Their mother left them at the orphanage right after New Years Day
The girls cried. They had been raised at home. While their mother chased loveand she chased it constantlythe sisters, Poppy and Lily, had lived with their grandmother. But Gran passed away on Boxing Day, and their mother sent them away. No, she wasnt reckless. She didnt drink, didnt even smoke. But wasnt it unfair? Her ex-husband lived as he pleased, while she was stuck raising two children alone?
Kneeling to unbutton Lilys coat, their mother muttered, Stop crying. Its just how things areits not my fault. Youll be fine here. Youll thank me later! Lily, only three, choked on her sobs, not quite understanding. But the harshness in her mothers eyes and the fear on seven-year-old Poppys tear-streaked face told her something was terribly wrong. Their mother hissed, Dont embarrass me. Im not abandoning you. Ill sort things out and come back. EasterIll fetch you at Easter! The girls quieted, still sniffling, but clinging to her promise.
Adjusting to the childrens home was hard, though the carers adored themtheir quiet intelligence, their lack of cheek, the way they clung to each other. Poppy won hearts with her serious dark eyes, while Lily, plump and sweet, was like a little snowball. Poppy, Lily would tug her sleeve, whens Easter? Is it coming soon? Will Mummy take us home? Patiently, Poppy explained again, Easters in spring. Remember how Gran painted eggs? Lily nodded solemnly, but at the mention of Gran, her lashes would glisten.
Poppy asked a carer, Miss Eleanor, who frownedchildren usually waited for Christmas or birthdays, not Easter. Still, she gave Poppy a small calendar. See? Easters circled. Each number is a day. When I was little, I crossed off days till summer. Poppy did the same, watching the chain of numbers shrink.
On Easter morning, Lily dashed to Poppy, clutching a red egg. Poppy! Mummys coming today! Arent you happy? Poppy wasat first. But by naptime, dread twisted her stomach. Lily whined, restless. When evening came and their mother didnt, Poppy lied softly, The bus mustve got stuck. The roads are awful now. Shell come tomorrow. Lily nodded, swallowing tears.
Their mother never came.
One morning, Poppy woke to find Lily gone. The staff said their mother had taken her. Years later, Poppy learned the truthshed been signed away. But fate intervened. Her fathers sister, Aunt Margaret, found her. Kind and warm, Auntie became Mum without Poppy noticing. Love patched her wounds, though she never spoke of her mother or Lily.
Years passed. Poppy trained as a nurse, married, had a son. Life wasnt lavish, but it was full. Then, a letter arrived.
*Dearest Poppy, You probably dont remember me? I only recall your braids and your checked slippers. Id love to see you! Weve moved backIm in Mapleford. May I visit?*
Poppy hesitated. Odd, inviting herself over. Still, she agreed.
At the bus station, Lilylimping badly in a blue coatwaved frantically. The moment she saw Poppy, she hugged her, weeping. I knew it was you! I just knew! Poppy grumbled, Still a crybaby, though her own eyes stung.
Over supper, Lily chattered. Dont blame Mum. Uncle Simon said hed take us both when they met, but she was scared. Then they had a boy, then a girlVicky, such a doll! Uncle Simons a brilliant carpenter, always busy. We even holidayed in Cornwall once. But in Year Seven, a bull gored me. Thank God no one else was hurt. Just left me like this She gestured to her leg. Your pies lovelyrecipe?
Poppy asked, Do you work? Study? Anyone special?
Lily flushed. I was hospitalised so long I help at home, or Uncle Simons workshop. Mums an accountant. As for friends well. She shrugged. Im used to it.
Poppy insisted she stay. Lily slept instantly. Glancing at her neatly folded clothes, Poppys breath caughteverything was clean, but threadbare, mended endlessly. No nurse would wear that, let alone to visit family.
At 3AM, Poppy woke her husband. Take me to Mapleford. He swore but drove.
Her mother didnt recognise her at the door. Still elegant, still cold. Morning, Mum, Poppy said. We meet again.
Her mother scowled. Wheres Lily? Tell her to come inbreakfast wont make itself.
Poppy kept her voice steady. Lilys staying with me. Pack her things. And money, if youve any decency. Ill get her work, fix her leg. Shes too lovely to limp.
Her mothers lip jutted. Get out. Well fetch her ourselves.
Poppy stepped closer. Her names *Lily*. Call your cow Lil if you like. Want me to tell the village how their upstanding accountant abandoned her kids? Youll never shake that.
Her mother slammed the door. Half an hour later, a stooped man emerged with a rucksack. Simon. Lilys things. Tell her well send money. She shouldnt have been Cinderella this long. He sighed. Dont hate your mum too much. Lifes complicated.
Walking back, Poppy thought: *Complicated? No. Hard is simplemen who dont drink, women who dont ditch their kids, siblings who dont forget.*
*Just being decent people. Thats all.*
