«Take him away, someoneanyone!»
«Laura, have you lost your mind? ‘Take him away’? Paul is your son! You can’t just hand him over like some unwanted thing!» Margaret stood in the middle of the kitchen, gripping a tea towel so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Laura sat at the table, fidgeting with the edge of the tablecloth.
«Mum, why are you making such a fuss?» She leaned back in her chair, feigning indifference. «Im not obliged to sacrifice my life for a child. Im only thirty-two, in case youve forgotten.»
Margaret sank into the chair opposite her daughter, her chest tightening with dread. Laura went on.
«Finally, Ive met a decent man, Mum. Andrew proposed. We want to move in together, start fresh.» Laura lifted her eyes. «But Paul Paul will just get in the way. You understand, new relationship, adjustments and all that.»
«Paul is only twelve, Laura!» Margarets voice trembled. «He needs his mother. Hell know youve tossed him aside for your new blokefor Andrew!»
She saw Laura flinch but her daughter quickly composed herself, waving a dismissive hand.
«Honestly, Mum, youre overreacting. Itll be fine.» Laura stood up and paced the kitchen. «I need to sort out my own life, dont you get it? I cant spend every waking hour fussing over him. Besides, hes old enough to manage without me. Boys his age are perfectly independent.»
Margaret stared at her daughter, barely recognising her. When had her sweet girl turned so selfish? She rose and walked to the window.
«No, Laura. I wont allow it. You cant abandon your own son like this.»
«Oh, here we go again!» Laura snatched her handbag off the chair. «I thought youd understand, support me. But nofine, Ill sort it myself.»
She stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Margaret remained frozen, staring at the closed door, her heart aching with foreboding.
Three months later, Margaret stood in a hotel banquet hall, watching her daughters wedding. Guests laughed, music blared, but there was no joy in her heart. She moved between tables, exchanging pleasantries, smiling mechanicallybut inside, unease gnawed at her.
Finally, she approached the newlyweds. Andrew was chatting animatedly with friends while Laura beamed beside him in her white dress.
«Laura,» Margaret touched her daughters shoulder. «Wheres Paul? I dont see him among the guests.»
Laura spun around, irritation flashing in her eyes. She grabbed Margarets arm and pulled her aside.
«Mum, have you gone mad? Why bring that up in front of everyone?»
«Where is your son? Hes not at your wedding?» Margaret pressed.
Laura pursed her lips, glancing away.
«Andrew he doesnt get along with Paul.» She spoke quickly, as if eager to drop the subject. «So Paul stayed home. No point spoiling the day, right? Hed have been bored anyway.»
Margaret stepped back, eyes wide. Her chest constricted.
«You left a twelve-year-old alone at home on your wedding daybecause your new husband doesnt like him?» Her voice shook with fury and hurt. «Laura, whats happened to you? Thats your son!»
«Mum, dont make a scene!» Laura hissed, glancing at the guests. «This is my day, my celebration. Dont ruin it with one of your lectures.»
Margaret turned on her heel and walked out. Laura called after her, but she didnt look back. Soon, she hailed a cab.
«Primrose Lane, number eighteen,» she told the driver.
The whole ride, Margaret thought of her grandson. Alone, abandoned. The boy had grown up without a fatherand now his own mother had betrayed him.
She climbed to the second floor and rang the bell.
«Paul, its Grandma! Let me in!»
Footsteps sounded inside.
«Gran, is that really you?»
«Of course its me. Open up, love.»
The lock clicked. The door opened. There stood Pauldishevelled, eyes red from crying. Margaret pulled him into a tight embrace.
«Gran,» he whispered shakily, «does Mum not love me anymore? She went to her wedding and left me here. Told me not to open the door for anyone.»
Margaret held him tighter, her throat tight.
«Paul, pack your things. Youre coming to live with me,» she said, pulling back to look him in the eyes. «Everything will be alright. I promise.»
While Paul packed, Margaret texted Laura: *»Pauls staying with me.»*
The reply came instantly:
*»See? I suggested that ages ago. Shouldve listened.»*
Margaret switched off her phone. She couldnt bear another word.
Her two-bed flat had just enough space for them both. Paul moved into Lauras old room. At first, he was quiet, withdrawn. But Margaret did her best to cheer him up.
«Paul, want to learn how to make the best pancakes in the world?» she asked one morning.
He nodded, and they stood side by side at the stove. She showed him how to mix flour, eggs, and milk just right.
«Gran,» he asked softly, shaping the batter, «why doesnt Mum ever call?»
Margaret hesitated, then gently ruffled his hair.
«People make mistakes, Paul. Big ones. But thats not your fault. Youre a wonderful boy, and I love you very much.»
Slowly, life settled. She enrolled Paul in swimming and coding classeshed always dreamed of making video games. He flourished, growing more confident by the day.
Years flew by. Paul grew from a shy boy into a tall, composed young man. Laura called only a handful of timesusually about paperwork or some document. Shed had a daughter with Andrew, and from the few social media posts, she seemed happy in her new life.
On Pauls eighteenth birthday, they celebrated quietly.
«Cant believe youre all grown up,» Margaret said fondly.
After the guests left, they tidied up together. She washed dishes; he dried.
«Paul, theres something you should know,» she said, turning off the tap. «The flat your mother lives inits yours.»
Paul froze, towel in hand.
«How is it mine?»
«Your father he passed when you were five.» She chose her words carefully. «But he left a will. The flat comes to you now that youre an adult. Your mother was just managing it until then.»
«Soits legally mine?»
«Yes. Entirely.»
For the next fortnight, Paul was quiet, thoughtful. Margaret didnt pry. He was a man now; hed figure it out.
Then, early one morning, her phone rang. *Laura.* She hadnt called in years.
«Mum, what have you done?!» The scream was shrill. «Why did you tell Paul about the will? Now hes threatening to evict us! Says hell take us to court!»
Margaret sighed, sitting heavily at the table.
«Laura, I did the right thing. That flat is Pauls. His father provided for him,» she said evenly. «But you wouldnt understand. Youve only ever thought of yourself. You never saw him, never cared how he wasyet you want his property? Not a chance.»
«Mum, have you lost it? Where are we supposed to go? I have a family!»
«Ask Andrew. Let him support youinstead of squatting in a boys home, a boy you threw out five years ago.» She paused. «I stayed quiet until Paul turned eighteen because I couldnt do anything sooner. But now, Ill help him get whats rightfully his. Dont try to change my mind.»
She hung up. Turning, she saw Paul in the doorway, a faint smile on his face.
«Thanks, Gran,» he said softly.
She smiled back.
«Well sort this, Paul. Well get your home back.»
He crossed the room and hugged her tightlyjust as shed hugged him on Lauras wedding day.
«Gran, youve been my mum and dad. I love you. Ill never leave you alone. Were familyyou and me. Dont ever forget that. «Gran, youve been my mum and dad. I love you. Ill never leave you alone. Were familyyou and me. Dont ever forget that. Margaret closed her eyes, breathing in the warmth of his embrace, the weight of years lifting just a little. Outside, the first light of morning crept through the curtains, soft and steady, like the quiet promise of a new day. She held him back, fiercely, knowing no legal document or blood tie could ever match the love that had carried them through. They werent just familythey were home.
