**Diary Entry 5th June**
Jenny twisted the crumpled piece of paper in her handsa notice for Julias DNA test. Why? Who needed this? Had Julias real parents finally been found? If so, why hadnt they come themselves, why no word? Questions swirled, answers nowhere in sight.
«Mum, you alright?» Julia tapped her shoulder. «Been calling youyoure miles away.»
«Just thinking. Whos that?»
«Nobody,» Jenny said quickly, stuffing the letter into her apron pocket.
«Picked a bucket of blackberries. Sweet as anything. Filled the water tank tooIll do the garden later. Need anything else? The girls and I are off to the river. Its boiling out.»
Distracted, Jenny nodded. «Go on then, but be careful.»
Julia snatched a couple of warm scones, grabbed a towel, and dashed off.
Jenny needed to collect herself. Stepping outside, she sat on the porch step. «What now? Julias birthdays tomorrow. Quite the gift. No wonder Ive barely slept all week.»
A sleek car rolled slowly down the lane, stopping at the gate. An elegant older woman stepped out.
«Hello, Im looking for Jenny Nicholson.»
Jennys heart clenched. She knewthis woman and the letter were connected.
«Thats me.»
«May we talk? Im Margaret Whitmore.»
«Of coursecome inside,» Jenny said, flustered.
The woman signalled to her driver, who pulled a large bag from the boot. Jenny watched, uneasy.
«Andrew, youre free till» Margaret checked her expensive watch, «three. Ill ring if needed sooner.»
«Why dont you head to the river?» Jenny fussed. «Just follow the pathlovely spot. Ill lend you a towel. Park under the birchesno sense leaving it in the sun.»
«May I sit?» Margaret asked once the driver left.
«Make yourself comfortable.» Jenny brushed imaginary crumbs off the table. «Tea? Ive got some with blackcurrant.»
As the kettle hummed, Jenny turned to see Margaret staring at Julias photo on the wall. Tears welled in the womans eyes.
«Thats Emily. Ive found her.»
Jennys legs turned to jelly. The room spun. She gripped the chair to steady herself.
«Thats Julia! Do you hear me? Julia!» Jenny slumped onto the table, face in her hands, sobbing.
Margaret placed a gentle hand on her back. «Im not here to take her. I just want to be part of her life. Please, calm down.» She hugged Jenny. «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 all.»
Jenny met her gazethose eyes, deep with sorrow.
«I found her at the edge of the woods, looking for our stray cow,» Jenny began, voice trembling. «Twelve years ago tomorrow. She was soaked, filthy, curled in a ditch with a soggy teddy bear. At first, I thought it was rubbishdidnt even see the child.»
She twisted a lock of hair around her finger.
«Poor thing couldnt stand, too weak to cry. Carried her home, fed her, she slept straight through.» A shiver ran through her at the memory.
«Sent the neighbours lad for the nurse and to ring the police. Nurse came, tried to examine her, but Julia clung to me like a limpet. Nurse reckoned she was about two, healthy but starved.»
The kettle whistled softly, unnoticed.
«Police took details, said no missing children reported locally. Neighbours brought clothes, toysshe wouldnt let go of that bear. Washed them together.»
Jenny paused, lost in thought. Margaret waited patiently.
«Wouldnt leave my arms for days. Always hungry. Nurse said small portions, often. For a year, she hid bread crusts everywhere. Named her Juliafound her in July. Soon she was running about. Slept with me, screamed in her sleepnightmares, I reckon. Didnt speak at first.»
Jenny took a breath.
«Month later, social services came. By then, she called me Mum. They couldnt pry her away. Left with a notice for me to bring her in. Thank God no deadline. I couldnt send her to carebeen there myself. Know exactly how that goes.»
Margaret stroked her handwanting to ask but hesitating.
«Tried to adopt, but they said nosingle woman. In desperation, I asked a bloke I knew: Lets marry. Just for the papers. Wrote him a noteno claims later. Ended up with a husband and daughter. Life had other plans. Still together, happy as can be.»
Calmer now, Jenny studied her. «You had a question?»
«Yes, dear. Howd you end up in care?»
«Parents died in an expedition. Volcanologists.» Jenny moved to take the kettle off, then stopped. «I was eight, staying with Gran. They wouldnt let her take mehealth issues. No relatives qualified. Some dodgy businessour London flat sold the day before they died. Their friends tried investigating, but»
Margaret watched her. A good soul, she thought.
«Shunted to a care home miles away, but near Gran. Kept running off. They threatened the psych ward. Then the headmaster, Mr Thompson, arranged for me to live at home but stay registered. Three years later, Gran got custody. I owe him everythinghelped with Julia too.»
Jenny shook herself. «Here I am, natteringteas gone cold. Fresh scones, just baked.»
«I brought treats too. Biscuits, sweets, fruit,» Margaret said, unpacking elegant boxes.
«Weve plenty. Who are you to Julia?»
«Her grandmother.»
Jenny stiffened. «But you said you wouldnt take her?»
«Calm, dear. Shes been through enough. Ive had time to think.» Margaret pulled out pills. «Water, please?»
Jenny handed her a glass. «Youre ill?»
«Worse than Id like.» A pause. «Youll wonder how I found you. Mind if I say you?»
Jenny shook her head.
«Hired a detective. Leads pointed here. After meeting you, Im certainEmily stays. Ill buy a place nearby. Well figure it out.»
«We? Ive never hidden shes adopted. Julia knows. Asks for the storyhow I found her in the woods. Stares at that bear like shes trying to remember. I let her. She shares everything, but some things are just hers.»
«Its not you. Its a tangled fifteen-year mess. Our son fell for a uni mateflashy, sharp-tongued. Something off about her. He didnt see it. Smart, though. Married in final year. We gave them our London flat, moved to the country. Emily camewe were over the moon. James adored her.»
Margaret spoke softly, weighing each word.
«After uni, he joined the family business. She dropped out, stayed home. We hired a nanny. Later, found out shed skipped classes. Where she went, who withno idea. Started demanding money. Screeched about promised cars for giving us a grandchild. Wed just invested heavilyexpansion. James was vital to it.»
She wiped her brow. The telling drained her.
«Flew to Germany for equipment. Rang the nannyshed taken Emily the day we left. No answer from her. Rushed back. Flat trashed, things missing. Police found printssome lowlife in the system. Never caught her. James reported them missing. Uselessmothers rights.»
The kettle screeched, ignored.
«Nine months ago, I was widowed. My husbandheart attack at the wheel. James was with him. Last words: Find Emily. Then he was gone. I had to fulfil his wish.»
Her voice was flat, grief etched beneath.
«Hired an ex-copper. Started with the prints. Turns out, her brothers in prison. Said when he got out, he and a mate went to her. Shed taken up with his friend. Remembered her tossing a crying child from a car. Gave a rough location. No idea where she is now.»
Jenny listened, horrified.
«Police archives, social servicesit all matched. The detective overstepped, got the DNA order. I was in Israel, didnt know. Came straight here.»
Jenny slid the letter onto the table.
«Sorry, dear. Mustve scared you.» Margaret reached into her bag. «Photos of James and Emily. No test needed, but legally Shes his heir.»
Jenny studied them. Julias face stared back.
«How do we tell Julia?»
«Guests? Hello!» Julia bounded in. «Whats this then? And whys the kettle screaming?»
Margaret paled, clutching her chest.
«Julia, this is your grandmother,» Jenny blurted.
«Grandmother?» Julia eyed her warily. Then»Grandma! I knew youd come! You gave me Teddy!»
They clung to each other, all three in tears. Much was left unsolved, but one thing was clearMargaret hadnt just found her granddaughter.
And the kettle kept whistling
**Lesson:** Family isnt always blood. Sometimes its the hands that hold you when youre broken, and the hearts that refuse to let go.
