Mum put them in a childrens home right after New Years The girls cried. They were home-raised kids. While their mother sorted out her love lifeand she was always sorting it outthe sisters, Poppy and Daisy, lived with their nan. But after Nan passed away at Christmas, Mum sent them away. No, she wasnt recklessdidnt drink or even smoke. Still, was it fair that her ex-husband got to live as he pleased while she had to raise two kids alone?
Mum unbuttoned Daisys coat and muttered, «Stop crying, its just how things worked outwhat am I supposed to do? Youll be fine here, youll thank me later!» Daisy was hiccupping through her tears, only three years old and barely grasping what was happening. But seeing Mums cold eyes and her older sister Poppys tear-streaked face, she sensed something was terribly wrong. Mum hissed, «Dont embarrass meIm not abandoning you. Ill sort myself out and come back. Ill fetch you at Easter, I promise!» The girls sniffled but quieted downif Mum said shed return, she would.
Adjusting to the childrens home was hard, though the carers adored them for their quiet manners, cleverness, and how fiercely they clung to each other. Poppy won everyone over with her serious dark eyes, while Daisy was a sweet little thing, round-cheeked and gentle. Daisy tugged Poppys sleeve. «Whens Easter coming? Will it come and take us back to Mum?» Poppy patiently explained, again, «Easters a holiday in spring, remember how Nan painted eggs?» Daisy nodded solemnly, then teared up at the memory. Poppy wished she knew when Easter would arrive, so she asked a carer, Miss Evelyn, who was surprisedkids usually waited for Father Christmas or birthdays. Still, she gave Poppy a tiny calendar. «See this circled date? Thats Easter. Each number is a day. When I was in school, Id cross off days till summer break.» So Poppy did the same, watching the chain of numbers shrink till Mums return.
On Easter morning, Daisy ran to Poppy, clutching a red egg. «Look! Today Mums coming, Im so happy! Are you happy, Poppy?» Poppy could hardly wait tooat first. But by naptime, her excitement soured. Daisy whined nonstop. By evening, when it was clear Mum had lied, Poppy soothed her. «Mum mustve taken the bus, and it broke down. The roads are awful now, honesteven the carers say so! Dont crythe busll get fixed, and shell come tomorrow. Shell stay overnight in the village!» Daisy nodded, swallowing tears. But Mum never came, though the girls waited daily, inventing new excuses. One morning, Poppy couldnt find Daisythe carers explained their mother had taken her. Later, Poppy learned Mum had signed papers to give her up.
Luckily, Poppys aunt tracked her down two years later. Auntie Margaret was kind, and Poppy soon called her «Mum.» Slowly, the love of that family patched her heart. She tried not to think of her mother or sister, though she knew Daisy had been too young to understand. Still Poppy would never have left without her.
Years passed. Poppy trained as a nurse, married, had a sonlife wasnt lavish, but it was warm. Then, a letter arrived. From Daisy!
«Hello, my darling sister! Bet you dont remember me? I only recall your plaits and those checkered slippers. Id love to see you! Weve moved back to the areaif you dont mind, could I visit?» Poppy found it oddwho invites themselves over?but agreed.
Daisy, in a blue dress, limped toward her, waving eagerly. In the crowded bus station, she hugged Poppy tight and cried. «Sister, I knew it was you straight away! Believe me?» Poppy grumbled, «Still a crybaby,» though her own eyes stung.
Over dinner, Daisy chattered. «Dont hold a grudge against Mum. Uncle Simon said hed take her with kids when they metshe just didnt dare take both of us. Later, they had a son, then a daughter! Little Lilys such a dollwhere would we fit? Oh, dont be cross! Uncle Simons a skilled carpenter, always busy. We even go to the seaside sometimes. Then in Year 7, a bull tossed methank God no one else was hurt. Thats why I limp Poppy, this pies lovely, can I have the recipe?»
Poppy asked, «Do you work? Study? Got a boyfriend? Youre so pretty!» Daisy flushed. «After the accident, I was in hospital agescost a fortune. I help at home or with Uncle Simons accounts Mums a council accountant. As for friends well, the limp doesnt help. But Im used to it.»
Poppy convinced Daisy to stay the night, promising to see her off. Daisy fell asleep instantly. Poppy glanced at her neatly folded clothesclean but threadbare, mended endlessly. Hospital orderlies earned pennies, but even they wouldnt wear this to visit!
At 3 AM, Poppy woke her husband. «Drive me to Willowbrook. Now.» He grumbled but went. On the way, she explained. He frowned, then nodded.
Poppy easily found her mothers house. Her heart hammered as she knocked. Mum answeredolder but still elegantand didnt recognise her. Poppy said, «Morning, Mum. Fancy meeting here.» Mum greeted her like a nagging neighbour, then snapped, «Wheres Daisy? In the barn? Tell her to come inthe kids need breakfast, and the place is a mess. You might as well come in too.»
Poppy kept calm. «Daisys staying with me. Pack her things Money too, if you can spare it. Ill get her a hospital job, then proper training. That limp needs fixingshes too pretty for that! Hear me, Mum?»
Mum jutted her chin. «Get lost, do-gooder. Well fetch Daisy ourselves!» Poppy shook her head. «First, its *Daisy*, not her. Call your cow heryoull be milking it yourself now, madam. Want me to gather half the village? Theyd love to hear how their upstanding council worker dumped her kids in care. Think your friendsll keep quiet? Try taking Daisy back, and Ill shout it nationwide!»
Mum scowled, slammed the door. Half an hour later, a stooped man emerged with a backpack. «Im Simon. Daisys things Tell her I wish her well. Well send money. Shes been Cinderella long enough. Dont blame your mum too muchlifes complicated.»
Walking back, Poppy thought: *Complicated? Is simple supposed to be hard? For men not to drink or stray? For women not to ditch kids for new men? For siblings not to forget each other?*
Just being decent people. Thats all.
