Granny gave a man money for the bus. Later, uninvited guests arrived at her door.
Mabel had spent her whole life as a schoolteacher, but now she was forced to sell vegetables at the market due to her meagre pension. Her son-in-law had moved his new wife into the flat, and her daughter, Emily, had returned home with her little girl. Mabel did what she could to help.
«Mum, I feel awful putting this on you. Out in the garden all day, then the market,» Emily would sigh.
«Dont fret, love. While Ive got the strength, Ill help you and little Lily. Youve done half the weeding in just two daysI could never manage it alone,» Mabel replied. «Besides, Lily needs new shoes for school. She cant turn up in those worn-out things, can she?»
So they carried on, helping each other, clinging to the hope that one day, joy would find its way to their doorstep. Of course, if Emily could just «pull herself up by her bootstraps,» maybe she wouldnt struggle so much.
One morning, Mabel set off to sell her produce. Her stall was in a prime spot, drawing plenty of customerssomething the other traders noticed, particularly an old acquaintance, Gladys. By the time Mabel arrived, Gladys had already taken her place.
«Sleeping in, were you? Sorry, love, but Ive nabbed your pitch. Itll take me an hour to pack up, then another to unpack, so youll have to make do somewhere else today,» Gladys announced.
Mabel didnt argueit wasnt in her nature. She set up nearby, laying out her goods. As it turned out, her neighbour, Susan, was selling beside her.
«Hows that son-in-law of yours? Still gone?» Susan asked.
«Still gone,» Mabel sighed. «Got his own life now.»
«Young ones these days dont want families or kidsjust to live for themselves. My lads the same, running off hiking instead of settling down,» Susan muttered.
The hours slipped by unnoticed. After lunch, a young man in shabby clothes appeared at the market.
«Blimey, is that a convict?» Gladys gasped, and the other traders stiffened.
The man approached Mabels stall. He dug into his pockets, empty save for dust, and asked,
«Missus, havent got a penny to my name. Could you spare a couple of apples? Ill pay you back.»
«Take them, love. But hows a strapping lad like you so broke?» Mabel shrugged.
«Had a bit of trouble, missus. Spent time insidegot into a scrap with a woman, stupid lad I was. But Im no killer, honest.»
«No family to help? Why go it alone?»
«Got some, but didnt want to call. Wanted to surprise em.»
«Wheres home, then?»
«Birmingham.»
«Thats a fair trek!»
The ex-con drifted off briefly. Near the market was a bus station, and Mabel watched as he spoke to a driver before shuffling back.
«Missus lend us a bit? Ill never make it home otherwise. Swear Ill pay you back once Im working,» he pleaded, eyes desperate.
«How much?»
«Twenty quid.»
Under the stunned stares of the other traders, Mabel handed him the money.
«Cant have you walking, can we?» she said.
«Thank you, missus! Im Paul. Whats your name?»
«Mabel.»
«Cheers, Mabel!» He hurried toward the bus.
«You daft old thing! Hell never pay you back!» Susan snapped.
«Folks ought to help each other. Were not animals,» Mabel murmured.
«Hes no better than one. A cons a con, wherever he is!»
Mabel waved her off and began packing up.
By the weekend, Emily had come down with a fever. Mabel gathered herbs from the garden and tended to her as best she could.
That evening, little Lily tugged at her sleeve, storybook in hand.
«Granny, read to me?»
«Course I will, love,» Mabel smiled, stroking her hair.
Outside, rain pattered against the windows. As logs crackled in the hearth and Emily laid the table, a knock sounded at the door.
The women exchanged glancesthey werent expecting anyone.
«Evening,» said the stranger stepping inside. Mabel squinted, then gasped.
«Paul?»
«Aye, its me, Mabel. Sorry it took so long to pay you back. Lifes been complicated.»
«Wouldnt have recognised you if not for those eyes!» Mabel laughed. «Look at yousuit and tie, clean-shaven! Proper gent!»
«Join us for supper,» Emily offered, flushing slightly.
Over the meal, Paul told his storywrongfully sentenced, three years inside.
«Back as head nurse at the clinic now, so if you ever need anything, pop by,» he finished, glancing at Emily.
A week later, a familiar car pulled up outside Mabels house. Out stepped Paul, a bouquet in hand.
«Emily, look! Your beaus here,» Mabel called from the window. «Reckon well have a wedding soon?»
«Well, well,» Emily laughed, hugging Lily close. «Looks like joys found our doorstep after all. Paul knelt in the garden with Lily, showing her how to plant marigold seeds, while Emily watched from the porch, her cheeks pink with something more than fever. Mabel stirred a pot of soup, humming an old tune, the kitchen warm with the smell of herbs and bread. The sun broke through the clouds, spilling gold across the yard, and for the first time in years, the house felt fullnot just with people, but with light.
