Five Souls Who Never Knew Her as Mother… But Who Could Ever Tell the Truth…

He isnt theirs by blood, these five But who would even dare say it

Yegor lost his wife. She never recovered from the last childbirth.

No matter how he grieved, there were five boys left behind. The eldest, Nicky, was nine. Liamseven. The twins, Alex and Leo, were four. And the youngest, just three months oldEllie, the long-awaited little girl

Theres no time for sorrow when children are hungry. But once theyre all asleep, he sits on the kitchen step at midnight, smoking

At first, Yegor managed as best he could. His sister-in-law came to help a little. They had no other family. She offered to take Alex and Leo, saying itd lighten his load. Then two social workers showed up.

They suggested sending all the children to an orphanage. Yegor wouldnt hear of it. How could he give his own flesh and blood away? How could he live with himself after? Hard as it was, what else could he do? Theyd grow up slowly, and one day, theyd be grown.

Sometimes, hed even manage to check the older boys homework. Ellie, of course, was the most trouble. But Nicky and Liam helped where they could.

The district nurse, Nina Thompson, visited often, keeping an eye on them. One day, she promised Yegor shed send a nanny. A man shouldnt have to raise a baby alone, she said. A good girl, hardworking. Worked as a carer at the hospital.

No children of her own, still unmarried. But shed helped raise her siblingscame from a big family in the next village over. And so, Lucy arrived in their home.

Petite but sturdy, round-faced, with an old-fashioned braid tied down her back. Andquiet. Never said more than necessary. Yet everything in Yegors house changed. The place gleamedscrubbed, polished.

She mended and washed the childrens clothes. Tended to Ellie, cooked meals. The school and nursery noticed the difference straight away. The kids were clean, tidyno more mismatched buttons or frayed sleeves.

Once, Ellie fell ill with a fever. The doctor said shed recover with care. Lucy stayed up night after night, never once lying down herself. Nursed the girl back to health. And somehow, without anyone noticing, she stayed in Yegors home

The younger ones started calling her Mum, starved of a mothers affection. Lucy didnt hold backpraising them, ruffling their hair, hugging them. Of course, they were just children

The older boys, Nicky and Liam, were wary at first. Never called her anything. Then they settled on just Lucy. Not *nanny*, not *mum*just Lucy. To remember, perhaps, that their real mother had once been there And she was barely old enough to be their mother anyway.

Lucys family disapproved.

*”Why saddle yourself with another mans brood? Plenty of lads in the village!”*

*”Plenty,”* she replied. *”But I feel for Yegor And the little ones are used to me now.”*

So they carried on. Twenty years slipped by unnoticed. The children grew, studied. Not always smoothmischief happened. Yegor would lose his temper, reach for his belt. Lucy would tug him back*”Wait, Dad, lets hear their side first”*

They argued, they made up. Soon, no one in the village called her Lucy anymore. Now it was *Mrs. Thompson*, spoken with respect. Nicky was married by now, expecting his first.

The young couple lived separately, Nicky working on the farmno ordinary labourer, but a skilled mechanic, awards and bonuses every year. Liam was finishing university, Lucys pride*”My boys going to be an engineer.”*

They stuck togetherin mischief as kids, in loyalty as they grew. Ellie was in Year 12 now, Lucys joy. A singer, a dancer, the life of every village gathering.

And Yegor often thought how well Nurse Nina had chosen his wife That summer, Lucy felt something wasnt right. Never sick a day in her life, yet now her vision darkened, her head spun

She shooed Yegor and his cigarettes out to the porch, feeling queasy. Thought itd passit didnt. Finally, she saw the doctor.

She came home quiet, pensive. Brushed off Yegors questions*”Nothing, just a fuss.”*

But that night, when the house was asleep, she called him outside.

*”Sit down, Dad We need to talk. Know what the doctor told me? Im having a baby Too late to do anything now”* She covered her face. *”The shame of it”*

Yegor just stared. After all these yearsimpossible!

*”What shame, love? The older ones are nearly grown! Just the two of us left, eh? Natures got it right, hasnt it? Well manage!”*

*”What do we tell the kids? Theyll say Im too old for this”*

*”Too old? Thirty-nines nothing!”*

*”I dont know I just dont know”*

*”Alright. Ill tell them. Tomorrow, when theyre all here.”*

And he did. Gathered them round the table and said it. *”Listen, my loves Youre getting a new brother. Or sister. Thats that.”*

Lucy stared at her plate, flushed scarlet.

Nicky, visiting with his wife for Sunday dinner, burst out laughing. *”Brilliant, Mum! Go on then! Have yours the same time as mineplaymates!”*

Alex grinned. *”Do it, Mum! We need another brother!”*

Leo shook his head. *”Nah. A sister. Too many lads here alreadyEllies spoiled rotten as it is.”*

Ellie shot him a look. *”Spoiled? You spoilt me? Course its a sister, Mum! Ill tie her ribbons, buy her pretty dresses!”*

*”Dresses? Shes not a doll,”* Liam cut in. *”A child needs raising, too.”*

*”Well raise it,”* Yegor said.

But Lucy still hid her growing bellyunder a shawl, under a coat, even in summer, as if it were cold.

The months passed. Nickys firstborn arriveda boy. Liam went back to uni, holidays over. Alex and Leo left tooenrolled in agricultural college.

Ellie started her new school year. The house fell quiet. Ellie was outschool, friends. Some lad even started walking her home from Sunday dances.

One night, Lucy lay awake, waiting for Ellie. Thenpain. Sharp, blinding.

*”Yegor,”* she whispered. *”Yegor I think its time.”*

He turned pale, fumbling with his boots. *”Hold on, loveIll call an ambulance!”* He shouted for Ellie. She understood, bolted out the door.

Two minutes later, she was back. *”Mum, Tomll drive youhes borrowing his dads car, wait!”*

*”Tom, eh?”* Lucy thoughtthen another pain tore through her.

*”Mum! Whats happening?”*

Five minutes later, the lad whod been walking Ellie home stepped in. *”Dads driving himself,”* he said to Ellie. *”Coming?”*

*”Im coming.”* Yegor grabbed his coat. *”Dont be scared, Lucy. Im here.”*

All night, Yegor smoked on the hospital steps. At dawn, a nurse came out.

*”Still here, Dad? Smoking? Youll need to cut down First-time father?”*

*”Fifth,”* he said hoarsely.

*”Blimey! Rich man, arent you? Not fiveseven! Your missus had twins!”*

*”Twins?”* Yegor stammered.

*”Boy and girl! Lads got lungs on him.”* She laughed. *”Girls a beauty! Go home, Dad. Visit tomorrow. Theyll stay a bit, get their weight up. Bring what they need. Got it?”*

*”Yeah,”* he nodded, dazed.

On discharge day, the whole family gathered. The three students skipped classes, came home. The nurse carried out two bundlesone in blue, one in pink. Behind her, flustered, was Lucy.

Yegor took one. Hesitated over the second.

*”Twos awkward Forgotten how.”*

Nicky stepped in. *”Give it here, Dad Not my first time.”*

Ellie peeked into the bundle. *”Oh, shes gorgeous! My little sister!”*

They handed the nurse flowers and cake