My husband has walked out on me. He grabs the savings weve been tucking away for a house and vanishes. Im left in a rented flat in Manchester with my sixmonthold daughter, Lily. My motherinlaw, Margaret, hears the news, shows up at the door and says,
Pack a bag, you and Lily can stay with me.
I try to refuse. Margaret and I have been at odds for years, trading barbs and never saying a kind word to each other. When John fled, Margaret is the only one who reaches out. My own mother tells me theres no room for me in her house, and my older sister, who lives with her own children, also says Im on her own. My mother has spent her whole life dancing to her own tune.
Thank you. Ill be very grateful for your hospitality, I mutter.
Its the first time I actually thank my motherinlaw.
Dont be ridiculous! Youre not a stranger, she snaps, scooping Lily into her arms. Come on, love. Let Mum get ready and we wont bother her. Are you going to live with Grandma, sweetheart? Of course you are. Grandma will tell you stories, take you for walks, braid your hair
Listening to Margarets soft chuckle, I cant believe my ears. Shes always warned me shed never get involved in my mess.
I pack my things and we move in with Margaret. She prepares a large bedroom for Lily and us, while she settles into a cosy little room of her own. I rub my eyes in disbelief, and Margaret says,
Whats the matter? The baby needs space; shell be crawling soon. I dont need much room myself. Make yourselves at home. Dinner will be ready in an hour.
She offers steamed veg and boiled meat for supper and adds,
Youre breastfeeding, so if you prefer, I can fry something, but a light diet is better for the child. Its up to you.
The fridge is stocked with rows of baby jars.
Time to try some new flavours, dont you think? If Lily isnt happy with this selection well get something else. Speak up, dont hold back, Margaret smiles.
I break down and start crying. Her unexpected kindness moves me to the core; no one has ever cared for me and my daughter the way she does, even though Ive always seen her as my chief adversary. She pulls me close and whispers,
Shh, dear, shh. Men are strange. I raised your husband alone after his father left when he was eight months old. I wont let my granddaughter grow up like that. Thats enough, youve cried enough. Pull yourself together!
Through my tears I tell Margaret I never imagined such warmth from her and thank her,
Thank you, truly. If it werent for you, I have no idea where Lily and I would be.
She replies, Im the one to blame for raising my son so irresponsibly. Ill try to make amends for what he did, as best I can. Come, wash your face and go to bed. Tomorrow will be better.
We celebrate Lilys first birthday togetherjust the three of us, my little girl and my new grandma and guardian angel. We put Lily down for her afternoon nap, sip tea and eat cake, when the doorbell rings. Margaret goes to answer.
Mum, meet Monica. Monica, this is my mother. Mum, can we stay with you for a while? I cant afford a flat because Im out of work.
Hearing my exhusbands voice on the other side makes my skin turn pale. I fear Margaret will let them in and throw Lily and me out. Tears well up.
Get out! Take your girlfriend with you. You robbed your wife and child and left us penniless. This is the life youve earned. Leave now, and you, Monica, be careful. He might abandon you too.
I was terribly wrong about Margaret. She becomes more than a second mother; shes the first. We live under the same roof for six years until I marry again. At my wedding, she stands beside me as the mother of the bride. Lily now goes to primary school, and a baby boy is on the way. Margaret is overjoyed about the arrival of her grandson.
