know do you need any help? Sarah tried, attempting cheerfulness.

Maisie didnt reply. Sarah felt awkward, but hid it. She knelt down beside her, gently placing a hand on Maisies shoulder.

Maisie, love is something bothering you? Has anything happened?

There was only silence. But when Sarah looked closely, she saw Maisies eyes were swollen with tears, already streaking her cheeks.

Im sorry Maisie whispered. I lied to you.

Maisie, sweetheart Sarahs heart broke for her. About what?

No ones taking your dad away. I just I just wanted a dad too…

Maisie started to cry properly, her voice cracking and turning into a real sob.

My mums ill. Always ill. She called me Maisie after her favourite flower, but shes hardly ever happy. And Tom he fed me, showed me his paints I saw him playing with Emily in the park! But me Im always on my own. Always!

Sarah sat in shock. Poor child If she opened up to me that quickly, she must finally feel safe… If only here, with us. What on earth is happening to this world? she thought, gathering Maisie up in a gentle, warm hug as the little girl sobbed in her arms.