The mother sent them to an orphanage just after New Years The girls wept. They had been home-raised children. While their mother arranged her personal lifewhich she did constantlythe sisters, Tilly and Millie, lived with their grandmother. But on St. Nicholas Day, their grandmother passed, and their mother handed them over to the home. No, she wasnt a loose womanshe didnt drink, didnt even smoke. Still, wasnt it unfair that her ex-husband lived as he pleased, while she had to bear the weight of two burdens alone?
Their mother undid Millies coat buttons and murmured, Stop crying, its just how things worked outam I to blame? Youll be fine here, youll thank me later! Millie, only three, choked on her sobs, too young to grasp what was happening. But the anger in her mothers eyes and the fear on her elder sister Tillys tear-streaked face told her everything was wrong. Their mother hissed, Dont shame meIm not abandoning you. Ill come back once Im settled. Ill fetch you at Easter! The girls sniffled but quietedMother had promised to return.
They struggled to adjust, though the caretakers doted on them for their quiet manners, quick wits, and tender bond. Tilly captivated everyone with her serious dark eyes, while Millie was a plump, golden-haired cherub. Millie tugged at Tillys sleeve. Whens Easter? It comes and Mummy takes us home? Tilly answered patiently, again and again, Easters a holiday in springremember how Gran dyed eggs? Millie nodded solemnly, but the memory brought tiny tears. Tilly wished she knew when Easter would come. She asked the matron, who blinked in surprisechildren usually awaited Father Christmas or birthdays. Still, she gave Tilly a small calendar. See this number circled? Thats Easter. Now, heres today. Each number is a day. When I was in school, I crossed them off till summer holidays. Tilly did the same, watching the chain of days shrink.
On Easter morning, Millie scampered to Tilly, clutching a red egg. Tilly! Tilly! Mummy comes todayIm so good, so good! Arent you good? Tilly ached for their mother too. At first, the waiting was joyous, but after naptime, she fought tears. Millies whining grated on her. By evening, when hope had withered, Tilly soothed her sister. Mums bus mustve got stuckhonest! The roads are awful now. The matrons say so. Dont cry, Millietheyll dig it out, and shell come tomorrow. Shell sleep in the village tonight! Millie nodded, swallowing her sobs. But their mother never came, though the girls invented excuses for her absence. One morning, Tilly found Millie gonethe matrons explained their mother had taken her. Much later, Tilly learned shed been signed away. Yet fortune smiled: two years on, her fathers sister found her. Auntie Val was kind, and Tilly soon called her Mum. Her warmth stitched shut the wounds in Tillys heart. She tried not to think of her mother or sisterthough she knew Millie had been too young to understand, it still hurt Without her, Tilly would never have left
Years passed. Tilly trained as a nurse, married, had a sonthey werent rich, but they were happy. Then, a letter arrived. From Millie!
Dearest sister! You probably dont remember me? I only recall your braids and checkered slippers. How I long to see you! Weve returned to the arealiving in Willowbrook. If you dont mind, might I visit? Tilly frowned. Strangeshe didnt invite her, just invited herself Still, she agreed.
Millie, in a sky-blue jacket, limped toward her, waving eagerly! Amid the station bustle, she recognized Tilly, hugged her tight, and wept. Sister, I knew you at oncemy Tilly! Believe me? Tilly huffedstill a crybabybut her own eyes stung.
After supper, Millie chattered. Dont hold a grudge against Mum. Uncle Steveher new husbandsaid hed take her and the kids. But she feared two at once. Then they had a son, then a daughterlittle Violet, such a doll! Oh, dont be cross! Uncle Steve earns wellhes a skilled carpenter, always swamped. Weve even been to the seaside. Oh, and in Year Seven, a bull gored methank God no one else was hurt. But now I limp Tilly, your pies divinemight I have the recipe?
Tilly asked, Do you work? Study? Any sweethearts? Youre so pretty!
Millie reddened. After the accident, I needed long treatmentcost a fortune I help at home or with Uncle Steves accounts. Mums a council accountant. As for friendswell, I limp But Im used to it.
Tilly convinced Millie to stay overnight, promising to see her off at dawn. Her sister dozed instantly. Glancing at Millies folded clothes, Tilly noted they were clean but threadbare, mended countless times. Hospital maids earned pennieswhod wear this, let alone to visit?
At 3 a.m., Tilly woke her husband, begging a drive to Willowbrook. He grumbled but went. En route, she explained. At first, he scowledthen nodded.
Tilly found her mothers house easily. Her heart hammered as she knocked. The door openedher mother didnt recognize her, though Tilly knew her at once. Still elegant, still poised. Good morning, Mum. Here we are. Her mother greeted her like a bothersome neighbor, not a long-lost daughter. Wheres Millie? In the barn? Fetch herthe children need breakfast, and yesterdays mess lingers. Come in, since youre here.
Tilly kept her voice steady. Millies staying with me. Pack her thingsmoney too, if you can. Ill get her a job as a hospital aide, then proper training. Her leg needs caresuch beauty, yet she limps! Hear me, Mum?
Her mother jutted her lipa habit when displeased. Off with you, do-gooder! Well fetch Millie ourselvesand dont let me catch you near her again!
Tilly shook her head. Firstits Millie dear. Call your cow Millieyoull milk her yourself now, madam. Want me to gather half the village? Let them hear how the upstanding councilwoman dumped her girls in a home? Your village gossips wont forget. Try taking Millie backIll shout it nationwide!
Her mother flinched, slammed the door. Half an hour later, a stooped man emerged with a rucksack. Im Steve. Millies thingstell her I wish her well. Well send money. She played Cinderella long enough. I told her mother But dont blame her too harshlylifes not simple.
Tilly walked to the car, rucksack in hand. Her husband opened the trunk, and she placed the bag inside without a word. As they drove away, dawn painted the fields in soft gold, and Tilly watched the world wake through the window. In the back seat, Millie slept on, curled like a child, one hand resting on the seat beside her. Tilly reached back and gently covered it with her own. The road stretched ahead, uneven but clear, and for the first time in years, it felt like coming home.
