I was a filthy mess, spilling everything I could think of, because I lived on the street. My fiftyyearold self, Natalie Spencer, had somehow managed to collect everything she ever wanted. Shed risen to director of a large corporation, given birth to a daughter and married her off, owned a sleek flat in Kensington, a polished Audi, and a good husband who was constantly away on long business trips. The daughter lived far away, so visits were rare, and despite the success it sometimes felt terribly lonely.
Natalie had one tiny weakness. A modest café on the corner of her office block served the most divine doughnuts and a proper cup of coffee. When thoughts grew heavy, she would slip inside for a moment of escape.
For several days she watched a little girl of six or seven, with mischievous pigtails, darting around the café. The child would wipe car headlights, collect spare change, or simply beg. Strangely, she never ate the crumbs she gathered; she tucked them into a small bag and disappeared.
Natalie followed the girl for a week. One afternoon the child drifted toward a charred house, slipped through the sootblackened doorway left by a fire, and entered a dim hallway. Natalie trailed behind. Inside, on a threadbare mattress, lay a young woman struggling to breathe. The girl crouched and whispered, Mum, open your eyes, Ive brought you something to eat.
The woman coughed, her voice hoarse. Natalie moved to the girls side and asked, Do you live here?
Whats your name? the child asked.
My name is Natalie Spencer, but you can call me Aunt Nicky. What are yours and your mothers?
Im Poppy, and my mums Laura. Shes very ill and I keep bringing her food, but she hasnt eaten anything for two days.
Natalie pressed a hand to the womans forehead, understood instantly, and dialed an ambulance on her phone.
Oh Aunt Nicky, theyll take me away from my mum. I dont want to end up in a childrens home, the girl sobbed.
Dont listen to that, Natalie soothed. While your mum gets treatment, you can stay with me. No one will scold you for being messy.
The ambulance arrived, took Laura to the hospital, and Natalie and Poppy returned to the café. After devouring enough doughnuts to fill their bellies, they climbed into Natalies car. Poppy settled in the back seat, and before Natalie could pull away, the childs head drooped and she fell asleep.
Thinking quickly, Natalie drove to the nearby shopping centre while Poppy slept. She hurried through the stores, buying groceries, a few sets of clothes, and returned to the car. Poppy was still asleep when they neared the flat.
Here we are, Poppy, Natalie announced as they pulled up. Lets go inside.
Poppy lingered at the doorway, trembling. Im dirty, Ill make a mess, she muttered.
Well fix that, Natalie replied, taking off her shoes. Come with me.
In the bathroom Natalie filled the tub, poured in a swirl of bubbles, and coaxed Poppy in. The little girl giggled, chasing iridescent spheres, delighted by the sudsy ocean. Natalie draped a fluffy towel over Poppy, lifted her out, and carried her to the bedroom. The child was light as a feather, uncannily reminiscent of Natalies own childhood self. After drying her, they tried on the new clothes one by one, each outfit reflected in the large mirror.
Am I pretty, Aunt Nicky? Poppy asked.
Absolutely, youre the loveliest, Natalie answered. Pick what youll wear, then well make dinner together.
They ate, cleared the table, and Poppy helped as best she could. The next day they visited Laura in the hospital. She looked markedly better, a faint glow returning to her face. Leaving Poppy with her mum, Natalie consulted the doctor.
Doctor, whats her condition? she asked.
Thank heavens theres no infectionjust a severe cold, bronchitis, and extreme weakness. Shell need at least two weeks here.
Natalie slipped back into the ward, Laura asleep, and slipped out with Poppy. They decided to stop by the supermarket for supplies. Poppy wandered the aisles wideeyed, admiring every display but asking for nothing. When she brushed a soft teddy bear, she whispered, Is this for me? and slipped it into her basket.
At the checkout Natalie placed the bear on the belt. Is this for me? she asked the clerk, smiling. Thank you, its perfectmy best gift.
That night Poppy fell asleep with the bear clutched to her chest, petting its head in dreamtime.
The following day they returned to the hospital with a hamper of treats. Natalie sat with Laura, who seemed more cheerful, and asked, Laura, how did you and your child end up here? Where is your home, who are your family?
Lauras voice trembled as she recounted, Im an orphan. After I finished school I was given a tiny flat, the same one where you found us. I went to college, tripped on the way home, fell hard, and a handsome lad helped me up. I fell in love at first sight. He courted me, then I discovered I was pregnant. He sighed, agreed to let me stay in his flat, and said wed rent it out together. He never proposed, and when little Poppy was born he refused to register me as his wife. I became a cleaner, a dishwasher. He kept bringing friends over, never wanted me to meet his parents. When Poppy turned three I tried to find work, but he stopped me, shouting that the house must be spotless. I didnt know what to do, but I endured for my daughter. Then a fire burnt my flat, I lost every penny. His parents showed up, his mother threw us out, saying we had no rights. I begged for somewhere to stay, but they shoved us onto the street. We returned to that burnt house, the storm started, I tried to cover Poppy, but we got soaked, frozen. Each day grew worse, I feared for her. Alone I would have perished, but then, like a fog, I heard your voice, felt you as a warm presence. After that, I cant remember much.
Natalie squeezed her hand. Dont worry, love. While youre in the hospital, Poppy will stay with me. Well sort out a roof for you both. Ive got to head out now.
She left the ward, got into her car, and drove toward the countryside where her beloved Aunt Kate livedKatherine Whitaker, the closest friend of Natalies late mother. On the way she bought a few treats, then pulled up to Kates gate. The elderly woman greeted her at the door.
Good heavens, look whos come! My dear, come in, have a cuppa, tell me everything. Kates eyes sparkled with concern.
They settled at the kitchen table, and Natalie poured out the whole tale. Kate clucked sympathetically. Oh dear, those poor souls. No one wants them. What do you need?
Nurse Kate, could you rent us a room? Ill pay every month, Natalie asked.
Kate laughed. Pay? My dear, Im broke myself. My son died years ago. I live alone, but Id be delighted to have you both here.
Two weeks later Natalie collected Laura from the hospital, bundled her and Poppy into the car, and drove them to Kates cottage. Kate had already baked a great many pies, laid out a spare room, and set out presents for Laura and Poppy. When Laura opened the boxes, she sank onto the beds edge and burst into tears.
Whats happening to me? she cried. Why now? I never expected anyone to care.
Just settle in, dear. Youll be my granddaughter, Poppy my greatgranddaughter. Well look after each other, Kate soothed.
Time slipped by. Kate grew attached to her two girls. Laura and Poppy found a new peace in her warm home. Natalie visited often, bringing groceries and stories. Whenever Kate coughed, Laura would tend to her, bustling around like a nurse. Kate found work as a parttime baker, while Poppy learned to knead dough under her guidance.
One afternoon Natalie arrived with another woman, a solicitor. Laura, entering the house, saw them hunched over papers and slipped away to her room.
Lucy, the solicitor called softly, we need to talk. Im alone now, no one left. God sent me you and Poppy, and I must thank Him. Ive drawn up a will so you wont be left without anything. It will give you a house.
Grandma, Laura whispered, youre not well. Why speak of death?
Ill live a while longer, the solicitor replied. Just want everything settled, so you have a home.
The night fell, and the house hummed with the quiet certainty of strangers becoming family. And so the orphan and her child, with the help of strangers turned kin, found a place to call home, as long as the heavens allowed.
