**My Granddaughter**
She was such a messtangled hair, a crumpled uniform with a crooked collar and cuffs haphazardly stitched on. The girl looked dishevelled, lost in her own world.
Ruth Wilson frowned. Why had she even thought of that scruffy child? She set aside her beloved éclair. Where was George? Hed promised to come earlytoday was the anniversary of Edwards passing.
She thought she heard a knock.
Whos there? George, is that you? Forget your keys again?
Mrs. Wilson, you left your keys on the chair.
What? What keys?
Ruth opened the door and saw *her*. That same girl. What was this?
Sedgwick? What keys? How did you even know where I live? Have you been following me?
The girl shook her head. Her hat was worn thin, her coat frayed with a stain on the pocket, old leggings sagging at the knees, and shoes nearly falling apart.
Only then did Ruth notice the girls eyesbright blue, framed by dark, feathery lashes.
Shed recently started at the school, called out of retirement to teach English literature. A lifetime at the college, then a year of restless idlenessshe couldnt stay away. Strange child, that one. Kept to herself. What was her name again? Alice Alice Sedgwick.
Mrs. Wilson, you left your keys on the chair. I called after you, but you didnt hear.
What keys? Ohgoodness, thank you. Must be my age showing, she joked, though she wasnt sure why.
Youre not old, the girl said, dead serious. Just in a hurry, I suppose.
Thank you Alice.
Youre welcome. Goodbye, Mrs. Wilson.
Goodbye
Ruth shut the door thoughtfully, then hesitated. She opened it againsoft footsteps faded down the stairs.
Alice, Ruth called, looking down as the girl glanced up. How did you know where I live?
I live next door. I see you walking to work sometimes. Or I walk behind you. Theres that dog on the corner. If I stay close, he doesnt growl at me. He smells the catsI feed them, the strays in the basement. I call him Rex. Hes homeless.
And the address?
I asked the ladies on the bench. Said you worked at my school. We take the same bus
*What a peculiar girl,* Ruth thought. *Is she stalking me?*
Fancy some tea? she asked abruptly, and the girl agreed instantly. Rude, reallyshe ought to have refused.
Ruth poured the tea.
Are you hungry?
The girl shook her head, but Ruth knew she was lying. *Why am I bothering with this?*
Tell you whatlets eat together. I hate dining alone, and George is late She flustered, pulling food from the fridge.
Alice ate neatly but ravenously.
Thank you, she said, eyeing the sausages. I should go. Your cookings lovely.
*So hungry shed praise my plain food.*
Ruth packed leftoverssausages, spaghetti, sweetsinto a container.
You neednt thank me. But Alice took it anyway.
Later, Ruth scolded herself. *Unprofessional. Tomorrow shell hug me in front of everyone, gushing about the food.*
George slunk in at dawn, sheepish.
What was yesterday? she demanded.
Thursday, Mum. Todays Friday
Dont be smart, George.
Oh, its serious now? Im thirty, you know
Your fathers anniversary. He didnt deserve this.
Mum he wouldnt care if we ate yesterday or today. Lets do it tonight. Im off to bed.
Youre exhausted, then? What kept you out all night?
You *really* want to know?
Mood sour, Ruth went to work.
She waited for the girl to acknowledge her. But Alice passed by with only a cursory greeting.
*The nerve.*
All day, Ruth tried cornering her. Was she avoiding her?
After work, she walked slowly, hoping to spot her. Nothing.
Three days later, nearing her stop, Ruth heard a scream.
Alice.
A mongrel had clamped onto her sleeve, tearing at it, snarling.
Shoo! Go on! Ruth chased it off. Alice, are you hurt?
The girls frightened eyes made her chest tighten.
Hehe wanted the kitten Alice sobbed.
Its alright. Come, lets get you home.
I cant.
Children your age usually
Ruth stopped. *Strange girl.*
Ill hide him under the stairs. If they dont throw him out again.
Who?
Them.
At school, shed asked about Alice. Most shrugged. Only old maths teacher Margaret Knowles, her head trembling, knew.
Troubled home. Mother and stepfather drink. Or maybe the grandmother
How was she even enrolled?
No idea.
Later, Ruth watched Alice scurry past the snarling dog, then sit on a bench outside her buildingpulling out a textbook.
*Studying outside?*
At home, she argued with George again. Hed divorced Natasha two years agono children. *She was a good girl. But he grew bored.* Now hed found someone exciting.
Needing air, Ruth stepped outside.
Alice! Wheres that wretched girl? A slurred voice.
A dishevelled womaneyes eerily like Aliceslurched by the entrance.
Excuse me
What?
Are you Alice Sedgwicks?
Piss off.
Im her teacher. Where is she?
Asleep. The woman staggered inside.
Alice come out, Ruth whispered.
The girl emerged from the shadows.
Come home with me.
Shell punish me.
She wont dare.
Theyll take me away if she loses custody.
Who is she?
My gran.
Wheres your mother?
Gone. Four years now.
Did she?
No. We were happy. Then she got sick. They gave me to Gran and her husband. They take the money
Right. Youre coming with me. Well sort this.
George was home, packing. He stared at the girl.
Whos this?
Alice.
The girl gaped at him.
Staying the night? he asked.
Dunno
In the morning, Ruth let her sleep, then fed her.
Were going out.
Where? The childrens home?
Shopping.
George emerged, studying Alice.
Whered you find her?
My student.
At the shop, Ruth picked new clothes. Alice bloomed like a fresh flower.
What a lovely granddaughter, the cashier said. Takes after you.
Ruth smiledoddly warmed.
Well toss these rags.
No! Alice clutched her old coat. Theyll sell them. Then beat me.
What do we do?
Dunno.
Lets get cake?
Alices face lit up. Can you bake?
Iwell, not really
Mum and I used to. Before she
They baked, laughed, drank teauntil George returned.
*Blast. He ruined the evening.*
I should go, Alice murmured.
Ill walk you.
Whats your name? George asked.
Alice. I told you, George, Ruth snapped.
Did *she* send you?
Alice shook her head.
Whos she? Ruth demanded.
George exhaled. Mum this is my daughter. Alice.
The story unfoldeda youthful fling with Diana Sedgwick. George hadnt known.
You *abandoned* her
I didnt believe Diana! Then I saw Alice she looks just like you.
DNA tests confirmed it. Georges girlfriend, Elena, stood by him in court.
Ruth clung to Alices hand, terrified theyd take her.
***
Dad can I live with Gran?
If she agrees.
She will. Shes lonely.
And Im not?
Youve got Elena
Now Ruth walks hand-in-hand with her granddaughter. She doesnt care what anyone thinks. Shes found her joy.
George grew close to Alice. He and Elena parted waysamicably.
Was it because of me? Alice asked.
No. Id never trade you. Wish Grandad couldve met you.
At parents evening, George met Alices teacher Now Alice walks to school with both gran *and* mum.
Isnt it weird? her friends ask.
Nah. Its brilliant.
George sometimes wonders*how did I live without her?*
Alice still visits her grancleans, cooks, scolds her to quit drinking.
Gran kisses her hands, weeping. *My granddaughter. My blood.*
And sometimes, she swears shell stop.
