Its already getting dark outside, and theres still no sign of Mum. Emily wheels herself across the sitting room in her wheelchair and over to the table. She picks up the landline and dials her mums mobile number.
The person you are calling is unavailable or out of coverage area, comes the robotic voice.
Emily frowns at the phone, remembering there’s not much credit left, and switches it off. Mum had only gone to the shops and normally never stayed out this long. She never disappeared before, always coming back in good time, especially since Emily hasnt been able to walk since birth. She depends on her wheelchair, and apart from Mum, she has nobody elseno relatives or siblings.
Emily is seven, and shes used to staying alone at home, but Mum always tells her where shes going and when shell be back. She just cant understand whats happening. She went to the large supermarket across town today because things are discounted there. We often go together. Its considered far, but really, its only an hours walk there and back, she thinks, glancing at the clock. Its been four hours. Im hungry.
She turns her wheelchair toward the kitchen. Boiling the kettle, she gets a burger out of the fridge, eats, and drinks some tea. Still, theres no sign of Mum. She cant bear it anymore, so she dials the number again. Again, the same metallic voice.
With a sigh, she wheels herself to her bed, tucking the phone under her pillow. She doesnt bother turning the light offshes too scared without Mum. Lying awake for a long time, she finally falls asleep.
***
Emily wakes up as sunlight peeks through the window. Mums bed is neatly made.
Mum! she calls out into the hallway.
Silence. She grabs the phone and tries againagain, the same robotic voice. Fear creeps in, and she bursts into tears.
***
Christopher is coming back from his morning coffee at the bakery. Their days always begin this way: his mum makes breakfast while he pops down the road for fresh pastries. Hes now thirty, still single, and truthfully, women rarely give him a second glancehes awkward, thin, and has always struggled with poor health. He needed expensive treatment, but his mum raised him alone. Doctors recently said hed never have his own children. Christopher has come to accept hell likely never marry.
He notices something glinting in the grass: an old, broken phone, flattened as if a car had run over it. Technology is both his job and his hobbyhes a programmer and writes a tech blog. He has the fanciest of phones himself, but curiosity wins out. He pockets the damaged mobile to investigate at home.
Maybe somethings happened? the thought passes through his mind.
***
After breakfast, he pulls the SIM card from the battered phone and slots it into one of his own. Numbers saved to the SIM card belong mostly to local hospitals and council agencies, but the first one on the list is labelled Daughter.
After hesitating, Christopher dials the number.
Mum! a young, cheerful voice answers.
Im not your mum, sorry, Christopher stammers.
Wheres my mum?
I dont know. I found this broken phone, put the SIM in mine and called you.
My mum is missing, she sobs. She went out to Tesco yesterday and never came back.
What about your dad, or grandparents?
I dont have a dad or grandma. Its just my mum.
Whats your name? Christopher realises the child is in trouble.
Emily.
My names Uncle Chris. Emily, can you go out and tell your neighbours youre alone?
I cant get out, my legs dont work. Theres nobody next doorit’s empty.
What do you mean, your legs dont work? Now Christophers really flustered.
I was born like this. Mum says we need to save up and I can have surgery.
How do you get about then?
In a wheelchair.
Emily, do you know your address? he asks, determined to help.
Yes, 14 Oak Street, flat three.
Im on my way. Well find your mum. He hangs up.
Christophers mum comes into the room.
Chris, whats wrong?
Mum, I found a broken mobile, put the SIM in my phone, and called the number labelled Daughter. Theres a little girl all alone in a flat, shes disabled and has no other family. I got her address. I have to go and check on her.
Lets go together, she says at once, grabbing her coat.
Christophers mum, Mrs. Margaret Baker, raised her chronically ill son alone for years and knows exactly how hard it is for a single mother with an ill child. Shes now retired, but her son does well for himself.
They call a taxi and head off to help.
***
They buzz the intercom.
Whos there? comes the childs weary little voice.
Emily, its Chris.
Come up!
They head up the stairs. The door is already ajar. Inside, a slender girl sits in her wheelchair, gazing at them, eyes wide and sad.
Will you find my mum? she asks.
Whats your mums name? Chris asks gently.
Jane.
And your surname?
Turner.
Wait, Chris! his mum interrupts, then turns to Emily. Emily, are you hungry?
Yes. There was a burger in the fridge, but I ate it yesterday.
Right, Chris, pop to Sainsburys and get what we usually buy.
Got it, he says, dashing out.
***
By the time he returns, his mum is already cooking in the kitchen. She sets the table, and they all eat together. Afterwards, Chris gets to work searching for Emilys mum. He checks the local news site for incidents from the previous day.
Lets see… yesterday, on Green Lane, a car hit a woman. She was taken to hospital in a serious condition…
He quickly calls the hospital. On the third try, someone picks up.
Yes, a woman was admitted yesterday from Green Lane with serious injuries. She hasnt regained consciousness.
Whats her name? he asks anxiously.
She had no ID or phone with her. Are you a relative?
Well… not really yet. But I might be.
Come see us at the hospital, the nurse replies.
He hangs up and turns to Emily.
Do you have a photo of your mum?
Yes, she says, wheeling over to the chest of drawers and pulling out a photo album. We had this one taken just recently.
Your mum is beautiful! Chris snaps a picture of the photograph on his phone and smiles at her. Ill do my best to find her.
***
Janes eyelids flutter open. White ceiling. Her memory trickles back: a car rushing towards her…
She tries to move but is met with sharp pain. A nurse approaches quietly.
Awake now?
Suddenly, Janes eyes fill with fear.
How long have I been here?
Two days.
My daughters alone at home…
Dont worry. A young man was here yesterday. He left you his number and said your phone was run over. Ill call your daughter now, the nurse assures her.
She dials Daughter and holds the handset up to Janes ear.
Mum! comes Emilys relieved squeal.
Emily, my darling, are you alright?
Im fine! Granny Margaret comes, and Uncle Chris visits.
Whos Uncle Chris?
Dont worry, the doctor says, entering the ward. Or Ill have to take away the phone. Let me examine you now, alright?
Emily, Ill ring you later, Jane says quickly, then hands the phone back. The doctor assesses her and gives new instructions. The nurse tucks the phone in her pocket.
Could I talk to my daughter just a moment more? Jane begs softly.
Im not supposed to, but… the nurse glances about, dials the number, and hands it over.
My darling
Jane, my name is Margaret Baker, comes a kind womans voice. Please listen. My son found your broken phone. He tracked down your daughter through your SIM card and then found you. Im retired, Ill stay with Emily while youre in hospital. Dont worry! Ill hand you to Emily now.
Mum, dont worry and get better, Emily says, her voice brighter.
Be good for Granny! Jane gasps, clutching the phone.
Sorry, thats enough chat, the nurse interrupts gently.
***
The next day Jane is moved to the general ward, and by evening, as visiting hours begin, in walks a tall, thin man.
Hello, Jane. Im Chris, he says, smiling. Hope you dont mind me calling you by your first name straight away.
Not at all.
He sets a large bag down on her table.
Mum put these together for you.
Chris… I really dont know who you are, Jane says, bewildered.
I found your smashed phone by pure chance. Put the SIM in one of mine and called your daughter. Then I tracked you down.
How is my Emily?
One second.
He picks up the phonehis own spare he left her earlierand makes some adjustments.
There you go.
Jane looks at the screen and beamsher daughter is there.
Mum! Does it hurt badly? Emily asks anxiously.
Its alright, sweetheart, Im not in so much pain now. How are you?
Granny Margaret visits every day!
They talk for a long timeChris waiting patiently. Afterward, Jane looks down.
I owe you so much.
Dont be silly, Jane, Chris grins. And please, no formalities.
Thank you, Chris.
Now let me show you how to use this phone properly.
***
A fortnight passes.
The driver who caused the accident visits Jane in hospital, accompanied by a solicitor, and hands over two hundred thousand pounds in compensation.
Shes discharged the very next day. Chris comes to pick her up and take her home.
Mum! Emily cries out, filled with delight.
For a moment, it looks as if she might leap out of her chairJane drops down beside her and hugs her tightly, tears streaming with joy.
Then she turns to the elderly woman nearby.
Mrs. Baker, thank you ever so much for everything.
Oh, dont you worry, Jane! Emilys become like a granddaughter to me, Margaret responds warmly.
Mrs. Baker, I got compensation from the accident, Jane says, retrieving a wad of notes from her handbag. Please, take it! I have nothing else to thank you with.
Put that away, Jane! Mrs. Baker says firmly. Chris and I arent short of moneyand youll need it for Emilys treatment. Chris has already found a clinic.
Mum! Emily exclaims, beaming. Uncle Chris says were going to the hospital to fix my legs.
***
Jane and Emily stay at the clinic for two weeks, where Emilys legs are fitted with braces. In three months, theyll return. The plan is to have more operations over the next couple of years. If all goes well, Emily will be walking for her secondary school.
For now, though, she remains in her wheelchair, the braces a bit of a nuisance.
But fate isnt finished with themMrs. Baker suddenly falls ill with heart trouble and is rushed to hospital in a critical state. Jane spends three nights by Margarets bedside, only going back home to cook for everyone and grab some sleep. Chris stays with Emily during those nights.
On the fourth day, Margaret wakes properly, gazes for a long time at Jane, and quietly says:
My dear, it seems I wont be around forever. You should marry my Chris. Hes reliable. Together, youd help Emily onto her feet.
Mrs. Baker, do you think hed ever want to marry me?
He would, without a doubt, Margaret says, her lips curving into a smile.
***
An elderly lady walks hand in hand with a tall girl carrying a backpack and a bundle of flowers. If not for Emilys height, youd think she was off to primary school for the first time.
But today really is her first timethough shes starting Year 4, she studied from home before, finishing three years with top marks. Now shes walking to schoolon her own two legs.
Granny, Im a bit nervous, Emily whispers.
Oh come on, Emily. Youre ten already! Look, theres your mum and dad coming!
Darling, whats with the frown? Jane asks as she joins them.
Shes a bit nervous about school, says Margaret.
Give me your hand! Chris grins, extending his palm.
With you, Dad, Im not scared at all, Emily answers, her face lighting up.
And so, with happy chatter, they walk together to school, Mum and Granny following close behind, hearts as full and happy as the little family they have become.
