The Glass Kitten
“Three sisters outside the window”
“Mum, thats just like you and your sisters, isnt it?”
Vera sighed. “More or less. Are you actually going to sleep tonight, or do you plan on yawning through the party tomorrow? I still need to do some work, and youll be nodding off at your own birthday bash.”
“Ooh, Im sleeping, Im sleeping!” Polly dived under the duvet, but her freckly nose popped out again almost instantly. “Will there be balloons? Is Millie coming? And”
Vera unceremoniously scooped up her daughter, bundled her even tighter in the duvet, and showered her with kisses, ignoring all shrieks of protest.
“Right, young ladysleep! Youll find out everything in the morning!”
She dished out Pollys beloved teddy bear, switched on the bedside lampPolly still had a mortal fear of the darkand made sure all the nightlights in the house were glowing away.
Downstairs, Vera gently pushed the kitchen door closed and fired up her laptop. There was a mountain of work waiting, but she let herself sit in the peaceful silence for a moment, picking over her thoughts. Tomorrow was going to be a handful. Not just because it was Pollys birthday and there was that tornado of organisation to weatherVera genuinely relished that bit. She loved a celebration, especially for her daughter. No, what gave Vera pause was the prospect of the family descendingthe cheerful sort of reunion best enjoyed only once a year. Vera gave herself a no-nonsense shake and reached for the kettle. One problem at a time. Tonight, the big one was the annual report glaring at her from the laptop. She set her mug of tea by the keyboard and fished a folder from her bag. Thank goodness shed taken Grannys advice and chosen accountancy, rather than carrying on with her mad idea to become an oceanographer. It wouldve been more romantic, yes, but stability might have gone out the window. Vera briefly closed her eyes, picturing the sea, and smiled. Not long now, and she and Polly would be off on holiday. Assuming the universe didnt throw anything new at them.
Vera arrived in the world to the delight of Linda and Victor Kirkwood, the long-awaited firstborn everybody had been fawning over since before her arrival. Grandmothers positively glowed, her parents couldnt get enough of their chubby-cheeked little angel.
We must have another! So they have someone to be thick as thieves with! the grans insistedand Linda listened.
So along came Nadine, and she and Vera were nearly twins in age. As little girls, they were the best of friends, managing to be both attached at the hip and as competitive as a pair of spring lambs. At first, it never creeped into real disputes. They both tried their hardest and genuinely cheered for each other. Linda worked hard to keep the peace, constantly reminding them there were no closer souls in the world than ones sisters. She managed to convince the headmistress to keep them together in the same class, and on their very first September morning, they sat at the same desk, nervously brushing their brand new shoes against one another for comfortI’m here, I’m with you, don’t worry!
It was Vera who got the jitters. Shed always been the serious one. Nadine could leave half her English homework and hang out the window counting pigeons. Vera, on the other hand, would only leave her work once all the ts were crossed and is dotted.
Vee! Youve done your maths book already? Hand it here! Ill copy it and we can go out!
Do it yourself, Vera would say, snatching her exercise book back. Or Miss Garrow will split us up in class again and youll be hopeless! Want my help?
Nadine would sulk, but never for long. Soon enough, shed be tugging Vera off to the park or persuading her down to feed bread to the ducks.
Along came Year Six, and, surprise, a little sisterLucy. Linda had no plans for a third child, but life rarely consults you before dropping changes in your lap.
Oh, not this again! Victor, Im not eighteen anymore, its going to be a struggle.
Love, youve got two helpers and me. Well manage. Maybe itll be a boy this time. Imagine!
Well, no such luckLucy burst onto the scene, feisty, demanding, and so different from her older sisters, Linda was a bit stumped. But very soon, Vera and Nadine noticed Lucy started running the Kirkwood household before her first birthday.
Linda felt the stark difference between early motherhood and this late surprise. With the first two, shed barely found a quiet moment; now, her world revolved around Lucy. And, somewhat unintentionally, she started shunting the older girls to the sidelines, her errands overtaking any real interest in their daily lives. So she missed the moment when that black cat of sibling rivalry slipped in.
That cat had a nameSimon. He lived next door, and until Vera turned sixteen, he barely registered on their radar. But after one gym session, Simon intercepted her in the courtyard.
Vera, come here! Need a word! He shifted about awkwardly.
Vera gave him a good look, then smiled gently. Im in a rush, Mums waiting. Six, by the gate.
Simon beamed. I like you, you know!
I got the message, Veras silver laugh jingled beneath the limes, and off she darted.
Who else could she tell about this? That fizzthe new, thrilling feeling when someone suddenly matters? The awkward first date? The dreaded first kiss that was, somehow, nothing but delight? Of course, Vera told Nadine. Well, eventually. Nadine, noticing all was not normal, pestered her until the truth spilled out.
Later, not even Nadine could say why she suddenly needed Simons attention. She hadn’t liked him before, but suddenly he was all she could think about.
Vera was none the wiser, until it was too late. One day, seeing Simon and Nadine kissing under the sycamores, Vera walked right past them. Home, she locked herself in her room and ignored little Lucys indignant howling outside.
Vera! Whats all this? Let Lucy in! Now! Linda thundered at the door.
Vera, ever obedient, opened the door. One look at her eldest and Lindas heart stumbled. Sending Lucy out, she shut the door in her youngests face.
Vera, darling, whats happened?
It hurts, Mum. Vera hugged herself, her eyes dry. Why would she do that?
Linda hugged her, gently. What do you want me to do, sweetheart?
How do you explain soul-deep hurt to anyone? What words are there?
Help me pack, Mum. Im off to Grans for a bit. I cant stay here.
Rosy-cheeked Nadine burst through the door, nearly colliding with Veras suitcase.
Oh! Where are you off to, then?
Vera side-stepped her and walked out forever. Linda, eyes brimming, gave Nadine a ringing slap.
How could you?!
Nadine, rubbing her cheek, watched as her mother, clutching Lucy, stormed off, the sitting rooms crystal chandelier jingling from the slammed door.
No one in the Kirkwood family did sulking for long. A couple of weeks and Linda thawed, speaking to Nadine again. Vera took over two years to talk to her sister, and might never have done so, had Linda not fallen ill and both sisters been forced to pull together to chase the illness away.
Im sorry, Nadine whispered, staring at her trembling hands.
They sat in the hospital garden, waiting for the surgery to end.
Let bygones be bygones Vera turned to her.
And that was forgiveness, in a way, but not forgetting.
Nadine gingerly touched Veras wrist, surprised her hand didnt shake. Vera didnt pull away. They waited together until their father came to say it was all overbut now, only time would tell.
The sisters took turns helping at home, and Vera noticed for the first time how impossible Lucy had become. Lucy had no boundaries. She did as she pleased, nobodys opinion welcome.
Linda eventually recovered, and the sisters drifted. Vera moved to another city to look after her paternal gran, Mrs. Kirkwoodthe formidable Olga. Gran passed a year after Veras arrival, leaving her the spacious flat.
Make it your own, darling! And count on your own decisions. Even the closest people sometimes only look out for themselves.
Vera gave a wry smile. She knew that all too wellno need to share details.
Two years later, she married quietly, not inviting a soul. There was hardly a wedding; she and Andrew popped to the registry office, then had celebratory tea for two. He had no family, and Vera didnt wish hers to meddle.
Life with Andrew was solid and calm. The only ache was the lack of children. Both desperately wanted one, but nothing happened, and the doctors shrugged. Absolutely nothing amiss with either of them.
Then well just wait, Vera declared cheerfully.
But as time passed, they wondered about adopting. Fate, however, had its own agenda.
Vera kept in loose contact with her family, a rare card or birthday call. She and Andrew saw Linda and Victor a couple of times, but Andrew and Veras lot never quite gelled, so she made it clear shed live as she pleased.
I chose him, Mum. Youll have to get used to it.
Oh, Vera, its your life, you know best, but with your brains and looks, why settle for a van driverwell, one wonders, really
How to explain? Vera had enough drama at work. At home, Andrew was her peace: he nursed her through colds, cooked, and bravely tackled the washing-up. He was, as Nadine frequently sighed whilst juggling her eldest and youngest, a proper catch.
Wish I had someone like that! I do everything myselfmine just nitpicks.
Vera let the grumbles go, knowing it was Nadines routine actshe was content enough, in her way. The same couldnt be said of Lucy.
Lucy grew up to be stunning. Even her beautiful older sisters paled next to her.
Lucys our queen! Linda beamed, watching her youngest lounge during the familys next celebration. Lucy, for her part, hated these gatherings. Shed appear long enough for the expected compliments, then vanish.
After school, Lucy declared, “Im going to be a model!” and got right to it.
Shed failed to reckon with the effortmore work than any normal job. Soon bored, Lucy soon took up with the first well-heeled businessman she met and moved into the flat he rented for her. She knew he was married with children, but she was unphased. Ignoring Lindas attempts to intervene, she snapped: “Stay away from my life or Ill stay away from all of you!”
She wanted a lot, but ended up with little. She got pregnant, hoping to tie him down. But fairytales rarely end as you expect. When Lucy informed his wife, the woman just looked her up and down and sneered:
Sweetheart, there have been dozens like you before. Im his wife. Hell never leave me.
How can you be so sure? Lucy fumed, affronted.
Its not arrogance, just experience. Youre hardly the first with claims like these. She paused. You want the child, fine. But he will never be yours. Legally or otherwise.
And with that, Lucys bridge burned spectacularly. Her lover arrived on cue to clear up:
Your problem. Ill pay child support and rent, but contact ends here. See my door again, and youll get neither.
Lucy stared at the door, her dream life gone, not understanding how it happenedshed always got what she wanted.
She was so busy fighting her battles she missed the point of no return. Polly was born; Linda took over completely, as Lucy fell apart. Lucy veered from obsessive attachment to days-long absences.
Finally, disaster struck. A party that ended with a race through the cityLucy was a passenger in a car whose driver lost control.
Linda, devastated, abandoned Polly to her grief. Victor, flustered, tried getting Nadine involved.
Dad, Ive got enough kids, honestly!
Resigned, Victor phoned Vera.
She didnt hesitate. No questions, she took leave from work, moved in, and within a month had all the paperwork in order. Vera and Andrew sold their own flat in a flash to finish renovations on their nearly-done house.
Andrew, you marvellous man! Its all perfect! Vera wandered about, wondering if, now, life could be normal.
Little Polly brought all the life and purpose Vera and Andrew had longed for. A lively, bell-like child, she filled the house with joy. Nine years flashed by in a heartbeat.
All this time, Vera kept her family at arms length. Theyd gather occasionally for holidays, where Vera felt two inches tall under Lindas gaze; Linda, never having recovered from Lucys loss, had grown impossible.
You were trusted! Ill be watching, dont think I wont. Taking her awaycouldve stayed nearby for your poor mothers sake.
Vera did her best to ignore Lindas moans, pitying her. She knew, with a heavy heart, that had anything happened to herself or even Nadine, Linda wouldnt be so broken. But Lucy had been different.
Linda would melt a bit, watching Pollyso like her mother.
Such a lovely girl. Dont ever stifle her, Vera. Let her be happy!
If Vera caught Andrew about to fire back, shed silently lay a hand on his.
Dont
Why not put her straight, Vera?
Vera sighed. Shes so angry, but its just pain. Let her be.
And if she takes it out on Polly?
She wont. She wouldnt hurt Lucys child.
Vera was right. For all Lindas bitterness with her, she left Polly unscathed, knowing the truth would hurt no one more than the girl.
Vera closed her laptop and stretched. Blimey, well past midnight! She finished her cold tea and looked out at the stars. Shame Andrew was away for workdreadfully timed trip; hed miss most of Pollys party but promised hed make it back for cake, and there was that mysterious present hed hinted of, refusing to say a word. Just a mischievous: Wait and see. Youll both love it!
Vera smiled, once again amazed at her luck with him, and shuffled off to bed.
Mum! Happy birthday to me! Polly, all elbows and energy, bounced on the bed and pecked her mothers cheek. And to you! Congrats on having me!
Thank you, my darling! Happy birthday! Wishing you health and happiness!
Polly squeezed herself against Vera. Am I grown up now?
Oh, very! Big ten! But you know Veras eyes twinkled.
Yes?
Youll always be a little bit little to me. That made Polly giggle.
I like being little! Everybody adores little ones!
Oh, outrageous! Who doesnt love you here, hmm?
Tickle attack! Polly shrieked and wriggled.
Time for presents! Vera reached into the bedside table. Something special for you.
A small box appeared. Polly lifted the lid, a gasp: Mum Its!
Vera nodded.
Polly carefully lifted out the tiny glass kitten shed coveted for years, the one Veras father had once given her.
For his eldest daughter Thats what Grandpa said?
Exactly.
Thank you! Ive always wanted him to be mine! Polly gently stroked the kittens delicate ears. But Mum, Im your only daughter
Veras smile turned mysterious. Polly, eyes wide, searched her face.
Really? Polly whispered. Vera nodded, and Polly leapt, kitten clutched in her fist, and squealed, Hooray! Im going to be a big sister! Mum, really?
Well see, darling.
Vera watched Polly rebound round the room, her own eyes suspiciously bright. Theyd waited for this moment so many years.
Polly stopped, mid-leap, eyes shining. Mum, thats the best present in the world.
Vera threw back the duvet and stood up.
And this is for you too. A large box from the wardrobe. Polly squealed at the dress, twirling for ages before asking, Mum, what time is everyone coming?
Oh goodness! We overslept, sweetheart, lets go!
They hustled, and by lunchtime, a radiant Polly was greeting guests, laughter ringing.
How are you managing? Linda slumped into a chair, eyeing Vera.
All good, Mum. Polly got top marks in everything. Even music. Shes a joy.
Dont take that for granted. Treasure it.
Vera gave a weary sigh. Talking to Linda got harder every year. Nadine, appearing with a plate, saved things, and tales of her own children followedher eldest Millie, also a top student, and Victor, now the local boxing champ.
A sudden, sharp cry interrupted all conversationVera bolted upstairs. There was Polly, sobbing in the middle of the room, her pretty white dress streaked with stains.
Nadine! First aid kit, quick! Bandages!
The house became a flurry of movement. Only Millie sat in the corner, scowling.
Polly, darling, what happened? Vera tried, gently.
Shes lying! Shes lying! Polly wailed.
Whos lying, love? Vera tried to make sense.
The cuts were shallow. After cleaning her up and changing her dress, Vera sat with Polly on her lap.
Tell me. What happened?
Polly said nothing, nose buried in her mothers cardigan, before finally raising her storm-gray eyeseyes just like Veras.
