My husband walked out on me. He took the little nest egg we’d been squirreling away for a house and vanished. I was left in a cramped flat in Manchester with my sixmonthold daughter, Ellie. Then my motherinlaw, Margaret, heard the news and turned up at my door.
She said, Pack your things, you and Ellie can stay with me.
I tried to push back. Margaret and I have been at loggerheads for years, never trading a kind word. When Mark fled, she was the only one who bothered to reach out. My own mum said there was no room for me in her house, and my older sister wasnt any help eithershe lives with her kids at my mums place and always seems to be dancing around her own problems.
I muttered, Thanks. Ill be grateful for the roof over our heads. It was the first time I ever said thank you to Margaret.
She scoffed, Come off it, youre not a stranger. She scooped Ellie up, Come on, love, let Mum get ready. We wont be in her way. Are you ready to move in with Grandma? She beamed, Grandma will read you stories, take you for walks, braid your hair.
Listening to her soft, almost mischievous chuckle, I couldnt believe my ears. Shed always warned me shed never get involved in my mess.
So I packed, and we moved in with Margaret. She set us up in the big bedroom while she tucked herself into a cosy little room. I blinked in disbelief and she said, Whats the matter? The little one needs space; shell be crawling soon enough. I dont need much room myself. Make yourselves at home. Dinners in an hour.
She offered steamed veg and boiled meat for supper and added, Youre breastfeeding, right? If you fancy something fried, I can do that, but the healthier option is better for the baby. Its your call.
The fridge was stocked with rows of baby jars. Time to try some new flavours, dont you think? If Ellie isnt happy with this batch, well pick up something else. Speak up, dont be shy, Margaret smiled.
I broke down then. Her warmth was so unexpected that it hit me right in the heart. No one had ever looked after me and Ellie like this, especially not the woman Id always thought of as my chief adversary. She pulled me into a hug.
Shh, love, shh. Men can be proper puzzles. I raised your husband on my own after his dad left when he was eight months old. I wont let my granddaughter grow up feeling abandoned. Thats enough, youve cried enough. Pull yourself together!
Through my tears I managed to tell her Id never imagined such kindness from her and thanked her profusely. Thank you, truly. If it werent for you, I have no idea where Ellie and I would be.
She sighed, Im the one who messed up raising my son. Ill try to fix what I can now. Come, wash your face and head to bed. Tomorrow will be better.
We celebrated Ellies first birthday togetherjust the three of us, me, Margaret, and the little girl, my favourite grandma and guardian angel. After we tucked Ellie in for her nap, we were sipping tea and nibbling cake when the doorbell rang. Margaret went to answer.
Mum, meet Monika. Monika, this is my mother. Mum, could we stay with you for a while? I cant afford a rent, Im out of work.
Hearing Marks voice at that moment made my skin turn pale. I feared Margaret would let them back in and kick Ellie and me out. Tears welled up again.
Get out! Take your girl and go. You robbed your wife and child, left us penniless. This is the life thats caught up with you. Leave now. And you, Monika, watch outhe could leave you emptyhanded too.
Id been completely wrong about Margaret. She turned out not just to be a second mother, but the first one I ever had. We lived under the same roof for six years, right up until I remarried. At my wedding she stood in the motherofthebrides spot. Ellies now in primary school, and were expecting a little boy soon. Margaret cant wait to spoil her first grandson.
