Emma was hurrying home. It was almost ten oclock, and she could feel the ache to get back to her flat, have a proper dinner and collapse into bed. The day had been exhausting. Her husband was already there, the roast was in the oven, and their twelveyearold son, Tom, was tucked in.
Emma worked in a tiny hairdressing salon on the high street and today shed been on the night shift. After closing, she swept the floor, switched on the alarm and locked the door thats when the delay started.
The route home cut through a little green square. Its usually dead quiet and feels safe. In the daylight you see retirees on the benches, and at night its empty but the streetlights keep the place bright.
Tonight, though, one of the benches wasnt empty. A boy around nine or ten and a little girl, not more than five, were huddled together. Emma slowed her pace and stepped closer.
Why are you out here all alone? Its late! she said. Lets get you home.
The boy looked at her, patted the little girls head and squeezed her tighter.
Weve nowhere to go. Our stepdad chased us out.
And mum? Emma asked.
Hes drunk.
Without a second thought Emma said, Come on, lets go to my place. Well sort things out tomorrow.
The children stood up slowly. Emma took the girls hand her name was Poppy and offered the boy, Jack, his own. She led them back to her flat, explained everything to David and Tom. Knowing their mums kind heart, they didnt ask questions; they simply showed Emma where she could wash the kids and led them to the table. The hungry youngsters ate everything she set before them, shy but eager.
Afterwards Emma stopped by the neighbour, Mrs. Clarke, whose daughter is in Year1, and asked for a few pieces of clothing for Poppy. They gathered a decent stack every family seems to have a few spare items after the kids grow out of them.
Emma bathed Poppy, dressed her in clean clothes. Jack managed to wash himself, and they found a couple of handmedowns for him too. The three of them collapsed on the sofa in the lounge Poppy clung to her brother, and Jack kept her in his arms.
Well fed and exhausted, the kids fell fast asleep on the fresh bed. Emma sent Tom to his room, then she and David lingered at the kitchen table, chatting about what to do next.
The next morning she got up early, saw David off to work and headed straight into her second shift. The children woke, she fed them, packed their clean laundry into a bag and set off to return them home.
They walked together to the little house right next door. The flat on the third floor was unlocked. The kids slipped inside and froze in the hallway
Emma stopped beside them. She wanted to look the woman in the eyes and ask what had been running through her mind all night while her children were left out there.
A young, gaunt woman with a prominent mole under her eye emerged from the bedroom. She gave the children a casual glance and said, Ah theyre here whos that?
This is Aunt Emma. We spent the night with her, the boy answered.
She muttered, Alright then, and slipped back into the room as if nothing had happened. Emma stared, stunned. Was that their mother?
Then the woman turned back to Emma. Come into the kitchen, we need to talk.
Emma followed. Despite the flat being modest, everything was spotless dishes stacked, floor mopped, clothes in order. Even her own old, buttonmissing housecoat was clean. The woman gestured to a chair. Sit down, she said.
Emma sat, and the woman, sitting opposite, looked at her with a tired eye. Do you have children?
Yes, a son, twelve, Emma replied.
Listen if anything happens to me, please dont abandon my kids, okay? Theyre innocent.
Emma blinked. Are you planning to leave them?
I cant do it any longer. Ive tried to stop it just wont work. He, she nodded toward the bedroom where a loud snore echoed, Ive gone to the police. He sits for a few days, then comes back worse, beating. I cant stop drinking Im on it every day. He throws the kids out the front door as if they werent his.
And the father?
He drowned when Poppy was only a year old. Ive been alone ever since.
Do you work?
I used to sweep the shop floor. Got sacked last week for constant absenteeism.
And the man?
He picks up odd jobs now and then. We get by.
She fell silent, then said, If anything happens, I beg you dont leave them. If you cant keep them, take them to a shelter, alright?
Emma stood up, her mind struggling to absorb everything. It felt like a nightmare. The children stepped forward, each wrapping an arm around her. Tears welled up, she wiped them on her sleeve and told Jack she knew where to find help.
She stepped outside and let the tears flow, streaming down her cheeks, making passersby glance over. That evening she told David everything. He didnt ask any questions just said theyd never leave the kids. Tom, hearing his parents, came over and gave both of them a hug. They all sat in the kitchen together, silent but holding each other.
Three days later Jack burst in, looking terrified and breathless. Mums gone missing, the stepdads been taken by the police. Poppys with the neighbour now, but theyre taking her to a childrens home today. He rattled off the details and ran back to his sister. Sure enough, the children were taken to a care centre that afternoon.
The next morning the childrens mother was found dead in the river a violent end. It seemed she sensed her fate and asked Emma for that last favour.
Emma and David started the paperwork for fostering the kids, knocking on doors of agencies, explaining the situation. No relatives could be traced for Jack and Poppy, and after thorough checks, plus Emmas testimony about the nights conversation, they were granted guardianship.
Emma quit her night shift. Poppy was still jumpy, trusting only her brother, clinging to him constantly. Even a spoon dropping made her glance at David with fear, as if waiting for a scold.
It took a lot of patience to win her trust. Jack, being older, grasped quicker that this home was safe no more pain, no more fear.
Eventually Poppy opened up. She started approaching Emma confidently, playing with Tom, smiling and chatting, though she still kept a slight wariness around David. It was clear her fear of adult men ran deep.
David was gentle with her, careful not to overwhelm. Hed always dreamed of having a daughter, but Emmas health meant she couldnt have more children. When the day finally came for him to return from a threeday business trip, Emma and Poppy went out to meet him. He circled around, extended his hands to the little girl.
Poppy shyly stepped forward, wrapped her arms around his neck. He lifted her up, and together they walked into the kitchen. Seeing Poppys grin, the boys came over, then Emma. Everyone embraced, standing there in a quiet circle, warm hearts beating together.
Now, in this little flat, everything feels right.
