Only One Remains

Left Alone

Evening is falling outside the window, but Mum still hasnt come home. Emily, turning the wheels of her wheelchair, rolls over to the table, takes the phone, and dials her mums number.
“The person you have called is unavailable or out of range, says a mechanical, unfamiliar voice.
Emily stares at the phone in confusion, then, remembering theres hardly any credit left, she switches it off.
Mum went out to the supermarket, but shes been gone far too long. This has never happened beforeher mother never leaves for long, knowing Emily has been disabled since birth and cant walk. She gets around with her wheelchair, and apart from her mother, she has no other family.
Shes already seven, and not scared to stay home alone, but Mum always tells her exactly where shes going and when shell be back. Emily cant understand what might have happened:
“Today, she went to the big supermarket thats a bit further out because the groceries are cheaper. We often used to go there together, and it isnt really that fara round trip shouldnt take more than an hour, she thinks, glancing at the clock. But its been four hours already. Im hungry.
She wheels herself to the kitchen, boils the kettle, and takes a burger out of the fridge. After eating and having some tea, Mum still doesnt return. She cant bear it anymore and calls again:
“The person you have called is unavailable or out of range, repeats the automated voice.
She gets herself onto the bed and slips the phone under her pillow. She leaves the lights onits far too scary without Mum.
She lies there for ages but eventually drifts off.

***

She wakes when sunlight creeps through the curtains. Mums bed is still made.
Mum! Emily shouts towards the hallway.
Silence answers her. She grabs the phone and calls again. The same cold, metallic voice responds.
Fear washes over her and tears start rolling down her cheeks.

***

Christopher is on his way home from the local café, where he buys fresh pastries every morning. Its a little ritual he shares with his mothershe makes breakfast, and he fetches the pastries.
Hes thirty now and single. Women never paid much attention to himhes thin and awkward-looking, with a lifetime of health problems. He needed expensive treatment he couldnt afford, growing up with just his mother, and doctors had long ago told him he couldnt have children. Marriage never seemed likely, and Christopher made his peace with that.
He spots a broken, old mobile phone lying in the grass. Phones and computers are both his job and hobbyhes a programmer and runs a blog. Hes got plenty of his own, and top-of-the-range too, but out of curiosity, he picks this one up. The phone is crushed, as if a car had run over it.
Something bad might have happened, he thinks, slipping it into his pocket. Ill check it out at home.

***

After breakfast, he takes the SIM card from the smashed phone and puts it into one of his. The contact list is almost entirely official numbershospitals, Social Services, the local council. But at the top, theres Daughter.
After a moments thought, he calls:
Mum! a bright childs voice cries.
Im not your mum, Christopher stammers.
Wheres my Mum?
I dont know. I found a broken phone, put the SIM card in mine, and called you.
My mums missing, the voice trembles. She went to the shops yesterday and never came home.
What about your dad or grandparents?
I dont have any. Just Mum.
Whats your name? Christopher realises the child needs help.
Emily.
Im Uncle Chris. Emily, can you go and knock on your neighbours door and tell them youre alone?
I cant leaveI cant walk. And the flat next door is empty.
You cant walk? Christophers thrown.
I was born this way. Mum says if we save up, they can do an operation to help me.
How do you get around?
In my wheelchair.
Emily, do you know your address? Christopher presses on.
Yes. 7 Victoria Road, Flat 18.
Ill be right over and well sort this out together.
He hangs up.

His mother, Margaret, enters the room.
Chris, whats happened?
Mum, I found a smashed phone, put the SIM card in one of mine, called the number marked Daughtertheres a little girl, alone at home, whos disabled. No other relatives. I got her address. Im going to see whats going on.
Im coming too, Margaret says at once, pulling on her coat.
She raised her son alone, through his many illnesses, and knows exactly what its like for a single mother with an unwell child. Shes now retired, and Chris earns a good living.
They call a cab and set off to help the child.

***

They buzz the entry phone.
Who is it? a sad childs voice asks.
Emily, its Chris.
Come in!
They enter the block. The door to the right flat is already ajar.
Inside, a slender girl sits in her wheelchair, eyeing them sadly.
Will you find my mum? she asks.
Whats your mums name? Chris gets straight to it.
Claire.
And your surname?
Bennett.
Wait, Chris! Margaret cuts in gently, kneeling beside the girl. Emily, are you hungry?
Yes. There was a burger in the fridge, but I ate it last night.
Chris, pop down to the shop for our usual groceries.
Got it! And hes gone.

***

When he returns, Margaret is already preparing something in the kitchen. She unpacks the bags and sets the table.
After theyve finished eating, Chris begins searching for Emilys mum.
He checks the local news website, scrolling through yesterdays incidents.
There. On Oakwood Avenue, a car struck a woman. Taken to hospital in critical condition.
He makes several calls, and on the third try someone answers:
Yes, yesterday we did receive a woman from Oakwood Avenue. Shes in a serious state and hasnt regained consciousness.
Whats her surname?
She had no ID or mobile phone with her. Are you a relative?
Well not exactly
Come to the hospital
I know the address. Ill be there.
He turns to Emily:
Do you have a photo of your mum?
Yes. Emily rolls over to a drawer and produces an album. Look, we had this photo taken just recently.
Your mum is beautiful!
Chris snaps a picture of it on his phone. Im off to find her.

***

She opens her eyes. White ceiling. Awareness slowly returns. She remembers a car, hurtling towards her…
She tries to move and pain shoots through her whole body. A nurse approaches quietly.
Youre awake?
Claires eyes fly open in panic.
How long have I been here?
Two days.
My daughters at home, all alone…
Claire, try not to worry! the nurse soothes, laying a gentle hand on her chest. A young man visited yesterday, left his phone for you. Said your own was crushed by a car.
I need to call
Of course. The nurse presses the contact marked Daughter and holds the phone to Claires ear.
Mum!
Emmy, darling, how are you?
Im fine! Granny Margaret and Uncle Chris visit me.
Whos Uncle Chris?
Dont worry, Mrs Bennett, says a doctor coming in. Or Ill have to take the phone away! Let me check you over first.
Ill call you back, Emmy, Claire manages, just before the doctor takes the phone.
After the doctors check-up, the nurse puts the phone into her pocket.
Please, may I speak to my daughter for just a minute more? Claire whispers.
The doctor said you mustnt get upset, the nurse sighs, but dials the number.
Darling…
Claire, my name is Margaret Davies, comes a gentle new voice. My son found your broken phone, traced you by the SIM card and found Emily. Im a pensionerIll look after your daughter while youre in hospital. Dont worry! Ill pass the phone to Emily.
Mum, dont worry, just get better soon! Emily says, her voice thick with emotion.
Do as Granny says, darling! Claire answers, clinging to her lifeline.
Thats enough now, the nurse intervenes.

***

The next day, Claire is moved to the general ward, and that evening, during visiting hours, the nurse announces,
Bennett, you have a visitor!
A thin, awkward-looking young man enters.
Hello Claire! Im Chris, he smiles. Hope you dont mind Im using your first name right away?
Thats fine.
He places a big bag on the bedside table.
My mum packed some things for you.
Chris, I dont even know you, Claire admits, confused.
I found your smashed phone, rescued the SIM, rang your daughter, then tracked you down.
Hows my Emmy?
Lets see…
He fetches the phone hed left on his first visit, taps the screen.
Here you are.
Claire sees her daughters face on video.
Mum! Does it hurt?
No, darling, Im all right now. How are you?
Granny Margaret comes to see me lots!
Claire chats with her daughter for ages. Christopher waits patiently. At the end of the call, Claire lowers her head.
Im forever in your debt.
Oh, dont be silly, Claire. And call me Chris, please.
Thank you, Chris!
Now, let me show you how this phone works.

***

Two weeks pass.
The driver from the accident brings £2,000 in compensation directly to Claire at the hospital and brings his lawyer along.
The next day, she is discharged. Chris collects her and brings her home.
Mum! her daughter shrieks in delight. For a moment, it looks as if Emily might jump out of her chair. Claire sits down beside her, cradles her daughter, and bursts into tears of relief.
She turns to the older woman:
Margaret, thank you so much!
Oh, never mind, Claire. Emilys as good as a granddaughter to me now.
Margaret, the driver gave me compensation, Claire says, pulling cash from her bag. Please, take it. I dont know how else to thank you.
Put that away, Claire! We wont miss a meal, but you need every penny for Emilys treatment. Chris has already been in touch with a clinic.
Mum! Emily beams. Uncle Chris says were going to the hospital so they can fix my legs!

***

Claire and Emily spend two weeks at the private clinic. Emily has pins fitted in her legs. Theyll need to return every three months for the next few years, but doctors think she might walk after three more surgeries and a long rehabilitation.
For now, Emily still needs her wheelchair, and the pins are uncomfortable.
But fate tests this little group once more. Margaret has a serious heart problem and is rushed to hospital.
Claire spends three nights by Margarets side, only leaving to cook meals for everyone and snatch a little sleep. Chris stays with Emily overnight.
On the fourth day, Margaret finally wakes properly, gazes at Claire, and says softly,
Dear, I may not have long left Marry my Chris. Hes a good man, and together youll help Emily walk again.
Margaret, would Chris even want me?
He would! Margaret manages a smile. He truly would.

***

On a crisp morning, a white-haired woman holds the hand of a tall girl with a schoolbag and a big bouquet, heading to school.
If Emily werent so tall, youd think she was starting school for the very first time. But this is her first day *at* school ever, even though shes already in Year Fourshed learnt at home, cheerfully earning good marks. And now, she walks to school for the first time on her own feet.
Gran, Im a little scared.
Oh, Emily, youre ten already! Look, there are your mum and dad!
Why so glum, darling? Claire asks when she walks up.
Shes a little nervous about school, Margaret says.
Give me your hand! Chris offers. Lets go!
With you, Dad, Im not scared at all, Emily smiles.
And so, chatting and laughing, they walk up to the school gates, with Mum and Gran happily following behind.