**Diary Entry 8th October**
There was a knock at the door. I opened it to find a young woman standing there, looking nervous.
«Hello, does Alex live here?» she asked.
«Yes And you are?» I replied, eyeing her carefully.
«Are you his mother?»
«Me? His *wife*! What do you want, love?»
Her lip trembled. «He’s in hospital. They wont tell me anythingonly family can know. Can I come in?»
I sighed and stepped aside. «Fine, come in. But I dont get why youre so concerned about my husbands health. Who are you?» I gestured to the kitchen. «Go on, then.»
She perched on the edge of a chair, pulling a handkerchief from her pocket to dab her forehead. I busied myself at the stove, waiting for her to speak.
«Want some water?»
«No Actually, yes, please.»
«Going to keep me in suspense, are you? Did you come here just to sit?»
«Alex promised to marry me,» she blurted, then added, quieter, «This autumn.»
«Did he now?» I scrubbed at a pan. «Well, that *does* change things. Shame bigamys illegal, isnt it?»
«Im not here to joke.»
«Neither am I. Ive no patience for humour today.»
«He *is* marrying me this autumn. Once he divorces you, then»
«Hmph. Why come now? Why not wait till autumn? Whats your name?»
«Emily. Emily Carter.»
«Well, Emily, why not summer? Judging by that belly, you can barely see your feet. His doing?»
«Yes. Were expecting. He said hed file for divorce after your birthday.»
«Ah. Now it makes sense.» I gave a dry laugh. «Bloody typical. You know what they sayyou cant teach an old dog new tricks.»
«What? I dont understand.»
«Oh, *I* understand *you* perfectly. Where are you from?»
«A village near Leeds. I worked at the factory.»
«Come to conquer the big city, eh? And my Alex cant stand a babys cry. When are you due?»
«Two months.»
«Ha! No wonder hes hiding. Wants to spare his nerves. When ours were born, he moved in with his parentssaid he couldnt sleep for work. Mind you, his jobs hardly backbreaking.»
«Will you at least tell me how he is?»
«Why not? Stable but serious. Dont look so frightenedhell live.»
«What should I do?»
«How should *I* know? You didnt ask my advice before jumping into bed with him!»
«Im in my third year at unidistance learning. My mums got my little brothers at home. Ive nowhere to go. Alex said you two barely spoke anymorethat he only stayed for the kids.»
«Did he now?» My patience was hanging by a thread. «Give me your number and address. Ill be in touch.»
«What?»
«Once hes discharged, Ill call so you can collect him.»
«Collect him *where*?»
«Your mums. Your brothers.»
«Shes got no space!»
«Well, where are you living now?»
«A hostel.»
«Then thats where youll go. Dont eye *my* flatit was my nans, so its not part of any divorce. Why the blinking? Hes got no claim here.»
«Youre being cruel. We love each other.»
«Then a park benchll do. Now sod off while Im still calm. You remember the way out?» I tossed the pan into the sinknearly scrubbed through it by then.
—
Three days Alex had been in hospital after that crash. At first, the doctors were grim, but the stubborn git pulled through. I was exhausted, barely sleeping. Then they rangsaid hed been moved to a ward and *I* was to care for him.
And then *this*some pregnant girl sniffing after my home. Christ, I couldve dragged her by that thin hair of hers straight down five flights of stairs. But I was too worn out, body and soul.
I trudged to the hospital, mind racing. Didnt matter if I wanted to or nothad to go. To care for him? To give him hell? Oh, Id *nurse* him alrightright into regret. His timing was impeccabledidnt want to ruin my birthday, did he?
And there she was, Emily, on the bench outside.
«Mrs. Lucy! Mrs. Lucy!»
«Persistent, arent you? What now? Didnt I say everything?»
«Youre visiting Alex?»
«And?»
«Take me with you.»
I didnt answer. We walked in silence. On the bus, she sat beside me. I turned to the window like I didnt know her.
At the hospital, I introduced her as a niece. «Wait here. Ill see him first.»
Alex was alone in the wardno roommates yet. His leg was in traction.
He blinked awake when I entered, grinning like a pup. But my face killed the cheer.
«Hello, Alex.»
«Lucy! God, Im glad you came. Ive missed you.»
«Missed me, did you?»
From my bag, I pulled out his dinnerhot mash and bangers, his favouriteand slammed it onto the side table. My cheeks burned, sweat slick on my neck.
«Eat. Before its cold.»
«Lucy, why so red? You ill?»
«Worse. I waited for you through your army years, Alex. Went against my parents to marry you. Remember living on beans? The kids? The sleepless nights? And you forgot *all* of it?»
«How could I forget? Lucy, love, why bring this up now?»
«Because *this* isnt over.» My throat tightened.
«Lucy, whats wrong?»
«You stabbed me in the back, Alex. Straight through the heart.»
«Lucy, Im a fool. I didnt meanI swear, I was driving careful like you always say»
«How *could* you?»
«Lucy, well get another car, just let me heal»
«You idiot!» I flung oranges onto the table. «You think I care about the *car*?»
«Then what? That I nearly died? I look that bad?»
«Dont flatter yourself. Youll heal by autumnjust in time for the wedding.»
«What wedding?»
«Emilys. Didnt ask her surname, though.»
«*Who*?»
«The girl carrying *your* baby.»
«*What baby*? Lucy, have you hit your head?»
«*Me*? You knock up some girl, and *Im* mad?» The dam brokeI sobbed, furious.
«Lucy, let me call a nursethis is nerves» He struggled upright.
«*Nerves*? I *brought* her.» I flung the door open. «Emily! Get in here!»
She waddled in, hand on her back, scanning the roomthen froze at the sight of Alex.
«Wheres *my* Alex?»
«Whos *this*?»
«Are you joking?» She gaped. «*This* balding man isnt my Alex!» She fumbled for her phone. «Lookheres us together!»
I burst out laughing. «So you came to the *wrong Alex*?»
Alex looked ready to faint. Emily turned beetroot. I collapsed onto the empty bed, wheezing with laughter till tears streamed down.
«Wait» I caught Emilys arm as she fled. «Explain properly.»
Turns out *her* Alex had given my address by mistake. And the bastard wasnt even in hospitalhed lied to ditch her. No plans to divorce anyone.
Fates funny, isnt it? I couldnt leave Emily stranded. Helped her find a flat, collected her from the hospital, even chased down the real Alex for child supportteach him to mess with girls.
That useless sod doesnt see his son, but the checks come on time. He knows Ill find him if they dont. And I *remember* who gave out my address. Imagine if Id thrown my Alex out over this?
Good thing I took Emily to the hospital. She calls me «Mum Lucy» nowher guardian angel. When her boy was older, I set her up with a decent bloke from my circles. Saw her married, danced at the wedding.
So thats how Mum Lucy kept her happinessand gave some away, too.
**Lesson:** Lifes twists can be blessings in disguise. Sometimes, the last person youd help becomes family.
