A woman peered into a bag and was horrified by what she found inside.
A boy gazed out the window and pleaded with his grandmother:
«Gran, when are we going outside?»
«Not today, loveits too chilly,» the woman replied. «And Ive got too much work to do.»
Margaret Adams knitted hats and scarves to sell from home, and today she had an order to finish. But her grandson, Oliver, kept pressing her to take him out.
«Alright, alright, youve worn me down,» she sighed. «Well go for a short walk, but not for longits freezing, and Ive got knitting to do.»
Outside, the playground was desertedeveryone else had stayed indoors to escape the cold. Oliver dashed about while Margaret shivered, her fingers going numb.
«Come on, Ollie, lets head back before we catch cold,» she called. But the boy was insistent, darting into the play tunnel and falling silent.
She called his name, and finally, he answered: «Gran, theres a doll herecan we take it?»
Margaret stepped into the tunnel and saw a handbag. A faint whimper came from inside. Her blood ran cold. She unzipped it and found a tiny baby wrapped in a thin blanket, its face blue from the cold. Clutching the child to her chest, she dialled 999 with trembling hands.
Paramedics and police arrived swiftly. The baby was rushed to hospital while Margaret and Oliver gave statements.
The officer praised Oliver: «Youre a proper little hero, lad. Well done.»
Margaret couldnt fathom how anyone could abandon their own flesh and blood. The officer just shrugged. «Youd be surprised what we seebabies left in bins, on doorsteps. Nothing shocks us anymore.»
She asked for updates on the baby, and the officer later confirmed it was recoveringmild hypothermia, but it would survive. «Another half-hour, though, and it mightve been too late,» he added.
The next morning, Margaret phoned the hospital. At first, the staff were hesitant: «Whats your relation to the child?»
«Nonewere the ones who found her,» Margaret explained.
Recognition softened the nurses tone. «Ah, youre the little ones saviours! Shes a girl, and shes doing well. You did a wonderful thing.»
«Can we visit? Bring anything she needs?»
«Normally not allowed, but for you, well make an exception. Nappies and formula would help.»
The next day, Margaret and Oliver arrived with supplies. The baby, tiny and perfect, brought tears to Margarets eyes. Shed brought a soft grey scarf shed knittednot for sale, just because shed felt like it. Now, she tucked it around the little girl, whispering a blessing.
Over the years, they checked in. The baby, named Sophia, was adopted by a loving couple after her mothers rights were terminated.
Eighteen years later, Margaretnow grey-haired but still spiritedbaked Olivers favourite chicken pie. Hed promised a surprise.
The door opened, and Oliver walked in with a young woman. «Gran, meet my girlfriend, Sophia. Were getting marriedits like weve known each other forever.»
Margaret beamed. «Oh, Ollie, thats wonderful! Welcome to the family, Sophia. Dont just stand therecome and eat!»
As Sophia unwound her scarf, Margaret froze.
«Thats a lovely pattern,» she murmured.
Sophia smiled. «Ive had it as long as I can remember. I hardly ever wear it, but I could never part with it.»
Margaret recognised it instantlythe same scarf shed given the baby all those years ago. Oliver had saved his future wife without even knowing it. Some things, it seemed, were meant to be.
