Mum put them in a childrens home straight after New Years The girls cried. Theyd been raised at home, proper little home birds. While their mother sorted out her love lifesomething she was always doingthe sisters, Poppy and Daisy, lived with their nan. But just before Christmas, Nan passed, and Mum sent them off to the home. No, she wasnt some wild drunk or chain-smoker, but it wasnt fair eitherher ex-husband got to live his life however he pleased, while she was stuck raising two kids alone, wasnt it?
Mum unbuttoned Daisys little coat and muttered, Stop your crying, its just how things turned out, not my fault. Youll be fine here, youll thank me later! Daisy was sobbing so hard she could barely breatheshe was only three, too little to understand what was happening. But when she looked into Mums cold eyes and saw the fear on her big sister Poppys tear-streaked face, she knew it was bad. Seven-year-old Poppy clenched her fists as Mum hissed, Dont embarrass meIm not abandoning you. Soon as I get settled, Ill come back. Easter, I promise! The girls sniffled but quietedMum had said shed return, so she would.
Life in the home wasnt easy, though the staff loved themthey were sweet girls, clever and kind, always sticking together. Poppy won everyone over with her serious dark eyes, while Daisy was like a little golden-haired cherub. Daisy tugged Poppys sleeve. Whens Easter comin? Then Mumll take us ome, yeah? Poppy sighed and explained again, Easters a holiday, like when Nan painted eggs, remember? Daisy nodded, eyes welling up at the memory. Poppy wished she knew when Easter was too. She asked one of the carers, Mrs. Thompson, who was surprisedmost kids counted down to Christmas or birthdays. Still, she gave Poppy a tiny calendar. See this circled date? Thats Easter. Every numbers a daycross em off like I did when I was at school. So Poppy did, watching the line of numbers shrink.
Easter morning, Daisy ran to Poppy, clutching a red-painted egg. Sis! Sis! Mums comin today, Im so appy! You happy too? Poppy tried to smile, but by afternoon, her hope was fading. Daisy wouldnt stop asking, and by evening, Poppy knewMum had lied. She soothed her sister, Maybe her bus got stuck. Roadsre awfuleven the carers say so. Dont cry, love, theyll dig it out, and Mumll come tomorrow. Shes probly stayin in the village tonight! Daisy sniffled and nodded. But Mum never came, no matter how many excuses they invented.
Then one morning, Poppy woke to find Daisy gone. Your sisters been collected, the staff said. Years later, Poppy learned Mum had signed away her rights. But luck found hertwo years on, her dads sister tracked her down. Auntie Val was kind, and before long, Poppy was calling her Mum. Love healed her heart, though she tried not to think of Daisytoo painful.
Years passed. Poppy trained as a nurse, married, had a son. Life wasnt grand, but it was happy. Thena letter. From Daisy.
*Dear Sis, Bet you dont remember me? I just member your plaits and them checkered slippers. I wanna see you! Were back in the areaif you dont mind, can I visit?*
Poppy frownedinviting herself over? Still, she agreed.
At the bus station, Daisy limped toward her, waving madly in a blue jacket. She hugged Poppy tight, crying, Knew it was you straight off! My Poppy! Poppy grumbled, Still a crybaby, but her own eyes stung.
Over supper, Daisy chattered. Dont be mad at MumUncle Steve said hed take her *and* us when they met, but she was scared to bring two at once. Then they had a boy, then a girllittle Rosie, so tiny! Uncle Steves a carpenter, does wellwe even go to the seaside sometimes. Oh, and in Year Seven, a bull gored me. Lucky no one else got hurt, but now I limp She grinned. This pies lushgimme the recipe?
Poppy asked, You work? Study? Got a fella? Youre pretty!
Daisy flushed. After the accident, loads of money went on me I help at home or with Uncle Steves books. Mums an accountant. As for friends well, the limp puts em off.
Poppy made her stay the night. Watching Daisy sleep, she noticed her clothesclean but threadbare, patched over and over. *No one wears this in hospital, let alone visiting.*
At 3 a.m., Poppy woke her husband. Drive me to Willowbrook. Now. He swore but went.
Outside Mums house, Poppys heart pounded. Mum didnt recognise her. Morning, *Mum*, Poppy said coldly. Mum frowned. Wheres Daisy? Cowshed? Shed better clean upkids need breakfast.
Poppy kept her voice steady. Daisys stayin with me. Pack her thingsand give her money. Ill get her a job, fix her leg. *Understood?*
Mum sneered. Get lost. Well fetch her.
Poppy leaned in. Its *Daisy* to you. Call your cow Dais, not her. Want the whole village to know how the *respectable* accountant dumped her kids? Gossip lasts forever here.
Mum slammed the door. Half an hour later, a stooped man emerged with a rucksack. Im Steve. Daisys thingstell her Ill send money. Shes been Cinderella long enough.
Walking back, Poppy thought*Lifes hard. But is it so hard to be decent? To not drink, not abandon kids, to remember your own flesh and blood?*
Just to be human. Thats all.
