I awoke to the sound of my mother groaning. Instantly alert, I padded over to her bed.
Mum, are you hurting?
Her voice was weak. Ellie, love, could you fetch me some water?
Of course! I dashed to the kitchen, careful not to drop the glass as I raced back. Here you go, Mum.
Just then, a knock at the front door made me jump.
Thatll be Granny Edith, I expect. Would you get that for me, darling?
Our neighbour, Mrs Edith Brown, stepped in, holding a large mug.
How are you feeling, Martha? she asked, pressing a hand to Mums forehead. Youre burning up, dear. Ive brought you some warm milk with a bit of butter in ita proper old remedy.
Ive taken my tablets, thank you. Mums face was as white as the sheets.
You really should go to hospital, get some proper treatment. You need a decent meal as well, and Ive seen your fridgebare, isnt it?
Tears welled up in Mums eyes. Edith, Ive already spent every last penny on medicine. Nothing seems to help
You should go to hospital, Martha.
And leave Ellie? I cant leave my Ellie alone.
Edith sighed, brushing Mums fringe back gently. Wholl look after her if you dont get better, love? Youre not even thirty yet, with no husband around, skint and all alone. Come on, dont cryhelps at hand.
What can I do, Edith?
Thats enough, Im ringing a doctor, Edith declared, pulling out her phone.
She made the call and sorted everything.
Theyll try and send someone out today. Ill be just next doorEllie, come fetch me when they arrive.
Edith made her way to the hall, and I hurried after her.
Gran Edith, Mums not going to die, is she?
She shook her head, kindly but uncertain. Well have to ask God, sweetheart. Your Mum doesnt really believe in Him, though.
God, like Granddad in heaven? Will He help us? My voice wavered between hope and worry.
We could pop down to the church, light a candle and ask for help. Go on, love, Id best be off.
***
I went back into the living room, mulling over everything.
You must be hungry, Ellie, but weve really got nothing in, Mum said softly. Bring me two glasses, would you, love?
I brought them and Mum poured us both some milk. Drink up.
I finished quickly but found myself hungrier than before. Mum could tell. She struggled to her feet and found her purse.
Here, take thistwo pounds. Go and buy a couple of cheese rolls and eat them on your way back. Ill see what I can cook up while youre gone. Off you go, sweetheart.
She saw me out, wobbling a little but determined, then steadied herself before heading to the kitchen. A tin of sardines, a scraping of margarine, a couple of potatoes and an onion on the windowsillthat was our lot.
Ill have to make soup
Her head spun and she slumped onto a chair.
Whats happening to me? Ive got no strength. Most of my sick leaves already gone and the moneys run out. If I dont get back to work, how will I get Ellie ready for school? Shes starting year one soon. No family nearby, and this illness just wont budge. I shouldve gone to the GP sooner Now, if they keep me in, whatll happen to Ellie?
She forced herself up and started peeling potatoes.
***
I was starving, but my mind was elsewhere.
Mum didnt get out of bed at all yesterday. What if she really does die? Edith said God might helpperhaps I should go to the church right now.
So I did.
***
It had been half a year since I got back from overseas. Lucky to be alive, reallymanaged to start walking again, just with a stick. Dont notice the scars from the shrapnel anymore, or the ones on my face. Marriage? Not likely, not with this mug.
These thoughts kept spinning as I, Nick, hobbled towards the church. I wanted to light a candle for my mates from the regiment. A year today since we lost them, and me somehow Im still here.
Id been in the army for twenty years. Now I was home, but it felt like I belonged nowhere. The army pension was generous, and Id got a good sum stashed away from my contract days. But what good was it with no one to share it with?
Outside the church stood a handful of beggars. I handed out a few crisp twenty-pound notes and quietly asked, Will you say a prayer for my friends Tom and Simon, who died last year?
Inside, I bought candles and lit them, whispering a prayer the old vicar taught me:
Lord, remember them
I crossed myself, words tumbling out. And all I could see were the faces of my long-lost mates.
Lost in thought, I almost didnt notice the girlsmall and thin, clutching a cheap candle, looking lost. An older woman noticed too.
Let me help you, sweetheart.
She helped her light the candle, showed her how to cross herself, then said, Tell God why youre here.
Ellie gazed at the altar, found her nerve, and spoke up softly:
Please, Granddad God, my Mums really ill. I dont have anyone else. Please make her better. She doesnt have any money for medicine. And Im starting school soon, but I havent even got a bag
I froze. All my own worries, so heavy just minutes before, shrank to nothing beside this girls hope. I wanted to shout at the world, Why hasnt anyone helped this child and her mum?
Still, she waited for a miracle.
Come with me, kid, I said, deciding there and then.
Where are we going? she asked, eyeing my stick nervously.
Well find out what medicines your Mum needs, then go to the chemists and get them.
Really? Are you sure?
I promise. God himself sent me your request.
Really? Her face lit up.
Whats your name?
Ellie.
Call me Uncle Nick.
***
From the hallway, voices drifted out.
Shes written a right list and says its all expensive. Where will I get that kind of money? Ive only got twenty quid left, said Mum.
I marched through the door, Nick right behind me, and the room fell quiet as Edith peered at him in surprise.
Mum, what medicines do you need? Uncle Nick and I will get them from the chemist.
And you are?
He just smiled, gently taking the prescriptions. Dont worry, MarthaEllie and I will sort it.
But we only have twenty pounds!
Well find a way, Nick replied, squeezing my shoulder.
Mum, please, give us the prescriptions!
She did, reluctantly, but I could sense she trusted him, scars and all.
Be careful, Martha, you dont know anything about this man, Edith warned as we left.
I dont knowI think hes a good person, Mum replied, almost surprised.
***
Mum sat at home waiting for us, forgetting her illness for the first time in days. When the door burst open, I ran in, grinning from ear to ear.
Mum, we got your medicineand lots of treats for tea!
Nick stood at the door, smilinghis face softer now, almost handsome.
Thank you so much! Mum said, inviting him in.
Nick attempted to take off his shoes, a bit awkward on his stick. In the kitchen, he wasnt sure where to put it.
Let me, Uncle Nick, I said, standing it where he could reach.
Theres not much I can offersorry, Mum said, flustered.
Mum, we got loads!” I started unpacking bags of food.
Oh, you shouldnt have! Mum gasped, spotting the expensive biscuits and specialty tea. Let me put the kettle on.
Making tea, her illness seemed to recede as she busied around. Sensing this wasnt easy for her, Nick asked gently, Martha, are you sure youre all right?
I will be, once Ive had my medicine. Thank yougenuinely.
***
We sat, sipping fragrant tea and munching on cakes, all watching me chatter about school. I caught them looking at each other, and I could tell they liked being together. Still, all good things come to an end.
Thank you again, said Nick, rising and picking up his stick. Ill be offyou rest up, Martha.
Thanks again! I dont know how to thank you.
As he headed out, we followed.
Uncle Nick, will you visit us again?
Of course! Once your Mums well, well go out together and get you a proper school bag.
***
After Nick left, Mum cleaned up and told me to watch the telly while she rested.
She dropped off into the deepest sleep shed had in weeks.
***
Two weeks passed, and Mums illness faded, thanks to those medicines. Shed even managed a few shifts at workend of the month is always busy, and the extra wages were a relief. Now it was August, and soon Id be starting school.
That Saturday, we got up as usual and had breakfast.
Ellie, get yourself readywere off to the shops to see what youll need for school.
Have you got the money, Mum?
Not yettheyll pay me by next Saturday, but Ive borrowed forty quid to tide us over.
As we gathered our things, the intercom buzzed.
Yes? Mum asked.
Martha, its Nick
She didnt even wait to hear the rest, pressing to let him in right away.
Mum, who is it? I called from the front room.
Uncle Nick! She couldnt help smiling.
Hurrah!
Nick came in, smartly dressed, stick and all, but looking like a new man.
Uncle Nick, Ive been waiting for you!
I said Id be back, he grinned. Hello, Martha.
Hello, Nick, Mum replied, dropping the formalities for the first time.
Ready, are you? Lets go.
Go where? she stuttered.
We need to get Ellie ready for school.
But, Nick
A promise is a promise.
***
Mum used to buy the cheapest things in any shop. We hadnt the money for moreno family, single mum, just muddling through. Even the man from college vanished long ago.
Now this manthis cheerful, good-hearted Nickwas here, buying me everything I needed, barely looking at the prices, always making sure Mum approved.
We took a taxi home, arms full of bags.
Ill get lunch together, Mum said.
But Nick stopped her. Lets head out together for lunch somewhere nice.
Mum, please! I begged.
***
That night, Mum couldnt sleep. The day kept replaying in her mind. She saw Nicks kind eyes, felt her heart in her chest.
Hes not handsome, hes lame, her head insisted.
But hes kind, and he looks at me with such love, her heart replied.
Hes a lot older than you
So? Hes good with Ellielike a father.
You could find someone your own age, someone dashing.
Ive done that. I want someone reliable. Someone like Nick.”
You never imagined a husband like this.
Well, now I do.
Changed your mind so quickly?
I just met the right one. I love him.
***
Three months later, they were getting married in that same church, where Nick and I had first met.
Mum and Nick stood before the altar, Nicks stick gone. I stared at the saints images and whispered, from the bottom of my heart:
Thank you, Granddad God.Whether or not anyone heard me, I felt sure someone was listening.
Sunlight streamed in through the church windows and danced over Mums hair as she smiled at Nick. When the choir sang out their gentle hymn, I squeezed Mums hand, and she squeezed back, strong and certain.
At the back, Edith dabbed her eyes, clutching her battered handbag, and winked at me across the pews. Uncle Nicks rough soldier friends stood in their best suits, looking proud and completely out of place among the lilies and flowers. Mums face shone brighter than Id ever seenlike the whole world had opened up.
Afterwards there was music, laughter, the taste of warm scones on my tongue. I twirled in my new dress and showed off my school bag to everyone, even the vicar, who grinned and asked for a turn with the yo-yo Uncle Nick had tucked inside it.
That night, back home, Mum tucked me in.
Goodnight, sweetheart, she whispered.
It felt different nowsafer, cozier, as if our tiny flat had grown big enough for all three of us, with more room for hope besides.
Just before I drifted off, I heard Nicks quiet steps outside my room. His voice joined Mums, soft as a lullaby:
Sleep well, Ellie. From now on, were together. Always.
And under the gentle, watchful gaze of the stars, I believed him.
