My husband walked out on me. He nicked the savings wed been stashing for a house and vanished. I was left in a tiny rented flat in Manchester with my sixmonthold daughter, Rosie. Then my motherinlaw, Margaret, heard the news, turned up at the door and announced:
Pack your things, love. You and Rosie will be staying with me.
I tried to refuse. Margaret and I had been at each other’s throats for years, never exchanging a kind word. When James bolted, she was the only one who actually reached out. My own mother said there was no room for me in her house, and my older sister, who lives with her kids at our mums, thought I should fend for myself. Even my mum kept dancing around the issue like she was at a ceilidh.
Thank you. Id be ever so grateful for a roof over our heads, I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
It was the first time Id ever said thank you to Margaret.
Dont be daft! Youre not a stranger, she laughed, scooping Rosie into her arms. Come on, love. Let your mum get her things sorted, and well leave her alone. Fancy moving in with Grandma? Of course you are. Ill tell you stories, take you for walks, braid your hair
She hummed a soft tune, and I could hardly believe my ears. All her life shed sworn shed never set foot in my bachelor pad.
So I packed, and we moved in with Margaret. She set us up in the big bedroom and took the little one for herself. I blinked, halfasleep, and she said:
Right, dear. The little one needs space, shell be crawling soon enough. I dont need much room myself. Make yourselves at home. Lunch will be ready in an hour.
For dinner she suggested steamed veg and boiled chicken, adding:
Youre breastfeeding, love. If you want, I can fry something, but a light meal is better for the baby. Its up to you.
The fridge was stocked with rows of tiny jars of baby food.
Time to try some new flavours, dont you think? If Rosie isnt happy, well pick something else. Speak up, darling, Margaret beamed.
I broke down then. Her unexpected kindness hit me straight in the feels. No one had ever cared for me and my little girl the way she suddenly did. She pulled me close and whispered:
Shh, love, shh. Men are odd creatures. I raised your James on my own after his dad left when he was eight months old. I wont let my granddaughter grow up without a proper family. Thats enough, youve had enough tears. Pull yourself together!
Through sniffles I told her I hadnt expected such warmth and thanked her:
Thank you, really. If it werent for you, I dont know where Rosie and I would be.
Me? Im the one who failed as a motherraised a boy who ran off. Ill try to fix what I can. Come, wash your face and head to bed. Tomorrow will be brighter.
We celebrated Rosies first birthday togetherjust the three of us, me, Rosie, and Margaret, my favourite grandma and guardian angel. We tucked Rosie in for her nap, sipped tea, and nibbled cake when the doorbell rang. Margaret went to open it.
Mum, meet Monica. Monica, this is my mother. Mum, can we stay with you for a while? I cant afford a flat, Ive got no job.
Hearing Jamess voice made my skin turn pale. I feared Margaret would let them in and kick Rosie and me out. Tears welled up again.
Get out! And take your girl with you. You stole from your wife and child, left us penniless. Thats what life handed you. Leave now. And you, Monica, watch outhe might do the same to you.
Id been dead wrong about Margaret. She became not just a second mother but my first. We lived under the same roof for six years, right up until I remarried. At my wedding she stood in for the brides mother. Rosie now goes to school, and a little brother is on the way. Margaret cant stop beaming at the thought of a grandchilds arrival.
