«Someone take him away,» Laura said flatly.
«Laura, are you out of your mind? What do you mean, ‘take him’? Jack is your son! You can’t just hand him over like some unwanted parcel!» Margaret stood in the middle of the kitchen, gripping a tea towel so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Laura sat at the table, absently fiddling with the edge of the tablecloth.
«Mum, must you always be so dramatic?» She leaned back in her chair, feigning indifference. «Im not obligated to sacrifice my entire life for a child. Im only thirty-two, in case youve forgotten.»
Margaret sank into the chair opposite, her chest tightening with dread. Laura carried on.
«Ive finally met a decent man, Mum. Davids proposed. We want to move in together, start fresh.» She looked up. «But Jack Jack would just be in the way. You understandnew relationship, adjusting, all that.»
«Jack is twelve, Laura!» Margarets voice wavered. «He needs his mother. Hell know youve tossed him aside for some for David.»
Margaret saw her daughter flinch but Laura quickly composed herself, waving a hand dismissively.
«Dont be ridiculous, Mum. Itll be fine. I need a life of my own, dont I? Not to hover over a boy day and night. Besides, hes old enough to manage. Plenty of lads his age are independent.»
Margaret stared, barely recognising the selfish woman before her. When had her sweet girl turned into this? She stood, moving to the window.
«No, Laura. Absolutely not. You cant abandon your own son.»
«Oh, here we go again!» Laura snatched her handbag from the chair. «I thought youd understand, support me. But fineIll sort it myself.»
She stormed out, slamming the door. Margaret remained, staring at it, her heart heavy with foreboding.
Three months later, Margaret stood in a banquet hall, watching her daughters wedding. Guests laughed, music blared, but joy eluded her. She mingled, smiled, yet unease gnawed at her.
Finally, she approached the newlyweds. David was regaling his mates with some story while Laura beamed beside him in white.
«Laura,» Margaret touched her daughters shoulder. «Wheres Jack? I dont see him.»
Laura spun around, irritation flashing in her eyes. She yanked Margaret aside, out of earshot.
«Mum, are you mad? Why bring him up here?»
«Where is your son? Not at his own mothers wedding?»
Laura pursed her lips, glancing away.
«David doesnt get on with him. He stayed home. No point ruining the day, is there? Hed be bored anyway.»
Margaret stepped back, eyes wide. Her chest constricted.
«You left a twelve-year-old alone on your wedding day because your new husband doesnt like him? Laura, whats happened to you? Hes your son!»
«Mum, dont make a scene! This is my daydont spoil it.»
Margaret turned and walked out. Laura called after her, but she didnt look back. She hailed a cab.
«18 Primrose Lane,» she told the driver.
The whole ride, she thought of Jack. Alone. Hurting. A boy already without a father, now betrayed by his mother.
She climbed to the fourth floor, knocked.
«Jack, its Gran! Open up, love.»
Footsteps.
«Gran is it really you?»
«Of course, sweetheart. Let me in.»
The lock clicked. Jack stood theredishevelled, eyes red. Margaret pulled him into a fierce hug.
«Gran,» he whispered, trembling, «does Mum not love me anymore? She left me here. Said to stay quiet, not answer the door.»
She held him tighter, throat tight.
«Pack your things, love. Youre coming home with me.» She cupped his face. «Itll be alright, I promise.»
As Jack gathered his belongings, Margaret texted Laura: «Jacks moving in with me.»
The reply came instantly:
«See? I suggested that ages ago. Shouldve listened.»
Margaret turned off her phone. No more energy for this.
Her two-bed flat had space enough. Jack took Lauras old room. Those first days, he was withdrawn, quiet. But Margaret coaxed him out.
«Jack, fancy learning to make the best pancakes in the world?» she offered one morning.
He nodded, and they stood side by side at the stove, mixing batter.
«Gran why doesnt Mum even call?»
Margaret stilled, then smoothed his hair.
«Adults make mistakes, love. Big ones. But its not your fault. Youre wonderful, and I love you dearly.»
Slowly, life settled. She enrolled Jack in swimming and codinghed always wanted to design games. He flourished, growing steadier, happier.
Years slipped by. The shy boy became a tall, confident young man. Laura called a handful of times, only when she needed somethingpaperwork, a signature. Shed had a daughter with David, and from the rare social media posts, seemed content in her new family.
Jacks eighteenth birthday was quiet.
«Cant believe youre all grown,» Margaret said fondly.
After the guests left, they tidied up together.
«Jack, theres something you should know,» Margaret turned off the tap. «The flat your mother lives inits yours.»
He froze, towel in hand.
«How?»
«Your father passed when you were five. But he left a will. The flats yours now. Your mother was just the guardian till you turned eighteen.»
«So its legally mine?»
«Entirely. Your inheritance.»
For two weeks, Jack was pensive. Margaret let him be. Hed figure it out.
Then, early one morning, her phone rang. Laurawho hadnt called in years.
«Mum, what have you done?» she shrieked. «Why tell Jack about the will? Now hes threatening to evict us!»
Margaret exhaled, sitting at the table.
«Laura, it was the right thing. The flat is his. His father ensured that. But you wouldnt understand. Youve barely seen him in years, yet you want his property? No. Ask David to house younot live off a boy you cast aside.»
She hung up. Turning, she found Jack in the doorway, smiling faintly.
«Thanks, Gran,» he murmured.
She smiled back.
«Well sort it, love. Get whats yours.»
Jack hugged her tightjust as shed hugged him on Lauras wedding day.
«Youve been my mum and dad, Gran. I love you. Ill never leave you alone. Were family. Always. The morning sun spilled through the kitchen window as they stood together, the same way they had years before, making pancakes. Only now, Jack flipped the batter with confidence, laughing as it landed slightly lopsided. Margaret wiped the counter, watching him with quiet pride. Outside, the world moved on, indifferent to the quiet triumph of their little family. But here, within these walls, love had rebuilt what was brokenstronger, deeper, and unshakable.
