Madeleine's earliest memories were shaped by the small, two-flat bungalow that became their new home. The first year they lived there was a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and the hope for a new beginning. The house wasn't large, but it was functional—a two-flat bungalow with four rooms in the first flat and three in the second, which was still unfinished. The second flat was still under construction, its bare walls and scattered materials symbolizing their ongoing efforts to build a stable future. The house they moved into was a modest two-flat bungalow, nestled in a quiet neighborhood where a fresh start awaited them. The first flat, which was completed first, had four rooms—a kitchen, a living room, and two bedrooms. The second flat, still under construction, had three rooms. Though it wasn't yet livable, they were grateful to have a place to call their own. The family settled into the first flat, where they would begin their new life together, despite the unfinished state of the second flat.
Raina, her children, and her mother, along with Raina's younger sister Jane and the twins—Tyrell and Kinsley—moved into the completed first flat. Jane, though still young, was a bit older than the twins, who were in their early twenties. The twins, having just entered adulthood, were focused on their own lives, which meant they weren't around as much to help with the household. Still, when they could, Tyrell and Kinsley would help out, though they were more concerned with their own paths.
For Raina's children, this house symbolized a fresh start. Madeleine, at just seven years old, didn't fully understand the significance of the move, but she could feel the difference in the air. The memories of the past were still vivid, but the present felt different—there was a sense of hope and stability now that they were in a new home. Their grandmother, who had always been a rock for the family, made sure they had what they needed. She provided clothes for every occasion, kept them well-fed, and made sure they felt safe. Her love and care became the steady foundation that everyone could rely on.
However, Raina's struggles continued. Though the family had managed to get into this new home, Raina's mental health was still a constant issue. Her bipolar disorder, which was undiagnosed at the time, often caused turmoil in their lives. When she was manic, Raina was energetic, full of ideas, and determined. But during her depressive episodes, she would retreat, leaving the family to cope with the fallout. Her mood swings affected everything. At times, she would grow irritable and distant, while at other moments, she would become excessively protective of her children. Raina's triggers were her children—their behavior, their needs, and sometimes even their presence. Her overly protective nature, while born of concern, sometimes felt stifling.
Madeleine and her siblings didn't understand the complexity of their mother's condition. They only knew that she was often unpredictable. One moment, Raina would be full of energy and making grand plans for the future; the next, she would be distant and withdrawn, saying strange things or even claiming to see things that weren't there. Her tendency to eye people suspiciously and make unhinged statements was unsettling to the children.
In the midst of all this, their grandmother remained a constant source of comfort. She stepped in whenever Raina couldn't manage things, ensuring that the children had what they needed. Despite her own challenges, Raina's mother was the pillar that held the family together, always there when things got tough.
The twins, Tyrell and Kinsley, were adults now, and their lives were shifting as they made the transition into full independence. They didn't contribute much to the daily running of the house, but when they did help, they offered what support they could. Tyrell worked when he could, and Kinsley was focused on finding his own way. Both were learning to navigate the world beyond their family home, and though they weren't always present physically, their presence was still felt in the house.
As for Jane, Raina's younger sister, she was a little older than the twins, but still young. She had just finished university and, though she lived far away, she visited when her academic schedule allowed. During these visits, Jane was a grounding force for Raina. She helped in practical ways, offering support with tasks around the house, keeping the children entertained, and providing Raina with emotional reassurance. Though Jane didn't send money home regularly, her visits made a significant difference. She often assisted in the completion of the house, helping with small jobs and bringing a sense of normalcy when things felt chaotic.
Raina appreciated Jane's help, but it was Hannah, Raina's older sister, who was the most financially supportive. Hannah, living and working in the city, was more settled, and although she couldn't visit often due to her busy schedule, she made sure to send money home regularly. It wasn't always a lot, but it helped the family survive during lean months. Hannah's contributions made life more bearable, and her occasional visits were always a welcome respite. Whenever she came home, her presence brought a sense of stability to the household, especially for Raina.
Despite living far away, Hannah was always a stabilizing force, providing the practical help the family needed when things got tough. She would check in on Raina and the children, making sure they were okay and sending any assistance she could. In return, Raina tried to shield her from the turmoil at home, not wanting to burden her sister with the weight of her mental health struggles. Though Raina wasn't always able to show her appreciation, she was grateful for everything that Hannah did.
As Raina tried to focus on her children and work through the instability of her mental health, the family continued to adjust to their new life. Their house, though unfinished, was becoming a home. And while Raina's episodes were difficult, they didn't define the family's life. The moments of joy—the times when the family gathered around the dinner table, when they shared stories and laughter—these were the moments that Madeleine would remember.
Though Raina's mental health was a constant challenge, the family was stronger than they seemed. They supported each other in ways they could, even if they didn't always have the answers. Through the love and dedication of their grandmother, the support of Jane and Hannah, and the presence of the twins, the family managed to survive the tough times. They may have been imperfect, but they were bound together by a fierce, unyielding love. And that, in the end, was what mattered most.
As the days turned into months, the family settled into their new rhythm, adjusting to life in the bungalow with a mixture of hope and tension. Madeleine, though young, began to understand the weight of her mother's struggles. She didn't fully grasp the complexities of Raina's mental health, but she could feel the shifts in the atmosphere at home. On some days, Raina was vibrant and full of energy, playing with her children and speaking excitedly about the future. But on other days, she would retreat into herself, her eyes distant, her words disjointed and erratic.
The fluctuations in Raina's moods were unsettling for Madeleine. She could sense when her mother was overwhelmed or when something was wrong, but she didn't know how to fix it. So, like many children in such situations, she learned to adapt. She became quieter, more observant, always watching her mother, trying to gauge her emotional state. This sensitivity would stay with Madeleine throughout her life, shaping how she interacted with others and how she learned to navigate difficult emotions.
Her grandmother's constant presence provided a sense of security in these times of uncertainty. While Raina was battling her inner turmoil, their grandmother remained the steady force in the house, making sure everyone had what they needed. She was a soft place to land when the world felt too heavy. Madeleine often found solace in her grandmother's gentle embrace, her steady hands brushing Madeleine's hair as she comforted her. It was in these quiet moments that Madeleine learned what it meant to be loved unconditionally.
But life wasn't always filled with such tender moments. Raina's episodes were unpredictable, and they created a tension that even the calmest of days couldn't erase. When Raina was manic, she would be full of ideas, talking rapidly, sometimes to the point of incoherence. On one occasion, she claimed to have seen a ghost—a tall figure in the hallway, she said, who had spoken to her in a language none of them could understand. When she became fixated on these beliefs, the house would become tense, the air thick with uncertainty. Madeleine didn't understand what was happening, but she could feel the unease in her mother's eyes and the worry in her grandmother's face.
Still, Raina tried to hold things together for her children. She worked tirelessly, trying to keep the household running smoothly, despite her mental health battles. When she could, she made sure Madeleine and her siblings had new clothes, food, and the attention they needed. But as the pressure mounted, Raina began to feel the weight of it all. There were moments when she would cry in private, overwhelmed by the burden of trying to be everything her children needed while battling her own mind.
Through it all, Madeleine observed her mother's struggle and resilience, even when Raina couldn't see it herself. It was this quiet strength, the way Raina fought to keep her family intact, that would stay with Madeleine in the years to come.