The door creaked open, and a young woman stood on the threshold, her fingers gripping the strap of her bag.
«Hello, does Alex live here?» Her voice wavered slightly.
The woman insidemid-forties, arms crossednarrowed her eyes. «Yeah And you are?»
«Are you his mother?»
«Me? Im his *wife*. What do you want?»
The girl swallowed hard. «Hes in hospital. They wont tell me anythingfamily only. Can I come in?»
The wifeLucysighed and jerked her chin toward the kitchen. «Fine. Sit. But youd better explain why you care about my husbands health.»
The girl perched on the edge of a chair, pulling a handkerchief from her pocket to wipe her forehead. Lucy busied herself at the stove, waiting.
«Want some water?»
«Noyes, please.»
Lucy slammed a glass on the table. «Well? Are you just here to sit quietly, or what?»
«Alex promised to marry me.» The girl hesitated. «This autumn.»
Lucy barked a laugh, scrubbing a pan with unnecessary force. «Oh, did he now? Shame bigamys illegal.»
«Im not joking.»
«Neither am I. I dont *do* jokes.»
«He *said* hed divorce you first. Then»
«Then what? Why not wait till autumn to show up? Whats your name?»
«Emily. Emily Carter.»
«Well, *Emily*, why not wait till summer? Unless» Lucys gaze dropped pointedly to the girls swollen belly. «His doing?»
Emilys chin lifted. «Yes. He said hed file for divorce after your birthday.»
Lucys grip tightened on the pan. «Right. Typical Alex. You know what they saycant teach an old dog new tricks.»
«What?»
«Oh, I understand *you* perfectly. Where are you from?»
«A village near Manchester. I worked at a factory.»
«City lights lured you in, did they? And my Alex cant stand a babys cry. Whens it due?»
«Two months.»
«Ah, so hes dodging responsibility. Last time, he moved in with his *parents*said he couldnt sleep for work. And his jobs hardly backbreaking.»
Emilys voice cracked. «Just tell mehow is he?»
«Why not? *Stable but serious.* Dont fainthell live.»
«What should I do?»
«How should *I* know? You didnt ask for advice before hopping into bed with him!»
«Im in my third year at unidistance learning. My mums got my little brothers at home. Ive nowhere to go. Alex said youve been strangers for yearshes only staying for the kids.»
Lucys patience snapped. «Give me your number and address. Ill call you when hes discharged.»
«What?»
«So you can *collect him*. Take him to your mums.»
«Shes got no space!»
«Where are you living now?»
«A hostel.»
«Then thats where youll go. Dont eye *my* flatit was my nans, so its not his to claim. Stop blinkinghes got no rights here.»
Emilys eyes brimmed. «Youre cruel. We love each other.»
«Then love in a *tent*. Now *leave* while Im still civil.» Lucy hurled the pan into the sink.
—
Three sleepless nights since Alexs accident. The doctors early prognosis was grim, but hed pulled through. Exhausted, Lucy barely ate. Now theyd moved him to a wardtime for *her* to nurse him.
And then this pregnant girl shows up, sniffing around for a free flat. For a moment, Lucy imagined dragging her by those thin blond strands down five flights of stairs. But she was too drainedphysically, mentally.
Head bowed, she trudged toward the hospital. Did she go to care for him or confront him? Either way, shed have him on his feet in no time*one way or another*. Hed spared her birthday, the bastard.
Emily sat on a bench outside.
«Lucy! Lucy, wait!»
Lucy didnt slow. «Still here? I told you everything.»
«Are you visiting Alex?»
«And if I am?»
«Take me with you.»
No answer. They walked in silence. On the bus, Emily sat beside her; Lucy stared out the window, pretending they were strangers.
At the hospital, Lucy introduced Emily as a «niece.»
«Wait here. Ill go first.»
Alex lay alone, leg in traction. He stirred as Lucy entered, his face lighting upuntil he saw her expression.
«Lucy! You came»
«Did I?» Her voice was ice. She unpacked food, hands trembling. «Hot potatoes and gravy. Your favourite.»
«Lucy, youre flushedare you sick?»
«Worse. I waited for you after your service, Alex. Remember eating nothing but beans? The sleepless nights with the boys? And you *forgot*?»
«Never, Lucy! Whats got into you?»
A lump rose in her throat. «You stabbed me in the back, Alex. Straight to the heart.»
«Lucy, Im sorryit was an accident, I swear!»
«Not the *car*, you idiot!» She flung a bag of oranges onto the bedside table.
«Then what?»
«Our *autumn wedding*or have you forgotten *Emily* too?»
«Who?»
«The girl carrying your *child*!»
Alex paled. «*What child?* Lucy, have you hit your head?»
«*Me?* You found some barely-legal girl to knock up, and *Im* mad?» She broke, sobbing.
Alex struggled upright. «Lucy, let me call a doctoryoure hysterical!»
«*Hysterical?* I brought her *here*! Shes waiting to move into *my flat* after your *autumn divorce*!»
Alexs jaw dropped.
«Cat got your tongue?» Lucy wrenched the door open. «*Emily! Get in here!*»
Emily entered, hand on her back, scanning the roomthen froze at the sight of Alex.
«Wheres *my* Alex?»
Lucys smile was razor-thin. «Isnt this him?»
Emily gaped. «This bald man isnt him!» She fumbled for her phone. «*This* is us!»
Lucy burst out laughing. «Wrong Alex, love.»
—
Turned out, Emilys Alex had given a fake address to ditch her. Lucy, ever resourceful, tracked down the real culprita healthy rat whod never seen a hospital.
But fate had plans. Lucyfierce, formidablehelped Emily secure a flat, fought for child support, and even played matchmaker later, introducing her to a decent bloke from her circle.
At the wedding, Lucy laughed loudest.
Thats Mum Lucy for yousaving her own happiness, then handing it out to others.
