Thats Davids child…
This is a recent story that took place in a well-kept flat on the fourth floor of a nine-story building. There lived a young, working pensioner, a single woman named Ruth.
Her life promised nothing out of the ordinary. Everything was steady: her pension, part-time work, friends, visits to her grandchildren, and regular help for her elderly mother who lived alone in a nearby block.
That day was just any other. Ruth phoned her mum in the morning, as she always did, to check how she was feeling.
It was her day off. In her retirement, Ruth worked on a rotaone day on, three days offhandling calls and bookings at a private surgery.
As usual, she was preparing to visit her mumher daily ritual, if she was honest, one she was thoroughly fed up with; it made her sigh and roll her eyes.
Getting there was no troubleit was only through two courtyards. Cooking wasnt hard either, especially as her mum still had yesterdays stew and some fresh bread. But the fifth floor without a lift! That was another story.
What also made her sigh were her mothers endless complaints. Ruth listened to detailed accounts of aches and pains here, there, and everywhere, trailing through phases and flare-ups. None of these tales expected solutions; her mother had her own theoriesendlessly reinterpreted, reshaped, and amended with advice picked up from neighbours and snippets from Dr Sarah Jarvis on the television.
Any suggestion from Ruth was dismissed, as if her own forty years as a theatre nurse in a major London hospital didnt count.
What do you know? You just hand over scalpels!
She also needed to pop by the shop on her way. She placed the rubbish bag by the front door, touched up her lipstick in the hall mirror, and surveyed herself. For a woman over sixty, Ruth looked youthfuljust faint crows feet round the eyes, a kind face, cropped silver hair, and bold earrings. Her cheeks had lost a touch of fullness, but all in all, she was still rather striking.
Mum will want some wholemeal and some proper butter, Ruth thought, lining her lips with the pencil, when the doorbell rang.
They had an intercom systemwho could it be?
It was probably Aunt Sally from upstairs; Ruth sometimes invited her over for tea. Still holding her lipstick, she opened the door.
A fair-haired girl was standing there, her hair up in a ponytail, wearing a stripy top, a long navy cardigan, and jeans, a rucksack on her back. At the time, Ruth barely clocked any of thatjust the girls anxious face and a small baby wrapped in a brown blanket in her arms.
The girls eyes narrowed, her jaw tight, she took a deep breath, stepped close, handed over the bundle, and said brusquely:
This is for you!
Ruth took the baby automaticallylipstick still in hand. She felt the weight, looked downMy goodness, it was a baby!
When she looked up again, the girl was already half-way down the stairs.
Ruth stepped onto the landing, befuddledwhy had she been given a child?
Its Davids baby, and I have to study… the girls feet tapped quickly down to the ground floor, and the door slammed.
And that was that.
Ruth stood on the landing a bit longer, half expecting the girl to return. Then she stepped into the hall, glanced at the rubbish bag, and thought absent-mindedly, Mustnt forget the bins on my way to Mums.
There was another bag now, too. She hadnt noticed when the girl left it.
Oh Lord! A real, live baby! And what had she said? Davids baby?
She was surethe girl had said David.
Ruth, cradling the baby, went through to the sitting room and sank onto the sofa. Yes, the girl had definitely said David.
But what David?
Ruth only had one sonhis name was Edward. He was married, with two kids of his own, living in Brighton. Ruth herself lived here in Reading. Her husband Trevor had died five years back.
Nothing made sense… The bundle squirmed in her arms.
She quickly laid the baby down on the sofa and opened the blanket: a pale knitted onesie, a sweet little girl with a frog-shaped dummy. She couldnt be more than a month old.
There, there, tiny one, Ruth whispered, stroking her. The baby smacked her lips and drifted off again.
Ruth decided the answers must be in the bag. She found two bottles, a tin of formula, nappies, and some baby clothes.
She kept half-expecting the doorbell, for the girl to come back and apologise, take the baby and make Ruths day ordinary again: rubbish, groceries, Mum…
She even finished her makeup and waited by the window.
But the girl didnt come, and Ruths frustration grew.
Eventually, the baby fussed and Ruth found herself dithering: should she change or feed someone elses child? Did she even have the right? Still, she undid the onesieunderneath were soft sleepsuit and a vest.
Only now did fear truly settle. Shed had a baby left on her doorstep.
David… David…
Her son had always liked a night out, she had scolded him more than once for stringing girls along. Hed even brought some homewhat trouble that was. But that was years and years ago, before he settled down. Now, married, busy with his business and kids, things seemed bettertheyd paid off the mortgage, upgraded the car, and the children were thriving.
There, sweetheart, lets get you changed.
Good heavens! Had the babys own mother abandoned her?
Ruths mind whirled, but her hands remembered the motions: she deftly changed the nappy, pulled the babygrow back on, picked the snuffling baby up, and went to the kitchen to make a feed.
Just then, her phone rangit was Mum.
Why havent you answered sooner? Mum demanded.
Just busy, Mum. What did you need?
Are you at the shop yet?
Not yet.
I could do with some pears. But the ones you brought last time were no goodI mean the nice ones from the week before. Remember? Long neck, flushed side, soft. Not those last ones.
Alright Mum.
You wont forget?
Ill remember.
The baby squirmed and whimpered in her arms.
Alright, Mum, I get it.
Whats that in the background?
TV, Ruth said, hastily ending the call.
Her hands shaking, Ruth read the formula instructions. She had to do something.
Edward!
Its late May, so that means Ruth did the sums. Yeslast August he was away for a conference in Bath. Could he have called himself David? Surely, he wouldnt have lied like that?
Still, a man caught up in a summer fling might do silly things. Perhaps she only imagined her son so upstanding.
She tested the temperature of the bottle, her left arm already tired from holding the baby. She hadnt held a little one in ages.
What should she do? Probably phone emergency services, but she hesitated.
What if this was Edwards child? She studied the little girlyes, there was a resemblance to her granddaughter, Chloe.
But if it was Edwards, his wife Lucy would never forgive him. The children would suffer.
The thought terrified her.
The baby drank with gusto, half-closing her eyes in delight. Ruth found herself captivated. What a little treasure! Clearly, she missed looking after a baby.
When the girl fell asleep, Ruth gently laid her on the sofa and went to ring her son, but his phone was off.
What a bother…
Ruth decided not to rush things. She didnt want to jeopardise her son, and still hoped the girl would come to her senses and return. She didnt seem the typejust a frail girl, probably a student.
But she didnt tell her mother a thingshe couldnt abide the wailing, the dire warnings, the endless speculation.
Ruth rang her eldest grandson, Jack, and found out Edward was away overseeing some crucial gas works in a remote rural patchno mobile signal, wouldnt be back till the day after tomorrow. But he phoned home in the evenings and was doing fine.
Oh, Jack, someone could have told me! Ruth grumbled.
Though she understoodEdward was always travelling for work. But now, she desperately needed to speak with him.
She called her daughter-in-law, Lucy, asked her to make sure Edward phoned her that evening.
Is anything wrong? Should I pass on a message? Lucy asked.
No, just make sure, please, its important.
Lucy promised.
Mum, Ive twisted my ankle, wont pop by today, Ruth fibbed next, calling her own mother. Theres stew and plenty of bread, youll be fine.
Mum fussed and asked a thousand questions, threatening to come over (if only her own fifth floor wasnt in the way), and phoned back several times.
That call relieved Ruth; she changed into a comfy dress, sank onto the sofa beside the baby, and pondered.
In hindsight, taking the baby had been an odd, rash thing to dobut sometimes children are left at strangers doors, arent they?
What stopped her calling the police? Fear for her son, mostlyDavid or not, what if the baby was his? The thought of the girls eyes haunted herthe look of a mother driven to the edge, desperate but convinced of her cause.
She had to talk to someone. Who better than her old friend?
Vicky, youre not going to believe thisIve had a baby left on my doorstep…
Vicky was unflappable. She reasoned like Miss Marple, promised to pop round after work.
Dont panic, Ruth, well work it out. Dont do anything rash.
You think I shouldnt call the police?
Wait a bit. We need to find this David.
Honestly, Vicky, what David?
The father. Any Davids in your building?
Our building? How would I know? Its half a hundred flats, nine floors. Think she mixed up the address?
Could be. Or maybe Edwards involved. Try him.
The entire day Ruth was busy with the baby. She googled feeding times and was bombarded with advice, so she made up a routinemassage, nappy change, bath, baby cream, even a lullaby.
Hows the ankle? Coming tomorrow? Mum called.
By evening, Ruth was sure things would resolve by the next day and promised to visit.
Vicky came after work and began her detective work. She scoured the babys belongings, then canvassed the neighbours, hiding the real reason behind some story about a letter for David.
Ive got it! She burst back into the flat.
Ssh, Vickythe babys just fallen asleep.
Nonsensethey nod off all the time. Anyway, I found him! Vicky whispered, beaming.
Turned out, a David lived in flat 26, sixth floor, same corridor.
Im sure the girl mixed up the floor, Vicky whispered excitedly, Lets go!
Where? Ruth protested.
To see him, of course. Well sort this out.
And if he denies everything?
Oh, dont be silly. Well know. Anyway, lets go.
They took the stairs, quietly, and rang the bell. An older woman, pale and hunched, opened the door.
Who is it? an elderly voice called.
Were here for David, Vicky replied.
Shuffling off, the woman barked, David! Someones here for you…
A short, stocky young man with a neatly trimmed beard emerged.
Hello, are you here about the tablet?
Tablet? No, weve got a different matter, said Vicky. You see, Ruth here somehow ended up with your baby.
A stunned silence. David blinked between the two of them.
Baby? Thats not mine.
But youre the only David in the building, pressed Vicky.
I dont have kids, he stammered.
Well see about that. She must have got the wrong flatisnt that right, Ruth?
Let me explain, Ruth cut in, Im from the fourth floor. This morning, a young woman came and left a babya little girlsaying she was yours, then ran off. We think she got the address muddled. I dont know any Davids myself, you see?
And whats this got to do with me? David looked baffled.
Youre refusing to admit it? Vicky bristled.
What baby? he fidgeted, Are you sure youve got the right person?
Could you at least tell us if you had any relationships last summer? Ruth ventured quietly.
Relationships? No, none. I barely leave the house. Maybe youve got me mixed up with someone else. What did the girl look like?
I dont know, she didnt give a name, Ruth said, dejected. Sorry to trouble you.
Ruth tugged Vicky back towards the stairs.
Wait, maybe I can help, David called after them. Im a techie maybe we could put out a social media post, find the mumor the dad! Photo of the baby, possible age
No, thank you, Ruth declined, still unnerved. By rights she ought to call the police, not post on the internet.
Alright, but let me know if you need any help. I work from homeIm always in.
Younger generation, eh? Vicky shook her head, Never leave the bloody house. Do you think hes telling the truth?
Yes. Hes the indoor, geeky typenot your lothario.
Edward didnt ring, and in the end, Ruth called Lucy.
Sorry, Mum, Ive been all over the place. Swimming with Chloe, football kits for Jackoh, and Edward finally rang with news. You wouldnt believe this day!
If only she knew!
Thats it, Im calling the police first thing tomorrow.
But when she finally lay down, her mind was full of that girls desperate faceif she called the authorities, what would become of the child?
She barely slept. Every sound from the baby startled her awake; she paced the room soothing her, made up bottles, and finally, as dawn broke, fell asleep herself.
Mums call woke her.
Hows the ankle? Coming over?
Ruth looked out the window at the morning light, then at the baby, Yes, Ill come.
Get the pears, and
Children need a bit of fresh air, after all. Ruth fashioned a sling from a scarf, changed the girl into her lovely, nearly new clothes, and set off to the corner shop.
She quite enjoyed shopping that wayno longer alone. Though the looming fifth floor was less fun.
Whats all this? Mum blinked.
Not whatwho. Hold these, Ruth handed over her bags and went through to the lounge, ready to put the baby down and collapse.
Wheres she from?
Nadia Simmons asked me to mind her granddaughtershes at the salon. Had her for just an hour.
But your ankle?
Much better now.
They both cooed over the tiny girl. Not a word that day about pain or symptoms.
Would you look at that grip! Shes really strong Whats her name, then?
I didnt ask. Its only for an hour, so I didnt ask.
How could you not get her name? Mum reproached, shaking her head.
Ruth laughed to herself, choosing names for the baby on her walk home. Why? Who knowsit just felt right to guess what her mother had called her.
At home, she received a textEdward was back in coverage!
She perched on the sofa with the baby in her arms and rang him straight away, pouring out the whole muddled tale.
Mum, are you mad? Im married! Edward gasped.
But the baby was left for me, saying she was Davids… I thought, what if that meant you?
Mum, Im Edward. You picked my name. Some mix-upcall the police straight away. Want me to do it?
No, no, Ill do it. Shes hungry though, and we just went for a walk, Im making up a fresh feed…
MUM! Police! Now! Youre worrying me.
Oh, dont be silly, everythings fine. The babys such a darling, you know?
You should have taken Petes lad as a lodgersomething about you, Mum, you attract trouble.
Rubbish! Ill see to it today. Vickys here to help.
But Ruth didnt listen. The baby needed to be fed, changedso much to do! Shed call Vicky after, and then…
Oh, she’d have to hand over the child. And where would she end up? Foster care? A hospital? Ruth ran through the possible clinics in her headthrough her work, she knew them all. Nowhere, she was certain, would be as good as here.
But she was on shift tomorrow, and this was a criminal matter, after all, keeping someone else’s baby without reporting…
She sighed and fussed over the baby. She was tired, but… what rich, full days theyd had together!
They both drifted off to sleep, the baby nestling against Ruths arm, content after her feed.
She woke to the unexpected ring of the doorbell. Looking through the peephole, Ruth froze. She opened the door.
Where is she? What have you done with her? Why didnt you say anything?
There, breathless and clutching the doorframe, stood the same hapless motherthe girl who had left the baby. Her eyes wild with worry, dressed only in a T-shirt and shorts despite the chill, hair mussed from running.
Why didnt you say straight away? Ruth was still half asleep.
That you werent the right person, the girl blurted, relieved.
Probably because I am, Ruth raised her brows, You scarpered awfully fast.
But you know where she is, dont you? Tell me! Please!
Her eyes pleaded: You must know, please, you must!
Ruth stepped back. Come in.
The girl followed, hoping desperately for news, her gaze searching Ruths face.
Shes heresleeping in the bedroom.
Ruth showed her to the cot, and the girl, on seeing her baby, collapsed to her knees and sobbeddeep, wracking sobs. Ruth calmed her, gave water, drops, then tea and some chocolate, nursing the wisp of a guest as only a nurse could.
Through sobs, the girl explained no authorities had been involvedRuth hadnt called anyone.
I was sure theyd take her off me forever. Thank you I made such a mess
Once shed calmed down, the girl explained: her name was Emily, and her baby girl was called Daisy.
It was a story as old as time. Emily, barely more than a child, was a student at the same medical college where Ruth once trainedback then it was a nursing college. Emily came from a tiny village up north.
Last summer, shed fallen in love with David, a London lad studying at university nearby. Shed only been in his flat oncehere, on this estate. At first, David hadn’t denied the child, promised marriage and that his mother would help.
After Christmas he cut all contacthis phone blocked, moved from university, vanished. Emily tracked him on social media, saw him cosying up to a new girl, and crumbled.
Back home, her father and stepmother were little help; her father, furious, called her unspeakable things and said he wouldnt support her.
So she was left, pregnant, in a shared dorm. An aunt helped a bit, but money was tight, and Emily kept up her studies, desperate to become a nurse.
Emily gave birth here, in Reading, but couldnt return to the dorm, so she stayed with a friend for two weeks. She was determined to sit her exams and move into her final year.
But fate is a cruel beast: her friend soon kicked her out, her money ran out, her chances to sit her exams slipped awayshe couldnt leave the baby, rivals in photos with David sent her reeling.
She remembered Davids promisehis mum would helpand made her way to the twenty-first flat in a panic, confused and desperate.
She pushed the baby into Ruths arms and fled across the estate, blinded by tears.
That evening she tried messaging David. Only then did she realise: hed never told his mother anything about a baby.
Terrified, Emily rushed back, only to find shed gone to the wrong blockDavid lived in a nearly identical building in the next street, flat twenty-one.
I’d seen Davids mum in photosshe looked just like you. Same haircut… Oh, what have I done! Emily hid her face, her shoulders shaking.
You know what they sayit’s the height of foolishness to create a masterpiece and then deny its yours. I kept thinking as I looked at Daisy: which mother could leave such a treasure behind? Its good you came back. What will you do nowtake her to Davids mother?
No, Emily shook her head, I cant bear it. Last night I was frantic, searching for Daisy, my heart aching. Ill go back to the halls, and well see. I must have put you through hell, sorry.
Well, yes, if Im honest, I thought of my own son. He has his own family, you know. Oh, and I do need to apologise to the neighbour upstairs for dragging him into this.
She recounted their misadventures with David on the sixth floorEmily even managed a smile.
Poor man! Id better go explainsay sorry and clear it up.
No need. Stay with me, Emily, at least for a month. My son keeps telling me to find a lodger.
With you? I cant pay rent. Theres always the halls. If things get bad, Ill go to my aunt.
No, stay. Get through your exams first. When are they?
The day after tomorrow. But
Emily sank into the armchair, and Ruth fetched bedding, gently cajoling her to stay.
Im on shift tomorrow, but you can get on with Daisy and revise. Theres food in the fridge. Daisy sleeps a lot now, and I bought fresh formulabut you could breastfeed…
Emily, exhausted, had fallen asleep by then, Daisy snuggled beside her.
Vicky, love, guess what? Not Edwards, not the neighbours. Shes here, sleepingEmily came back. No, of course I wont chuck her out Dont shout, Vicky! Thank goodness I didnt phone the police!
Emilys milk didnt dry up, and she aced her exams. Now it was Emily who often popped up to Ruths mum on the fifth floor.
And what do you knowMum hung on Emilys medical advice, obeying without question.
Shes got all the up-to-date knowledge! Such a clever girl!
After her exams, Emily started workingthanks to Ruths connections, she got weekend shifts with the ambulance service. She often asked Ruths adviceshe truly loved medicine.
And David upstairs finally realised his grandma badly needed a course of jabsEmily did them for her.
By autumn, Emily and Daisy had moved up two floors, helping Davids grandma, mending her belief in true love, and writing her life anew, in neat, hopeful script.
