Good grief, weve got three of our own!
Emma sank heavily onto the sofa, clutching her temples. Across the room, Tom stared at her with a sour expression.
What am I supposed to do now? Take her to the orphanage? Tom, you were practically a brother to her
Brother? When was the last time you saw that brother of yours? Ten years ago? He only shows up when he wants something.
Emmas voice softened, and Tom, feeling the tension, swallowed his retort. He didnt want to argue; he knew the responsibility for little Lily would fall squarely on his wifes shoulders. As for Emmashe was a good woman, loud and quick to shout, but never malicious. Shed never let a problem slide by.
Emma, tell me, what was I supposed to do? Im your uncle, your close relative. And she
Tom gestured toward the little girl who was still frozen at the doorway.
What about her?
Obviously the childs not to blame When is the funeral?
Tomorrow morning. Ill be there at first light.
Stop twiddling your thumbs. Come over here, well introduce ourselves properly.
Lily stepped forward hesitantly, one foot after another. Emma could no longer stand back; she sprang to her feet and went straight to the girl.
Dont be shy, love. Let me help you with that coat.
She deftly unbuttoned Lilys coat, then a massive jumper that seemed to belong to someone else, and thenshe gasped.
Lord what on earth is she made of? Skin and bone whats that?
Emma turned the child toward the light and froze. She stared at Tom, who only managed a croak. If only Tom hadnt been such a softy with his brother when they were kids. Hed have turned into a proper man by now. Lily was left in a thin dress with short sleeves, her arms bruised all over. Emma tugged at the dresss collar, glanced at the back, and covered her mouth with a hand She stood there, stunned, then finally snapped out of it.
Tom, fetch the kettle, quick! Mickey, come here!
Mickey burst out of the bedroom.
Whats the matter, Mum?
Nothing, justwhat! How many times do I have to tell you! Run to Mrs. Whitaker. Ask her if we have any spare clothes for a girl Maybe theres something old.
Ive got it, Mum. Heard you loud and clear.
And if you heard, what else is there to be done?
Mickey darted for the door, pulling his jacket over his head. The boys were always listening, always peeking. It was a joke that a tiny, frail girl could slip into their household, let alone a little girl. When they saw Mum inspecting Lilys bruises, they promptly decided to put up a partition in their own room. Fine, well keep her safe in our corner, and no one will touch her, they declared, forgetting all the mischief theyd been planning since dawn.
Mickey returned not only with a sack of rags but also with Mrs. Whitaker herself. Shed come of her own accord, unable to tear herself away.
Mrs. Whitaker muttered about Lilys reckless life, then said, You should have a look inside her head. You never know what critters might be crawling about.
Lily stood silently in the middle of the room, as if the chaos around her didnt affect her at all. Emma swore, rummaged Lilys hair into a part, and cursed like a country farmer.
She lifted Lilys crooked braid, sighed. What lovely hair pity its about to go.
Lily?
The girl met her with frightened eyes.
Lily your hair needs a cut. Completely. Dont worry, itll grow back. And Ive got a pretty handkerchief for you.
Tears rolled down Lilys dirty cheeks. Emma almost wept herself while snipping the hair, then tossed the clippings into the stove. Tom walked in, saw the scene, and let out a short bark. Ah, if only hed given his brother a proper beating as a kid he muttered.
As soon as Emma and Lily disappeared into the bathroom, the oldest boy, Andrew, appeared at the doorway. He was twelve, the defacto leader of the gang, respected but never overbearing.
Dad, can you help us? he asked.
Tom entered, eyes wide.
What are you up to?
We want to move this wardrobe to create a little nook for her. Shes a girl, you know, and the things heavy.
Tom sniffed, his voice gruff, Your mother feeds you, she feeds you, but it does you no good. The three of you cant even shift a wardrobe! Get to it!
Dad, what will she sleep on?
Tom scratched his head. Well have to buy something, I suppose
Dad, can I have the old pullout couch? You know I love to curl up on it. We can put Lilys bed in thereshes almost outgrown it anyway.
By the time Emma and Lily returned from the bath, the boys and Tom had most of the work done. They still needed linens, maybe a rug for decoration, but Emma would sort that out herself.
Enjoy the steam, Tom said.
Thanks. Im knackered. Lily hasnt even seen water in days, let alone a wash. Shes scared of everything now. Ill rest a bit, then well figure out where Lily will sleep.
Lily looked brighterthin, cute in a colourful headscarf, big eyes, fluttering lashes.
Right, follow me, Ill show you
Emma looked at Tom, surprised, then rose. He pulled back the curtain to the boys roomthe biggest chamber in the house. The parents small bedroom sat off to one side, while the large room doubled as a hall, hallway, and kitchen.
Whats this? Emma asked, eyes widening at the chaos of rearranged furniture.
The boys did it themselves, didnt they, love? Tom grinned. Good lads, arent they?
Lily wasnt just eating; she gorged herself as if she hadnt been fed in ages.
Enough, Lily Youll get sick. Rest now, dont worry; weve got plenty to eat. Everythings fine.
Lily stared at her plate, then seemed to deflate, as if her energy had simply drained away.
Come on, Ill show you your bed.
She barely managed to stand before she fell asleep.
Emma returned to the table.
Tom, fetch the sherry.
Tom looked puzzledEmma never drank, only a cheeky nip on holidays. He slipped away, poured a glass for her and himself.
Emma downed it in one go. Tom lifted his own glass, and Emma stared at him, saying, If your brother were still alive, Id have strangled him with my own hands
Tom lowered his head. Hed have done the same.
Toms brother, Billy, had been born when Tom was fourteen, and nobody expected another child. The old woman whod examined him spat, You wasted a good lad.
Tom remembered his mothers screams, her constant kicking, the house full of muttering. Hed feared the old crone like fire. Everyone in the village said she was a witch. Tom, of course, knew there were no witches, but the rumors persisted.
His mother, exhausted from shouting at the crone, suddenly said, Ill be dead tomorrow. Take the baby to the funeral.
Toms mother retorted, What else do we need?
The crone calmly warned, Ill curse you from beyond the grave if you dont take him.
The next day she truly died. Tom thought hed lose his mind standing over the coffin. His mother didnt disobey; she came back with Billy, who wailed throughout the graveyard. After that, peace settled over the family.
From an early age, Billy was a scrounger, always pinching someone elses food, blaming others. He got his tricks from their father, then from Tom. He never learned a proper lesson. He joined the army, came back with a wife, had a daughter, and that was the end of his parental duties. Their life turned into endless drinking sessions. Tom begged his parents to move in with him, but they insisted Billy and Lily would disappear without them and they did. One by one, the parents left. Years passed, and Billy never contributed a penny to his mothers funeral.
Four years later, the parish council chair called Tom.
Tom Your brother and his wife froze on their way home. Their little girl survived. If you dont take her in, shell end up in an orphanage. Dont worry about the funeral; well help. You and Emma are worth your weight in gold to us.
Tom never understood why Emma hadnt told him everything at onceperhaps he feared shed forbid taking the child in a panic.
A week later Lily stopped grabbing food. She learned to use a fork and spoon. Her skin turned a healthy hue, no longer translucent, but she behaved like a wild wolf. If any of the boys asked her something, shed hide under the blanket and stay silent.
They gave her books, toys, but she stayed mute, only flashing her eyes like a startled owl. Emma tried to talk to her countless times, to no availjust yes, no, and nothing else.
Emma finally snapped.
What are you looking at us like a wolf? Did we do something wrong? Why wont you speak, smile, or even like us? Were not keeping you here against your will!
Lily stared with huge eyes, never blinking, two tiny tears slipping down her cheeks
Emma choked back sobs, almost bursting out of the house. She swore shed never raise her voice at the girl again.
That evening, Mrs. Whitaker dropped by.
Emma, youre not yourself today.
Emma waved a hand. Im exhausted Shes a terror, like an owl
Just an owl Mrs. Whitaker said.
What?
Shes a child, and children feel when theyre not loved. Shes basically in an orphanage, just with better conditions.
Do as you will, Whitaker How do you love a stranger? Im not hurting her. Im trying
Can you love a kitten?
A kitten, of course
Thats the point. Weve changed. Were not what we used to be. Everyone used to love each other.
Spring came in a flash. Emma tried not to nag Lily. She ate, wore shoes, read booksboys had taught her to read. Occasionally Lily chatted with the boys, answering more than a simple yes or no. The boys finally asked Tom for help with a surprise for Lily.
Her birthday was a month away, so the boys, holed up in the barn, crafted a little vanity table with a mirrorlike something a grownup fashionista would have. Emma wanted to shoo them away at first, thinking they were up to no good, but then she thought, why not? A bit of harmless fun.
Lily didnt understand what was happening. Emma handed her a new, delicate lace handkerchief and helped tie it around her head like a tiny hedgehog. Lily twirled before the mirror, eyes wide. Then Tom brought out a new dress. Lilys mouth opened in awe; shed never seen anything like it.
When the boys finally carried the table over, Lily ran her hands over it, and Emma thought she saw a smile. Lily then hugged each brother in turn.
From that day on, the boys and Lily became true friends. They chattered for hours in their room, laughing. But whenever Emma appeared, Lily would retreat to a corner and sit mute, which drove Emma mad. Why cant she just be normal? Dressed, fed why does she turn away? she thought.
Soon the garden started, and there was no time for worries. This year they planned to raise another pig to sell later. That meant more clothes for the four of them. The state pension Lily received, Emma ordered not to touch.
Dont spend it. Let it grow, maybe buy a wedding dress someday.
Tom nodded in agreement. He always nodded when Emma spoke, and she spoke most of the time. The only thing Tom never understood was why Lily and Emma never got alongshe got along fine with the boys, with Tom, but with Emma she seemed stonecold, and Emma never showed any special affection.
***
One afternoon Emma was planting flowers in the front garden when a local lad bolted over.
Aunt Emma! Theyre beating us!
Emma straightened. Whos them?
Everyoneour lot!
The lad took off. Emma, pulling up her skirts, sprinted to the river where all the children had been playing half an hour earlier.
From a distance she saw a brawl: her boys fighting a whole crowd of other boys. They stood backtoback, and in the middle, Lily, perched like a birds nest. The village men were already running in, belts in hand. As soon as the fathers saw the fight, they scattered, each running his own way.
Emma knelt, trembling.
What on earth What is this?
Mickeys eyebrow was split, Andrews eye was swelling, and Sergeys shoulder was bruised.
Lily started sobbing.
What happened? she demanded.
Mickey sniffed. We came to swim Lily took off her handkerchief, and they started teasing her. So we tried to defend her.
Did you really think you should step in?
Sergey stared at his mother. Did we have to go swimming?
Andrew shouted, Shes our sister. Who else would we let hurt her?
Emma rose, hands on hips. Off you go home.
She followed them out. Why does this trouble fall on our family? She might be a decent girl, but shed be better off elsewhere
Mrs. Whitaker waited at the door. Emma, whats the gossip in the village? They say your boys almost got killed over a trinket.
Emma halted, a storm brewing inside. Because of what?
Mrs. Whitakers eyes widened. Because of a trinket You call it that yourself.
And you think you can fling it around the village Ill call it what I like! Dont you dare
Emma pointed a finger at Mrs. Whitakers nose so forcefully that the old lady stepped back, almost toppling over.
Dont you dare! Not you! Not anyone! You know me!
Emma slammed the gate shut, and Mrs. Whitaker muttered, Bless you The trinket will drive us all mad soon! Who was that old woman anyway?
Mrs. Whitaker looked around, clueless where to start spreading the news, then stuck out her finger, turned, and walked off in the direction the wind pointed.
Emma closed the gate and burst into tears. Why is this happening to me? Why? We were living peacefully, no worries
Love, why are you crying? a voice asked.
The boys and Lily hadnt left the house yet. Emma rarely cried, at least not in public.
I I she stammered, then sobbed, Because the onions wont grow! The flowers refuse to sprout! And everything! Get out of the house!
The children fled hurriedly.
That night Emma and Tom talked long.
Tom, what are we to do? Theyll keep fighting, the boys will keep battling.
Tom shook his head stubbornly. Let them fight! Theyre defending their sister, so theyre right.
What if they hurt someone, or each other?
Theyre just kids
Emma didnt hear any confidence in Toms voice. She decided to think for herself. Tom was busy sowing his field, halfasleep.
In the dead of night, a strange whisper woke Emma. She rose quietly, thinking perhaps the boys were up to something, but the sound came from the large room. She peeked and froze.
On a tiny icon perched behind a vase, Lily knelt, whispering fervently:
Dear God, I know youre good. Youve helped me when I asked you to make Mum and Dad fall asleep. Please help me one last time. Let Aunt Emmas flowers grow well, and everything else too. If they grow, she wont be so upset and maybe shell love me. God, let her know Ill be a very good daughter. Ill wash the dishes, help around, stop being naughty, and ask for nothing else. I have enough already. If you hear me, let her love me, and shell want to be my mum Ill give you anythingmy prettiest dress, all my sweets
Lily rose, and Emma, choking back tears, retreated to the bedroom, biting her lip to keep from sobbing out loud.
The next morning, a few of the village women gathered outside Emmas shop.
What are we going to do, Emma? Because of your trinket the boys are fighting now?
Emma clamped her lips, about to stay silent, when one of the ladies blurted out, Send her to the orphanage. Thats where she belongs.
Emma set her bag down, turned to the outspoken woman.
Is that your cow thats mooing, Sue? You think my Lily belongs in an orphanage? She hasnt done anything wrong unlike your own daughter wasnt it your Mary who stole Steffs money last year and bought sweets?
Emma stepped onto the pale womans chest.
Sue, hold your tongue, and sort out your own child. Or do you think I dont know who started the ruckus by the river?
EmmaEmma stared the women down, declared that Lily was her own, and walked away, confident that love, not gossip, would finally knit their fractured family together.
