«Out of the Blue»
«Go on, scream all you like! I wish Id never had you!» The drunken shriek from the flat above hit Daisy the moment she stepped into the hallway.
«Muuuum!» A childs wail followed, long and pitiful, twisting Daisys heart as it always did.
«I said shut up! Whats wrong with you?» The neighbour, Natalie, bellowed again before something heavy crashed to the floor.
Daisy hesitated outside her own door, then climbed the next flight of stairs, debating whether to knock and offer help.
…Daisy had married youngeighteen, and convinced it was love. But her marriage turned out nothing like shed imagined. Within a year, she knew shed made a mistake. Her husband often worked late, staggering home at dawn, reeking of alcohol.
At first, she endured it, telling herself things would improve. They didnt. One evening, she came home early and found a blonde in their bathroomlike something from a cheap novel.
She didnt argue. Just packed a bag and left. Her husband didnt stop her. Didnt apologise. Daisy walked the pavement, suitcase in hand, with nowhere to go.
She couldve gone to her mums. But her stepfather and two younger brothers crowded their tiny two-bed flat. No room. And she had no close friends.
«Right. A hotel tonight, then find a flat tomorrow,» she muttered.
Headlights swept the pavement as a car slowed beside her.
«Need a lift, love?» A man in his forties peered from the window.
«No, thanks,» Daisy said, quickening her pace.
Rain pattered harder. No shops open. No shelter.
«Hop in. Ill drop you wherever,» the man said again.
«Im fine»
«Its freezing. Youll catch your death. Doctors orders.»
Reluctantly, Daisy climbed in. Her pulse raced.
«Where to?» he asked.
«I»
«You dont know, do you?» He eyed her damp bag.
Daisy flushed.
«How about my place?» He turned the car abruptly.
Her heart hammered.
«Dont look so scared,» he chuckled. «Im on night shift at the hospital. You can stay while Im gone. Names Simon, by the way. Simon Grant.»
«Daisy,» she mumbled, annoyed at her own nerves.
Soon, she was wrapped in a blanket on his sofa, sipping tea. Simon, true to his word, left for work. The flat was plainly a bachelors.
Daisy scoured rental listings. One reply came instantly. By morning, shed arranged a viewing.
She woke to the smell of coffee. Simon was back, humming in the kitchen.
«Morning!»
«Sleep well?» He smiled. «Flat sorted?»
«Yep. Thanks for last night.»
«Any trouble, just ask. Occupational hazardI cant stop helping.» He grinned.
…Daisy took the day off to secure the flata cosy one-bed near work at a fair price. By evening, she was unpacking.
The only downside emerged days later: Natalie, the neighbour upstairs, with her rowdy parties, raging till midnight.
«So, you bought this place?» another neighbour asked.
«Renting.»
«Smart. God forbid you buy with that one upstairs. Natalie the lush, we call her. Four kids, all different dads. Booze, benefits, no job. Older ones got taken into care, but she kept popping out more.»
Daisy nodded. «Ive heard the shouting.»
«Anyway, off to Tesco!» The woman waved dismissively.
Daisy approached Natalies doorthen jumped as it flew open.
«What dyou want?» Natalie snarled, hair wild.
«Im your neighbour. Just wondered if you needed help?»
«Help? You from social services?»
«No. I heard your little boy crying»
«That brats been whining all day. Oy, you got twenty quid?»
Daisy handed over the notes.
«Cheers!» Natalie slammed the door, thudding downstairs.
Daisy stepped inside. The flat was chaos. In the living room, a small boy curled on a chair like a kitten.
He startled. «Whore you?»
«Daisy. From downstairs. You hungry?»
He nodded. «Wheres Mum?»
«Shops. Whats your name?»
«Tom.»
She fetched pasta and biscuits from her flat. Tom wolfed them down.
Through the window, Natalie staggered back, carrier bag in hand.
«Mums coming. Id better go.»
Toms big grey eyes followed her.
…The next evening, Daisy froze. Ambulances and police cars crowded the street.
«What happened?» she asked the women on the bench.
«Natalies finally drunk herself stupid,» one tutted.
«Tomthe little boy?»
«Care home, I expect. Hell manage.»
Daisy darted upstairs, halted by an officer.
«Neighbour,» she gasped. «Wheres Tom?»
«Social workers got him. Reception centre, then foster care.»
«Can I see him?»
The woman in uniform frowned. «You family?»
«No, but»
«Visits are allowed.»
Daisy resolved to adopt Tom. She visited him weekly, bringing sweets and books. Soon, they were inseparable.
But adoption wasnt simple. Single, rentingofficials refused.
Leaving another rejection, Daisy barely noticed Simon approaching.
«Fancy a coffee?» he asked.
They started dating. Simon, unable to have children, had never married. Before their wedding, Daisy told him about Tom.
Papers were signed. Months later, Tom became their sonfinally with parents who loved him, and a new middle name: Simon.
