Jenny absently twisted the paper in her handsthe DNA test order for Julie. Why? Who needed this? Had Julies real parents been found? Then why hadnt they come to talk? So many questions, and no answers.
«Mum, whats wrong?» Julie touched her shoulder. «Ive been calling you, but youre just staring.»
«Just thinking.»
«Whos that from?»
«Nothing important,» Jenny said, quickly stuffing the letter into her apron pocket.
«I picked enough honeysuckle for a bucket. Made some jam. Filled the water tank tooIll water the garden tonight. Need anything else? The girls and I are off to the river. Its roasting.»
Still lost in thought, Jenny replied, «Go on, just be careful.»
Julie grabbed warm pastries, snatched a towel, and dashed off. Jenny needed to gather herself. Stepping outside, she 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 up the lane and stopped by the gate. An elegant older woman stepped out.
«Hello, Im looking for Eugenie Nicholson.»
Jennys heart clenched. She knewthis woman and the letter were connected.
«Thats me.»
«May we talk? Im Marina Gregory.»
«Of coursecome inside.» Jenny gestured.
The woman signalled to the driver, who pulled a large bag from the boot. Jenny watched, uneasy.
«Alexander, youre free until» Marina checked her expensive watch, «three. Ill call if needed.»
«Why dont you walk to the river?» Jenny fussed. «Just follow that path. Its lovely there. Ill lend you a towel. Park the car under the birchesno sense leaving it in the sun.»
«May I sit?» Marina asked once the driver left.
«Make yourself at home.» Jenny brushed invisible dust off the table. «Tea? Fancy some with blackcurrant?»
She set the kettle on the stove and turned back. Marina was staring at a large photo of Julie on the wall. Her eyes, brimming with tears, met Jennys.
«Thats Mary. Ive found her.»
Jennys legs turned to jelly, the room spun. She gripped the chair to steady herself.
«Thats Julie! Do you hear me? Julie!» Jenny dropped her head onto her arms, sobbing.
Marina stroked her back. «I dont want to take her. Just to be part of her life. Breathe.» She hugged Jenny. «We need to talk properly.»
Sitting across from her, Marina took Jennys hands. «Tell me how she came to you. I know bits, not all.»
Jenny studied Marinas sad eyes. The pain there mirrored her own.
«I found her by the woods, looking for our cow,» Jenny sniffed. «Twelve years ago tomorrowthats when we celebrate her birthday. She was soaked, filthy, curled in a ditch hugging a soggy teddy. At first, I thought it was rubbisha coloured bag. Didnt realise it was a child.»
She twisted a lock of hair around her finger. «The poor thing couldnt stand, too weak to cry. Carried her home, fed her, and she slept.»
A tremor shook Jenny as memories flooded back.
«Sent the neighbours lad for the nurse and to call the police. Nurse Nina came, tried to check her, but Julie clung to me like a limpet. Tiny fingers white with grip. Nurse said she looked two, healthy but starved.»
The kettles faint whistle went unnoticed.
«The constable took details, said no missing children reported nearby. Promised to escalate it. Later, neighbours brought food, clothes, toys. But she wouldnt let go of that teddy. Washed them together.»
Jenny paused, lost in the past. Marina waited patiently.
«Three days, she wouldnt leave my arms. Always hungry. Nurse said give small, frequent meals. For a year after, Julie hid bread crusts everywhere. Named her Julie because I found her in July. First she stood, then ranmy tough little girl.»
Jenny exhaled shakily.
«When the social worker came a month later, Julie was calling me Mum. They couldnt pry her away. Left with just a notebring her in yourself. Thank God no deadline. I couldnt bear sending her to a homeId been in one. Know exactly how bad they are.»
Marina gently rubbed Jennys hand, hesitating.
«I tried to adopt, but they said nosingle woman. In desperation, I asked a local lad: Marry me, just for papers. Well divorce after. Wrote him a noteno claims. Ended up with a husband and daughter for life. Things turned out wellwere happy.»
Calmer now, whether from Marinas touch or her attentive silence, Jenny asked, «You had a question?»
«Yes, dear. Howd you end up in care?»
«Parents died on an expedition. They were volcanologists.» Jenny moved to take the kettle off but forgot as she spoke.
«Just turned eight. Was at Grans for summer. They wouldnt let Gran fosterhealth issues. No relatives passed checks. Too poor, bad housing. Reckon someone was covering dodgy dealingsour London flat sold the day before they died. Their friends tried investigating, but»
Marina studied Jennys kind face. *I was rightshes good.*
«So they sent me to a home far from London, near Gran. I kept running. They threatened psychiatric hold. Then the headmaster, Mr. Wilson, arranged for me to live at home but stay on the homes books. Three years later, Gran got custodyonly blood relative. I owe him everythinghe helped with Julie too.»
Jenny blinked, remembering.
«Good heavenstea! Ive got fresh pastries too.»
«I brought treatschocolates, biscuits, fruit.» Marina pulled out elegant boxes.
«Weve plenty. Who are you to Julie?»
«Her grandmother.»
«Grandmother?» Jenny sank onto the chair. «But you said you wouldnt take her?»
«Shh, I wont. Shes been through enough. Ive had time to think.» Marina reached for pills. «Water, please?»
Jenny handed a glass. «Are you ill?»
«Yes. Worse than Id like.» She sighed. «Youll wonder how I found you. Mind if I say you?»
Jenny shook her head.
«Hired a PI to track her down. Everything led here. He dug up your story too. After meeting you, Im certainMary stays. Maybe Ill buy a cottage nearby. Well figure it out.»
«We? I dont understand. I never hid Julie was adoptedeveryone knows. Even Julie. Asks for the story sometimeshow I found her in the woods. Stares at that teddy like shes trying to remember. I let hershe shares everything, but needs private thoughts too.»
«Its not you. Its a tangled mess fifteen years long. Our son fell for a uni classmateflashy, sharp-tongued girl. Something off about hercynical, rude. He was oblivious; we blamed her upbringing. Smart, though. Opportunistic. Two years together. Married in final year. We werent thrilled but welcomed her. Keith and Tanya were a striking pair. Odd thingno family from her side at the wedding. Mumbled about alcoholic parents, maybe brothers. Kept her past locked tight.»
Marina spoke softly, choosing words carefully.
«We let them have our London flat, moved to the country. Granddaughter Mary came in Maywe were overjoyed. Keith adored her.»
«He graduated, she didnt. Took leave, stayed home, then we hired a nanny. Tanya went back to unior so we thought. Later learnt she never attended. Where she went, who withno idea. Started demanding money. Screeched wed promised her a car for giving us Mary. But wed sunk funds into the family businessnew opportunities. Keith joined us. Wed built it from nothing. Had to fly to Germany for equipmentKeith too. Phoned homenanny said Tanya took Mary the day we left. Tanya wouldnt answer calls. We rushed back. Flat was trashed, things stolen. Police took printshad matches in the system. But no arrests.»
Marina wiped her brow. The story drained her.
«Keith reported them missing. Uselessmothers right to the child. Got a brush-off: Unable to locate. Searched on and off, but nothing.»
The kettle shrieked, ignored.
«Nine months ago, I lost them. My husbands heart gave out at the wheel. Keith was with him. In hospital, his last words: Find Mary. Couldnt save him. It shattered me. But I had to fulfil his wish.»
Her voice was flat, the grief unspent.
«Hired an ex-detective. Started with the prints from the flat. Bloke they matched was in prisonTanyas half-brother. Visited him. Said when he got out, hed gone to herwith a mate. Tanya had taken up with this friend. Remembered shed had a kidjust chucked her from the car when she cried. Gave a rough location. No clue where Tanya is now.»
Jenny shook her head in disbelief.
«From there, it was routine. Pulled police files, found the constables report, checked social services. All matched. Though he oversteppedgot the DNA order, sent it to you. I was in Israel, didnt know. Came straight here when I landed.»
Jenny silently laid the letter on the table.
«Sorry, love. Mustve scared you.» Marina reached for her bag. «Herephotos of Keith and Mary. No test needed, really. But we mustMarys his heir.»
Jenny studied them. Julies face stared backno doubt.
«How do we tell Julie?»
«Guests? Hello! Whats to tell? And whys the kettle boiling dry?»
Neither had heard Julie return. Marina paled, clutching her chest.
«Julie, this is your grandmother,» Jenny blurted.
«Gran?» Julie eyed the woman warily. Then»Gran! I knew youd find me!» She flung herself at Marina. «You gave me the teddy!»
All three clung together, weeping. Much was left to resolve, but one thing was clearMarina had found more than her granddaughter.
And the kettle still whistled on.
