Oh, my boys arrived! exclaimed Evelyn, her eyes bright.
Nicholas pressed his battered flat cap to the doorway. Hey, mum, he said, pausing, Im not alone. He nudged a skinny lad in spectacles, a knapsack slung over his shoulders, forward.
Oh, dear me, the grandchild is here! Is that Tom or Jack? I cant tell without his glasses.
Nicholas dropped onto a chair.
Put them on then. This is Basil, my illegitimate son. Remember when Mabel and I took a year apart? I was with Valerie then, and Basil was born. I foolishly put his name on the birth register, Nicholas sighed.
Evelyn snapped at him, Why are you babbling about a child? Hes too young to know about your tangled past. Basil, go to the sittingroom and watch the telly while we sort things out with your father.
The boy slipped out in silence and trudged to the next room. Evelyn whispered, Does Mabel know about him?
She never liked my sons wifeshe was a quarrelsome, sharptongued woman.
Nicholas shivered. What, mum? If shed found out shed have fled the house barefoot long ago. I feel sorry for him; I built him up from the ground with my own hands.
Evelyn sighed, Youre a proper mess, my son. Not a man, but a drifter, forever under Mabels heel. How you managed to have a son on the sidemiraculous. And why bring him here? If Mabel learns, Ill be in trouble.
Nicholas, nervous, tried to explain, Valerie, that snake, was about to marry. She ran off south with a new fella for a month, can you imagine? She called me, said, Take the boy wherever you like, bring him home. I told her Id lost my mind, that I have a wife whod throw us both out. She threatened me, said shed make life hard. Ill give Mabel the birth certificate and youll sort it out. Thatll be the end for me. She barely forgave Valerie; didnt speak to me for half a year. So I thought, let him stay with you a month, then Ill come back and fetch him, he stammered, never meeting his mothers gaze.
Evelyn shook her head, Thats the boy you were as a child, and you never changed. Whatever youve done, Ill help. Fine, where shall we put him? Keep the lad. Justhes not of our kind, she hesitated, Are you sure hes yours?
Nicholas waved his hand, My son, no doubt. Valeries no saint, but Im a loyal old woman.
Silence fell. Evelyn sprang up, Why am I just sitting here? Lets at least give him something to eat from the road.
Nicholas rose, Sorry, mum, but I must go. Mabels waiting at home. I told her I was heading to town for spare parts. Feed Basil, and Ill be off.
Evelyn hugged her wayward son and whispered, God be with you, my dear blood.
Basil ate quickly, eyes never leaving the plate.
Want more? Evelyn asked, pitying how fast he finished.
No, thank you, he said, rising from the table.
Go out for a walk while I finish dinner. Whats in your knapsack? she asked.
Things, he muttered.
Evelyn nodded, Will you wash them yourself or shall I?
For the first time he looked up, frightened, I cant. Mum always did the washing.
She lifted his small rucksack, Off you go, Ill rinse whats dirty.
He left and she began sorting the modest belongings: two tshirts, a pair of shorts and a couple of underpants.
Not much, she mused, Not even a warm sweater. Typical mothers lot. She soaked the clothes in a basin and turned to a cherrytopped cake.
A cry pierced the street. Evelyn bolted out, flour still on her hands.
Whats happened?
Basil wailed, clutching his leg, A goose pecked me! Tears streamed from his eyes.
Why did you go near them? They were grazing over there, and you were in the yard, she asked, eyeing the red spot on his shin.
I just wanted to look at them, Basil sniffed.
Youve never seen geese before? she wondered.
I have, but never up close, he whispered.
Alright, lets get you inside, Ill rub some ointment on that, she said, taking his hand.
After dinner she laid him on the sofa and lay awake, the night feeling odd. Shed never sent her own grandson to a strangers house. Perhaps she was still that stubborn old woman, the boys trousers worth more than anything else. Then she heard soft sobbing. Listening, it sounded like a boys whimper. She crept to him, Whats wrong, love? Dont you like staying here? Wait a month, and Mum will fetch you back.
He lifted his head, whispering, She wont. I heard Aunt Vera and Uncle Victor say when they come, Ill be sent to a boarding school, only visited at holidays. I want to stay with Mum; Uncle Colin never calls me by name. Grandmother, youre kind, but Im no use to you.
Evelyns heart clenched. She embraced his thin frame.
Dont cry, Basil. I wont let you be hurt. Shall I talk to your mother and keep you with me? We have a good school here, teachers, well pick mushrooms and berries, milk our cow. Youre frail now, but the fresh milk will give you strength. Dont believe me? Tomorrow Ill introduce you to Peter, a good lad, plump as a bun from milk. Want that?
He hugged her neck, I do. Will you keep your promise?
She kissed his crown gently, Of course.
Years slipped by. Valerie sometimes visited, bringing gifts, always hurried away by Victor. Nicholas appeared now and then. Mabel learned of Basil and blamed not her husband but Evelyn, insisting she didnt need her grandchildren, preferring odd little trinkets instead. Evelyn cared little. The skinny boy grew into a sturdy lad. Each morning she prepared his favourite meals, peeking out the window, waiting.
One day a young soldier entered the house, calling softly, Grandma, Im here, where are you?
She rushed out, throwing her arms around his neck, Basil, my dear grandson!
Will you go back to mother? she asked. He set his fork down, surprised, To which one? The one who abandoned me and only once a year brought trinkets? No, I wont go. My mother is you, and thats final, he said, calmly eating.
Evelyn brushed away a tear, grateful for the grandson who now steadied her old age. His blood, her blood, a quiet comfort at last.
