You know, Mary, youve always been a bit mad, havent you? Why on earth do you take on other peoples problems? Havent you got enough of your own? Hasnt life put you through enough already?
Natalie is at it again, emptying from her bag the things shes bought for her sister. Mary, as usual, hasnt bought a thing for herself. Always saving, always stretching every pound and for what, exactly? Shell never say if you ask. No children, no whips cracking over her head! She was married once, but that hasty, pointless marriage fizzled out before it had even really started. In fact, barely a week after her husband walked out, Mary dragged another stray cat into her flat and, comforted, consoled herself, well aware her sister would now keep a close eye on her.
Her luckless husband had packed up and left while Mary was out at work. He even took Marys gold earrings, the ones their gran had left to her. Natalie always reckoned she would have looked after them better!
Why are you just blinking at me? Put this on, will you? You never know, maybe Ive got the size wrong.
Brightly coloured tops and a new skirt are hardly Marys style. Shes never liked garish colours or wild patterns. Natalie, on the other hand, is in her element. Today shes sporting a garishly green skirtproper high-vis stylepaired with a top so leopard you almost want to purr. This seasons it pattern, so she says.
Thats better! You look more human now! Natalie growls, seeing her sister tugging the slightly short jumper down. Dont be daft, it looks good! Maybe youll snag yourself a bloke yetabout time, dont you think? Im not going to be around forever, Mary. Who will look after you?
Natalies tone softens, and Mary hugs her, burying her face in her big-hearted sisters chest.
Oh, what are you like? Natalie squeezes Mary, gently stroking the silver in her hair. Love you, you silly old thing. And you know it.
I know.
So come on then, what nonsense have you got yourself tangled in this time?
Mary looks up at her sister and smiles.
Boisterous, blunt Natalie was the closest Mary had in the world. When their mum diedMary had only been thirteenNatalie, a young woman of twenty, stepped into the role without blinking. She paused her university course, took a job, and made sure she raised her sister, after their dad left when Mary was still a baby, never to be seen again. Their mother had been strong, clever, able to run a household and raise her girls with both kindness and wisdom. But her heart, broken by lifes burdens, just gave out
So Natalie became responsible for Mary.
But Mary was never trouble. No massive teenage dramamaybe shed drag home a stray cat from the street or take a lonely old lady under her wing and forget, for a moment, that she had schoolwork or chores to do.
Marys heart was always warmer, more open, than Nataliesand Natalie knew it.
Just like Mum she would sigh whenever her sister told stories of helping kittens or old neighbours. Mum always wore her heart on her sleeve too. But Mary girl, you cant take on everyones pain the hearts not bottomless, you know. Theres only so much a person can handle. Take care of yourself. What would I do if something happened to you?
Id hardly leave you, would I? Mary would grin, her clear blue eyes mirroring their mothersa look that made you feel life was worth living.
Of course, Natalie would scold her. She worriedshe knew people like Mary always struggled in life. Take the shirt off their back, give everything, just so someone else might have it a bit easier. They never seek that happy middle ground, eitherbecause they know it doesnt really exist. The worlds balance between good and evil rests on such peoples shoulders. Theres always enough hatebut goodness, thats harder to find.
When Mary was eighteen, bright as a daffodil and sparkling with innocence, she confessed to her sister that shed fallen in love. Natalies heart caught in her chest.
Shell give everything to this boy! But does he deserve it?
Of course, he didnt.
Paul rubbed Natalie up the wrong way from the starta sly, twitchy sort, looking at Mary as if she were a chocolate bar he couldnt quite unwrap yet. Natalie soon realised why he waited: he wanted complete control.
She only discovered what went on in that flat much later. Paul banned Mary from inviting anyone in, and Natalie, initially, gave them some spacefiguring, perhaps they wanted their independence. But when Mary didnt come round at all, Natalie got suspicious, cornered Paul in the street and demanded, Whats going on with Mary?
Nothing, Paul sneered up at her, barely reaching her shoulder. Keep your nose out of it, Nat. Its got nothing to do with you.
Then Natalie realisedleaving Mary alone with this man had been a terrible mistake.
It took her all of a minute to pin him against the wall and quietly growl, Shut your trap. Dont make a scene.
Paul didnt even argue. Natalie wasnt soft like Mary after seeing what hed done, he knew hed be lucky to escape her wrath.
But seeing the bruise on Marys face floored Natalie more than anything had in her life. How could anyone lift a hand to her gentle Mary?
Why didnt you tell me?! Natalie was desperate, hugging her howling sister.
I was scared I knew youd never set him free
Scared for him? Natalie was trembling, afraid of what she might do.
For you! Mary wailed, clinging to the only person in her life who really cared what happened to her.
Mary never married again. She had offers; she was beautiful, calm, eyes like deep lakes, kind as could be. There wasnt a jealous or malicious bone in her body. Mary was as pure as spring waternecessary, irreplaceable. Anyone could live without her, but no one really wants to drink from a muddy pond.
Natalie tried to encourage herat first, anywaybut soon realised Mary wasnt just cautious, she was terrified. The thought of letting another Paul into her life was agony. What if she lost her faith in kindness altogether? Mary needed hope.
So instead, Natalie refocused on her own life.
One of their old schoolmates a gentle, awkward soul like Natalie herself had loved her since Year Five and eventually, without even hoping, finally married her. Their two children, boisterous Alex and pensive, gentle Sophie, were as dear to Mary as her own would have been.
Mary, why dont you have a baby? You dont need a husband, do you? Youve got us. Well help! Natalie would urge gently, seeing how Mary doted on the children.
No, Nat. Im scared
Of what, silly?
Could I be a good mum? Teach them to handle life sensibly? You always say I havent got much sensehow would I teach it to a child? No, Nat. Not for me. Ive already got Alex and Sophietheyre more mine than anyone. I just hope Ive enough love for them.
Natalie could see her sister wouldnt budge, so instead convinced her to leave her job at the nursery school.
The nurserys fine, Mary, but you could do so much more where your kindness would matter most.
Wheres that then?
Well, an orphanage, for one. In your nursery, the children have parents to love them, but in care homes, its a different story. What do you reckon?
Mary didnt pondershe acted. A couple of weeks later, she started in a childrens home. She decided the children with no one to love them needed her more than anyone.
How do you grow up happy if youve never known love, even for a moment? How do you learn the path to happiness, unless someone shows you what it means to be loved?
A new chapter began for Mary. Slowly, name after name appeared in her little notebook, each belonging to a child who, thanks to her, learnt there are people out there who genuinely care.
She just livedbreathing life into her young charges, each a little changed from being in her care. She couldnt perform miracles. But she helped those just arriving at the home, and when they left, she would still look after her ducklings, helping them furnish their new flats, teaching them to cook and cleanbasic things they never learnt from anyone else.
Her habit of calling everyone pet, darling, duck or love caused some grumbling at first, but even the toughest lads got used to it, grinning when she greeted them on the street:
Duck, why didnt you pay your gas bill last month? Theyll cut you off!
MumMary, Ill do it, I promise!
And whats that on your sleeve? Girls hate scruffy blokes, you know! Your Sarah will leave you at this rate.
She wont! Were getting married next month.
And you didnt tell me?!
Shes making you an invite! Strictly told me not to say a wordand now Ive gone and spilled it. MumMary, how do you do it? I never mean to tell, but I always do.
No idea! And I never heard a thing about your wedding, all right? Say hi to Sarah. Tell her Nat and I are off to the allotment this weekend for cherriesif shes not changed her mind about making jam, she can join us. You can meet us at the bus stop, buckets and all! And tell Ben to come, tooI promised him cherries for his pies, but Im not lugging them across London, thank you very muchmy backs not made of iron.
Off they would go, spinning away into different directions, but the threads connecting them never snapped. A web of strong, invisible ties, linking all those who had fallen, at least for a while, under Marys wing. Together, they formed a big, strangely harmonious family.
Of course, there were some who took advantage, who never grew out of old habits, who stole from Marys purse or pinched money and trinkets. And many would sayWhy bother? You cant change them; theyll always be misfits. Why waste your time on them? Look after yourself for once!
Mary never paid them much mind. Shed just say to Natalie, If someones never known love, how are they supposed to give it? You cant give what you never had
But the worst happened just as Mary finally felt certain she was on the right path, that her lifes work mattered.
One night she was heading home late, having stopped by to congratulate her niece on a birthday. Just as she reached her building, someone struck her hard on the head, then beat her mercilesslyan attack full of blind fury, as if each blow would prove love and goodness had no place in the world.
It was a neighbour who found Mary, slightly tipsy after a late night, who sobered instantly at the sight.
Monsters! How can people like you even exist? Mary, love, open your eyes, please! he pleaded, shaking her gently.
When Mary didnt answer, he ran to call an ambulance.
Natalie rushed to the hospital, her family beside her, as soon as she heard.
Will she live? she demanded of every nurse and doctor she saw.
No answer. Just silent bustling, ordering her out of the way, insisting she let them work. Around midday the news cameMary would live. The doctors had done their utmost.
After many tears of relief, Natalie realised the entire hospital reception was full of people who called Mary mum. There they were, her found family, united in prayer and worry, hoping she would recover soon.
And for the first time, perhaps ever, Natalie saw her sister differentlynot just as her Mary, but as our Mary, the woman who meant the world to so many.
Oh, my sunshine Mary, what would we do without you?
Mary must have heard them. And the doctors, relieved, breathed easy when she finally woke and asked for her sister.
Your Nats here. Shes downstairs, waiting. As soon as youre moved to a ward, well bring her up. Now rest!
Those whod attacked Mary were caught within the day. The authorities had their hands full keeping them safe from the angry crowd, all wanting justice for Mary. No reasons were ever given, nor did it seem to matter. In court, Mary looked silently at those shed once called her own, then turned away. That gesture, quiet but final, seemed to hurt them more than any sentence. Something snapped, cutting the last strings to decency inside them. Only one wrote later to apologise. Mary repliedher handwriting shaky from a healing wristand asked Natalie to help her sell her tiny one-bed flat.
Why, Mary?
I need a change. And I dont want to be found.
I see… Natalie understood at once. Well, the flats centralwell find a buyer. Well get you somewhere quieteranything else is too dear.
But Marys kids stepped in: some searched for new places, some checked paperwork, and soon enough someone found a nice two-bed, a bit run-down but affordable, being sold by people heading abroad. Mary never moved straight in.
Hold up, MumMary! Well tidy up first, then bring you. Can you wait a few months?
Mary walked into her refurbished flat some weeks later, completely gobsmacked.
Ive never seen anything so lovely, even in a palace!
No gold or glamour, but the sparkle in their eyes as they painted and built furniture for her meant more than millions. Every nail banged in restored her faith in people. The blue in her eyes, like spring sky, returnedwarming every heart that knew her.
Now she had more space, for the cats she loved and anyone else she chose to look after. Natalie, of course, grumbled, worried about all the new lodgers Mary let staya never-ending stream, it seemed, of graduates with nowhere to go. She would rally up help to speed up council flats for them.
If anyone had the bite (and the sharp elbows) for council offices, it was Natalie. Shed barge into meetings, harangue officials, Have you no shame? It takes no genius to cheat orphansbut Ill make sure every last penny you waste will be traced, until my kids get whats rightfully theirs.
Shed never hesitate to get the press involved, call politicians, or pull any string she could.
Sooner or later, Marys kids would move out, Natalie would have a breatheruntil someone else needed help. Everyone in town knew them as the mad sisters. Natalie didnt care. Mary helps the lost kids, and I help Mary. Just as it should be.
No use overthinkingjust roll up your sleeves and get on with it.
Whats it this time, Mary? Natalie would ask, peering into her sisters eyes.
A girl, Nat. No home, no familybaby in arms.
Hang on. What baby? How olds she?
Nineteen.
No bloke?
No one at all. No parents, nothing.
But shes got you, Natalie would smirk, eyeing up Marys outfit. No, green doesnt suit you after all!
Oh, Nat!
Dont fret, love. Well sort it. Theres time. Well think of something.
And Marys eyes shine bright once more, while Natalie smiles up to the heavens, grateful for the gift of a sister who knows what love really is. After all, it doesnt matter how love walks into your life, or what shape it takesonly that it comes. And if someone calls you mad for showing it, whats that to you?
Who cares?
