Jenny twisted the crumpled letter in her hands, bewildered. A DNA test for Juliewhy? Who wanted this? Had Julies birth parents been found? Then why hadnt they come to see her? So many questions, and no answers.
«Mum, whats wrong?» Julie touched her shoulder. «Ive been calling you, but youre just staring.»
«Just thinking.»
«Whos writing?»
«Oh, nobody.» Jenny quickly stuffed the letter into her apron pocket. «I picked a bucket of raspberries. Theyre sweet. Ive filled the water tank tooIll water the garden this evening. Do you need anything else? The girls and I are going to the river. Its boiling out there.»
Distracted, Jenny murmured, «Go on, just be careful.»
Julie snatched a couple of warm scones, grabbed a towel, and dashed off.
Jenny needed to clear her head. She stepped outside and sat on the porch steps. *What do I do? Tomorrows Julies birthday. What a gift this is. No wonder Ive barely slept all week.*
A sleek car rolled slowly down the lane and stopped at the gate. An elegant older woman stepped out. «Hello, Im looking for Jennifer Nichols.»
Jennys heart clenched. She knewthis woman and the letter were connected.
«Thats me.»
«May I speak with you? My name is Margaret Spencer.»
«Of course, come inside.» Jenny gestured toward the house. The woman signalled to the driver, who pulled a large bag from the boot. Jenny watched, uneasy.
«Alexander, youre free until» Margaret checked her expensive watch, «three oclock. Ill ring if needed sooner.»
«Why dont you go down to the river?» Jenny offered. «Just follow that pathits lovely there. Ill lend you a towel. And you might want to park under the birchesno sense leaving the car in the sun.»
«Is there somewhere I can sit?» Margaret asked once the driver had gone.
«Make yourself comfortable.» Jenny brushed imaginary crumbs from the table. «Lets have some tea. Do you like it with blackcurrant?»
She set the kettle on the stove and turned backMargaret was staring at a large photo of Julie on the wall. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Jenny.
«Thats Emily. Ive found her.»
Jennys legs turned to jelly. The room swayed. She gripped the chair to keep from falling.
«Thats Julie! Do you hear me? Julie!» Jenny slammed her hands on the table, buried her face in them, and sobbed.
Margaret moved closer, rubbing her back. «I dont want to take her from you. I just want to be part of her life. Please, calm down.» She pulled Jenny into an embrace. «We need to talk properly.»
Sitting across from her, Margaret took Jennys hands. «Tell me how she came to you. I know bits, but not everything.»
Jenny looked into Margarets sad, pain-filled eyes.
«I found her at the edge of the woods while searching for our cow,» Jenny began, voice trembling. «Tomorrow marks twelve years. We celebrate her birthday on the day I found her. She was filthy, soaked through, asleep in a ditch with a soggy teddy bear. At first, I thought it was just rubbish. I didnt even realise it was a child.»
Jenny twisted a lock of hair around her finger.
«She couldnt stand, couldnt even cry from exhaustion. I carried her home, fed her, and she slept for hours.» A nervous shudder ran through her at the memory.
«I sent the neighbours boy to fetch the nurse and call the police. The nurse came, tried to examine her, but Julie clung to me so tight her little fingers went white. The nurse said she looked about twohealthy but starved.»
The kettle whistled softly, but neither woman noticed.
«Later, the constable came, took details, filed a report. Said there were no missing children reported nearby. Promised to pass it up the chain. Soon, neighbours arrivedclucking, bringing clothes and toys. But Julie wouldnt let go of that bear. I had to wash them together.»
Jenny fell silent, lost in the memory. Margaret waited patiently.
«For three days, she wouldnt leave my arms. Always hungry. The nurse warned me to feed her little and often. For a year after, she hid bits of bread everywhere. I named her Julie because I found her in July. First, she learned to stand, then to run. I was so proudshe grew stronger. She slept with me, screaming from nightmares. Never spoke at first.»
Jenny took a deep breath.
«When social services came a month later to take her, she was already calling me Mum. They couldnt pry her away. Left empty-handed, just told me to bring her in myself. Lucky they didnt set a deadline. I was heartsickhow could I send her to a home? Id been in one. I know how cruel they can be.»
Margaret stroked Jennys hand gently. She seemed to want to ask something but hesitated.
«I tried to adopt her, but they said noI wasnt married. In desperation, I proposed to a local lad: Lets just sign the papers. Its for Julie. I promised wed divorce after. Even wrote a note saying Id make no claims. Ended up with a husband *and* a daughter. Life works in strange ways. Were still togetherhappy, peaceful.»
Perhaps from Margarets soothing touch or her attentive listening, Jenny relaxed.
«Did you want to ask something?»
«Yes, dear. How did *you* end up in a childrens home?»
«My parents died in an expedition. They were geologists.» Jenny moved to take the kettle off but forgot as she kept talking. «Id just turned eight. I was here, at my grans, for summer. They wouldnt let Gran foster mehealth issues. No other relatives qualified. Some mustve pulled stringsour London flat was sold the day before my parents died. Their friends tried to investigate, but it went nowhere.»
Margaret studied Jennys kind face. *I was rightshes a good soul.*
«They sent me to a home far from the city but near Gran. I kept running away to her. They threatened to send me to a psych ward. Then the local headmaster, Mr. Thompson, arranged for me to live with Gran while technically in care. Three years later, papers cameGran got custody as my only kin. I owe him everything. He helped with Julie too.»
Jenny paused.
«Goodness, I promised you tea!» She jumped up, bustling to set the table. «Ive fresh scones, baked this morning.»
«I brought treats too. Sweets, biscuits, fruit.» Margaret unpacked elegant boxes.
«You shouldnt have. But who *are* you to Julie?»
«Her grandmother.»
«Her? But you said you wouldnt take her?»
«Calm yourself, dear. I wont. Shes suffered enough. Ive had time to think.» Margaret reached for her pills. «May I have some water?»
Jenny handed her a glass. «Are you ill?»
«Yes. Worse than Id like.» She sighed. «I suppose you wonder how I found you. A private investigator. He traced everything hereeven got that DNA order without my knowing. I was in Switzerland. When I returned, I came straight to you.»
Jenny silently pulled out the letter and laid it on the table.
«Forgive me. You mustve been terrified.» Margaret opened her bag. «Herephotos of my son and granddaughter. No test needed, but well have to do one. Emily is his heir.»
Jenny stared at the photos. It *was* Juliejust younger.
«How do we tell her?»
«Guests? Hello! Whats this about? And whys the kettle screaming?»
Neither woman had heard Julie return. Margaret paled, clutching her chest.
«Julie, love, this this is your grandmother,» Jenny blurted.
«Grandmother?» Julie eyed the woman warilythen gasped. «*Youre* the one who gave me Teddy!»
She flung herself into Margarets arms. All three wept. There was much to settle, but one thing was clearMargaret hadnt just found her granddaughter.
And on the stove, the kettle whistled on.
