The boy tugged at the strangers sleeve, his voice small and trembling. “Sir its my mums birthday today. I wanted to buy flowers, but I havent got enough money” The man bought him the bouquet. And later, when he visited the grave, he found those very flowers resting there.
When Alfie was barely five, his world shattered. His mother vanished from it. He stood in the corner of the room, bewilderedwhy was the house full of strangers? Why did they speak in hushed tones, their eyes avoiding his? Why did they keep saying, “Be brave, little lad,” as if something terrible had happened?
But he hadnt lost anything. He just hadnt seen his mum.
His father was distant all day, sitting alone, hollow and silent. Alfie crept to the coffin and stared at her. She wasnt herselfno warmth, no smile, no bedtime stories. Pale. Cold. Terrifying. He didnt dare touch her.
After she was gone, everything turned grey. Empty. Two years later, his father remarried. The new womanMargaretnever warmed to him. She snapped at everything, as if searching for reasons to be cross. His father never spoke up. Never defended him.
Every day, Alfie carried a quiet ache inside. The pain of loss. The longing. And each day, he wished more fiercely to go backback to when his mum was alive.
Today was special. Her birthday. Alfie woke with one thought: he must visit her grave. Bring flowers. White liliesher favourite. He remembered them in old photographs, glowing beside her smile.
But where to get the money? He asked his father.
“Dad could I have a bit of money? I really need it”
Before he could finish, Margaret stormed in.
“Whats this now? Always begging for money! Do you think it grows on trees?”
His father glanced up, weary. “Margaret, let him speak. What do you need, son?”
“Flowers. White lilies. Its Mums birthday today.”
Margaret scoffed. “Flowers! Pick some from the garden if youre so desperate!”
“Theyre not there,” Alfie said quietly. “Only at the shop.”
His father sighed and returned to his paper. Alfie understood. No money would come.
He crept to his room, emptied his old piggy bank. Not much. But maybe enough?
He dashed to the florist. There, in the windowwhite lilies, radiant as moonbeams. He stepped inside.
The shopkeeper eyed him coldly. “Lost, are you? No sweets here. Just flowers.”
“I want to buy lilies. How much?”
She named the price. Alfies coins barely covered half.
“Please,” he whispered. “Ill work! Sweep, cleananything. Just let me take them today”
“Get out!” she snapped. “Or Ill call the police!”
A man stepped in just then, frowning at the scene. “Whats all this shouting?”
“None of your business!” the shopkeeper retorted.
The man crouched beside Alfie. “Whats the matter, lad?”
Alfie wiped his tears. “I wanted lilies for my mum. Shes gone. Todays her birthday.”
The mans face softened. “Your mum would be proud of you.” He turned to the shopkeeper. “Ill take two bouquetsone for him, one for me.”
Alfie clutched the lilies like treasure. “Ill pay you back”
The man shook his head. “No need. Todays special for me too.”
He hesitated, then added, “Funny my Emily loved these flowers as well.”
For a moment, his gaze drifted, lost in memory.
Years ago, he and Emily had been sweethearts. Neighbours. Theyd met when he defended her from thugsgot a black eye for it, but never regretted it.
When he turned eighteen, he joined the army. Before leaving, they spent one night together. Then, in service, he took a blow to the headwoke with no memory.
Emily tried to call, but his parents told her hed moved on. By the time his memory returned, shed changed her number. He searched, but she was gone.
Years later, he returned with lilies, hoping to find her. Instead, he saw herpregnant, arm in arm with another man. Heartbroken, he fled the city.
Now, standing by the grave, he understood. The lilies already therefresh, white, perfectwere the ones Alfie had brought.
“Alfie” he whispered. “Youre mine. Ours.”
He found the boy on the swings later, quiet and solemn.
A man emerged from the housethe one hed seen with Emily all those years ago.
“James,” the man said heavily. “I wondered if youd ever come back.”
James swallowed. “Im here for my son.”
The man nodded. “Take him. Emily always loved you. She wanted to find you to tell you.”
James knelt beside Alfie. “Im sorry I took so long.”
Alfie looked at him calmly. “I always knew youd come.”
James lifted him into his arms and weptfor the years lost, for the love found, for the second chance he never thought hed have.
