Only One Remains

Left All Alone

The sky outside the window was already turning dark, but Emilys mum still hadnt come home. Turning the little wheels of her wheelchair, Emily rolled over to the table, picked up the phone, and dialled her mums number.

The number you have called is switched off or out of coverage area, an unfamiliar voice announced.

Emily stared anxiously at the phone, remembering there was hardly any credit on it, so she switched it off. Mum had simply gone to the shops, but she should have been back by now. It had never happened beforeher mother would never leave her alone for long. Emily was a childhood invalid and couldnt walk; the wheelchair was her only way to move about. There were no other relativesher and Mum, that was all.

Emily was already seven and didnt fear being home alone. But her mother always told her where she was going and when shed be back. Emily couldnt understand what was wrong. Today Mum had gone to the big Tesco a bit further awaythings were cheaper there. They often went together. It was further, but you could walk there and back in an hour, easy, she thought, glancing at the clock. Yet, four hours had already passed. Her stomach grumbledshe was hungry.

She wheeled herself towards the kitchen. She boiled the kettle and took out a meatball from the fridge. She ate it and drank her tea.

But Mum didnt return. Unable to bear it any longer, she picked up the phone again and dialled.

The number you have called is switched off or out of coverage area, repeated the mechanical voice.

She rolled herself onto her bed, tucking the phone under her pillow. She didnt bother switching off the light; it was too frightening to be in the flat alone without her mum.

She lay awake for ages but eventually drifted off to sleep.

***

She awoke to sunlight peeking through the window. Mums bed was neatly made.

Mum! she shouted toward the hallway.

Silence answered. She grabbed the phone, called, and got the same metallic pre-recorded message.

Tears began to spill down her cheeks in silent panic.

***

James was returning from the bakery. Every morning it was his routine: fresh pastries to start the day. It had always been him and his mumshe made breakfast, he fetched the bread rolls.

James was already thirty but never married. The girls never paid him any mindthin, sickly, and not handsome. Illness followed him from birth. He needed expensive treatment, but his mum had raised him alone. When he became an adult, the doctors told him hed never have children. Hed made his peace with never marrying.

A flash of something in the grass caught his eyea shattered old mobile phone, as if a car had run it over and flung it aside. Mobiles and computers were both his job and his hobby. He was a programmer and bloggeralthough of course he had top-of-the-range phones himself, out of professional curiosity, he picked it up and pocketed it. Maybe somethings happened? he mused. Hed check it out at home.

***

After breakfast, he took the SIM card from the broken phone and put it in one of his own. The numbers stored were mainly to GPs, the pension office, and similar places; but the first in the contacts was saved as daughter.

After a pause, he rang the number.

Mum! a hopeful childs voice exclaimed.

Im not your mum, James said, flustered.

Wheres my mum?

I dont know. I found a broken phone, put in the SIM, and called.

My mums disappeared, the child burst into sobs. She went to the shop yesterday and never came back.

Wheres your dad, your nan?

I dont have a dad or a nan. Only Mum.

Whats your name? James realised the child needed help.

Emily.

Im Uncle James. Emily, can you go and tell the neighbours that youre alone?

I cant leave the flat. My legs dont work. And next door is empty.

What do you mean, cant walk? James was completely at a loss.

I was born this way. Mum says we need to save up and then I can have surgery.

How do you get around?

In a wheelchair.

Emily, do you know your address? James started to act.

Yes. 7 Victoria Avenue, flat 18.

Ill be there soon. Well find your mum, I promise.

He hung up.

His mum, Margaret, poked her head into his room.

James, whats the matter?

Mum, I found a broken mobile. Took out the SIM and calledits a little girl, alone in a flat, and shes disabled. No relatives. Ive got her address. Im going to check on her.

Ill come with you, she said, already grabbing her bag.

Margaret had raised her sickly son alone and well knew what it was like for a single mum with a poorly child. She was retired now; her son earned well. They called a taxi and set off to help.

***

They buzzed the doorbell.

Who is it? came a childs sad voice through the intercom.

Emily, its meJames.

Come in!

They entered the block. The door to flat eighteen was already ajar.

Inside, a slight girl perched in her wheelchair, gazing at them with deep, sad eyes.

Youll find my mum, wont you?

Whats your mums name? James asked at once.

Helen.

And her surname?

Collins.

One moment, James! Margaret paused him, turning to Emily. Emily, are you hungry?

Yes. There was a meatball in the fridge, but I ate it yesterday.

James, nip down to the shop for our usual bits, would you?

Right away! And he dashed off.

***

When he came back, his mum had already cooked something. She unpacked the bags and set the table.

Once they had eaten, James set to searching for Emilys mum.

He opened the local news website and began scrolling through yesterdays incidents.

There we are: On Park Lane, a Ford hit a woman. The injured party was hospitalised in serious condition.

He called the hospital. On the third attempt, someone answered.

Yes, an unidentified woman was brought in from Park Lane yesterday, in a serious condition. She hasnt regained consciousness yet.

Whats her name?

She had no ID or mobile on her. Are you family?

Well not exactly…

Come to the hospital.

I know the address. Ill come now.

He hung up and turned to Emily.

Do you have a photo of your mum?

Yes, she wheeled over to a cupboard, took out an album and handed it over. We took this one just recently.

Your mums beautiful, James smiled, snapping a picture with his mobile. Im going to find her, Emily.

***

White ceiling. It took Helen a moment to rememberthere was the oncoming car… Everything hurt. A nurse approached quietly.

Awake?

Helens eyes widened in panic. How long have I been here?

Two days.

My daughters alone at home…

Helen, calm down! The nurse rested a gentle hand on her chest. Yesterday a young man came, left his number for you. Said your phone got crushed by a car.

I need to call…

One moment! The nurse pressed the number saved as daughter and held the phone to the patients ear.

Mum!

Emily, darling! Are you alright?

Im fine! Granny Margaret and Uncle James are looking after me.

Which Uncle James?

Dont worry! the nurse said in a businesslike tone. Or Ill have to take the phone. Let the doctor see to you first!

Ill call again, sweetheart, Helen called before the phone was taken away.

After the doctor finished, the nurse slipped Helen back the phone.

May I just talk to her for a minute? Helen whispered.

Doctor said youre not to get worked up, she sighed, but dialled.

Sweetheart

Helen, this is Margaret speaking, came an unfamiliar but kind voice, Listen to me! My son found your broken phone, traced your SIM, and found your daughter. Im a pensioner. While youre in the hospital, Ill stay with your little girl. Dont worry. Here, Ill pass you back to Emily.

Mum, dont be sad. Get better quickly! Emilys small voice rang out.

Be good for Granny! Helen clung to those words as to a lifeline.

Times up, Im afraid, the nurse interrupted.

***

The next day, Helen was moved to a general ward, and that evening, during visiting hours, the nurse popped her head in.

Collins, theres a visitor for you.

Helen barely had time to be surprised before a thin, awkward man came in.

Hello, Helen! Im James, he smiled. Hope you dont mind I use first names right away?

Of course.

He placed a big bag on her side table.

My mum packed a few things for you.

James, I honestly dont even know who you are, Helen stammered.

I found your crushed mobile entirely by chance. The SIM card was still good. I called your daughter and then tracked you down.

Hows Emily?

One moment.

He fetched the phone hed left for her on the first visit, tinkered with it for a second.

Here you are!

Helen beamed as her daughters face appeared.

Mum! Does it hurt?

No, darling, not anymore. How are you?

Granny Margaret visits me.

Mother and daughter chatted for ages. James waited patiently. At last Helen sighed, I owe you both everything now.

Oh, dont start, Helen! He laughed. And please, call me James.

Thank you, James!

Ill show you how this phone works in a moment.

***

Two weeks passed.

The man responsible for the accident brought a solicitor and two thousand pounds to the hospital for Helen as compensation.

She was discharged the next day. James came to collect her and drove her home.

Mum! Emily squealed with joy.

It seemed she would leap from her wheelchair. Helen sat beside her, hugging her tight, tears streaming down her cheeks in pure happiness.

Then she turned to the older woman.

Thank you, Margaret, truly!

Dont mention it, Helen. Emily feels like a granddaughter to me now.

Margaret, the driver brought me this, Helen took out the money. Please accept it. I have nothing else to thank you with.

Put it away, Helen! Margaret said firmly. My son and I wont go hungry. You need that money for Emilys treatment. James has already arranged something with a clinic.

Mum! piped up Emily. Uncle James says well go to hospital and theyll help me walk.

***

Helen stayed at the hospital with Emily for two weeks. They did some procedures, inserted pins. In three months more, theyd return for another round. The process would repeat over the next three years, with the promise that after the last operation and rehabilitation, Emily would walk.

For now, the girl still moved about in her wheelchair, her pins often causing discomfort. Life, it seemed, continued to test this little familys resilience. Margaret fell ill with her heart and was admitted to hospital in a serious state.

Helen stayed by her side, only dashing home to prepare meals and get a little sleep. At night, James took care of Emily.

On the fourth day, Margaret finally came round. She gazed long at Helen sitting beside her, then said quietly:

My dear, looks like my times running short. Marry my James. Hes a good man. Together, youll help Emily to her feet.

Margaret, would he really want me?

He would! The first hint of a smile appeared on her lips. He certainly would.

***

An elderly woman held the little hand of a tall girl with a schoolbag and a bouquet. But if not for her height, youd think she was starting Year One for the first time.

And in a way, she wasgoing to school in person for the first time, aged ten, after three years of home tuition, always scoring As and Bs. Now, at last, Emily walked to school on her own two feet.

Gran, Im a bit scared.

Whats there to be frightened of, Emily? Youre already ten! And seehere come your mum and dad!

Why so glum, love? Helen asked as she caught up.

Shes nervous about school, Margaret explained.

Give me your hand! James offered his palm. Lets go.

With you, Dad, Im not scared at all, Emily grinned.

Together, they walked on, chatting and laughing, while Margaret and Helen followed, every bit as joyful and proud.