I remember it as if it were yesterday, though it happened many years ago in the old terraced houses of Manchester. Kate had left work in high spirits; her boss had let her off early for the job shed finished the day before and had promised a bonus. She bounded up the steps to her flat, thumbed the familiar digits on the intercom, and was about to press the call button when a plaintive childs wail caught her ear. Kate frowned. What darkness could intrude on such a fine day? She glanced around, saw no source, reached for the door handle again, and the crying grew louder.
Where are you, little one? she called, losing patience.
Here, came a thin voice.
She stepped onto the cobbled front path and saw a boy, no older than five, perched on the curb. He looked pitiful in a threadbare coat, torn muddy trousers, and a pair of sports shorts that had long since missed a wash. Tears streaked his cheeks, darkening his small face. Kates heart tightened.
Who are you? Why are you crying? she asked.
Im Tommy, the boy sobbed, I want to go home.
Do you live here? Kate tried to work out which resident might be related to a child.
I dont know. I cant find my house, Im lost, Tommy replied, astonishing her with his clear pronunciation.
Seeing him shiver, Kate decided he needed a warm place before she figured anything else out. She reached out a hand.
Come with me. Ill get you a cup of tea, perhaps
Tommy clasped her hand trustingly, his nose twitching as he followed. In that moment Kate did not yet know what she would do with him beyond offering shelter; a maternal instinct simply surgedpity, feed, comfort, child
I have some fish pie. Want a bite? she asked as she slipped into her flat. The little guest nodded eagerly.
When he ladled the broth with his tiny spoon, Kate realised he was not a finicky eater. She thought of her pampered niece, Irenes daughter, and sighed: poor Tommy, he must be dreaming of the simple meals Irenes mother prepares daily.
It seemed likely no one was looking for the child. What shall I do? she wondered, just then her phone rang. It was Arthur, the young man who had been courting her.
Hey, what are you up to? he asked.
Feeding Tommy! she replied.
Whos Tommy? Arthur sounded confused.
The boy. Tommy.
Where did he come from?
I found him by the entrance.
Why bring him home?
Because hes a child and hes cold.
How old is he?
Little. No more than five.
Tommy, listening at the door, held up his fingers. Four, he whispered. Kate smiled, correcting herself. Well, actually hes four, for now.
Give the child back to his family. Arthur urged.
I dont know where they are.
Let the police handle it.
You have no right to feed him. There are trained people for that. Take the boy to them and then meet me.
Kate sighed, disappointment flickering across her face. All right. Lets go, Tommy. Well look for your mum.
The boys eyes drooped with sorrow, but he agreed. They walked to the nearest police station, where Kate was greeted by a young constable, roughly her own age, which gave her a sliver of hope; she thought younger officers might retain a bit more compassion before the harshness of the job hardened them.
The constable asked what had happened. Kate recounted the encounter briefly. He made a call, reported the boy, and instructed her to wait. After a short while a female officer arrived, ushered Kate and Tommy into a small office, asked for details, thanked her for bringing the child in, and said, Youre free to go.
What about Tommy? the officer asked.
Tommy will stay with us for now. Well need his statements, wont we? she said, and the boy nodded enthusiastically. Seeing him in safe hands, Kate relaxed.
Ill be on my way. Thank you. Goodbye, Tommy.
Goodbye! the boy waved.
Kate left the station and headed to meet Arthur, who was waiting outside a coffee shop, his expression a mix of irritation and fatigue as she arrived, as if she were once more late for a date.
You know, there was a very nice officer at the police, she mentioned.
If youd taken him there straight away, we could have gone to the cinema, Arthur teased, though he wasnt truly offended.
It was just too touching, so helpless. I couldnt hand him over to people in uniform right away. You know theyre rarely empathetic.
Arthur waved his hand dismissively.
Thus the episode with Tommy was settled for the evening, yet Kate could not shake the image of the little boy from her mind. She kept wondering whether his relatives would ever be found, or if perhaps another institution would suit him better. Arthur seemed oblivious to her reverie, and she did not bring it up. Though the night had been pleasant overall, Kate returned home with a lingering heaviness.
It was a Friday. The following Monday, as Kate was returning from work, she again found Tommy at her doorstep.
Youre back again? she asked, surprised.
I came to you. Do you have fish pie? he asked.
No fish pie at the moment, but Ill find something. Pasta, perhaps?
Would love that! Tommy beamed, clearly famished.
She fed him again, trying to coax any information about his parents. He told her that on Friday evening, after hed been at the police station, his mother had arrived to file a missingperson report. She took him home, scolded him harshly, gave him a spank, and forbade him from leaving the house. This morning she had left the flat. The only other adult present was his uncle, Sam, his mothers husband. Tommy feared him and tried to stay out of sight, but Sam was sound asleep, snoring loudly. When Sam finally dozed, Tommy slipped on his coat and hurried to Kates flat.
Kate listened, her heart tightening. After eating, Tommy said seriously, Ill go home, or my mum will punish me again. She never hit me before. I think Ill have to look for a new mum soon.
Alright, Kate said pensively. Let me walk you.
She wanted to know where he lived. It turned out his home was very close. As Kate approached the block, a woman stepped out and addressed Tommy.
Hello! We didnt see you in the courtyard today. Went for a walk?
My mum punished me. I slipped away quietly.
Are you hungry?
No, Kate fed me.
Then run home before your mum realises.
Im off. Bye, Kate! Tommy shouted, disappearing behind the entrance.
Kate turned to the woman.
Is his mother a drinker? she asked.
Worse, the woman sighed. Shes a drug user. Only a year ago she was a pretty young lady, now shes barely recognizable.
So you cant leave a child with her!
I cant call social services; my conscience wont allow it. Vicky used to be a good girl. I was close to her mother, we were neighbours. Vicky died before she gave birth to Tommy. She and her husband split up, and then she fell in with that brute He ruined her life.
The boy is in danger. He cant stay there!
I agree. I try to feed him when I can, but Vicky forbids it. She always loved him, never hit him. Now that that cursed Sam showed up
The woman trailed off, but Kate understood without further words. She also saw why the neighbour had not called the authorities. Still, Kate could not simply walk away. She asked for the womans phone number, promising to keep in touch.
With a heavy foreboding, Kate made her way home. That evening Arthur called. Hearing her sad tone, he asked what was wrong. She confessed that Vicky had once again taken Tommy.
You should have handed the child over to social services, Arthur remarked after listening.
I dont know, Arthur.
Then stay out of that family. Why are you clinging to that boy?
I have no other way.
Kate, youre making a mistake, Arthur said sharply.
She fell silent, unable to answer. In her mind she pictured herself in a courtroom, fighting for adoption of the boy. Its madness, she whispered to herself, yet the image of a happy Tommy in her own home lingered.
Lets talk tomorrow, she said to Arthur.
Youre upset, Kate? he asked.
No, just a headache. Im going to rest, she replied, lying for the first time to the man she loved.
After a brief, dry goodbye, Kate called her sister, Irene. They were close, and Kate often confided in her. After the usual pleasantries, she told Irene about Tommy.
I liked him even from a distance. You know I adore children. Id love to get to know him, Irene said.
Hes a good lad!
Do what you think is right. Im sure he didnt appear in your life by accident. How long have you been seeing Arthur?
What does that have to do with anything?
It matters! Hes been draining you for two years, using you, yet never explains where your relationship is heading.
I feel like I dont want to see him anymore, Kate admitted.
Maybe thats just a feeling?
I dont know
The conversation left Kate deep in thought all evening. Irene was right; the boy should not stay in those conditions. Kate resolved not to wait. The next day she asked for a day off and planned to speak again with Tommys neighbour.
But the neighbour called the very next morning with urgent news:
Tommys in hospital with a concussion!
Later Kate learned that his mother had not returned home the previous day. The police were searching for her. His stepfather, drunk on drugs, was demanding that Tommy tell him where his mother was. The boy could not escape. Fortunately, the neighbour heard his cries, called the police, and they rushed him to the station. An ambulance then took him to the hospital.
Now Ill never leave him again, Kate vowed.
That same evening she visited the hospital. The officers she had met at the stationConstable George and a junior officer from the Child Protection Unitwere there. They recognised her, offered to explain the situation, and when Kate learned that Tommy would be taken from his mother, she asked if anyone could adopt him.
Adoption is a complex process. It only happens if the mothers parental rights are removed, which isnt easy, George explained.
What other options? she pressed.
The childrens services can advise; there are possibilities, he answered gently, his eyes unusually warm.
The junior officer, Hannah, who had been with Tommy in his ward, noticed Kates concern and suggested to George that he could handle the paperwork himself. Kate was left alone with George, who offered to escort her home.
Would you like tea? Kate blurted, surprising herself.
George accepted. Over tea he listened attentively to her worries about Tommys future and wholeheartedly supported her wish to keep the boy.
Hes a wonderful lad, clever and lively. Id take him myself if I could, George confessed.
Before leaving, he took Kates number, promising to keep her updated on any news about Tommys mother. He kept his word. The following morning, as Kate was hurrying to work, the phone rang.
Hello, Kate. Weve found Victoria. She died last night from an overdose.
How am I to tell Tommy? Kate stammered.
Dont rush. He hasnt asked about her yet. He seems to sense something.
All this time Arthur had not called. Later that evening he sent a message: I hope you see that I was right. If not, choose: me or your filthy stray!
Reading it, Kates fury boiled over. She wanted to fire back with an angry reply, but before she could, George called again: Kate, would you like to visit Tommy with me today?
Id love to, she replied, but only if we can speak on a firstname basis. It feels odd otherwise.
She never answered Arthur that night. The shared concern for Tommy quickly forged a bond between Kate and George. Arthur, meanwhile, waited, assuming Kate was simply playing hardtoget. He called again a week later; she answered, suggesting they meet in person. Her tone was calm and detached.
I dont want to discuss this over the phone. Some matters need a facetoface. We need to break up. I realise I never truly loved you. Im sorry, she said.
Arthur was stunned into silence. Kate did not linger for his reaction; she turned and walked away. He tried to follow, but after a few minutes he called again; she hung up. Their twoyear romance ended there.
A month later Kate secured guardianship of Tommy.
Congratulations, George said.
Thank you! Without you I couldnt have done it so quickly.
Its my pleasure. Not many would take a son of a drugaddicted mother.
I understand, but its not heroism. I simply fell in love with Tommy the moment I met him.
I love you too George stammered, blushing. Kate smiled, a little embarrassed.
Months later, encouraged by Tommys bright spirit, George proposed to Kate.
Hurrah! shouted their neighbour, Gene, overjoyed. We have a new mum and dad! Theyre wonderful, we need a brother soon!
A year after that, Tommys wish was fulfilled, and everything ended happily.
