Claires husband James abandons her. He takes the savings they were putting toward a house and flees. She is left in a rented flat in Manchester with her sixmonthold daughter Lucy. Margaret, Jamess mother, hears the news, shows up at the door and says:
Pack your things, youll stay with me and Lucy.
Claire tries to refuse. She and Margaret have been at odds for years, never exchanging a kind word. When James runs off, Margaret is the only one who reaches out. Claires own mother tells her theres no room for her at home, and her older sister also objects, saying she lives with her own children at their mothers house. Claires mother has spent her whole life dancing like a West End star.
Thank you. Ill be very grateful for your hospitality, Claire mutters.
Its the first time she actually says thank you to Margaret.
Come off it! Youre not a stranger, Margaret replies, scooping up her granddaughter. Come on, love. Let mum get ready and we wont bother her. Will you live with grandma, darling? Of course you will. Grandma will read you stories, take you for walks, braid your hair
Hearing Margarets soft murmur, Claire cant believe her ears. Margaret has always warned her to stay away from her old ways.
Claire packs and moves in with Margaret. Margaret arranges a large bedroom for them and settles herself into a smaller one. Claire rubs her eyes in disbelief as Margaret says:
So? The baby needs space, shell start crawling soon. I dont need much room myself. Make yourselves at home. Lunch will be ready in an hour.
Margaret offers steamed vegetables and boiled meat for dinner and adds:
Youre a nursing mother. If you prefer, I can fry something, but a light diet is better for the baby. Its up to you.
The fridge is stocked with a whole row of babyfood jars.
Time to try new flavours, dont you think? If Lucy isnt happy with this selection well buy something else. Speak up, dont be shy, Margaret smiles.
Claire breaks down, tears streaming. Margarets unexpected kindness moves her deeply; no one has ever cared for her and Lucy like this woman, whom she once considered her greatest enemy. Margaret pulls her close:
Shh, dear, shh. Men are strange. I raised your husband alone. 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 her tears Claire explains she never expected such generosity and thanks her:
Thank you, thank you so much. If it werent for you I dont know where Lucy and I would be.
Margaret replies, Im to blame I raised my son irresponsibly. Ill try to fix what I can now. Come, wash your face and go to bed. Tomorrow will be better.
They celebrate Lucys first birthday together Claire, Lucy and Margaret, their beloved grandma and guardian angel. They lay Lucy down for an 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 rent, Im out of work.
Hearing Jamess voice, Claire turns pale. She fears Margaret will let them in and throw her and Lucy out. Tears well up again.
Get out! Take your girl with you. You robbed your wife and child and left them penniless. This is lifes answer to you. Go, leave. And you, Monica, watch out. He could leave you with nothing too.
Claire had been terribly wrong about Margaret. Margaret becomes not just a second mother but the first. They live under the same roof for six years, until Claire marries again. At her wedding Margaret stands in the place of the brides mother. Lucy now goes to school, and a baby boy is due soon. Margaret looks forward to the arrival of her new grandchild.
