**Unexpected Turns**
*”Go on, scream all you want! I brought you into this world, and now Im paying for it!”* The slurred voice of the upstairs neighbour hit Daisy the moment she stepped into the hallway.
*”Mum-um-um”* A childs wail followed instantly, and Daisys heart clenched with familiar, helpless pity.
*”I said shut up! Shut up right now! Whats wrong with you?”* Natalies shout rang out again, followed by something heavy crashing to the floor.
*”Mum-um-um”*
Daisy hesitated, passing her own flat door and climbing a few steps toward the next landing. The thought of knocking, of offering help, flickered in her mindbut she paused.
…Daisy had married young, at eighteen, believing it was love. But married life wasnt what shed imagined. Within a year, she knew shed made a mistake. Her husband often stayed out late, stumbling home drunk in the early hours.
At first, she endured it, telling herself things would improve. They never did. One day, she found herself in a scene straight out of a cheap novelwalking in unexpectedly to find a blonde in their bathroom.
She didnt argue. Just packed a bag and left. He didnt stop her, didnt apologise. Daisy wandered the pavement, gripping her bag, lost.
She couldve gone to her mums. She nearly calledthen stopped. Her stepfather was there, two younger brothers crammed into their tiny two-bed. No room. And she had no close friends.
*”Right. A hotel tonight, then find a flat tomorrow,”* she muttered.
Headlights swept over the pavement as a car slowed beside her.
*”Miss, you alright?”*
She turned. A man in his forties peered from the drivers seat.
*”No, Im fine,”* Daisy shook her head, quickening her pace.
The drizzle thickened. No open shops in sight.
*”Hop in, Ill drop you wherever.”*
*”No, really”*
*”Im a doctor, trust me, youll catch your death dressed like that.”*
Reluctantly, she got in. Her pulse raced.
*”Where to?”*
*”I”*
*”No idea?”* He glanced at her damp bag.
She flushed.
*”Tell you whatmy place. Ive got a shift at the hospital, so youll be alone. Names Simon. Simon Hartley.”*
*”Daisy,”* she mumbled, cringing at her own awkwardness.
Minutes later, she sat wrapped in a blanket, sipping coffee. Simon left as promised. The flat was clearly a bachelors.
She scoured rental listings, messaging a few. One replied instantly. By morning, shed arranged a viewing.
She woke to coffee brewing.
*”Morning!”* Simon smiled. *”Found a place?”*
*”Yes. Thanks for last night.”*
*”Doctors habit. Coffees getting cold.”*
…Daisy took the day off to view the flata cosy one-bed near work, affordable. She signed the lease, moved in that evening.
The only flaw revealed itself days later: Natalies raucous parties, always ending past midnight.
*”So you bought this place?”* a neighbour asked once.
*”Just renting.”*
*”Smart. God forbid youre stuck next to Natalie upstairs. Natalie the Lush, we call her.”*
*”No husband?”*
*”Ha! Four kids, all different dads. Lives on benefits. The older ones got taken into care, but she just had another. Screams all day.”*
*”Ive heard.”*
*”Anyway, off to the shops!”* The neighbour waved dismissively toward Natalies windows.
Daisy approached the door, reaching for the bellwhen it flew open.
*”What dyou want?”* Natalie glowered.
*”Im your neighbour. Justthought you might need help?”*
*”Help? You from social services?”*
*”No, I heard your son crying”*
*”That brat never shuts up. Got twenty quid?”*
Daisy handed over the notes.
*”Brilliant! Back in a mo!”* Natalie vanished down the stairs.
Daisy stepped inside. Chaos. The kitchen empty. In the next room, a small boy curled on a chair like a kitten.
He startled. *”Whore you?”*
*”Daisy. Your neighbour. Hungry?”*
She fetched pasta and biscuits from her flat. He wolfed them down.
Through the window, Natalie approached with a bag.
*”Mums back. Ill go.”*
The boyTheojust stared with wide grey eyes.
…The next evening, ambulances and police cars crowded the street.
*”What happened?”* Daisy asked the women on the bench.
*”Natalies done herself in this time.”*
*”And Theo?”*
*”Care home. Hell manage.”*
Daisy bolted upstairs. An officer blocked her.
*”You family?”*
*”Neighbour. Wheres Theo?”*
*”Social workers got him.”*
The woman in uniform confirmed: *”Foster care first, then adoption. No relatives stepping up.”*
*”Can I?”*
*”Youre not family.”*
*”But I can visit?”*
*”If you insist.”*
Daisy resolved to adopt Theo. She visited him in care, brought treats. Soon, they were like mother and son.
But adoption wasnt simple. No husband, a rental flather application was rejected.
Leaving the social workers office, she barely noticed Simon until he spoke.
*”Need a lift?”*
*”Simon! Fancy seeing you here.”*
*”I come to this café often.”*
*”So do I. Never spotted you.”*
…They began dating. Simon couldnt have childrenhadnt married for it. Before their wedding, Daisy told him about Theo.
They married, filed the papers. Months later, Theo became Theo Hartleywith parents who loved him unconditionally.
