**Diary Entry**
She wasnt exactly irritated by the girlno, not quitebut there was something about her that made her uneasy. Unkempt, with messy braids, an unironed uniform, and a crookedly sewn collar and cuffs. The girl looked neglected, almost withdrawn.
Rosemary winced. Why had she even thought of that scruffy child? She set aside her favourite éclair. Where was George? Hed promised to come early todayit was the anniversary of Alexanders passing
A knock at the door startled her.
«Whos there? George, is that you? Forget your keys?»
«Miss Rosemary, you left your keys on the chair.»
«What? What keys?»
She opened the door and saw *her*. That same girl. What on earth?
«Sedley? What keys? How did you know where I live? Were you following me?»
The girl shook her head. Her threadbare hat, a stained coat with sagging pockets, worn-out stockings, and nearly ruined shoes made her look even more pitiful. Only now did Rosemary notice her striking blue eyes, framed by thick black lashes.
Shed only recently taken up teaching English at the local school after retiring from the college. Couldnt sit idle. And this girlAlice Sedleywas peculiar. Kept to herself, no friends.
«Miss Rosemary, you left your keys on the chair. I tried calling after you, but you didnt hear.»
«Oh, goodness thank you. Must be old age,» she joked weakly.
«Youre not old,» Alice said earnestly. «You were just in a hurry.»
«Thank you Alice.»
«Youre welcome. Goodbye, Miss Rosemary.»
«Goodbye»
Rosemary shut the door pensively, then hesitated opened it again. The girls quiet footsteps echoed down the stairwell.
«Alice,» Rosemary called, looking down as the girl glanced up. «How did you know where I lived?»
«I live next door. I see you walking to school sometimes. And I take the same bus Theres that stray dog near the cornerI stay close to you so he wont growl at me. He doesnt like the smell of cats. I feed themthe ones in the basement. I call him Rex.»
Rosemary frowned. The girl had asked the elderly ladies on the bench where she lived, claimed she was her teacher. Odd. Was she being *watched*?
«Would you like some tea?» The question slipped out before she could stop herself, and Alice accepted instantly. Ill-manneredshe shouldve refused.
As she poured the tea, Rosemary studied her. «Are you hungry?»
Alice shook her head, but the way she eyed the food gave her away. Why was she even entertaining this?
«Tell you whatlets eat together. I hate dining alone, and George is late»
She fussed, pulling food from the fridge, watching Alice eat neatly but ravenously.
«Thank you,» Alice murmured, eyeing the leftover roast. «I should go. Your cookings lovely.»
*So hungry shes praising my plain food?*
Rosemary packed the leftoversroast, potatoes, biscuitsinto a container and handed it over. Alice hesitated but took it.
Later, Rosemary scolded herself. Unprofessional. What if the girl hugged her at school? Or thanked her loudly for the food?
George slunk in the next morning, avoiding her gaze.
«What day was yesterday?» she demanded.
«Thursday, Mum. Todays Friday.»
«Dont be cheeky, George.»
«Ah, now its serious. You only use my full name when Im in trouble.»
«It was your fathers anniversary. He didnt deserve this disrespect.»
«Mum he wouldnt care if we mourned yesterday or today. Lets do it properly tonight, alright? Im knackered.»
«Out all night, were you?»
«Do you *really* want to know?»
Grumpy, she headed to school, bracing for Alices inevitable acknowledgment. But the girl passed by with only a quiet greeting.
*Cheeky thing.*
Days later, a scream pierced the evening air. Rosemary rushed toward the soundAlice, cornered by a snarling stray, clutching a tiny kitten.
«Get *away*!» She shooed the dog off. «Alice, are you hurt?»
Tears streaked the girls face. «H-he wanted toto *kill* it!»
«Shh, its alright. Youre taking it home?»
«I cant. They wont let me.»
«Whos ‘they’?»
Alice just shrugged.
At school, Rosemary discreetly inquired. The maths teacherold Mrs. Whitmoreshook her head. «Troubled home. Mothers gone, fathers no better. Drinks, I reckon.»
One evening, she followed Alice. The girl stopped at a bench, pulling out a textbook. *Studying outside?*
At home, George was arguing about his divorce. His ex, Natalie, had been lovelywhy couldnt he be content?
Later, outside, a slurred voice shouted, «*Alice!* Wheres that wretched girl?»
A dishevelled woman swayed by the flats. Same blue eyes.
«Excuse meare you Alices?»
«Piss off.»
Rosemarys jaw tightened. «Im her teacher. Where is she?»
«Asleep.» The woman stumbled inside.
«Alice,» Rosemary whispered. «Come out.»
The girl emerged from the shadows.
«Come home with me.»
«Shell punish me.»
«She *wont*.»
«Theyll send me to care if she loses custody.»
«Who is she?»
«My nan. Mums gone. Four years now.»
«Was she like this?»
«No. We were happy. But she got sick. Now its just Nan and *him*. They take the money meant for me.»
Rosemarys chest ached. «Come. Well sort it.»
George gaped when they arrived. «Whos this?»
«Alice.»
The girl stared at him.
«Staying the night?» he asked.
«Dunno»
By morning, Rosemary had made up her mind.
«Lets go shopping.»
Alice panicked. «Youre taking me to care?»
«To *Marks & Spencer*.»
George watched, bewildered, as Rosemary bought her new clothes. The saleswoman cooed, «Your granddaughters *beautiful*just like you!»
Rosemarys heart swelled.
«But were tossing these rags.»
«No!» Alice clung to her old coat. «Theyll drink then hit me.»
Later, over cake they baked together (Alice guiding her»Mum and I used to»), George returned early, ruining the mood.
«I should go,» Alice mumbled.
«Ill walk you.»
George blocked them. «Who *are* you?»
Alice shrank back.
«George, *stop*»
«Did Diana send you?»
Rosemary froze. *Diana?*
Alice whispered, «Shes gone. Four years Dad.»
George paled. «Mum this is my daughter.»
The truth spilled outa youthful fling, denial, regret. Diana had died before he could make amends.
Now, legal tests confirmed it.
«Can I live with Gran?» Alice asked later.
George laughed wetly. «What about me?»
«Youve got Elena.»
Rosemary walked hand-in-hand with her granddaughter, uncaring of gossip. Shed found her joy.
George grew close to Alice, though his relationship with Elena ended.
«Not because of me?» Alice fretted.
«Never.»
At parents evening, George met Alices teacher. Now, Alice has *two* mothers guiding her.
Sometimes, she still visits her nancleans, cooks, scolds her to stop drinking. The woman weeps, kissing her hands.
*My granddaughter. My blood.*
And Rosemary? She finally understandsfamily isnt always where you expect to find it.
