My brother Tom left us. He took the £15,000 wed been tucking away for a house and vanished. I was left in a modest flat in Manchester with our sixmonthold daughter, Lily. My motherinlaw, Margaret, heard what had happened and turned up at the door.
Pack your things, love, she said, you and Lily can stay with me.
I tried to refuse. Margaret and I had been at odds for years, trading barbs and never exchanging a kind word. When Tom ran off, she was the only one who offered any help. My own mother, Eleanor, told me there was no spare room in her house. My older sister, Claire, who lives with her children, also objected, saying shed be staying with her mother forever. It seemed everyone thought I was a burden.
Thank you, I muttered, Id be most grateful for your hospitality.
It was the first time Id ever actually thanked Margaret.
Come off it, youre not a stranger, she replied, scooping Lily into her arms. Come on, love. Let Mum get ready and we wont be in the way. Will you move in with Grandmum, dear? Of course you will. Shell read you stories, take you for walks, braid your hair
Listening to Margarets gentle chuckle, I could hardly believe my ears. Shed always warned me to stay far away from her old manor.
I packed a bag and moved in with Margaret. She set us up in a spacious bedroom, while she herself took the smaller room. I blinked in disbelief, and she said, Whats the matter? The little one needs space; shell be crawling soon enough. I dont need a lot of room. Make yourselves at home. Lunch will be ready in an hour.
For dinner she suggested steamed veg and boiled beef, adding, Youre a breastfeeding mum, love. If youd rather I fry something, I can, but a light diet is better for the baby. Its up to you.
The fridge was stocked with rows of baby jars. Its time to try some new flavours, isnt it? If Lily isnt happy with these, well get something else. Speak up, dont be shy, Margaret smiled.
I could hold back no longer and broke down in tears. Her kindness was so unexpected it moved me to my core. No one had ever cared for Lily and me as much as this woman, whom Id always seen as my chief adversary, could. She pulled me close.
Shh, dear, shh. Men are strange. I raised your father alone after his dad left when he was eight months old. I wont let my granddaughter grow up like this. Thats enough, youve cried enough. Pull yourself together.
Through sobs I managed to tell Margaret Id never imagined such generosity from her, and thanked her: Thank you, truly. If it werent for you, I dont know where Lily and I would be.
Im to blame for raising your husband the way I did, she said. Ill try to make up for it as best I can. Come, wash your face and get to bed. Tomorrow will be brighter.
We celebrated Lilys first birthday together me, Lily, and Margaret, our beloved granny and guardian angel. We laid Lily down for an afternoon nap, sipped tea, and nibbled cake when the doorbell rang. Margaret went to answer.
Mum, meet Monica, a young woman said. Monica, this is my mother. Mum, can we stay with you for a while? I cant afford a flat; Im out of work.
Hearing Toms voice made my face turn white. I feared Margaret would let them in and kick Lily and me out. Tears welled up again.
Get out! Take your girl with you. You robbed your wife and child of everything. Thats the price life has dealt you. Leave now. And you, Monica, watch out he could leave you penniless too.
I had been terribly mistaken about Margaret. She became more than a second mother; she was the first. We lived under the same roof for six years until I remarried. At my wedding she stood in the place traditionally reserved for the brides mother. Lily now goes to primary school, and a baby boy is on the way. Margaret is over the moon about the arrival of her first grandchild.
