My husband, Tom Harper, abandoned me. My motherinlaw, Margaret Harper, caught wind of it and showed up at my flat in Manchester. Tom had taken the savings wed been tucking away for a house£12,000, enough for a modest homeand vanished. I was left in a rented studio with sixmonthold Lily, our baby girl.
Margaret arrived, eyes bright, and said,
Pack a bag, love. You and Lily will stay with me.
I tried to refuse. For years Margaret and I had sparred, never exchanging a kind word. When Tom fled, Margaret was the only one who reached out. My own mother told me there was no room for me in her house. My older sister, who lives with her own children, also turned me away, insisting my mother would forever dance to the same old reel.
I muttered, Thank you. Ill be grateful for your hospitality, the first time Id ever said thankyou to Margaret.
She laughed, lifted Lily into her arms and cooed, Oh, youre not a stranger, dear. Come on, beautiful. Let Mum get ready, and we wont be a bother. Will you live with Gran, sweetheart? Of course you will. Gran will tell you stories, take you for walks, braid your hair
The soft rustle of Margarets cardigan made my ears ring. Shed always warned me to stay away from her old world. I packed a sack, and we moved into Margarets house. She set up a spacious bedroom for us while she slipped into a tiny room of her own. I blinked in disbelief as she said,
Whats the matter? The child needs room; shell soon be crawling. I dont need much space. Make yourselves at home. Dinner will be ready in an hour.
For supper she offered steamed veg and boiled meat, then added, Youre a nursing mother. If you prefer, I can fry something, but a light diet is better for Lily. Its up to you.
The fridge was lined with rows of baby jars, each a different colour. Time to try new flavours, dont you think? If Lily isnt pleased, well buy something else. Speak up, dont be shy, Margaret smiled.
The kindness overwhelmed me; tears spilled unchecked. No one had ever cared for Lily and me as fiercely as this woman Id long deemed my nemesis. She gathered me close and whispered,
Hush, girl, hush. Men are odd creatures. I raised your husband alone; his father left when he was eight months old. I wont let my granddaughter grow up like that. Enough crying, dear. Pull yourself together!
Through sobs I managed to thank her, Thank you, truly. If it werent for you, I dont know where Lily and I would be.
She replied, Im to blame for raising a reckless son. Here Ill try to mend what I can. Come, wash your face and get to bed. Morning will be brighter.
We celebrated Lilys first birthday togetherme, Lily, and Margaret, our beloved gran and guardian angel. We tucked Lily in for an afternoon nap, sipping tea and nibbling cake, when the doorbell rang. Margaret went to answer.
Mum, meet Sarah, a voice announced. Sarah, this is my mother. Mum, could we stay with you for a while? I cant afford rent; Im out of work.
Hearing my husbands voice, my skin turned pale. Fear clenched me; I imagined Margaret letting them in and throwing Lily and me out. Tears welled again.
Get out! Take your girl and go. You robbed your wife and child, left us penniless. This is the life youve earned. Leave now, and you, Sarah, watch outhe could leave you penniless too.
I had been terribly mistaken about Margaret. She became not just a second mother, but the first. We lived under one roof for six years, until I remarried. At my wedding she stood in the place of the brides mother. Lily now goes to primary school, and a new baby boy will join us soon. Margaret beams at the thought of a grandson, thrilled at the promise of another generation.
