“Darling, weve got to hand Lily over to the childrens home!”
Alex Turner stared at his wife, jaw slack. Are you out of your mind? Hand her over? What are you talking about?
Jane clenched her curls, eyes flashing. Exactlyhand her over! Our own baby is on the way, why keep someone else?
Jane, youre saying we should because God will reward us for giving that little orphan a family? You were the one who pushed for adopting her in the first place!
I never stopped hoping for a child of my ownthats why I fought for Lily. Whats a family without kids?
Fiveyearold Lily stood at the foot of their bedroom door, heart thudding. She wasnt their own? They wanted to send her back to the orphanage? Tears sprang from her eyes. Shed just been thrilled at the thought of a new brother or sister and now that very excitement threatened to strip her of the parents shed known.
Sensing the tension, Alex rose, moving toward the door. Behind it, Lily sobbed.
Dad, am I not really yours? she asked, her big eyes wide with panic.
Dont say that, sunshine, Alex scooped her up. Of course youre ours.
But you said you wanted to send me back to the orphanage! So Im not yours? Lilys voice cracked, tears streaking her cheeks.
Yes, we took you in, but that doesnt make you any less our daughter. We love you. Mums hormones are just all over the place because of the baby. Let me tuck you in.
***
Leave us, and youll never see your child again! Jane screamed, her face twisted with desperation. I want a proper familyno outsiders!
Jane, calm down! There are no outsiders here. Lily is our daughter too! Alex tried to soothe his wife. Were a family.
I didnt give birth to her! Shes not my child! Janes anger rose like a storm. Chooseme or her!
Alex helped Lily pack a small bag.
Youll stay with Grandma for a while, so Mum wont be so stressed, he told her. The baby will be born, Mum will recover, and well bring you home, okay?
Lily nodded, willing to do anything to avoid the home again. She loved her grandmother, who always offered her sweets and a warm smile.
Gran, if Mum does try to send me back, can I stay here forever? Lily asked as she stepped over the threshold.
Margaret Hughes, her grandmother, gave Alex a stern look. He managed a shaky grin. Janes hormones are acting up, love.
Of course, my dear, Margaret said, helping Lily out of her coat. Mum isnt really going to give you awayyoure her daughter. Shes just scared.
***
Two months passed. Lily lived with Margaret in a cosy cottage on the outskirts of Manchester. Alexs visits grew rarer, his time split between his job at the hospital and the intensive care unit where Jane lay, fighting the complications of labour.
One morning, as Margaret prepared tea, Lily spotted a car pull up outside. Dads home! she squealed.
That early? Margaret frowned. Alex never arrived before noon. She sent Lily to the kitchen and went to meet him.
Jane passed away last night, Alex said, dropping heavily onto the hallway bench. She went into labour and she didnt make it. The baby didnt survive either.
The three of them sat in stunned silence, teacups growing cold.
Mother, Im taking Lily back. She belongs here now, Alex announced.
If you need a roof, I can stay with you, Margaret asked, eyes searching his.
Thanks, Mum, Alex whispered.
***
Lily examined her new school uniform with bright eyes, a shiny backpack waiting for the first day of term. The hallway door swung open and Alex stepped in, arms around a petite woman with dark hair.
Everyone, meet Emma Clarke. Shell be living with us, Alex said, forcing cheerfulness.
Hello, Lily, Emma smiled, handing her a small bouquet. For the first of September.
Lily barely nodded, retreating to her room, muttering, Fine, whatever.
You dont have to be angry, Alex said to Emma, Shes a good girl, really.
Im sure well get along, Emma replied, hope bright in her voice.
Lily slammed the door, her heart pounding. She watched as Alex and Emma shared a shy, tentative kiss. Soon after, Alex received a promotion and disappeared into boardrooms, leaving most of Lilys care to Emma. Emma attended parentteacher meetings, helped with homework, took Lily to the cinema and cafés, and slowly, Lilys walls began to crumble. The house settled into an uneasy peace.
The school year ended with another shockEmma announced she was pregnant. Lily flinched, retreating to her room, tears spilling over her pillow. Emma stood outside, pleading.
Lily! Stop crying! I love you. Ill never give you away. Well always be together. Youre my favourite girl!
Really? Lily sniffed, emerging slowly.
Yes, truly, Emma hugged her. Youre my own child now.
Months later Lily cradled a tiny infant, marveling at his size.
Mum! Look how funny he is! she giggled, calling Emma Mum without thinking. Emma, hiding tears of joy, embraced her.
Two more years drifted by. Lily was in Year Four when tragedy struckAlex was killed in a car crash on the M6. Lily and Emma, now left to run the house on autopilot, tended to baby Charlie, tried to keep up with chores, and lived in a muted hush. Charlie, too young to understand, often threw tantrums.
One night, after Charlie fell asleep, Emma slipped into Lilys room.
Lily, we cant keep living like this. Dads gone, and life must go on. Lets stop wallowing, she whispered.
Okay, Lily whispered back, feeling the weight of Emmas words.
Just as they began to rebuild, a knock sounded at the front door. A stern woman in a navy coat introduced herself as a Social Services inspector.
We need to place you in care, Elena, she declared. Your grandparents are too old to support you, and you have no legal adoption papers.
Emmas face turned white. What about me?
Show us the adoption documents! the inspector demanded. None existed. Thats why were taking you. Youre now an orphan.
Lily stared, a cold calm spreading through her. Her worst nightmare had come trueshe was truly alone.
Ill get you out of there! Emma shouted, but Lily shook her head. She felt no hope. Shed been loved when her father was alive; now, with him gone, she believed no one wanted her, especially not Emma, who had her own child.
Emma visited the orphanage occasionally, but Lily never opened the door. She watched Emma sit on a bench, waiting, never approaching. Visits grew rarer until they stopped altogether.
Just what I wantedplay mother and lose, Lily thought bitterly.
Two months later, a roughlooking boy named Vicky, known around the block as Vas, shoved his head through the dormitory door.
What does the headmistress want now? Lily asked, irritated.
The headmistress says youve been accepted into a family, Vicky announced. Not a perfect one, but a family.
I dont want any family! Lily snarled. Im cursed with them!
The fate of families is yours to decide, Vicky muttered, turning away.
She gathered a few belongings and walked out, indifferent to whatever lay ahead.
Outside the orphanage, Emma stood under a drizzle, eyes tired.
What are you doing here? Lily asked, voice flat.
Im here for you, Emma said, stepping forward.
Im already adopted, Lily replied.
You, Emma whispered, smiling faintly. I told you you were my own, and Id never let anyone take you. The systems cruel, but Ive managed a few bribes, a bit of luck. Were a real family now. Come home, Charlie misses you.
Lilys eyes widened, a flicker of hope breaking through. Mom? she whispered, the word feeling both foreign and familiar.
Yes, love. Lets go.
