My brotherinlaw, James Carter, up and left me. He made off with the deposit wed been saving for a flat in Manchester and disappeared. I was left in a rented twobedroom with my sixmonthold daughter, Poppy. My motherinlaw, Margaret Whitfield, heard what had happened, turned up at my flat and said,
Pack your things, youll stay with me and the little one.
I tried to refuse. Margaret and I have been at odds for years, trading barbs with hardly a kind word exchanged. When James fled, she was the only one who reached out. My own mother told me there was no room for me under her roof, and my older sister, Helen, shouted that I should fend for myself. My mother has spent her whole life dancing around her own problems.
Thank you. Ill be ever so grateful for your hospitality, I muttered.
It was the first time Id ever said thank you to Margaret.
Oh, come off it! Youre not a stranger, she replied, scooping Poppy into her arms. Come on, love. Let your mum get ready, and we wont be in the way. Are you coming to live with granny, dear? Of course you are. Granny will spin you tales, take you for walks, braid your hair
Listening to Margarets gentle chuckle, I could hardly believe my ears. Shed always warned me never to get near my little devil.
I packed my bag and moved in with Margaret. She set up a spacious bedroom for us, while she took the smaller room for herself. I blinked in amazement and she said,
Whats the matter? The child needs space; shell be crawling soon. I dont need much room myself. Make yourselves at home. Dinner will be ready in an hour.
For supper she suggested steamed veg and boiled meat, adding,
Youre a nursing mum, of course. If youd like, I can fry something up, but a light meal is better for the baby. Its up to you.
The fridge was stocked with rows of baby jars.
Time to try new flavours, dont you think? If the little one isnt happy with this batch, well pick something else. Speak up, dont be shy, Margaret smiled at me.
I broke down then, tears spilling over. Her unexpected kindness moved me to the core. No one had ever looked after me and Poppy the way this womanwhom Id always seen as my chief adversarydid. She pulled me close and whispered,
Shh, love, shh. Men can be baffling. I raised your husband on my own after his father left when he was eight months old. I wont let my granddaughter grow up any other way. Thats enough, youve had your tears. Pull yourself together!
Through my sobs I managed to tell Margaret I hadnt expected such generosity and thanked her,
Thank you, truly. If it werent for you, I dont know where Poppy and I would be.
Im to blame too I brought up that reckless boy. Ill try to mend what I can. Come, wash your face and head to bed. Tomorrow will be brighter.
We celebrated Poppys first birthday togetherjust the three of us, me, Poppy and Margaret, my beloved grandma and guardian angel. We tucked the baby in for her afternoon nap, sipped tea and nibbled cake when the doorbell rang. Margaret went to answer.
Mum, meet Monica. Monica, this is my mother. Mum, can we stay with you for a while? I cant afford a rent, Ive got no job.
Hearing Jamess voice, my face turned as white as a sheet. I feared Margaret would let them in and throw me and Poppy out. Tears welled up again.
Get out of here! Take your girl with you. You robbed your wife and child, left them penniless. This is what life has handed you back. Leave now. And you, Monica, watch out. He may desert you too.
Id been terribly wrong about Margaret. She became not just a second mother, but the first. We lived under one roof for six years, until I remarried. At my wedding she stood in the brides mothers place. Poppy now goes to primary school, and my youngest son is due soon. Margaret beams at the thought of a new grandchild on the way.
