Their mother sent them to the orphanage right after New Years Day
The girls cried. They had been sheltered children. While their mother sorted out her love lifewhich she did constantlythe sisters, Harriet and Daisy, lived with their grandmother. But when their grandmother passed away on Boxing Day, their mother sent them away. No, she wasnt recklessshe didnt drink or even smoke. But was it fair that her ex-husband lived as he pleased while she had to struggle alone with two children?
Their mother unbuttoned Daisys coat and muttered, Stop crying. Its just how things worked out. Do you think I wanted this? Youll be fine hereyoull thank me later! Daisy, only three, was too little to understand, but the sharp look in her mothers eyes and the fear on her older sister Harriets tear-streaked face told her everything was wrong. Their mother hissed, Dont embarrass me. Im not abandoning youIll come back when Im settled. Ill fetch you at Easter! The girls, still sniffling, quieted down. Their mother had promised.
Adjusting to the childrens home was hard, though the carers loved them for their quiet manners, quick minds, and touching devotion to each other. Harriet won everyone over with her solemn dark eyes, while Daisy was a sweet, round-cheeked little thing. Daisy tugged at Harriets sleeve. Whens Easter coming? Will it come and take us back to Mum? Patiently, Harriet explained again, Easters a holiday in springremember how Gran painted eggs? Daisy nodded seriously, but remembering Gran made her eyes well up. Harriet wished she knew when Easter would come too. She asked one of the carers, Mrs. Thompson, who was surprisedmost children counted down to Christmas or birthdays. Still, she gave Harriet a small calendar. See this circled date? Thats Easter. Each number is a day. When I was in school, I crossed off days till summer break. Harriet did the same, watching the chain of numbers shrink.
On Easter morning, Daisy rushed to Harriet, clutching a red egg. Harrie! Harrie! Mums coming todayIm so happy! Are you happy too? Harriet could hardly wait. At first, the anticipation was joyful, but after nap time, she felt like crying. Daisys endless whining didnt help. By evening, when it was clear their mother wasnt coming, Harriet soothed Daisy. Mums bus mustve got stuckthe roads are awful now, honestly! Shell come tomorrow. Daisy nodded, swallowing tears. But their mother never came, though the girls waited, inventing new excuses. One morning, Harriet couldnt find Daisy. The carers explained their mother had taken her. Years later, Harriet learned shed been left behindbut luckily, her fathers sister tracked her down. Aunt Margaret was kind, and Harriet soon called her Mum. Slowly, her aunts love mended the woundsHarriet tried not to think of her mother or sister, though she knew Daisy had been too young to understand.
Years passed. Harriet trained as a nurse, married, had a son, and lived modestly but happily. Then, a letter arrivedfrom Daisy!
Dear sister, you probably dont remember me? I only recall your plaits and your checked slippers. Id love to see you! Weve moved back to the areaif you dont mind, may I visit? Harriet found it oddinviting herself overbut agreed.
Daisy, in a blue jacket, limped toward her, waving eagerly. She recognized Harriet instantly in the crowded station, hugging her tightly. Its youI knew right away! Harriet grumbled, Still a crybaby, arent you?but her own eyes stung.
Over dinner, Daisy chattered. Dont blame MumUncle Stephen said hed take her with kids when they met, but she was scared to bring two at once. Then they had a boy, then a girllittle Victoria, such a doll! Mum works as an accountant now. Uncle Stephens a brilliant carpenterwe even go to the seaside sometimes. Oh, but in Year 7, a bull gored methank God no one else was hurt. Now I limp Your pies deliciousmay I have the recipe?
Harriet asked, Do you work? Study? Have friends? Youre so pretty!
Daisy flushed. I was in hospital agescost a fortune. I help at home or with Uncle Stephens accounts. As for friends well, the limp But Im used to it.
Harriet insisted Daisy stay the night. As her sister slept, Harriet noticed her neatly folded clothesclean, but threadbare and mended. Even hospital orderlies wouldnt wear such things, let alone to a visit.
At 3 AM, Harriet woke her husbandthey had to go to Willowbrook. He grumbled but drove her. On the way, she explainedhe frowned, then nodded.
Harriet found her mothers house easily. Her heart pounded as she knocked. Her mother, still elegant, didnt recognize her. Morning, Mum. We meet again. Her mother greeted her coldly, like a bothersome neighbor. Wheres Daisy? In the barn? Tell her to come inthe kids need breakfast. Harriet kept her voice steady. Daisys staying with me. Pack her thingsand money, if you can. Ill get her a job, fix her leg. Shes too lovely to limp! Her mother scowled. Get out! Well fetch Daisy ourselves. Harriet shook her head. Her names Daisysave Dais for your cow, since youll be milking her now. Want the whole village to know how the proper accountant abandoned her kids? Her mother slammed the door. Half an hour later, a thin man emerged with a rucksack. Im Stephen. Daisys thingsgive her my best. Well send money. Shes been Cinderella long enough.
Walking back, Harriet thoughtlife wasnt easy. But was easy ever hard? For men not to drink or stray, for mothers not to abandon children for a new man, for siblings not to forget each other
To simply be human.
