My husband, Mark Thompson, up and left. He took the nestegg wed been squirreling away for a house, bolted, and left me in a tiny rented flat in Manchester with our sixmonthold daughter, Lily. My motherinlaw, Dorothy Thompson, caught wind of the disaster and showed up at the door, insisting:
Pack a bag, love. You and Lily can crash at my place.
I tried to refuse. Dorothy and I had been sparring for years, each of us never hearing a kind word from the other. When Mark vanished, Dorothy was the only one who actually reached out. My own mum, Susan Clarke, told me there was no room for me in her house. My older sister, Helen, also turned me down, saying she was already living with her kids at Moms. And my mother kept on dancing around the issue like she was waltzing through a minefield.
Thanks. Ill be grateful for your hospitality, I muttered, for the first time ever managing a polite thank you to Dorothy.
No bother at all, dear! Youre not a stranger, she chirped, scooping Lily into her arms. Come on, beautiful. Let mum get ready and we wont be any trouble. Will you move in with Grandma, love? Of course you will. Grandma will read you stories, take you for walks, braid your hair
Hearing Dorothys soft, almost conspiratorial chuckle, I couldnt believe my ears. Shed always warned me to stay clear of her big plans.
I packed my things and moved in with Dorothy. She set us up in the spacious bedroom, while she settled into the little one. I blinked in disbelief, and she said:
Well, whats the matter? The child needs room to wiggle; shell be crawling soon. I dont need much space myself. Make yourselves at home. Dinner will be ready in an hour.
For supper she offered steamed veg and boiled meat, adding:
Youre a nursing mum, so if you like I can fry something up, but a light diet is better for the little one. Its up to you.
The fridge was stocked with a whole arsenal of baby jars.
This is the time for new flavours, isnt it? If Lily isnt thrilled, well pick something else. Speak up, dont be shy, Dorothy smiled.
I burst into tears. Her unexpected kindness was so moving that I felt my heart melt. No one had ever looked after me and Lily the way this womanwhom Id always considered the main antagonist in my lifedid. She pulled me into a hug:
Shh, love, shh. Men are odd creatures. I raised your Mark on my own after his dad walked out when he was eight months old. I wont let my granddaughter grow up like that. Thats enough, youve cried enough. Pull yourself together!
Through sobs I managed to tell Dorothy I hadnt expected such generosity and thanked her:
Thank you, truly. If it werent for you, I dont know where Lily and I would be.
Im the one to blame for raising a reckless son. Ill try to fix his mess as best I can. Come, wash your face and head to bed. Tomorrow will be brighter.
We celebrated Lilys first birthday togetherme, Lily and Dorothy, our beloved granny and guardian angel. We tucked Lily in for her afternoon nap, sipped tea, and nibbled cake when the frontdoor bell rang. Dorothy went to answer.
Mum, meet Monica. Monica, this is my mum. Mum, could we stay with you for a while? I cant afford rent; Im out of work.
Hearing Marks voice, my face turned pale. I feared Dorothy would let them in and kick Lily and me out. Tears welled up again.
Get out! Take your girl and go! You robbed your wife and child, left them penniless. Thats the life youve earned. Leave now. And you, Monica, watch outhe might leave you broke too.
Id misjudged Dorothy terribly. She became not just a second mother, but the first. We lived under the same roof for six years, until I remarried. At my wedding she stood in the motherofthebrides place. Lily now goes to school, and a new baby boy is on the way. Dorothy cant wait to meet her grandgrandson.
