The White Coat
Mary lived in the children’s home from the age of five. She never quite knew why she ended up thereshe only remembered one day her grandmother didnt wake up, and her mum simply never returned. After that, there were unfamiliar hands, painted walls, and the ever-present smell of boiled cabbage, as if it would never leave. At first, she cried herself to sleep each night, but after a while, she stopped. She simply carried on: living and learning quietly, diligently, as if hoping that in return for her effort, someone might one day give her something real.
Of all the rooms in the orphanage, she liked the gymnasium most. It was large, with squeaky floorboards and high, dusty windows, but stepping inside always felt magical. Compared to her cramped Room Eight, with its four beds and constant chatter, it seemed as grand and vast as a manor. And when the tightly pumped orange ball began to thud a steady rhythm on the wooden floor, all her troubles faded away. If she managed to throw the ball right through the hoop, Mary felt almost happy. But only almostshe was sure you could only be truly happy in a family. Every child in that home believed it, keeping a quiet hope in their hearts, waiting for the day when someone would draw back the curtain and they could finally laugh out loud, free and joyful.
Mary could run fast, jump high, and the ball always seemed to do as she wished. Once, Miss Wilsontheir youth workersaid, Youve got a proper sporting temperament, Mary. Ill ring an old friend who coaches basketball and see if we can get you into a real club.
It worked out.
From the age of twelve, she began regular practice sessions. She first made the local team, then before long, the town squad. By the county final, shed become the star of the match, scoring 32 points and leading her teammates to victory.
As the medal was pressed into her hand, the chairman of the council said, Congratulations, Maryyouve got real promise, my dear. Those words brought tears dangerously close to her eyes, but he thought nothing of itjust a childs excitement. When he spotted her later, leaving the gym alone in the dark, he called her over.
Mary, why are you on your own? Where do you live?
I live at St Agnes, the childrens home. Four stops from here by bus.
Sorry, Mary, I didnt realise. Im Mr Edwards. Why not hop in the car and Ill drive you back?
It was the first time Mary had ever been in a car, and it felt both wonderful and strange.
And whos looking after you there?
Miss Wilsonshes my key worker.
Can I meet her?
Yes, but shes only in tomorrow morning.
All right, then. Ill speak to her tomorrow.
Mary was bursting with curiosity about what this important man wanted to discuss with her key worker, but didnt dare to ask.
The following day after lessons, Miss Wilson called Mary into her office.
From her, Mary learned that Mr Edwards had asked if there was anything Mary needed most. She told him Mary had outgrown every coat they ownedshe was growing so quickly that the childrens sizes were far too small now. Shed need something from an adult shop. He asked for Marys size and thenMiss Wilson placed a paper-wrapped parcel neatly tied with string on the tablesaid, Come on, lets see how it fits.
Mary, stunned, watched as Miss Wilson unwrapped a bright white coat, narrow at the waist, with golden-amber buttons. It was so beautiful, so different from anything shed ever had before, that she stood speechless. Even more important, it was genuinely new. No other childs name stitched inside the lining, like all the old hand-me-downs.
Goodness, Mary, Ive only ever seen a coat like this in filmsproper film stars stuff! What a present! Come ontry it on, lets have a look!
As if in a dream, she felt the cold satin lining, quickly warming around her. It felt like being wrapped up in a hug and spun around. Looking in the mirror, she barely recognised the blushing, grinning girl in the fashionable coat, tailored perfectly to her athletic shape. True, her shabby old skirt and red t-shirt looked odd underneath, but those details didnt matter in the midst of such a treat.
And thats not everything! Miss Wilson, clearly as happy as she was, handed over a folded slip of paper decorated with a drawing of a scout.
Whats this, Auntie Wilson?
A letter for the Juniper Grove Summer Camp! Youll go this summer, first round, and its simply lovely there! Mr Edwards brought this as well, bless him.
Mary found it hard to fall asleep that night. Thoughts from the last few days flashed in her mind like a colour TV showthe victory in the county final, the medal, the car ride with Mr Edwards, the camp invitation, and of course, the wonderful new coat waiting for her in the wardrobe.
She crept out of bed, crept softly to the wardrobe, and tried it on again. Shed named it Coaty, partly as a joke, but mostly out of affection.
In the dimly lit corridor, she stood at the window. Outside, the first of the spring rain drizzled down. Strangely, this year she wasnt happy to see winter goshe wanted to wear her lovely coat a little longer.
***
Trainers for everyday and games, Miss Wilson read from the camp note the evening before the trip, Youll need a hat, thats essential, and a coatit says a spring coat, see? No arguing, if it says in the letter, you have to take it.
Mary nodded, even though she didnt see the sense in wearing a coat in summer. Still, it was chilly at night, and besides, she didnt want to leave her new coat in the communal wardrobe.
When they arrived at Juniper Grove, the other girls stared at Mary as if she were from another planet. They wore casual windbreakers, lightweight jackets, or trendy denim vests. Only Mary had a smart white coatshed had to wear it, as her rucksack was stuffed with her basketball.
Is that your grannys style? scoffed skinny Ellen from the neighbouring bunk.
Or your granddads, maybe! someone chipped in.
Summers been here for ages, offered a girl by the window.
She probably came down from Scotland on a reindeer!
None of your business, Mary replied quietly but clenched her fists, glaring at the group until no one pushed it further.
She hung her coat over her bunk and left the room.
A bit of a weirdo, if you ask me, one girl whispered as Mary walked out.
Mary took a look around the campshe saw the canteen, the outdoor stage, the football pitch, and the volleyball court with its drooping net. Only the basketball corner grew wild with grass, and just one hoop still had a ring.
What am I doing here? she wondered as she leaned against a tall birch tree. Still, she shook her head and thought, Its only twenty-one daysI can get through it. Coaty and my basketball are here. The girls can do as they like. Suddenly, she felt just as alone as before.
The next day was the official opening: a bonfire, a party, and music. At first, she watched the fire reflected in her large eyes, then coloured lights spinning over the dancing children. She couldnt dance, but she loved music, so she sat quietly on a bench, hidden behind thick honeysuckle, listening to strange songs she didnt know.
At bedtime, the girls told scary stories about ghosts and things theyd seen on TV. Some had video players at home already. Mary listened with her eyes closed, pretending to sleep. What could she tell these lucky, pretty girls? About how they wept at night, new arrivals? About hiding crusts of bread under pillows? Or how, whenever a stranger visited, every child hoped they might be there to see just them?
When they needed another player for the camps volleyball tournament, one of the leaders called, Mary, you do sports, dont yougive it a go.
She agreed, even though shed never played volleyball before. Throwing and catching were forbiddenhere, you had to hit the ball with your palm. The teams captain was Daisy: confident, beautiful, with a long plait.
Why are you catching it again? This isnt basketball! Strike itsofterpass, come on! she shouted at Mary.
But the ball was too light for her, and whenever she tried, it sailed miles off court.
Tall as a lamppost, could use you as a hat stand! Daisy groaned. Go on, get under the netyou can be the blocker.
Upset after yet another clumsy attempt and Daisys latest irritated outburst, Mary left. She fetched her orange ball, pulled the weeds from the overgrown basketball pitch, and started throwing shot after shot through the hoop.
So the camp days went onmorning stretches, area clean-ups, canteen visits, rehearsal for the Weve Got Talent show, and the usual routines regular campers lived for.
Marys favourite days were movie nights. Every couple of days, the schedule went up in the corridor, and in the evenings the village projectionist came with a battered projector and cases of reels. Mary always slipped into the back row so as not to block anyones view, gazing at the big screenbrave sailors battling pirates, or a dark-haired Indian firing arrows to save his tribe.
The rest of the time, she was at the basketball hoop, even late evenings when everyone else gathered for crafts and games. Only her coat, like a loyal soldier, always hung nearby, its white practically glowing in the dark.
Mary never joined the discos. While the other girls put on make-up, slipped on dresses and heels, and marched off in groups, Mary stayed behind, wedged into her favourite bench among the greenery.
One night, she overheard quiet voices behind a bushDaisy and a boy from another cabin, hiding away where they thought nobody would see them. Suddenly, three local lads appeared from behind the clubtall, half-drunk, cigarettes glowing in the dusk. They clocked the pair straightaway and strode over. Daisy’s companion ran for it, leaving her alone and frightened.
Well, arent you just the belle of the ball! City girl in a minicome on, darling, lets take a stroll in the moonlight! They circled Daisy on all sides. She shouted something, but the music from the hall was so loud, nobody heard.
Without thinking, Mary burst out from the shadows, quick on her feet. She marched up beside Daisy.
Leave us alone, she hissed, or Ill floor you!
The boys were dumbfounded at first, like theyd just seen a ghost in a white coat pop up from the ground. Then, realising she was just a girl, laughed louder.
Oh, heres a friend for you, Tom! Look at those legsperfect for you!
The tallest bloke grabbed at herbut he was too slow. Mary punched firstawkwardly, but with her whole heart in it. Daisy, shaking off her shock, grabbed another lad by the hair and screamed. At that moment, the music dipped for a beat and staff rushed over, dragging two of the troublemakers away. The third almost escaped, but Mary grabbed her basketball and hurled it. The ball smacked into his head; he toppled like a sack and was quickly surrounded.
Good shot, sis, Daisy said, panting as she recovered. Thanks.
No worries, Mary replied, picking up her ball and marching back to the cabin.
You all right? Daisy jogged to catch up, looking at Mary with new respect.
Im fine, she said.
Next morning, after breakfast, Daisy called out, Oi, Marypair up with me! Ill show you how to serve.
I wont be able to, Daisy
You will! Trust me!
And sure enough, minutes later, the ball was sailing from one girl to the other over the net.
Softer, Maryuse your fingertips, yes, thats it!
From then on, things began to change. Not overnight, but certainly.
***
On visitors day, it suddenly snowedhuge, soft flakes drifting down since morning. Frost rimmed the handles on the doors, and snowflakes settled on the roses near the canteen. It was strangely beautiful, but it didnt make the children any warmer.
Because of the weather, Mary couldnt head out and practise on her own, so she stayed in the dorm, peering out at the drifting snow.
By lunchtime, parents began to arrive. A telephone wire was strung from the main gate to the radio hut, buzzing non-stop.
The loudspeaker, tied up among the pine branches, crackled all day.
Ellen Harper, Sophie Atwood, Oliver Birchyour parents are here, the voice trumpeted from the speaker.
Those called raced for the gates, launching themselves into the arms of their mums and dads.
Goodness, girls, its freezing! Ill catch pneumonia before I reach the door, Ellen called as she ran off. Still, maybe my hoodie will do for now.
Then suddenly, a voice that rarely spoke in those halls piped up, Take my coat, Ellenits warm, you wont get cold.
Everyone looked toward the window to see Mary holding out her coat to the girl whod sneered at it only days before.
Thanks, Mary Mary!
So the coat went off with Ellen, then came back with Sophie, then Daisy. It passed from hug to hug, taking on new scentsperfume, apples, sweets. Each girl brought Mary somethingchocolate, a carton of juice, maybe a handful of nuts. She always said no, but by evening, her little nightstand was like a feast.
Daisy was the last to dash off, swinging the white coat around her shoulders, jogging out with the confident stride of an athlete. Watching her leave, Mary felt shed give anything for someone to come for her.
She lay down on her bed, pulling the covers right over her head, hiding away like a child in her own little den of blankets.
She woke as someone stroked her shoulder. In a half-dream, she rolled over and saw the silhouette of a woman sitting quietly beside her. Thinking it must be a dream, she turned to her other sidenobody ever stroked her gently. But the woman stayed.
Mum? Mary asked, eyes still shut.
Yes, the woman replied, Will you let me be your mum?
And meyour real sister, Daisy chimed in, taking her hand.
That brought Mary fully awake. The woman, Daisys mother, was as beautiful as her daughter, with the kind, honest gaze of Miss Wilson. Smiling, she said, Daisys told me so much about youI feel like I love you already. Honestly, she says youre the best girl in the world, and she wont leave here without you.
Please say yes, Mary, Daisy begged, moving even closer.
What about your dad? Wont he mind? Mary asked quietly.
Hes fine with it, and actually, he already knows you.
How?
As soon as he saw me in your coat, he wanted to know where Id got it. I told him it was my sistersMarys. He grinned! Remember Mr Edwards? Thats him!
Yes, Mary whispered, and bursting into tears, fell into the arms of her new mum and sister.
That was the scene their bunkmates returned to after supper.
***
Mr Edwards waited in the car for Marys answer. Seeing his wife and the two girls shining with happiness, he knew at once and said hed be proud to be a father to another daughter.
From that moment on, Mary was different. It was as if shed finally opened the door to happiness inside her, stepping out from her silent shell to become the cheerful chatterbox and true star of Juniper Grove.
The girls soon adored her after the run-in with the louts and the white coat. She never kept all her treats to herself on Sundays, but made the others join her for a midnight feast, sweets and juice spread out across her bed.
They convinced her to sign up for the Miss Juniper Grove contest, taught her to dance, style her hair, and wear proper dresses.
A week later, the camp loudspeaker announced that Daisys and Marys parents had arrived. Hand in hand, the two girls raced to the gates, hearts pounding.
And as parents and children threw their arms around each other, every one of them knew they were living one of the happiest moments of their lives.
