Jenny twisted the crumpled paper in her handsa DNA test order for Julie. Why? Who needed this? Had Julies parents finally been found? Then why hadnt they come, why no word? Questions swirled, answers nowhere to be seen.
«Mum, whats wrong?» Julie touched her shoulder. «Ive been calling you.»
«Just thinking.»
«Whos that from?»
«Oh, nothing.» Jenny stuffed the letter into her apron pocket. «The blackberries are ready. Sweet as honey. Ive filled the water tank for the garden. Need anything else? The girls and I are off to the river. Its sweltering.»
Distracted, Jenny murmured, «Go on, then. Be careful.»
Julie snatched a warm scone, grabbed a towel, and dashed off.
Jenny needed to think. She stepped outside, sinking onto the porch steps. «What now? Tomorrows Julies birthday. What a gift. No wonder I havent slept all week.»
A sleek car crept down the lane, stopping at the gate. An elegant older woman stepped out.
«Hello. Im looking for Eugenia Nicholson.»
Jennys heart clenched. The letter and this woman were connectedshe felt it.
«Thats me.»
«May we talk? Im Margaret Whitmore.»
«Of course, come in.» Jenny gestured inside, eyes flicking to the driver as he hauled a large bag from the boot. Fear prickled her skin.
«Alexander, youre free until three,» Margaret said, glancing at her expensive watch. «Ill call if needed.»
«You could walk down to the river,» Jenny fussed. «Just follow that path. Lovely spot. Ill lend you a towel. Park under the birchno sense leaving it in the sun.»
«May I sit?» Margaret asked once the driver left.
«Make yourself comfortable.» Jenny brushed imaginary crumbs from the table. «Tea? Fancy a bit of currant in it?»
As the kettle hissed, she turned to find Margaret staring at Julies photo on the wall. Tears brimmed in the womans eyes.
«Thats Mary. Ive found her.»
Jennys legs turned to lead. The room spun. She gripped the chair.
«Thats Julie! Do you hear me? Julie!» Her voice broke as she crumpled onto the table, sobbing.
Margaret stroked her back. «Im not here to take her. Just to be part of her life. Breathe.» She hugged Jenny. «We need to talk properly.»
Sitting opposite, Margaret took Jennys hands. «Tell me how she came to you. I know fragments, not the whole story.»
Jenny met her gazedeep, sorrowful eyes.
«I found her by the woods, looking for my cow. Twelve years ago tomorrow. Thats the day we celebrate her birthday. She was soaked, filthy, cuddled up with a soggy teddy in a ditch. At first, I thought it was rubbisha plastic bag. Then I saw her.»
Jenny twisted a lock of hair around her finger.
«Too weak to stand, too tired to cry. I carried her home, fed her, and she slept.» A shudder ran through her. «Sent the neighbours boy for the nurse and to call the police. When the nurse came, Julie clung to me like a limpet. Fingers white with grip. The nurse said she looked about two, healthy but starved.»
The kettle whistled softly, unnoticed.
«The constable took details, said no missing children had been reported. Promised to investigate. Neighbours brought clothes, toys. But she never let go of that bear. I washed them together.»
Jenny fell silent, lost in memory. Margaret waited.
«Wouldnt leave my arms for days. Always hungry. The nurse said small portions, often. For a year, she hid bread crusts everywhere. Named her Juliefound her in July. Learned to walk, then run. I adored her strength. Slept beside me, screaming from nightmares. Never spoke at first.»
Jenny exhaled.
«When social services came a month later, she was calling me Mum. They couldnt pry her away. Left empty-handed, just a note demanding I bring her in. Didnt set a deadline. I panicked. An orphanage? Id been in oneknew the horror.»
Margaret gently squeezed her hand.
«I tried to adopt her, but they refusedsingle woman. In desperation, I proposed to a local lad: Marry me. Just for paperwork. Promised no strings. Wrote it down. Ended up with a husband and daughter. Life had other plans. Were happy.»
Calmer now, Jenny asked, «What did you want to ask?»
«How did you end up in care, dear?»
«My parents died on an expedition. Volcanologists.» Jenny moved to lift the kettle, then forgot. «I was eight, staying with Gran. They wouldnt let her take mehealth issues. No relatives qualified. Someone sold our London flat the day before they died. Their friends tried to investigate, but»
Margaret studied her. *A good soul*, she thought.
«Shunted to a rural home, but I kept running to Gran. They threatened to send me to a psychiatric ward. Then the headmaster, Mr. Edwards, arranged for me to live at home but stay on their books. Three years later, Gran got custody.»
Jenny blinked.
«Goodness, I promised tea!» She bustled with cups. «Fresh scones, too.»
«I brought treats.» Margaret produced elegant boxes. «Biscuits, sweets, fruit.»
«You shouldnt have. But who are you to Julie?»
«Her grandmother.»
Jenny sat heavily. «You said you wouldnt take her!»
«I wont. Shes endured enough.» Margaret fetched pills. «Water, please?»
Jenny handed a glass. «Are you ill?»
«Quite seriously.» A pause. «Youll wonder how I found you. May I speak plainly?»
Jenny nodded.
«I hired a detective. Leads pointed here. He dug up your past. After meeting you, Im certain Julie stays. Ill buy a cottage nearby. Well work something out.»
«We? Ive never hidden Julies adoption. She asks for the woodland fairy talehow I found her. Stares at that bear, like shes remembering. I let her. Every child needs secrets.»
«Its not you. This is a fifteen-year tangle. Our son fell for a flashy university girl. Sharp, crude. We blamed her upbringing. They married young. No family at the weddingshe mumbled about drunk parents, brothers. Kept us out of her past.»
Margaret chose each word carefully.
«We gave them our London flat, moved to the country. Mary was born in May. Our son adored her. He graduated; she quit uni, stayed home. Later, we hired a nanny. She skipped classeswhere, with whom, a mystery. Demanded money. Screamed about promises unkept. Wed invested in the family business. Our son joined us. Trips to Germany for equipment. One callthe nanny said shed taken Mary the day we left. No answer. We rushed back. The flat was ransacked. Police found printsa man in prison, her half-brother. Said shed tossed Mary from a car when she cried. Gave a rough direction.»
Jenny shook her head in disbelief.
«The detective pulled old reports, found the constables notes, checked social services. Sent the DNA order without telling me. I was abroad. Apologies for the scare.» She opened her bag. «Photos. No test needed, but legally, Mary inherits.»
Jenny stared at the pictures. Julies double gazed back.
«How do I tell her?»
«Guests? Hello!» Julie bounded in. «Whats up? And whys the kettle screaming?»
Margaret paled, clutching her chest.
«Julie, this this is your grandmother,» Jenny stammered.
«Grandma?» Julie eyed her warilythen gasped. «Grandma! I knew youd come! You gave me the bear!»
The three clung together, weeping. Much remained unsaid, but one truth shoneMargaret had found more than a granddaughter.
And the kettle wailed on.
