Soon after dinner, the whole family had left and the following morning, Jack and Michel returned to work. Over breakfast, I told them how I'd found out that my mother lived on Wicker Street and Michel and Jack promised to look into the matter before leaving for work. Lisa and I fell into our usual routine of gardening and cooking but despite keeping myself occupied, I couldn't help but notice just how empty the house felt. Lisa must have noticed my low mood as she tried to cheer me up.

"What do you want to today? A break from our usual routine would be nice, wouldn't it," she asked in a bright voice. I couldn't help but play along.

"Do you want to do some sewing?"

She blushed and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, completely avoiding my gaze.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know how to sew."

I looked at her incredulously for a second before realizing that she was speaking the truth. I burst out laughing, trying to muffle my laughs as Lisa gave me a stern look.

"Maybe I can teach you," I said and she nodded eagerly before I went upstairs to bring my sewing kit. For the next 2 hours, I taught her some basic stiches and then we spent the rest of the day sewing everything from baby hats to long scarves. I was smiling to myself as I looked up at Lisa who was sewing socks for the boys and I felt like I was glowing with happiness and joy. She looked up from what she was doing and frowned when she saw me staring at her.

"What?"

I shook my head and continued stitching, holding on to that almost giddy sensation of happiness that seemed to flow through me.

At around 7:00, the bell rang and I went to open the door. Outside, there were the 2 boys between whom stood a tall, beautiful woman who was wearing a crisp suit and a skirt, her hair neatly pulled back into a bun.

"Emma, this is Charlotte. She's my superintendent from work and she owns some properties on Wicker Street. I thought she might know something about your mother so I brought her home," explained Michel. Both he and Jack seemed very pleased with themselves as they waited for my reply.

"Oh well then please do come in," I said and stepped aside for her to enter. As Michel passed by me, I whispered a small thank you to him before following him into the sitting room; half-wishing Michel hadn't brought Charlotte home.