I woke up to the sound of Mums groans.
Bleary-eyed, I shuffled over to her bed.
Mum, are you in pain?
Tommy, could you fetch me some water?
Of course, I said, racing to the kitchen.
A minute later, I was back with a mug full.
Here you go, Mum.
Drink up.
There was a knock at the door.
Tommy, answer it!
Thats probably Grandma Jean.
Our neighbour stepped in holding a large mug.
How are you feeling, Mary? She pressed her hand to Mums forehead.
Youve got a fever.
I brought you some hot milk with butter.
Ive already taken my medicine, Mum replied.
You ought to go to hospital, love.
Theyll give you proper care and feed you properlyyour fridge is empty, Grandma Jean said quietly.
Aunt Jean, I spent all my money on medicine, Mums eyes filled with tears.
Nothing has helped.
Go to hospital then.
But wholl look after Tommy?
If you die, wholl look after him?
Youve not even turned thirty, no husband, no money, she stroked Mums hair gently.
Alright, dont cry.
Aunt Jean, what should I do?
Im calling the doctor, Grandma Jean said, pulling out her phone.
She got through and found out everything.
They said theyll come during the day.
When the doctor arrives, bring Tommy over.
Grandma Jean left for the hallway, and I followed her out.
Grandma Jean, Mum isnt going to die, is she?
I dont know, darling.
You need to ask God for help, but your mum doesnt believe.
Will Grandpa God help? Hope sparkled in my eyes.
You need to go to church, light a candle and ask, and God will help.
Now, I must go.
***
I returned to Mum, pondering what Grandma Jean had said.
Tommy, you must be hungry.
Theres nothing here.
Go fetch two glasses.
When I brought them, Mum filled them with milk.
Drink!
I drank, but the hunger only grew.
Mum noticed, her face sad.
She stood with effort and grabbed her purse from the table.
Heres fifty pounds.
Buy yourself two sausage rolls and eat them on your way back.
Ill try to cook something.
She saw me to the door, and, clutching the wall, headed for the kitchen.
The fridge held cheap tins of tuna, some margarine; potatoes and an onion sat on the windowsill.
Soup it is
She grew dizzy and slumped onto the stool, drained.
Whats happening to me?
No strength left.
Half my holidays gone, moneys run out.
If I cant get back to work, how will I get Tommy ready for school?
Hes starting Year One next month.
No relatives, no one to help, and this illness.
I shouldve gone to the clinic straight away.
If they hospitalise me now, how will Tommy manage on his own?
With difficulty, she started peeling potatoes.
***
My stomach grumbled, but my mind was elsewhere.
Mum didnt even get out of bed yesterday.
What if she really does die?
Aunt Jean said I have to ask Grandpa God for help. I paused and turned toward the church.
***
Its been half a year since Nick returned from Afghanistan.
Surviving was a miracle.
At least he can walk now, albeit with a stick.
He ignores the wounds criss-crossing his body and the scars on his faceno chance of marriage now, he thinks as he heads to church.
I need to light a candle for the lads.
Todays a year since they died and I somehow survived.
Twenty years ago, he joined the army.
Now hes a civilian, but the loneliness is painful.
His pension covers a comfortable life, and his savings are plenty, but whats the point alone?
Outside the church, beggars gathered.
Nick handed out some hundred pound notes and asked, Pray for my fallen mates, Richard and Stan!
Inside, he bought candles, lit them, and recited the prayer the vicar had taught him:
Remember, O Lord our God
He crossed himself, murmuring the words, while his friends’ faces seemed to stand before him.
Afterwards, he simply stood and drifted through memories.
A skinny little boy stood nearby, clutching a cheap candle, uncertain.
An elderly woman approached.
Here, let me help you! she said, lighting the candle and placing it with his.
Cross yourself like this!
And tell the Lord why youre here.
Tommy stared at the icon for ages, then whispered,
Please help, Grandpa God!
Mum is ill.
I have no one else.
Please make her better.
Mum hasnt got any money for medicine.
Im starting school soon, but I dont even have a satchel
Nick watched him, moved.
His own problemsso immense a moment agosuddenly shrank.
He wanted to shout for the whole world to listen:
Why hasnt anyone helped this boy, bought his mum medicine, or got him a school satchel?
Tommy waited, expecting a miracle.
Come with me, mate! Nick said decisively.
Where? Tommy, frightened, eyed the scary man with a stick.
Well check what medicine your mum needs and go to the pharmacy.
Are you serious?
Grandpa God told me to help you.
Really? Tommys eyes gleamed with hope as he looked up at the icon.
Come on! Nick smiled.
Whats your name?
Tommy.
Call me Uncle Nick.
***
From the flat drifted voices of Mum and Grandma Jean.
Shes prescribed loads, but the medicines expensive.
Ive only got five hundred pounds left, Mum sighed.
Tommy threw the door open.
The voices fell silent.
Grandma Jean peeked round and whispered in shock at the stranger.
Mum, what medicine do you need?
Uncle Nick and I will go and buy them.
And who are you? Mary asked, surprised.
Itll be alright, Nick smiled calmly.
Just hand over the prescriptions.
But I only have five hundred pounds.
Tommy and Ill sort out the money, Nick gently rested a hand on Tommys shoulder.
Mum, give us the scripts!
Mary handed them over, sensing that this rough-looking man had a kind heart.
Mary, what are you doing? Grandma Jean said, as the two left.
You dont know him at all!
Aunt Jean, I think hes a good man.
Well, alright then, Mary
***
Mary sat, waiting for her son to return, surprisingly forgetting her illness.
The door finally swung openTommy rushed in, his face glowing.
Mum, we bought your medicine and loads of goodies for tea!
Nick stood in the doorway, beaming.
His smile made him look far less frightening.
Thank you so much! Mary bowed slightly.
Please, come in!
Nick struggled with his shoes, clearly nervous, and followed her to the kitchen.
Have a seat, she offered.
He sat, unsure where to put his stick.
Here, let me, she arranged it within reach.
Sorry, I havent much to offer you!
Mum, Uncle Nick and I bought all this! Tommy started unloading groceries onto the table.
Oh, you shouldnt have! Mary exclaimed, noticing half the bag was filled with treats.
Spotting a packet of fancy tea, she hurried to make some.
She felt almost well again, or perhaps just wanted to appear so to Nick.
Sensing her thoughts, Nick asked,
Mary, are you sure youre alright?
Youre quite pale
Ill be fine Just let me take my medicine.
Thank you again.
***
They drank fragrant tea with sweets, listening to Tommy chatter away.
Occasionally, their eyes met, and a pleasant warmth filled the room.
But all good things must end.
Thank you, Nick rose, grabbing his stick.
Ill be off.
You need rest.
Thank you again, Mary joined him.
I dont know how to thank you.
He moved towards the hallway, mother and son trailing after.
Uncle Nick, will you come back?
Of course!
Once your mums better, well buy your satchel together.
***
Nick left.
Mary cleared the table and washed up.
Watch the telly, love; Im going to lie down for a bit, she said.
She lay down and quickly drifted into a deep sleep.
***
Two weeks passed.
The illness was gonethe expensive medicine had helped.
Mary even managed some work; end of month always meant chaos, and she was called in from leave.
She was gratefultheyd pay extra.
August had begun; soon shed need to get Tommy ready for school.
That Saturday, they got up as usual, had breakfast.
Tommy, get ready!
Lets go see what you need for school.
Did you get paid?
Not yet, but in a week I will.
I borrowed a thousand for nowwell buy food on the way home too.
They began to get ready when the buzzer sounded.
Who is it? Mary asked.
Mary, its Nick
He started to say something else, but Mary quickly pressed the button to let him in.
Mum, whos that? Tommy poked his head out.
Its Uncle Nick! Mary couldnt hide her delight.
Hooray!
He came in, still leaning on his stick, buthe looked transformed: smart trousers, stylish shirt, a new haircut.
Uncle Nick, I was waiting for you! Tommy ran up to him.
I promised, didnt I? Nick smiled brightly.
Hello, Mary!
Hello, Nick! The sudden switch to first names surprised and thrilled them both.
Are you ready?
Lets go!
Where? Mary still seemed uncertain.
Tommy needs his school things.
Nick, but I
I did promise Tommy, and you have to keep promises.
***
Mary always shopped for the cheapest things, no matter the store.
She had no spare money, no relatives, no husband, except for some college lad who vanished years ago.
Now, beside her, stood a man who looked at her son with delight, buying him everything he needed for school, not glancing at prices, only checking her opinion.
Loaded with shopping, they took a taxi home.
Mary rushed to the kitchen.
Mary, Nick stopped her, Lets take a walk together firsthave lunch out somewhere.
Mum, lets go! Tommy pleaded.
***
That night, Mary lay awake for ages, replaying the day in her mind.
Nicks eyes, full of affection, burned in her memory.
Her mind and heart debated:
Hes not handsome, and he limps, her brain insisted.
Hes normal, kind, and looks at me with love, her heart replied.
Hes fifteen years older than you.
So what?
Hes like a father to my son.
You could still meet someone your own agehandsome.
I dont want handsome, Ive had that.
I want kind and dependable.
But you never dreamed of such a husband, the reason continued.
Now I do!
Your tastes change so fast?
I just met the one I love him!
***
Their wedding was held in the very church where Nick and Tommy first met three months ago.
Nick and Mary stood before the altarhis stick gone nowand Tommy watched the icon hed once prayed to, before whispering with all his heart,
Thank you, Grandpa God!Just as the priest announced, You may kiss the bride, sunlight flooded the church, filling every stained glass panel with dazzling color.
Tommy giggled, clapping his hands as Nick gently embraced Mary.
Their smiles radiated hopefragile once, now unshakable.
Grandma Jean watched from the pew with misty eyes, knowing her prayers had been answered.
Outside, bells rang, echoing across the city.
Tommy grasped Nicks hand, Marys on the other side.
As they walked beneath a shower of flower petals, Tommy beamed up at them.
Did you hear? he whispered, feeling as if the whole world had bloomed.
Nick squeezed his shoulder.
I heard, mate.
Dreams really do come true.
Mary looked up and caught the sunlight in Nicks eyes, alive with love and gratitude.
Together, they strode into the waiting afternoonthree hearts, one familyeach step a promise, each day a new beginning.
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