My husband walked out on me. He took the savings wed been hoarding for a house and vanished. I was left in a rented flat with my sixmonthold daughter, Poppy. My motherinlaw, Eleanor, heard the news, turned up at the door and said, Pack your things, you and Poppy can stay with me.
I tried to turn her down. Eleanor and I had been at odds for years, trading barbs and never exchanging a kind word. When my husband fled, she was the only one who reached out. My own mother told me there was no room for me in her house, and my older sister, who lives with her own kids, echoed the same sentiment. My mother kept on dancing around the issue as if it were a waltz.
Thank you. Id be grateful for your hospitality, I muttered, the first time Id actually said thank you to Eleanor.
She snapped, Dont be daft! Youre not a stranger. She scooped Poppy into her arms. Come on, love. Let Mum get ready and we wont be in her way. Will you move in with Grandma, dear? Of course you will. Shell read you stories, take you for walks, braid your hair
Hearing Eleanors soft chuckle, I could hardly believe my ears. Shed always warned me never to get close to my new home.
I packed my bag and moved in with her. Eleanor set up a spacious room for us and slipped into a cosy little one herself. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief, and she said, Whats the matter? The little one will need space soon; shell be crawling before you know it. I dont need much room. Make yourselves at home. Dinner will be ready in an hour.
For supper she offered steamed veg and boiled meat. Youre a nursing mum, so if you prefer, I can fry something up, but a light diet is better for the baby. Its up to you, she said.
The fridge was stocked with rows of baby jars. Time to try some new flavours, dont you think? If Poppy isnt happy with this selection well pick something else. Speak up, dont be shy, Eleanor smiled.
I broke down then, tears spilling over. Her unexpected kindness hit me straight in the chest; I was moved to the core. No one had ever looked after me and Poppy the way she did, despite always seeing her as my chief adversary. She pulled me close.
Shhh, love, shhh. Men can be proper oddballs. I raised your husband on my own after his dad left when he was eight months old. I wont let my granddaughter grow up any other way. Thats enoughstop crying. Pull yourself together!
Through my sobs I managed to tell Eleanor Id never expected such warmth from her and thanked her, Thank you, truly. If it werent for you, I have no idea where Poppy and I would be.
Im the one at fault for raising a reckless son. Ill try to make amends as best I can. Come, wash your face and get to bed. Tomorrow will be better.
We celebrated Poppys first birthday togetherme, my daughter and Eleanor, our beloved grandmother and guardian angel. After putting Poppy down for her afternoon nap, we sipped tea and nibbled cake when the doorbell rang. Eleanor 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 my exhusbands voice, I went pale. Fear surged that Eleanor would let them back in and throw Poppy and me out. Tears welled up again.
Get out! Take your girl and go. You robbed your wife and child, left them penniless. Lifes paying you back. Leave now. And you, Monica, watch outhe could abandon you too.
Id been wildly wrong about Eleanor. She became not just a second mother, but my first. We lived under the same roof for six years until I remarried. At my wedding she stood in the brides mothers place. Poppy now goes to school, and my youngest brother is due any day. Eleanor cant wait for the grandchilds arrival.
