“Someone take him away,” Laura said flatly.
“Laura, have you lost your mind? What do you mean, ‘take him’? Josh is your son! You cant just give him away like some unwanted thing!” Olivia stood in the middle of the kitchen, gripping a tea towel so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Laura sat at the table, nervously twisting the edge of the tablecloth.
“Mum, why are you making such a big deal out of this?” She leaned back in her chair, feigning indifference. “Im not obliged to sacrifice my life for a child. Im only thirty-two, in case youve forgotten.”
Olivia sank into the chair opposite her daughter. A knot of dread twisted in her chest. Laura carried on.
“Ive finally found a good man, Mum. Daniels proposed. We want to move in together, start fresh.” Laura met her mothers gaze. “And Josh well, hed just get in the way. You understand, dont you? New relationship, adjusting, all that.”
“Josh is only twelve, Laura!” Olivias voice wavered. “He needs his mother. Hell know youve thrown him aside for this for Daniel.”
Olivia watched her daughter flinch, but Laura quickly composed herself, waving a hand dismissively.
“Honestly, Mum, itll be fine. Stop overreacting.” She stood and paced the kitchen. “I need to sort my own life out, dont I? Not spend every minute worrying about him. Besides, hes old enough to manage without me. Plenty of lads his age are perfectly independent.”
Olivia stared, barely recognizing her daughter. When had her sweet girl turned into such a selfish woman? She rose and walked to the window.
“No, Laura. I wont allow it. Absolutely not.” Olivia turned back. “You cant treat your own child like this.”
“Oh, here we go again!” Laura snatched her handbag off the chair. “I thought youd understand, support me. But nofine, Ill deal with it myself.”
The door slammed behind her. Olivia remained in the kitchen, staring at the closed door, her heart heavy with dread.
Three months later, Olivia stood in a banquet hall, watching her daughters wedding. Guests laughed, music blared, but she felt no joy. She moved between tables, greeting familiar faces with forced smiles, her insides coiled with unease.
Finally, she approached the newlyweds. Daniel was animatedly chatting with friends while Laura beamed beside him in her white dress.
“Laura,” Olivia touched her daughters shoulder. “Wheres Josh? I havent seen him among the guests.”
Laura spun around, irritation flashing in her eyes. She grabbed Olivias arm and pulled her aside, as if afraid Daniel might overhear.
“Mum, are you mad? Why would you ask that in front of everyone?”
“Where is your son? Isnt he at his own mothers wedding?”
Laura pressed her lips together, looking away.
“Daniel doesnt really get on with Josh. Hes staying home. Didnt want to spoil the mood, you know? Hed have been bored around all the grown-ups anyway.”
Olivia stepped back, staring wide-eyed. Her chest constricted.
“You left a twelve-year-old alone on your wedding day? Because your new husband doesnt like him?” Her voice trembled with fury. “Laura, whats happened to you? Hes your son!”
“Mum, dont make a scene, please!” Laura glanced nervously at the guests. “This is my day. Dont ruin it with your lectures.”
Olivia turned without another word and walked out. Laura called after her, but she didnt look back. Soon, she was in a taxi.
“Rosemary Lane, number eighteen,” she told the driver.
The entire ride, Olivia thought of her grandson. How was he coping alone? The boy had grown up without a fathernow his own mother had abandoned him.
She climbed to the third floor and knocked.
“Josh, its Nana. Open up, love.” She leaned against the door.
Footsteps approached.
“Nana, is that really you?”
“Of course, darling. Let me in.”
The lock clicked. Josh stood in the doorwayhair mussed, eyes red from crying. Olivia pulled him into a tight hug.
His voice shook as he asked, “Nana, does Mum not love me anymore? She left me here alone. Said to stay quiet and not let anyone in.”
Olivia held him tighter, her throat tight.
“Pack your things, sweetheart. Youre coming to live with me.” She cupped his face. “Everything will be all right, I promise.”
While Josh gathered his belongings, Olivia texted Laura: *Josh is moving in with me.*
The reply came instantly: *See? I suggested that ages ago. Shouldve listened to me.*
Olivia turned off her phone. She couldnt bear another word.
Her two-bedroom flat had just enough space for them both. Josh took Lauras old room. At first, he was quiet, withdrawn, but Olivia worked hard to lift his spirits.
“Josh, want to learn how to make the best pancakes in the world?” she offered one morning.
He nodded, and soon they stood side by side at the stove, mixing flour, eggs, and milk.
“Nana why doesnt Mum even call?” he asked, shaping the batter.
Olivia stilled, then gently ruffled his hair.
“Love, adults make mistakes sometimes. Big ones.” She chose her words carefully. “But its not your fault. Youre a wonderful boy, and I love you very much.”
Slowly, life settled. Olivia enrolled Josh in swimming and coding classeshed always wanted to make games. Bit by bit, he grew more confident, more at peace.
Years passed in a blur. The shy boy became a tall, steady young man. Laura called only a handful of timesalways about paperwork or some document. Shed had a daughter with Daniel and, from the rare social media posts, seemed happy in her new life.
Joshs eighteenth birthday was a quiet affair.
“Cant believe youre all grown up,” Olivia said fondly.
After the guests left, they tidied up together. Olivia washed dishes while Josh dried.
“Josh, theres something important you should know.” She turned off the tap, facing him. “The flat your mother lives in its yours.”
Josh froze, towel in hand.
“What do you mean?”
“Your dad he passed when you were five.” Olivia spoke slowly. “But he left a will. The flat belongs to you now. Your mother was just the guardian until you turned eighteen.”
“So its legally mine?”
Olivia nodded.
“Entirely. Its your inheritance.”
For the next fortnight, Josh was unusually quiet. Olivia didnt pryhe was a man now, and hed work things out.
Then, one morning, the phone rang. Laurawho hadnt called in three years.
“Mum, what have you done?!” she shrieked. “Why did you tell Josh about the will? Now hes threatening to evict us! Hes talking about court!”
Olivia exhaled, sitting at the kitchen table.
“Laura, I did the right thing. That flat is his. His father made sure of it.” Her voice was calm. “But you wouldnt understand. Youve only ever thought of yourself. Years without seeing your son, never caring how he was. And now you want to keep whats his? No.”
“Mum, where are we supposed to live? I have a family!”
“Ask Daniel. Let him take care of younot live off a boy you threw out five years ago.” Olivia paused. “I kept quiet until Josh turned eighteen because I couldnt act sooner. But now, Ill help him get whats rightfully his. Dont try to change my mind.”
She hung up and turnedJosh stood in the doorway, a small smile on his face.
“Thank you, Nana,” he said softly.
Olivia smiled back.
“Well sort this, love. Your home will be yours again.”
Josh hugged her tightly, just as shed hugged him on Lauras wedding day.
“Nana, youve been my mum and dad. I love you so much. Ill never leave you alone. Were familyproper family. Dont ever forget that.”
