At dawn a newborn is left on the doorstep of the Ashford Maternity Hospital, and the first person to spot the bundle is the nightshift caretaker, Uncle Joe. He rises before the sun even hints at breaking and immediately takes charge of the area hes responsible for. Uncle Joe is diligent and treats his duties with the seriousness he learned from his former career.
In fact, Joe spent most of his working life as an accountant. When he retired he found himself unable to sit idle at home, so he took the nightshift cleaning job at the hospital. He does it not for the pay but because he cant stand a day without something to do.
Seeing a cardboard box on the porch, Joe instantly assumes theres a baby inside, even though no sound comes from it. He opens the lid, confirms his suspicion, and rushes to bang on the hospitals front door. The only thing he prays for is the childs health, because the silence of the infant seems oddly foreboding. To his and the staffs relief, the baby is alive and fairly healthy.
Ashford is a small town where everyone knows each other, so guessing the mothers identity is easy. Suspicion falls on Emily Lescott, a woman who has a baby almost every year and routinely donates them to the state. Emily never registers her children and never seeks prenatal care. After a thorough investigation, however, it turns out Emily has nothing to do with this particular case.
The babys mother remains unknown, and after a series of medical checks the infant is taken to the local baby home just outside town. As soon as the nurses unwrap him, one exclaims, Look at that little watermelon! How could such a tiny chap end up on a doorstep No one knows why, but the nickname Watermelon sticks because the child is plump and cheerful.
Later, Uncle Joe suggests a proper name, and the baby is christened Jack. Yet the nickname Watermelon clings to him, and the staff at the baby home continue to call him that. He doesnt stay long; a foster family is found and he moves in with them. Everyone is overjoyed, especially Mrs. Allen, the matron of the baby home.
Three years later, Jack returns to the baby home under unusual circumstances. The family that had taken him welcomed a new child, and Jack suddenly found himself unwanted. He returns looking thinner, yet still brighteyes and unusually clever for his age. Its clear the children there have been well cared for, but no one can understand why they let him go so easily. The sight of Jack breaks many hearts; he cries, calls for his parents and grandparents, and spends hours staring out the window, waiting for someone who never arrives.
Summer arrives and the children spend most of their time outside. Jack has changed; he no longer waits for anyone and trusts adults less. He struggles to get along with the other kids and often retreats to a quiet corner to play alone. Then a new companion appearsa cat called Muffin.
Muffin first showed up at the baby home about a year ago. Keeping a cat on the premises is strictly forbidden, so Mrs. Allen tries repeatedly to get rid of him. She hands him over to the kitchen staff, but the cat slips back each time. The caretaker, Aunt Jane, tries to take him home, yet every morning Muffin follows her out the back door, refusing to stay away. Jane finally nicknames him Muffin because he always sneaks in with a soft, buttery step.
Eventually Mrs. Allen gives up and lets Muffin stay, especially since he never bothers the children, preferring the roof of the gatehouse as a perch. Unexpectedly, Muffin becomes Jacks true friend. After the friendship forms, Jack opens up and becomes noticeably more sociable. Mrs. Allen sighs, places Muffin in a carrier, and takes him to the vet for a checkup, finally feeling at ease.
Jack hardly notices Muffins brief absence, but the cat holds a quiet grudge against Mrs. Allen and never lets her near his favourite spot again. Soon a coupleTanya and Simonexpress interest in adopting Jack. During the meeting they find Jack unsuitable and promise to discuss it with their family before returning. Mrs. Allen knows they wont come back, so Jack stays put.
Life for Jack doesnt change much, except now he and Muffin are inseparable. The cat frequently brings small gifts, like a dead mouse, earning a few extra scoldings from Aunt Jane but also adding to his reputation. Not long after, another family arrives, this time genuinely interested in adopting. They already have a daughter but want to give a child from the baby home a chance at a better life.
Tanya and Simon, along with Simons parents, meet Jack. Simons father, Mr. Clarke, is stunned when he recognises the boy as the very Watermelon Uncle Joe found on the baby homes doorstep years ago. Holding Jack on his lap, Uncle Joe chuckles, Well, look at you! Turns out weve known each other forever. I even gave you your name! They say God works in mysterious waysso youre my realgrandson, a little lost lad, but I promise youll be looked after.
Jack doesnt grasp the full meaning of Uncle Joes words but smiles and nods. Everyone else is bewildered by the coincidence yet delighted. As the adults say their goodbyes to the hospital staff and head to the car, Jack suddenly stops, tears welling up. Tanya rushes to comfort him, unsure why hes upset. Mrs. Allen, watching the departure, explains that Jacks tears are for Muffin, who sits a short distance away, watching his little master with a solemn gaze.
That day, Tanya and Simons family grows by two members: a wonderful son and an equally wonderful cat.
