«You’re not needed anymore,» the children said before driving off.
«Mum, why do you do this every time? We agreed!» Emma huffed as she unpacked groceries from the bags she’d brought for her mother.
«Darling, I only wanted to help. I thought you and Paul might like it if I knitted little Lily a jumper for winter,» Margaret murmured, fingers absently working the knitting needles by the window.
«Lilys fourteen, Mum. She wont wear a homemade jumperget it through your head! She has her own style. Kids these days wear completely different things.»
Margaret sighed, setting aside the half-finished pink jumper. Something ached in her chest. Was her gift really so dreadful? Shed picked a modern pattern, softer wooleverything to make it nice.
«When are you coming for tea? Ill bake an apple pieLilys favourite.»
Emma paused mid-motion, then shut the fridge harder than necessary.
«Mum, we dont have time for tea. Lilys revising for her GCSEs, Pauls swamped with work, and Im at the office from dawn till dusk. We talked about this last time.»
«Right, of course,» Margaret smoothed a crease on her house dress. «I just thought maybe Sunday?»
«Dont start,» Emma cut in. «Sunday were at the Olivers in Cornwall. Its Jacks birthday, remember?»
«Little Jacks sixteen already?» Margaret smiled faintly. «Time flies. Will you take me along?»
Emma frowned as if the question were absurd.
«Mum, its just the kids there. Youd be bored stiff. Plus, its a long drive.»
«I wont mind! And I could bake a cakeremember how Jack loved my honey cake?»
«Theyve ordered one from a bakery. Fancy, with edible photos.»
Margaret nodded and picked up her knitting again, hiding her disappointment. The children had grown, the grandchildren too. They had their own lives now, and somehow, there seemed less and less room for her in them.
Emma checked her watch. «Ive got to dash. Foods all put away. Dont cook riceyour blood pressure. And take your pills tonight.»
«Thank you, love,» Margaret walked her to the door, pulling her into a hug. Emma stiffened, as if the touch were an inconvenience, and slipped free quickly.
«Bye, Mum. Ill ring next week.»
The door clicked shut. Margaret stood in the hallway, listening to the fading footsteps. Then, slowly, she returned to the silent living roomtoo quiet now, without the echoes of laughter that once filled it.
She opened the cabinet and pulled out the family album. There was little Tom and Emma in the sandpit. Holidays in Cornwall when John was still alive, all of them saving up for the trip. School plays, graduations, weddings and tiny grandchildren in her arms. When Lily was born, Margaret had left work early, though shed had three years left before retirement. Emma and Paul had been thrilledfree babysitting. Shed looked after Jack too, though not as muchOlivia liked doing things herself.
The doorbell snapped her out of the memories. It was Doris from flat 3B.
«Margaret, can you believe it? Theyve cut the hot water again! No warning! Fancy a cuppa? Ive got no way to wash up.»
«Of course, come in,» Margaret brightened. «I was going to bake a pie, but whod eat it now?»
«Emma drop by?» Doris asked, kicking off her shoes. «Saw her car outside.»
«Just brought groceries. Always in a rush.»
«Thats how they all are,» Doris waved a hand. «My Daves always too busyuntil he needs me to mind the grandkids for the weekend. You should invite yourself over. Better than moping here.»
«I tried,» Margaret sighed, setting out teacups. «They always have plans.»
«Dont ask. Tell them: Im coming Saturday to see my grandchild. Full stop. What, theyll turn their own mother away?»
Margaret stayed quiet. Doris didnt know that the last time shed shown up unannounced, Emma had been so cross she hadnt called for a week. Said theyd had Pauls colleagues over, and there Margaret was with her pies.
Doris poured the tea, eyeing the biscuit tin.
«Im thinking of spending New Years with my sister in Bath. Warmer there, good company. Whats here? Just me and the telly when Big Ben chimes.»
«Emma promised to have me over for New Years,» Margaret said quickly. «They always host, with Toms family.»
«Well, fingers crossed,» Doris said, though her tone was doubtful. «Theyre all talk, these kids. When it comes to doing, thats another story.»
After Doris left, Margaret baked the apple pie anyway. Small, just four slices. One for herself, two wrapped for the neighbours she sometimes chatted with in the lobby. The fourth, she saved for tomorrow.
That evening, Tom called.
«Mum, hi. Hows things?» His voice was cheerful but distant.
«Fine, love. Emma came by with groceries. Hows Olivia? Jack?»
«All good. Listen, about the cottage»
Margaret tensed. The cottage, left by John, was in her name. A modest place with an old but sturdy house. Theyd spent every summer there as a family. Then the kids grew up, John passed, and she went lesstoo much to keep up alone.
«Yes?» she said cautiously.
«Thing is, weve got a chance to build a bigger placeprime location. But we need the deposit. Thought we might sell the cottage. You barely go anyway.»
Margaret gripped the phone. She hadnt expected this. The cottage was the last piece of their life with John. The veranda hed built, the apple trees hed plantedall of it still there.
«Tom, but its your dads memory. I thought maybe the grandkids»
«Mum,» impatience crept into his voice. «What grandkids? Jack wont set foot thereall he cares about is his Xbox. And that place is falling apart. Better sell now while its worth something. Youll get your share, of course.»
«Ill think about it,» she whispered.
«Mum, theres nothing to think about. Its a solid offer. Weve got buyers lined up. Ill pick you up at ten tomorrow to sign, yeah?»
The next day, Tom arrived, oddly attentiveeven helped her with her coat. On the way to the estate agents, he chatted about the new house, the massive guest room.
«You can visit every weekend, Mum. Gorgeous area, fresh air. Not like that old place by the motorway.»
Margaret nodded along. Deep down, she knew no one would chauffeur her every weekend. That guest room would stay empty. But arguing felt pointless. He was so excited.
At the office, she signed the papers. A young man in a suit droned about taxes and timelines, but she barely listened. All she saw was the cottage porch, where she and John had sat with tea, watching sunsets.
«Brilliant,» Tom said afterward. «Moneyll come through soon. Your cut goes straight to your account.»
«Lovely, dear,» she forced a smile. «Not in a rush? Fancy tea at mine? Baked a pie yesterday.»
Tom checked his watch.
«Cant, Mum. Meeting in twenty. Rain check?»
He dropped her at the building, waving as he drove off. Margaret trudged upstairs. Mrs. Wilkins from across the hall peered out.
«Margaret, that pie you madedivine! Mind sharing the recipe? My lot are visiting this weekend.»
Margaret smiled. At least someone appreciated her baking.
Days later, Emma called, breathless.
«Mum, why arent you answering? I rang the landline!»
«Popped to the shops, love.»
«Right. ListenPauls been offered a contract in Edinburgh! Three years, double pay, company flat. Were taking it.»
Margaret sank onto a chair, legs weak.
«Edinburgh? But thats so far»
«Only an hour by plane! Well visit for holidays.»
«What about Lily? Her school, her friends»
«Its an amazing opportunity! That schools got a stellar science programperfect for med school later. Everythings falling into place.»
«When do you leave?» Margaret fought to keep her voice steady.
«Two weeks. Paperworks chaos, packings madness. No time! But well swing by before we go.»
Two weeks flew by. Margaret waited, hoping theyd visit as promised. Every morning, she woke thinking today shed see Lily, bake her favourite pie. But the phone stayed silent.
The day before the move, the doorbell rang. Emma and Paul stood there, Lily waiting in the car»headache,» Emma explained. They stayed half an hour, gulping tea, refusing pie»watching calories.»
«Mum, we got you a basic mobile,» Emma said, handing her a box. «Easy to use. Well call. Oh, and here» A slip of paper. «Numbers of my mates here, Sophie and Claire. If anything happens, ring them.»
«But what about Tom»
«Toms got that country house now, remember? Hard for him to pop over. Dont fret, the girls are reliable.»
As they left, Emma hugged her tighter than usual, whispering,
«Just stay well, yeah? For our peace of mind.»
That evening, Tom called.
«Mum, you alright? Not ill?»
«Fine, love. Emma left for Edinburgh?»
«Yeah, all settled. Flats sorted, Lilys in school. All good.»
«Glad to hear. Why dont you visit? Baked a pie.»
Tom hesitated.
«Mum, swamped at work. New house, you know. Endless chores.»
«I understand,» she said softly. «Weekend, maybe? Id love to see Jack. Miss him.»
«Jacks got hockey finals. Honestly, Mum, were snowed under. Well come when things calm down, promise.»
But they never did. Calls grew scarcer, shorter. Then the final blowTom rang to say he and Olivia had job offers in London.
«Massive opportunity, Mum. Jack can get into a top uni there. Londons where things happen.»
«But the house? You just built it!»
«Well rent it out. Or sell. Undecided.»
«When do you leave?» Her heart hammered in her throat.
«Month or so. Sorting paperwork.»
«Tom will you visit before you go?»
He cleared his throat.
«Mum were swamped. Maybe once were settled in London.»
«Tom,» she steeled herself. «About the care home. I wont go. This is my home. Where I lived with your father, raised you. All my memories are here.»
«Mum, dont startWere just thinking of you. Meals, nurses, activities. You wont be lonely.»
«I wont be in a care home.»
«Mum, be reasonable! Emmas in Scotland, Ill be in London. Wholl check on you?»
«Ill manage.»
«Always so difficult!» he snapped. «Fine. Well talk later.»
He hung up.
On moving day, Tom came alone, just for half an hour. A box of chocolates, a peck on the cheek. Spoke like he was ticking a box.
«You coping, Mum?»
«Managing,» she forced a smile. «Wheres Olivia? Jack?»
«Home, packing. No time.»
As he turned to leave, she realised she might not see him for years. Maybe never.
«Tom,» her voice cracked. «Son am I really not needed anymore?»
He paused in the doorway, avoiding her eyes.
«Mum, dont be daft. Weve all got our own lives. You know that.»
«I know,» she whispered. «I do.»
He left. She stood there, staring at the empty corridor, then wandered back inside. The flat was silent. Only the ticking of Johns old clockmechanical, hed loved those. Said they had souls.
She picked up the phone and dialled Doris.
«Doris, remember you mentioned New Years in Bath? Can I tag along?»
Doris sounded surprised but pleased.
«Margaret! Course you can! Sisll be chuffed. Changed your mind about the kids?»
«Yes,» Margaret exhaled, lighter already. «Thought Id take care of myself for once. Theyve their own lives now.»
«Good on you!» Doris cheered. «Youre not old yetwhy mope? Baths lovely. Kidsll come crawling back when grandkids are older, mark my words.»
«Maybe,» Margaret smiled. «But Im done waiting. I deserve a life too, dont I?»
She hung up and went to the window. Outside, the first snow fell. A new winter, a new chapter. And perhapsjust perhapsnot as lonely as shed feared.
