“How can you call me granny? Im only fifty with a bit extra. Do I look that old? she grumbled, setting a bowl of soup and a bread basket on the table.
Granny, put something on the table. Im starving, declared Michael as he stepped inside, hanging his dusty cap on the hook.
Tanya scowled.
I told you, Im not your granny! Fifty with a bit extradoes that make me ancient? she muttered, arranging the dishes.
Michael washed his hands and, passing by, gave her a light pat below the waist.
What else should I call you? Youve got a two-year-old granddaughterthat makes you a granny. And Im a granddad, proud of it, he laughed, slurping his hot soup.
Call me that at home, not in public. Remember yesterday at the shop? You shouted, “Granny, your wellies are over here!” Do you know how embarrassing that was? Everyone laughed behind my back.
Michael chuckled.
They werent laughing at you, but at old Mr. Thompsonhe dropped a tuppence and nearly got on his knees to pick it up, wailing like a banshee.
Tanya smirked.
So you bought him another?
Michael shrugged as he scooped another spoonful.
Felt sorry for him.
Tanya sighed.
Thats why money never stays in your pocket. Wasteful.
After the meal, as Tanya cleared the table, she hesitated before speaking.
Listen, Michael Anthonys coming, and it seems hes not alone.
Her husbands mood darkened at once.
What does he want here? Remember what he said last time? “Get out, youre nothing to me!” Left poor Nancy right outside the registry office and drove off. All because she supposedly met his best friend before the wedding. The poor girl wept, explaining hed only come by for a tape. But no, high-and-mighty Anthony wouldnt listen. Now hes dragging someone alongprobably some city girl hes waiting on hand and foot. Call him, write to him, do what you like, but hed better not show his face around me.
Tanya bowed her head guiltily.
Im sorry but theyll be here by evening.
Michael slammed the door on his way out.
Fine. Deal with them yourself.
Tanya sighed as she watched him leave. Stubborn as a mule, all because of Nancy. When Anthony announced hed marry her, Tanya had inwardly cringed. The girl seemed polite enough, but something rang false. And when Anthony left after their row, Nancy hadnt wept longshe married that very friend soon after. Where theres smoke, theres fire.
Tanya slid a pie into the oven. Michael would sulk, but hed come round. Shed missed her son terribly these eight years. Her daughter visited nearly every week, living close by, but Anthony, her eldesther heart ached for him. She wondered how long hed stay and prayed he and his father wouldnt quarrel again.
Anthony arrived when Tanya had nearly given up waiting. Michael had spent the evening teasing her.
Keep staring out that window, and youll wear a hole in it, hed laughed.
Anthony, my boy! Tanya rushed to embrace him, tears in her eyes. Youve grown so like your father. Then she noticed the little girl with a rucksack.
Oh, and whos this? Whats your name? Tanya bent down.
The girl offered a small hand. Im Katie. Who are you?
Tanya straightened and glanced at her son. Yes, who was she to this child?
Anthony set his bags by the door and sank onto a chair.
Mum, meet Katie. My stepdaughterher mother was Olga.
Tanya beamed and reached for the girl. Call me Granny Tanya. Youre my granddaughter now.
Katie looked at Anthony. Uncle Anthony, is it true? Is this lady really my grandma?
He nodded wearily. Yes.
Katie hugged Tanya politely. Hello, Granny.
Then Michael stepped into the room.
Whats this “uncle” business? And since when do we have a granddaughter?
Anthony rose and extended a hand. Hello, Dad. Forgive me for how we last parted. I was younghadnt seen real life yet.
Michael smirked. Seen enough now?
Anthony exhaled. More than enough.
His father pulled him into a firm embrace. Then welcome home, son. Tears glinted in both mens eyes.
Tanya sighed in relief. Peace, at last.
After supper, once Katie was asleep, Anthony explained.
When I left, I was furious. You didnt know the whole truth, and I didnt want to shame Nancy. That night, I went to say goodnightlike a fooland found her in the bushes with Victor. I meant to thrash him, but Nancy wouldnt have it. She screamed she loved him. So I walked away.
He continued, Thats past now. I went to London, stayed with my mate Paul, drank till my money ran out. Had to find work. Got a job as a store guard. Thats where Olga workedpetite, thin thing. One day, a customer snapped at her over change, and she fled to the back room in tears. I was having tea there.
“Want me to teach him a lesson?” I asked.
She smiled weakly. “If you did that to every rude customer, the shop would go broke.”
I said, “You should be used to it by nowwhy cry?”
She replied, “Its not that. My landladys evicting me and my daughter. Nowhere to go.”
“How olds your girl?” I asked.
Olga pulled out a photo proudly. “Three. My neighbour, Mrs. Liz, watches her while I work, but her sons taking her away and selling the flat. And my wages wont come till next week.”
She returned to the till, head bowed.
I didnt fall in love with her at first sightor even the second. I just pitied her. Anyone could see some cad had tricked and abandoned her. So after my shift, I offered her my room in the boarding house. She refused at firstscared, I supposebut eventually agreed. Better than the streets.
We lived as neighbours at first. She cooked, did my laundry. We swapped shiftsshe worked while I minded Katie. That girls no trouble, serious beyond her yearsmust take after her father. Olga wasnt like that. After six months, we became a proper family.
His voice grew heavy. Two years ago, Olga fell ill. We fought it, but six months back, she passed. A month before, I adopted Katie so she wouldnt end up in care. She still calls me “uncle.”
Olga was honesttold me Katies real father was out there, though hed left them. We even rowed over it oncedidnt speak for a week. Then she confessed: shed grown up in foster care, never knew her parents, and at eighteen, was cheated out of her council flat. After that, she vowed always to tell the truth.
Now Ive come to ask for help. Paul found me good workdecent pay. But I cant take Katie with me. Could you look after her while Im away? He looked at them pleadingly.
Michael and Tanya exchanged glances.
Of course shell stay, he said. But spend a week with us firstlet her settle.
And so it was decided.
Katie slowly warmed to her grandparents. She fed the chickens and tried to help Tanya. She was shy with Granddad Michael until he brought her a huge teddy bear.
Now Ive got Granddad Mike and Teddy Michael! she cheered, hugging it.
When Tanyas daughter visited with her own little one, Katie proved the best nursemaidplaying with the baby, pushing her pram.
And when Anthony returned three months later, she spotted him first.
Granddad! Granny! Daddys here! she cried, racing to hug him.
The adults wept. Katie had found her true family at last.
