Oi, lad, youve finally turned up! Maggie Whitmore beamed as she opened the door.
Nick Whitmore shoved his battered flat cap off the doorstep. Hey, Mum. I he hesitated, Im not alone. He nudged a lanky boy in spectacles, a rucksack heaving against his hips, forward.
Oh, my heavens, youve brought my grandson! Is that Sherry or Alfie? I cant tell without his glasses.
Nick flopped onto the kitchen chair.
Put em on, Maggie said, pointing. Thats Billy, my outofwedlock son. Remember when I and Agnes split for a year? I went off with Laura and thats how he came about. I foolishly put his name on the birth register, Nick sighed.
Maggie snapped at him. What are you babbling about in front of a child? Hes too young to know about your tangled life. Billy, go to the lounge and have a look at the telly while I sort things out with your father.
The boy slipped out without a word and disappeared down the hallway. Maggie lowered her voice. Does Agnes know about him?
She never liked my sons wifealways quarrelsome and a bit of a shrew, Nick muttered, his shoulders tensing.
Maggies eyes narrowed. What are you on about, you muppet? If shed found out shed have hightailed it out of the house long ago. Ive built him up from the ground, with my own two hands.
Nick winced. Youre right, Ive been a right halfwitno man, just a drudge under Agness heel all my life. And I ended up siring a child on the sidebless my conscience. Why did you bring him here? If Agnes finds out, Ill be in the soup.
Nick tried to explain, voice trembling. Laura, that snake, was about to get married. She ran off south with a new lover for a monthcan you imagine? Then she rang me, said, Take the boy wherever you want, even bring him home. I told her Id lost my mind, that I have a wife now and shed throw us both out. She warned me shed make my life miserable if I didnt comply. Ill give your Agnes the birth certificate and youll sort it out. Thats it. Im done. Laura barely forgave meshe didnt speak to me for half a year. So I thought, let him stay with you a month, then Ill come back and collect him, he stammered, never meeting Maggies gaze.
Maggie shook her head. Youve been this way since you were a lad. No matter what youve done, Ill help you. Fine, where shall I put him? Hell stay here. But tell mehe isnt my blood, is he? she paused, Are you sure hes yours?
Nick waved his hand. Hes mine, no doubt. Laura isnt a saint, but shes a decent woman.
Silence fell. Maggie sprang to her feet. What am I doing standing here? Lets get him fed.
Nick rose, looking guilty. Sorry, Mum, but Ive got to be off. Agnes is waiting at home. I told her I was heading to the depot for spare parts. Feed Billy and Ill be gone.
Maggie wrapped her arms around her wayward son and whispered, God bless you, my poor thing.
Billy ate fast, eyes glued to the plate.
Want some more? Maggie asked, pity flickering in her voice as he polished the last bite.
No, thanks, he said, pushing back from the table.
Go out for a walk while I finish dinner. Whats in that rucksack of yours? she asked.
Stuff, he muttered.
Are you washing it yourself or do I have to?
For the first time, fear rose in his eyes. I cant. Mum always did the laundry.
Maggie lifted his tiny pack. Alright, Ill have a look and rinse whats dirty.
She rummaged through the simple contents: two Tshirts, a pair of shorts and a few briefs. Not much, is it? No warm jumper eitherlooks like youve got a proper mum on your hands. She dunked the clothes in a basin, then turned to the cherry pie waiting on the counter.
A sudden shout erupted from the street. Maggie bolted upright, flour still clinging to her apron.
Whats happened?
Billy wailed, clutching his leg. A goose pecked me! It hurtslook at my eye!
Maggie knelt, inspecting the red welt on his shin. Why were you near them? They were grazing out back, not in the yard.
I just wanted to see them, Billy sobbed.
You never bothered with geese before, did you? she asked, bewildered.
No, I kept my distance.
Alright, lets get you inside, Ill dab some ointment on that.
After dinner, she settled him on the sofa, the house quiet, the weight of the night pressing down. Shed never imagined sending her own grandson to a strangers house, but life had a way of twisting the ordinary into something grotesque. The next sound was a soft whimper, a boys sobbing echoing down the hallway.
She slipped closer, voice gentle. Whats wrong, love? Dont you like it here?
He looked up, eyes wide. They wont take me back. I heard Uncle Victor saying theyll put me in a boarding school when theyre done, only coming for holidays. I dont want that. I was happy at home with Mum. Uncle Victor never called me by my name. Youre kind, but Im not needed.
Maggies heart clenched. She pulled the thin boy into her lap.
Dont cry, Billy boy. I wont let anyone hurt you. Ill speak to your mother, and you can stay with me. Weve got a good school here, teachers who care. Well go mushroompicking, pick berries, milk the cow. Youre skinny now, but fresh milk will make you strong. Dont you believe me? Tomorrow Ill introduce you to Paul, a solid lad as sturdy as a loaf of bread. Youll like him.
He clutched her neck, whispering, I want to. Will you keep your promise?
Maggie pressed a tender kiss to his crown. I promise.
Years slipped by. Valerie visited now and then, dropping presents in the back of her car before Victor hurried her away. Nick turned up occasionally. Agnes eventually blamed Maggie for Billys plight, claiming she didnt need real grandchildren, only the odd oddjob.
Maggie cared little. The frail boy had grown into a sturdy young man. Each morning she prepared his favourite dishes, glancing out the kitchen window, hoping for a glimpse of him. One day a young soldier slipped through the front door, his voice low. Grandma, Im here, where are you?
She threw herself around his neck. Billy, my dear boy!
Are you going back home? he asked, setting down his fork, eyes widening. To the one who abandoned me and only visits once a year with trinkets?
No, he said calmly. Youre my mother, thats settled, and thats that. He turned back to the plate, eating in peace.
Maggie brushed away a tear, grateful for the grandson who had become her anchor in old age, her blood, her heart.
