**Diary Entry**
Mum sent them to the care home right after New Years The girls cried. Theyd always been home-raised children. Whenever Mum sorted out her love lifeand she was always sorting it outthe sisters, Tina and Milly, stayed with Gran. But when Gran passed away around Christmas, Mum handed them over to the home. No, she wasnt recklessshe didnt drink or even smoke. But was it fair that her ex-husband got to live as he pleased while she was left to raise two children alone?
Mum unbuttoned Millys little coat, muttering, “Stop crying, its just how things worked outits not my fault! Youll be fine here, youll thank me later!” Milly, only three, was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. She didnt understand much, but the anger in Mums eyes and the frightened, tear-streaked face of her big sister, seven-year-old Tina, told her something was terribly wrong. Mum hissed, “Dont embarrass meIm not abandoning you! Ill get settled and come back. Ill fetch you at Easter!” The girls sniffled but quietedMum had promised shed return.
Adjusting to the childrens home was hard, though the carers loved them for their quiet manners, quick minds, and deep bond. Tina won everyone over with her serious dark eyes, while Milly was like a sweet little dumpling, soft and golden-haired. Milly tugged Tinas sleeve. “Whens Eastuh comin? Will Mum take us home then?” Tina patiently explained, again, “Easters a holiday in springremember how Gran painted eggs?” Milly nodded solemnly, but then, remembering Gran, tiny tears welled up. Tina wished she knew when Easter would come. She asked their carer, Mrs. Irene, who was surprisedmost kids counted down to Christmas or birthdays. Still, she gave Tina a small calendar: “See this circled date? Thats Easter. Every number is a day. When I was in school, I crossed off days till summer break.” Tina did the same, watching the line of numbers shrink.
On Easter morning, Milly ran to Tina, clutching a red-painted egg. “Sis! Sis! Mums comin today, Im so happy! Are you happy, Tina?” Tina could hardly wait either. At first, it was exciting, but after naptime, she just wanted to cry. Millys constant whining didnt help. By evening, when it was clear Mum had lied, Tina soothed her: “The bus mustve got stuckhonest, the roads are awful now! All the carers say so. Dont cry, Milly, theyll dig it out, and Mumll come tomorrow. Shell stay in the village tonight!” Milly nodded, swallowing tears. But Mum never came, though the girls invented new excuses daily.
One morning, Tina couldnt find Milly. The staff explained their mother had taken her. Much later, Tina learned Mum had signed her away. But fate was kindtwo years on, her fathers sister, Auntie Val, found her. A warm-hearted woman, Auntie Val became “Mum” before Tina even noticed. Her kindness slowly mended Tinas heart, though she tried not to think of Mum or Milly. Still, guilt lingeredMilly had been so little then, too young to understand, but would she have managed without her?
Years passed. Tina trained as a nurse, married, had a son. Life wasnt wealthy, but it was full of love. Then, out of nowhere, a letter arrived. From Milly!
“Hello, my darling sister! You probably dont remember me? I only recall your plaits and your checkered slippers. Id love to see you! Weve moved back to the arealiving in Millfield. If you dont mind, could I visit?” Tina frownedinviting herself over? Still, she agreed.
Milly, in a blue jacket, limped toward her, waving eagerly. Spotting Tina in the station crowd, she hugged her tight and wept. “Sis, I knew it was you right away! Believe me?” Tina grumbled, “Still a crybaby, arent you?”but her own eyes stung.
Over dinner, Milly chattered: “Dont blame MumUncle Steve said hed take her with kids when they met. She was just scared to bring two. Then they had a son, then a daughterVicky, such a doll! Oh, dont be cross! Uncle Steves a brilliant carpenter, always swamped with work. We even go south sometimes. Oh, and in Year Seven, a bull tossed methank God no one else was hurt. But now I limp Tina, this pies lovely! Can I have the recipe?”
Tina asked, “Do you work? Study? Got a boyfriend? Youre so pretty!”
Milly flushed. “I was in hospital agescost a fortune. I help at home or Uncle Steves workshop Mums an accountant at the council. As for friends well, I limp. But Im used to it.”
Tina convinced Milly to stay overnight, promising to see her off in the morning. Milly fell asleep instantly. Tina glanced at her neatly folded clothesclean but threadbare, mended countless times. Even hospital staff wouldnt wear these, let alone for visiting!
At 3 AM, Tina woke her husband, begging a ride to Millfield. He cursed but drove. On the way, she explained. He scowled, then nodded.
Finding Mums house easily, Tinas heart hammered as she knocked. Mum didnt recognise herthough older, she was still elegant. Tina said, “Morning, Mum. Here we are.” Mum greeted her like a bothersome neighbour, then snapped, “Wheres Milly? In the barn? Get her inthe kids need breakfast, and last nights mess is still here. Well, come in, since youre here.”
Tina kept her voice steady. “Millys staying with me. Pack her things and give her some money if you can. Ill get her a job as a carer, then proper training. And her leg needs treatmentshes too lovely to limp! Hear me, Mum?”
Mum jutted her chin. “Get out, do-gooder! Well fetch Milly ourselves!” Tina shook her head. “First, its *Milly*. Call your cow Millyyoull be milking it now, *Madam*. Want me to gather half the village? Theyd love to hear how the upstanding council accountant dumped her kids in care! Your loyal friends might remember that. Try taking Milly backIll shout it across the country!”
Mum scowled, slammed the door. Half an hour later, a thin, stooped man emerged with a backpack. “Im Steve. Heres Millyswell, I always called her Lucythings. Tell her well send money. Shes been Cinderella long enough. Dont blame your mum too much lifes not simple.”
Carrying the backpack to the car, Tina thought, *No, its not simple. But is simple the same as hard? That men dont drink or stray, that women dont ditch kids for a man, that siblings dont forget each other?*
Just being decent peoplethats the hard part.
