Their mother sent them to an orphanage right after New Years The girls cried. They had been sheltered children. While their mother pursued her love lifesomething she did constantlythe sisters, Emily and Lily, lived with their grandmother. But when Granny passed away on Boxing Day, their mother handed them over to the care home. No, she wasnt recklessshe didnt drink or even smoke. Still, wasnt it unfair that her ex-husband lived as he pleased while she had to struggle alone with two children in tow?
Their mother unbuttoned Lilys coat, murmuring, Stop crying. Things just turned out this wayits not my fault! Youll be fine here. Youll thank me later. Lily, just three years old, was sobbing too hard to understand, but the cold anger in her mothers eyes and the frightened tears on her older sister Emilys face told her something was terribly wrong. Their mother hissed, Dont embarrass me. Im not abandoning youIll come back once Ive sorted things out. Ill fetch you at Easter! The girls sniffled but quietedtheir mother had promised, after all.
Adjusting to the orphanage was difficult, though the carers loved them for their quiet manners, quick minds, and the way they clung to each other. Emily won everyone over with her serious dark eyes, while little Lily was like a sweet, round-cheeked doll. Lily tugged at Emilys sleeve. Whens Easter? Will Easter come and take us back to Mum? Emily answered patiently, Easters a holiday in spring. Remember how Grandma used to paint eggs? Lily nodded solemnly, but then, thinking of Grandma, tiny tears gathered on her lashes. Emily wished she knew when Easter would arrive too. She asked the carer, Miss Catherine, who frowned in surprisechildren usually waited for Christmas or birthdays. Still, she gave Emily a small calendar. See? Ive circled the date. Every number is a day. When I was in school, I crossed off days till summer break. Emily did the same, watching the chain of numbers shrink.
On Easter morning, Lily raced to Emily, clutching a red-painted egg. Emily! Emily! Mums coming today! Im so happyarent you happy? Emily had been counting the hours too. But by naptime, her hope soured into dread. Lily whined all afternoon, and by evening, Emily knewtheir mother had lied. The bus mustve got stuck, she soothed. The roads are awful now. Honestly! The carers say so too. Dont cry, Lilytheyll dig it out, and Mum will come tomorrow. Shell stay in the village tonight! Lily nodded, swallowing tears. But their mother never came, though the sisters invented new excuses every day. Then one morning, Emily couldnt find Lily. The carers explainedtheir mother had taken her. Years later, Emily learned shed been left behind deliberately.
Yet luck found her. Two years on, her fathers sister, Aunt Margaret, tracked her down. Kind and warm, Aunt Margaret became Mum before Emily even noticed. Love patched the cracks in her heart, and she tried not to think of her mother or sisterthough she knew Lily had been too young to understand. Still, Emily would never have left without her.
Years passed. Emily trained as a nurse, married, had a son. Life wasnt lavish, but it was full. Then, a letter arrivedfrom Lily.
*Dear Emily, my darling sister! You probably dont remember me? I only recall your braids and your checkered slippers. I long to see you! Weve moved back to the areaif you dont mind, may I visit?*
Emily hesitatedinviting yourself over was odd. But she agreed.
Lily, in a faded blue jacket, limped toward her, waving eagerly. She recognized Emily instantly in the bus station crowd, hugging her tightly. Sister! I knew it was you straightawaybelieve me? Emily grumbled, Still a crybaby, arent you?but her own eyes stung.
Over supper, Lily chattered. Dont blame Mum. Uncle Simon told her when they met hed take her with childrenbut she was scared to bring two at once. Then they had a son, then a baby girl! Victorias such a dollwhere did we fit? Oh, dont be cross! Uncle Simons a brilliant carpenteralways busy. We even holiday down south sometimes. But when I was twelve, a bull gored me. Thank God no one else was hurt. Ive limped since Your pies lovelymay I have the recipe?
Emily asked, Do you work? Study? Have friends? Youre so pretty!
Lily flushed. After the accident, treatment cost loads I help at home or with Uncle Simons accounts. Mums a council accountant. Friends? Never had time. The limp But Im used to it.
Emily insisted Lily stay the night, promising to see her off in the morning. Lily fell asleep instantly. Glancing at her neatly folded clothes, Emilys breath caughteverything was clean but threadbare, mended a dozen times. Even hospital porters wouldnt wear such things, let alone to a visit!
At 3 a.m., Emily woke her husband. Drive me to Willowbrook. Now. He cursed but obeyed. On the way, she explained. He scowled, then nodded.
Finding her mothers house was easy. Her heart pounded as she knocked. Her mother answeredolder but still elegantand didnt recognize her. Good morning, Mum. Here we are. Her mother greeted her like a bothersome neighbor. Wheres Lily? Fetch herthe kids need breakfast, and yesterdays mess is still there. Come in, since youre here.
Emily kept her voice steady. Lilys staying with me. Pack her things. Give her money too, if you can. Ill get her a job as a carer, then proper training. And that leg needs treatmentshes too lovely to limp!
Her mother jutted her chin. Get out. Well fetch Lily ourselves.
Emily shook her head. Her names *Lily*. Call your cow Lily if you wantyoull be milking her yourself now. Shall I gather the whole village? Let them hear how the upstanding councilwoman dumped her kids? The gossips wont forget, even if you move.
Her mother slammed inside. Half an hour later, a thin, stooped man emerged with a backpack. Im Simon. Lilys things. Tell herwell, I hope shes happy. Well send money. Shes been Cinderella long enough. He sighed. Dont blame your mother too much. Life isnt simple.
Walking back, Emily thought: *No, it isnt simple. But is simple the same as hard? For men not to drink or stray, for women not to abandon children for a new man, for siblings not to forget each other*
*Just to be decent people. Back home, Emily tucked the backpack into the closet and made tea. When Lily woke, blinking in the soft morning light, Emily handed her a mug and said, No more threadbare sleeves. No more being forgotten. Lily looked down, then up, her eyes glistening. You always kept me safe, she whispered. Emily smiled. Now its my turn. And for the first time in years, Lily slept without dreaming of buses that never came.
