«Out of the Blue»
«Shout all you want! Youll be the death of me, I swear!» Dasha heard the slurred voice of her upstairs neighbour before shed even stepped into the building.
«Muuuum» A childs drawn-out wail followed, and Dashas heart clenched with familiar, helpless pity.
«I told you to shut it! Whats wrong with you?» The neighbour, Natalie, bellowed again before something heavy thudded to the floor.
«Muuuum» The crying resumed.
Dasha hesitated, walking past her own flat and pausing on the stairwell. Part of her wanted to knock and offer help, but she lingered, unsure
Dasha had married youngat eighteen, convinced it was love. But married life turned out nothing like shed imagined. Within a year, she knew shed made a mistake. Her husband often worked late, stumbling home in the early hours, reeking of booze.
At first, she endured it, telling herself things would improve. They never did. One evening, she came home earlylike something out of a cheap noveland found a pretty blonde in their bathroom.
She didnt argue. Just packed her things and left. He didnt stop her. Didnt apologise. Dasha wandered the pavement, clutching her bag, lost.
She couldve gone to her mums. She nearly called but changed her mindher stepfather, two younger brothers crammed into a tiny flat. No space. And she had no close friends.
«Right, a hotel tonight, then find a flat tomorrow,» she muttered.
Headlights swept over her as a car slowed.
«Need a lift, love?» a mans voice called.
She turned. A man in his forties peered from the drivers seat.
«No, thanks,» she said, quickening her pace.
Raindrops pattered harder. No shops open. No shelter.
«Come on, hop in. Ill drop you wherever,» the man insisted.
«Im finereally.»
«Youll catch your death dressed like that. Doctors orders,» he joked.
Dasha gave in. Her heart pounded as she slid into the passenger seat.
«Where to?» he asked.
«I»
«Not sure?» He eyed her damp bag.
She flushed.
«Right, my place then,» he said abruptly, turning the car.
Her pulse spiked.
«Dont look so startled,» he laughed. «No funny business. Ive a night shifthospital. Tomorrow, well sort you out. Im Simon, by the way. Simon Carter.»
«Daisy,» she mumbled, cringing at her own awkwardness.
Minutes later, she sat wrapped in a blanket on his sofa, sipping tea. Simon had left for work. The flat was tidyno sign of a wife.
Daisy scrolled rental listings, firing off messages. One reply came instantly. By morning, shed arranged a viewing.
She woke to the smell of coffee. Simon was back, whistling in the kitchen.
«Morning!»
«Sleep well?» he asked.
«Good, thanks. Found a flat to view today.»
«Need help, just ask.»
«Youve done enough.»
«Occupational hazardsaving people.» He grinned.
Daisy took the day off to secure the flata cosy studio near work, affordable. She signed the lease, moved in that evening.
The only downside? Natalieher raucous parties, laughter echoing past midnight.
«You bought this place?» a neighbour asked one day.
«Renting.»
«Smart. God help anyone buying near *that one* upstairs. Natalieour local lush,» the woman sniffed.
«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.»
Daisy nodded. «Ive heard.»
The neighbour waved dismissively and left.
Daisy approached Natalies door. Raised her handthen it swung open.
«What dyou want?» Natalie snarled, dishevelled.
«Your neighbour. Just wondered if you needed help?»
«Help? You from social services?»
«No. Heard your little boy crying»
«That brat? Listen, 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. «Mum gone?»
«Shop. Ill fetch food.»
She dashed down, returned with pasta, sausages, biscuits. The boyTheowolfed it down.
Through the window, Daisy saw Natalie returning.
«Your mums back. Ill go.»
Theo just stared with wide grey eyes.
Next evening, Daisy frozepolice cars, an ambulance outside.
«What happened?» she asked neighbours.
«Natalies finally drunk herself senseless,» one tutted.
«Theothe boy?»
«Care home. Hell manage.»
Daisy bolted upstairs, stopped by an officer.
«Neighbour. Wheres Theo?»
«Social workers got him. Foster care next.»
«Can I see him?»
A woman in uniform frowned. «You family?»
«No, butcan I visit him?»
«Fine.»
Daisy visited Theo weeklyfirst the care home, then foster care. They grew close.
But adoption hit hurdles. Single, rentingrejected.
Leaving the council office, heart heavy, she heard:
«Need a lift?» Simon stood there, smiling.
«Daisy! Fancy seeing you here.»
«Coffee shop regular. Funny weve not run into each other.»
They began dating. Simon confessed he couldnt have children. Before marrying, Daisy told him about Theo.
They wed, filed the paperwork. Months later, Theo became Theo Carterwith parents who adored him.
