Left On Her Own
It was already getting dark outside, but her mum still hadnt come back. Emily, spinning the wheels of her chair, rolled over to the table, picked up the phone, and dialed her mums number. The number you have called is currently unavailable or out of service, a tinny, unfamiliar voice said. She stared at the phone, puzzled, and then, realising there was just a bit of credit left, she switched it off.
Mum had gone out to the shop and hadnt come back yet. That never really happened, not for this long. Her mum was always careful to let Emily know where she was and when shed be back, because Emily couldnt walkshe used a wheelchair, and besides her mum, she had no other relatives.
Emily was only seven, and while she wasnt scared to be alone at home, her mum always said where she was off to and kept her in the loop. Emily couldnt figure out what had happened: Today she went off to Tesco, the one on the other end of the high street things are cheaper there. We always used to go there together. Its a bit of a trek, but you can get there and back in about an hour. She checked the clock. Its been four hours already. Im starving.
She wheeled herself to the kitchen, turned the kettle on, and grabbed a fish finger from the fridge. She ate, had a cup of tea. But still, Mum wasnt back. She gave in and tried calling again, but the robotic message repeated itself.
She got into bed, her phone tucked under her pillow. She left the light on it was too scary in the dark without Mum. She was awake for ages, but eventually drifted off.
***
Emily woke up to the sun in her window. Her mums bed was neatly made. Mum! she called out towards the hallway. Silence. She grabbed the phone and tried once more. That same robotic voice. Fear crept up, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
***
Graham was heading back from the bakery. Every morning, hed pop down for fresh pastries it was his and his mums little tradition. She put the tea on, he fetched the buns.
Graham was already thirty, never married. He’d never caught a woman’s eye: gangly, a bit awkward, sickly since he was born. Hed needed expensive treatment, but his mum raised him alone. As an adult, doctors told him he wouldnt have children. By now, hed long accepted hed probably stay single.
There, among the grass, he saw an old, smashed-up phone. Gadgets were his thing he was a programmer and a blogger. He had all the fanciest phones at home, but still, from habit and curiosity, he picked it up. The phone looked like a car had driven over it and chucked it aside. Huh. Wonder if theres a story here, he muttered, slipping it in his coat pocket. Ill check it out at home.
***
After breakfast, he took the sim out and popped it into one of his own phones. Most numbers were for the NHS, social services, care home hotlines but right at the top was one saved as daughter.
He thought for a moment, then rang the number.
Mum! a little girls voice piped up, cheerful.
Im not your mum, Graham said, startled.
Wheres my mum?
I dont know I found a broken phone, put the sim in and called.
My mums missing. Emilys voice broke. She went to the shops yesterday and hasnt come back.
Wheres your dad? Or your nan?
I havent got a dad or a granny. Its just Mum and me.
Whats your name? Graham realised this child needed help.
Emily.
Im Uncle Graham. Can you go next door and tell the neighbours youre on your own?
I cant my legs dont work. And theres no one in the flat next door.
Wait, what do you mean, your legs dont work?
I was born like this. Mum says if we can save up, doctors can help me walk.
How do you get about?
Ive got my wheelchair.
Emily, do you know your address? Grahams tone shifted down to business.
Yes, its 17 Victoria Close, flat 6.
Ill be there as soon as I can. Well find your mum.
He hung up.
Grahams mum, Patricia, poked her head into the lounge. Whats happened?
Mum, I found a smashed-up phone. I put the sim in my spare, rang the first contact and theres a little girl, Emily. Shes stuck alone, she cant walk, and theres no one else. I got the address. Im heading over.
Im coming too, she said, not missing a beat.
Patricia had raised her constantly ill son on her own, so she understood what it was like for a single mum with a poorly child. She was retired now; Graham did just fine for himself.
They called a cab and set off to help.
***
At the block, they buzzed up. Who is it? Emilys soft, sad voice asked.
Its me, Graham, he replied.
Come in!
They entered. The door to her flat was open a crack. Sitting inside was a slight, pale girl in a wheelchair, watching them anxiously.
Will you find my mum? she asked.
Whats your mums name? Graham got right to the point.
Claire.
And your surname?
Smith.
Wait, Graham! Patricia cut in gently. Emily, are you hungry?
Yeah. There was a fish finger in the fridge, but I had that last night.
Graham, go round to Sainsburys and grab the usual. Patricia pressed a shopping list into his hand.
He nodded and hurried out.
***
When he came back, Patricia was already busy in the kitchen. She unpacked the bags, set the table, and they all ate together.
Afterwards, Graham got to work on the search for Emilys mum. He opened the local news site and browsed the incidents from yesterday.
Lets see On Park Road, a lady was hit by a Vauxhall. She was taken to hospital in critical condition.
He grabbed the phone and dialed the hospital. Someone finally picked up on the third ring.
Yes, yesterday we admitted a woman from Park Road. Critical but stable. She hasnt woken up yet.
Her name?
She had no ID or mobile on her. Are you a relative?
Uh not exactly
Well, come to the hospital so we can check.
I know the address. Ill be there soon.
He hung up and turned to Emily.
Do you have a photo of your mum?
Yep! She wheeled over to a cabinet and pulled out a photo album. Look, we took this together not long ago.
Shes beautiful, Graham said kindly, snapping a photo on his phone. Ill go and see if I can find her.
***
Claire opened her eyes to a blindingly white ceiling. Slowly, her memory returned a car speeding towards her, then nothing but pain. She tried to move; every inch of her ached. A nurse leaned over her.
Youre awake!
Suddenly, Claires eyes widened in horror. How long have I been here?
Two days.
My little girl shes all alone at home
Claire, relax. The nurse gently pressed Claires hand. This young man left his number for you. He said your phone got smashed by a car.
Can I call…?
Of course! The nurse pressed her phone to Claires ear, pressing the contact marked daughter.
Mum! Emilys voice rang out.
Emmie, darling, how are you?
Im okay! Nana Pat and Uncle Graham are with me.
Uncle Graham? Whos that?
Dont worry! A stern voice entered the doctor. Stress will delay your recovery. Were going to do some checks now.
Ill ring soon, sweetheart! Claire called quickly as the phone was taken away.
After the doctor left, the nurse tucked the phone into her pocket.
Could I can I just say one more thing to my daughter? Claire whispered.
The doctor says you need to rest, but alright, the nurse gave in.
Darling
Claire, its Patricia. Please listen to me. My son found your broken phone and located Emily by the sim. Im retired now and will stay with your daughter till youre back on your feet dont worry. Heres Emily
Mum, dont be upset just get better! Emily chirped.
Listen to Nana Pat, darling, Claire clung to her daughters voice like a lifeline.
Time to put the phone down, the nurse reminded.
***
The next day, Claire was moved to a shared ward. In the evening, during visiting hours, a nurse popped in.
Smith, youve got a visitor.
Claire could hardly believe it a young man came in, somewhat awkward and unremarkable-looking.
Hello Claire, Im Graham, he said, smiling. Hope you dont mind if I call you by your first name?
Thats fine.
He set a large bag on the nightstand.
Its from my mum some essentials, snacks, bit of everything.
Graham, I barely know you Claire admitted, caught off guard.
I found your phone well, what was left of it. The sim worked, so I phoned your daughter. Then tracked you down.
Hows my Emily?
Here, lets ring her.
He picked up the phone hed left for Claire. After a couple seconds, Emilys face appeared on the screen.
Mum! Does it still hurt?
No, love, not anymore. How are you getting on?
Nana Pats looking after me.
They chatted for ages, Graham waiting patiently. When theyd finished, Claire looked down.
Ill never be able to repay you.
Oh, dont be silly, Claire. And please, just call me Graham, he grinned. Now, let me show you how to use this phone properly
***
Two weeks crawled by.
The driver whod hit Claire came to the hospital with compensation £6,000, handed to her along with his solicitor.
The next day, they discharged her. Graham came to pick her up and drove her home.
Mum! Emily shouted, joy all over her face.
Claire clung to her daughters neck and burst into tears of relief. Then she turned to Patricia.
Patricia, I cant thank you enough.
Oh, Claire, dont mention it, love. Emilys like a granddaughter to me now.
The man who hit me gave me some money, Claire said shyly, pulling out the envelope. Please, take some I havent got any other way to thank you.
Dont be daft, Claire! Patricias tone allowed no argument. Were alright for money, and youll need every penny for Emilys treatment. Grahams already made arrangements with a clinic.
Mum! Emily beamed. Uncle Graham says well go to the hospital and theyll fix my legs so I can walk.
***
Claire and Emily spent two weeks in a clinic. Emily had rods fitted to help straighten her legs. In three months, theyd have to go back. Then once more the following year, and again after that. After three rounds of surgery and rehab, they said, Emily would be able to walk.
For now, she still used her wheelchair. The rods were a bother but hopeful times lay ahead.
But as if testing them all, fate struck again: Patricias heart gave her trouble and she ended up in hospital in a bad way.
Claire spent three nights there by the old ladys bed, only going home to cook meals and catch a nap. Graham stayed overnight with Emily.
On the fourth day, Patricia finally came round. She watched Claire for a long time, then quietly said, Love, it looks like I dont have much left in me. Marry my Graham. Hell look after you both, and together youll help Emily walk.
Oh Patricia, do you really think hed want to?
He would, Patricia smiled gently. Trust me. He will.
***
The next September, a grey-haired lady was holding hands with a tall, nervy girl with a backpack and a bunch of flowers. Anyone watching would think it was Emilys first day at school, not her first day in Year 4. For the first three years, shed been taught at home, getting good marks all round. And now, she was about to walk into school this time, on her own two feet.
Nana, Im a bit nervous, Emily whispered.
Oh, Emily, youre ten already! Look, theres your dad and mum!
Why the long face, darling? Claire asked, catching up.
Shes just a bit nervous about school, Patricia chuckled.
Graham reached out his hand. Come on then hold on tight. Off we go!
With you, Dad, Im not scared at all, Emily grinned.
And so they strolled up the path, chatting away happily, with Mum and Nana following along behind, just as overjoyed.
