Alone at Last
Outside, dusk was settling, and yet Mother still hadnt returned. Emily, spinning the wheels of her chair, made her way to the table, picked up the phone, and dialed her mother’s number.
The subscribers device is switched off or out of service, replied the mechanical, unfamiliar voice.
Emily stared at the phone for a while, remembering there was little credit left, and she switched it off.
Her mother had gone to the shops, but had yet to return. This had never happened beforeMother never left for long. Emily had been wheelchair-bound since birth, unable to walk since she was little. She was seven now, and besides her mother, she had no other family.
Though she was used to staying at home alone and wasnt easily frightened, Mother always said where she was going and when shed come back. Emily couldnt understand what might have happened:
Today, she went to the big grocers in town for foodits a bit cheaper there. We often went together, even though it was supposed to be far. Really, its less than an hours walk there and back, she told herself, glancing at the clock. Its been four hours now. And Im so hungry
She rolled to the kitchen, put the kettle on, fetched a cold meat pasty from the fridge, ate, and drank some tea.
Still, Mother did not come home. Unable to bear it, Emily picked up the phone again and tried to ring.
The subscribers device is switched off or out of service, came the metallic reply again.
Emily wheeled herself to bed, tucked the phone beneath her pillow, and left the light onwithout Mother, the room felt too big and dark.
She lay awake a long time before sleep finally took her.
***
Emily woke as morning sunlight crept across the sheets. Her mother’s bed was made.
Mum! she called toward the hallway.
No reply.
She tried ringing again, but only the strangers voice answered.
Fear knotted in her stomach, and tears ran down her cheeks.
***
Miles away, Charles was returning from the local bakery. Each morning began the same for him and his motherhe would run down for warm, fresh bread, while she made breakfast.
Charles was thirty now, slender and pale, living with a selection of ailments he’d never quite shaken. Hed never wed; women simply hadnt noticed him, and when they did, well, he hadnt much to offer. His mother brought him up alone, and his conditions meant costly medicines, but she managed. The final blow came when a doctor informed him hed never have children. Eventually, Charles accepted bachelorhood as a given.
A glint in the grass caught his eye: a battered mobile phone. Charles, a programmer and technology blogger, had little use for such old devices and yet curiosity won out. He picked it upcrushed as though a car had run right over it.
Strangemaybe somethings happened? he thought, slipping it into his pocket. Ill take a look at home.
***
After breakfast, Charles extracted the SIM and placed it in one of his spare phones. Nearly all the numbers saved were to hospitals, pension offices and the like. The first entry, though, simply said Daughter.
After some hesitation, he dialled.
Mum! cried a hopeful childs voice.
No, Im not your mum said Charles, surprised.
Wheres Mummy?
I dont know. I found a broken phone, put the card in mine, and called this number.
My mums gone missing, Emily burst into tears. She left for the shop yesterday and didnt come back.
Wheres your dad? Any grandparents?
I dont have a dad or grandparents. Only Mum.
Whats your name? Charles realised he couldnt leave the girl stranded.
Im Emily.
Im Uncle Charlie. Emily, can you go next door and tell your neighbour youre alone?
I cant. My legs dont work. And theres no one living next door anyway.
Charles was thrown. Your legs dont work?
I was born like this. Mummy says, if we save up, theyll be able to fix me in hospital.
How do you get around?
By wheelchair.
Emily, do you know your address? Charles was already planning ahead.
Yes! Its 7 Wellington Road, flat eighteen.
Right, Ill come now. Well find your mum together.
He ended the call.
Charless mother, Margaret, came into his room.
Whats happened, Charles?
Mum, I found a broken phone, put the SIM in one of mine, called a number. Theres a little disabled girl, all alone in a flatshes only got her mum. Ive got her address. Ill go check.
Ill come with you, said Margaret, already reaching for her cardigan.
Margaret had raised Charles alone and knew better than anyone how hard it was for a mother with a poorly child. She was retired now, but Charless work provided well.
They called a cab and set off to help.
***
They rang at the entryphone.
Whos there? came the timid girls voice.
Emily, its meCharlie.
Come in!
They found the door already ajar.
Inside was a thin girl in a wheelchair, her eyes wide with worry.
Will you find my mummy?
Whats your mums name? Charles asked at once.
Susan.
And your surname?
Bennett.
Wait, Charles, Margaret interjected gently. Emily, are you hungry?
Yes. There was a pasty in the fridge, but I ate it yesterday.
Charles, run to the grocers. Get what we always buy.
Got it! and off he dashed.
***
When he returned, Margaret had already whipped up something warm in the kitchen. Together, they all ate. Then Charles set to work searching for Susan.
He went on the town website, looking up news from yesterday.
There we are On Park Lane, a woman was struck by a car. Woman taken to hospital in serious condition.
Charles pulled out his phone and rang the hospital. After three attempts, someone picked up.
Yes, we took in a female casualty from Park Lane yesterday. Shes in a bad wayhasnt regained consciousness yet.
Whats her name?
No ID or phone on her. Are you a relative?
Wellnot exactly
Come down to reception if you want to identify her.
Ill be there shortly.
Charles switched off and turned to Emily.
Have you got a picture of your mum?
Yes, said Emily, retrieving a photo album. These are from just recently.
Your mums beautiful! Charles took a quick snap with his phone. He smiled at Emily. Ill go now, and find your mum.
***
Susan opened her eyes to a white, unfamiliar ceiling. Her mind swam with imagesa speeding car, fear, nothingness
She tried to move, wincing at the pain. A nurse approached.
Youre awake?
Susans eyes went wide in panic.
How long have I been here?
Two days.
My daughters alone at home
Dont worry, Susan! The nurse laid a calming hand on her shoulder. A young man came yesterday and left his numbersaid your phone was destroyed.
I need to call
Of course! The nurse pressed call on Daughter and held the phone to Susans ear.
Mummy!
Oh Em, are you alright?
Im okay! Granny Margaret and Uncle Charlie have been looking after me.
Uncle Charlie?
Dont get anxious, Mrs Bennett, said the doctor, coming in. Or Ill have to take the phone away. Lets take a look at you.
Ill ring back soon, love! Susan called hastily before the doctor took the phone.
Afterwards, the nurse tucked Susan in and pocketed the phone.
Could I say one more word to my daughter? Susan whispered.
Doctor said not to excite you, but The nurse relented and dialled.
Em
Nurse, this is Margaret, came a gentle but firm womans voice. My son found your broken phone, used the SIM to find your daughter and yourself. Im just a retired lady, but Ill stay with your Emily while youre here in hospital. Dont worry, I promise. HereEmily wants to talk to you.
Mum, dont worry! Get better soon! called Emily.
Behave for Granny, darling! Susan choked, clutching at hope.
Times up! the nurse said, switching off the phone.
***
A day later, Susan was moved to a shared ward, and that evening, during visiting hours, a visitor arrived.
Bennett, someones here to see you, announced the nurse.
Susan was surprised. In came a thin, awkward man.
Hello, Susan! Im Charles, he smiled. Just thought Id pop by. Hope you dont mind me calling you Susan straight off?
Thats fine, she said, a little bewildered.
He set a large carrier bag on the bedside table. Mum put together a few things for you.
But I hardly know you Susan began.
I found your broken phone, switched the SIMrang your Emily. Managed to search you out, too.
Hows my Emily?
Charles picked up a phonehis own, which hed left on his last visit. One moment There, video connected.
On the screen, Susan saw her daughters smile.
Mum! Are you in pain?
No, love, not now. How are you?
Granny Margarets been visiting me.
Susan spoke with Emily for a long time, Charles waiting patiently in the corner. When she finished, she lowered her head.
Im in your debt.
Oh, dont say that, Charles grinned. And pleasecall me by name.
Thank you, Charles.
And heres how to use this phone, in case you want to ring home yourself
***
Two weeks passed. The motorist whod caused the accident brought Susan a settlement of two hundred thousand pounds, accompanied by his solicitor.
The very next day, Susan was sent home. Charles fetched her and guided her back into her flat.
Mum! Emily shouted with joy.
She almost leapt from her wheelchair. Susan knelt and pulled her close, weeping with happiness.
Turning to Margaret, she stammered, Thank you so much, Mrs Turner.
Now, dont mention it! Emily feels like a granddaughter already, Margaret waved away her thanks.
Mrs Turner, the driver gave me compensation, Susan said, showing the bundle of notes. Please, take itIve nothing else to offer you by way of thanks.
Put that away! Margaret replied sternly. We wont go hungryyou have a child to heal. Charles has already arranged something with a private clinic.
Mum! Emily beamed. Uncle Charlie said well go to the hospital and theyll help me so my legs will work.
***
Susan and Emily spent a fortnight at the clinic. Pins were inserted in her legs; theyd need to return in three months, then again each year. After three surgeries and years of therapy, the doctors promisedEmily would someday walk.
For now, though, she remained in her wheelchair, uncomfortable but hopeful.
But fate wasnt done testing themMargarets heart gave out, and she was hospitalised in a critical state.
Susan spent three nights by Margarets bedside, returning home only to cook a meal and snatch a little sleep. Through the nights, Charles stayed with Emily.
On the fourth day, Margaret finally woke with a weak smile. She turned to Susan and, in a soft voice, said,
Love, it seems my days arent many now. Marry my Charles. Hes as steadfast as they come and together, youll see Emily back on her feet.
Mrs Turner, would he really?
He would and he will, mark my words, Margaret smiled.
***
An elderly woman held a girl by the hand, a satchel on the girls back and a bunch of flowers in her other hand. Anyone unfamiliar might have thought it was her first day at school.
And for Emily, it wasa first day, but in year four. Shed learned at home for her first three years and had finished with top marks. And at last, she was walking to school on her own two feet.
Granny, Im a little scared
Why, Emily? Youre ten now! Look, there are Mum and Dad!
Emily, why the long face? Susan greeted her.
Shes a bit anxious about school, Margaret explained.
Give me your hand, said Charles, offering his. Lets go.
With you, Dad, Im not scared at all, Emily smiled.
Together, they walked towards the school, laughing and chatting, trailed by her beaming mother and grandmotherfour souls who became a family, their happiness hard-earned and dearly cherished.
