«You won’t see your granddaughter again,» declared my daughter-in-law before blocking my number.
«Margaret, would you mind if I washed up? I need something to keep my hands busy,» offered Emily, peering into the kitchen where her mother-in-law sat reading the newspaper.
Margaret set down the paper and studied her daughter-in-law. Emily stood in the doorway in her usual dressing gown, hair loosely tied back, but her eyes were oddly brightalmost feverish.
«Dont trouble yourself, dear. You worked late on that presentation last night. Ive got this,» Margaret replied, folding the newspaper neatly.
«Really, let me help. You do so much around the house, and I feel like Im just in the way,» Emily insisted, already moving toward the sink.
Margaret frowned. Something about Emilys behaviour unsettled her. Normally, her daughter-in-law was reservedalmost tensein her presence. Now she fussed like a schoolgirl before exams.
«Wheres Sophie?» Margaret asked, referring to her four-year-old granddaughter.
«Still asleep. She stayed up late watching cartoons,» Emily answered, scrubbing a plate with unusual vigor.
Margaret stepped closer, standing beside her at the sink. Emily smelled of the familiar perfume Andrew had gifted her last birthdaybut there was something else, too. Anxiety, perhaps.
«Emily, love, whats the matter? You seem rather worked up today,» Margaret said gently.
Emily froze, the wet plate still in her hands. Her shoulders tensed, fingers gripping the porcelain tighter.
«Nothing, really. Just tired, I suppose.»
«And wheres Andrew? He promised to take Sophie to the park today.»
«Andrew wont be coming,» Emily said sharply, slamming the plate into the drying rack with a clatter that made Margaret flinch.
«What do you mean? He told me just yesterday»
«Margaret,» Emily turned slowly, revealing red-rimmed eyes. «We need to talk.»
Margarets heart quickened. She sank into a chair, legs suddenly weak.
«Sit down, love. Tell me whats happened.»
Emily remained standing, drying her hands with such force it seemed she might rub her skin raw.
«Andrew and I are getting a divorce.»
The words fell into the quiet kitchen like stones into still water. Margaret felt something inside her snap, as though every string holding her together had been cut at once.
«Divorced? Butjust last night, everything seemed fine! You had dinner together, Sophie recited her little poem…»
«Margaret, weve been strangers for six months. We only pretended for Sophies sake. But I cant do it anymore.»
Margaret tried to stand, but her legs wouldnt obey. She clutched the edge of the table instead.
«But why? Whats happened? Cant it be fixed? Should I speak to Andrew?»
Emily gave a bitter laugh.
«Talking wont change anything. He packed his things last night and left. For *her*.»
«Who?» Margaret whispered, though deep down, she already knew.
«His new fling. Lily, from the office. The one hes been gushing about for monthshow clever she is, how she *understands* him.»
Emily sat across from Margaret, placing trembling hands on the table.
«I know you love him. Hes your only son. But he betrayed our family.»
«Darling,» Margaret reached for Emilys hands, but she pulled away. «Men sometimes lose their heads. Itll pass. Andrew will come to his senses. He loves Sophie»
«Loves her?» Emilys voice was sharp. «So much that hell see her on weekends. How convenientno responsibility, just the fun bits.»
«And you? You loved him once…»
Emily closed her eyes, dragging a hand over her face.
«I did. For five years. Gave up my career because he wanted a housewife. Cooked, cleaned, raised his childwhile he flirted with secretaries.»
Margarets throat tightened. Shed always suspected something was offtoo many late nights, too many sudden business trips.
«Emily, are you sure? Maybe its just a rough patch»
«He told me outright, Margaret. He loves someone else. He only stayed for Sophie.»
Tears spilled down Emilys cheeks, but her voice stayed steady.
«So what happens now?» Margaret whispered.
«Im filing for divorce. Sophie stays with me. Were moving to my mothers in Manchester.»
«Manchester?» Margaret gasped. «Thats so far!»
«Because everything here reminds me of him. And because Mums offered me a job.»
Margaret stood, walking to the window. Children played outsideamong them, Sophies little friend. Her heart ached.
«And Sophie? Her nursery, her friends… Shes used to me.»
«Shell adjust. Children do.»
«Emily, I understand youre angrywith Andrew, with me. But why punish me? Ive done nothing wrong.»
Emily whirled around.
«Nothing? Who spent years telling Andrew he was special, that rules didnt apply? Who excused every tantrum, every selfish act?»
«I loved him»
«Loved him? Or spoiled him?» Emilys voice turned cold. «Remember when he dumped his first girlfriend at uni after she got pregnant? You said, *Good lad, dodged a bullet there.*»
Margarets face burned.
«That was years ago»
«Or when he skipped his child support? *She shouldve thought before having a baby.* And now youre shocked hes done it again?»
«Emily, please»
«How else should I say it?» Emily stepped closer. «You raised a selfish man, Margaret. And now Im supposed to stay quiet?»
Sophie appeared in the doorway, still in her princess pyjamas, rubbing sleepy eyes.
«Mummy, why are you shouting?»
Emilys expression softened instantly. She knelt before her daughter.
«We werent shouting, sweetheart. Just talking. Go wash upIll make breakfast.»
«Wheres Daddy? He promised the park.»
Margaret and Emily exchanged glances. Sophies trusting eyes made Margarets chest tighten.
«Daddy… cant today,» Emily said quietly. «Hes busy.»
«Tomorrow?»
«I dont know, darling.»
Sophie frowned but padded off to the bathroom. Once the door closed, Emily straightened.
«Now I have to explain why her father left.»
«Emily,» Margaret reached for her hands. «I know youre angry. But think of Sophie. She loves mewhy take me away?»
«Because youll teach her men can do as they please. That women should endure in silence. I wont let her repeat my mistakes.»
«Id never»
«You *would*,» Emily cut in. «Remember when Andrew hit me after Sophie was born? I came to you in tearsyou said, *Men get stressed with babies. Be wiser.*»
Margaret paled. She rememberedand at the time, shed thought it sound advice.
«But he never did it again»
«Because I warned him Id leave. Not because he changed.»
Sophies off-key singing drifted from the bathrooma morning ritual that now felt like goodbye.
«When do you leave?» Margaret asked, voice trembling.
«Tomorrow. The tickets are booked.»
«*Tomorrow?* Cant you waitjust till the weekend?»
«Delaying will only make it harder for Sophie.»
«And what about me?» Margaret whispered. «Isnt it hard for me?»
Emily turned to the window.
«You shouldve thought of that sooner. When you were raising him.»
Sophie burst in, cheeks pink from washing.
«Mummy, can we go to the park with Granny? Theyve got new swings!»
Margaret looked pleadingly at Emily.
«Of course, sweetheart,» Emily said after a pause. «Go with Granny.»
Sophie clapped and dashed off to dress. Margaret watched her go before turning back.
«Is this the last time?»
«Yes.»
«Emily, Im begging youdont cut me out completely. We could call, I could visit»
«No,» Emily said firmly. «You wont see Sophie again. Ill block your number, and well start freshwithout you.»
Margarets world crumbled. She covered her face, shoulders shaking.
«You know Ill die without her.»
«And I nearly died *with* your son. Now its my turn to live.»
Sophie bounded in, already dressed.
«Granny, come on! I want to go on the slide!»
Margaret wiped her eyes, taking Sophies hand.
«Lets go, darling.»
At the park, Sophie swung high, laughing, chattering about a new cartoon. Margaret memorised every giggle, every wordknowing tomorrow, theyd exist only in memory.
«Granny, why are you crying?» Sophie asked, hopping off the swing.
«Just the wind, sweetheart.»
Back home, Emily was packing. Sophie frowned at the suitcases.
«Mummy, where are we going?»
«To Grandma Roses. Itll be fun.»
«Is Daddy coming?»
«No. Hes staying here.»
«And Granny Margaret?»
Emily glanced at Margaretjust for a second, something like regret flickered in her eyes.
«Grannys staying too.»
«But I *want* Granny!» Sophie wailed. «She reads me stories!»
«Ill read to you in Manchester,» Emily soothed.
«But you dont do the voices like Granny!»
Margaret knelt, hugging Sophie tightly.
«My darling girl. Youll be with Mummy, and Ill love you every day from here.»
«Will we come back?»
«I dont know, sweetheart.»
Sophie cried harder, clinging to Margaret, who stroked her hair, feeling something inside her shatter.
«Emily, please,» she whispered. «Look how upset she is.»
«Its kinder to adjust now than drag it out,» Emily saidbut her voice wavered.
That night, as Sophie slept, Margaret tried one last time.
«I know I failed. But give me a chance to do better.»
«Its too late, Margaret.»
«What if I talk to Andrew? Make him come back?»
Emily laughed bitterly.
«You couldnt. Hes too enamoured with his new life. And I wont *want* a man who has to be forced to love his family.»
The next morning, Margaret stood on the doorstep as they loaded into a taxi. Sophie sobbed, refusing to let go.
«Granny, come *with* us!»
«I cant, my love.»
Emily buckled Sophie in, then met Margarets gaze before shutting the door.
«Goodbye, Margaret.»
«Goodbye, love.»
The taxi pulled away. Margaret stood frozen until Mrs. Thompson from next door approached.
«Margaret, whats happened? Wheres Emily gone?»
«Gone for good,» Margaret murmured.
Inside, the house felt hollow. A half-eaten breakfast sat on the tableand Sophies forgotten stuffed bunny.
Margaret clutched it to her chest, tears falling freely. She knew, with terrible certainty, that her life as she knew it was over.
