Edith smiled when her son came barreling through the doorway, My boys finally home! she exclaimed.
Nicholas thrust his flat cap onto the peg by the door and said, Greetings, Mother. Im not alone. He paused, then nudged a slight youngster in spectacles and a knapsack forward.
Oh, heavens, my dear, she cooed, is that my grandson? Is it Thomas or Albert? I cant tell without his glasses.
Nicholas sank into a chair. Put them on, love. This is Billy, mywell, my child out of wedlock. Do you remember when Agnes and I spent a year apart? It was then I fell in with Victoria and Billy was born. I even registered him under my name by mistake, he sighed.
Edith snapped at him, Dont be talking about such things in front of the child. Hes still too young to know about your tangled past. Billy, go to the sittingroom and have a look at the telly while we sort things out with your father.
The boy slipped out in silence and disappeared down the hallway.
Edith whispered, Does Agnes know about him?
She never liked her sons wife, Nicholas muttered. She was quarrelsome and sharptongued.
Edith shivered, Mother, if she ever found out shed have thrown you out on your bare feet long ago. I feel sorry for you, though. I helped raise him from the ground up with my own hands.
Its because youre such a muddle, dear, Edith sighed. Youre not a proper man, just a wretch forever under Agness heel. To think you begot a child on the sidehow absurd! And why bring him here? If Agnes finds out, Ill be in trouble.
Nicholas, nervous, tried to explain, Victoria, that snake of a woman, decided to marry and ran off south with a new lover for a monthimagine that! She phoned me, said I could take the boy wherever I liked, even bring him home. I told her Id gone mad, that I already had a wife who would evict us both. She warned me, If you dont play nice, itll get ugly. Ill give Agnes the birth certificate and youll have to sort it out as you see fit. Thats the end of it for me. She barely forgave Victoria, 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 avoided meeting his mothers eyes.
Edith shook her head, Thats how you were as a lad, and you never changed. Whatever you do, Ill help. All right, where shall we put him? Keep the boy. But tell mehes not of our blood, is he? she hesitated, Are you sure hes yours?
Nicholas waved his hand, Hes mine, no doubt. Victorias not sweet either, but shes a faithful woman.
Silence fell. Edith sprang up, What am I still doing sitting here? Lets give him something to eat, at least.
Nicholas rose, Forgive me, Mother, but I must be off. Agnes is waiting at home. Ive told her Im heading into town for spare parts. Feed Billy and Ill be on my way.
Edith embraced her errant son and whispered, God be with you, my dear.
Billy ate quickly, eyes never leaving his plate.
Would you like some more? Edith asked, pitying his speed.
No, thank you, he replied, pushing his chair back.
Go out for a walk, then. Ill finish dinner. Whats in that knapsack of yours? she inquired.
Just my things, he muttered.
Will you wash them yourself or shall I? she offered.
For the first time he looked at her with frightened eyes, I cant. My mother always did the washing.
Edith lifted his small rucksack, Alright, Ill see whats dirty and rinse it.
He stepped out while she sorted through his modest belongings: two shirts, a pair of knickers and a few socks.
Not much, she remarked, shaking her head, not even a warm jumper. The lads mother sure is frugal. She soaked the clothes in a basin and turned to bake a cherry pie.
A sudden shout from the lane made her drop the bowl, flour dusting her apron.
Whats happened? she cried.
Billy wailed, clutching his leg, A goose pecked me! It hurts! tears streamed down his cheeks.
Why were you near the geese? They were out grazing, and you were in the yard, she asked, eyeing the red welt on his shin.
I just wanted to look at them, he sobbed.
Youve never seen a goose before? she asked, surprised.
I have, but I never got close, he whispered.
Fine, lets get you inside, Ill rub some ointment on that wound, she said, taking his hand.
After supper she laid him on the sofa and lay awake, replaying the days oddities. She thought how shed never sent her own child to a strangers house. The boys trousers were more expensive than the cheap tea theyd brewed. Then she heard a soft whimper. Listening, she realised it was Billy, still sniffling. She leaned close, Whats wrong, my dear? Not staying with me? Wait a month, and Ill take you back.
He lifted his head and whispered, They wont take me back. I heard Uncle Victor saying that when they arrive theyll send me to a boarding school, only taking me out on holidays. I dont want that; Im happy with Mum. Uncle Colin doesnt even call me by name. Youre kind, Grandmama, but Im not wanted.
Ediths heart clenched. She held his thin frame, Dont cry, Billy. I wont let anyone hurt you. Shall I speak to your mother and let you stay here? We have a good school, teachers, well go berrypicking, milk our cow. Youre small now, but a good draught of milk will make you strong. Dont believe me? Tomorrow Ill introduce you to Peter, a sturdy lad as round as a bun, who loves his milk. What say you?
He hugged her neck, I want that. Will you keep your promise?
Edith kissed his crown, I promise, my love.
Years slipped by. Valerie would sometimes visit, bringing parcels, but always hurried away, Uncle Victor urging her back to work. Nicholas appeared now and then. Agnes learned of Billy and blamed Edith, not her husband, insisting she didnt need grandchildren, only a few trinkets.
Edith cared little. The frail boy had grown into a sturdy youth. Each morning she prepared his favourite dishes and peered out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. One day a young soldier entered the house and called softly, Grandma, Im here, where are you?
She rushed from the kitchen and threw her arms around his neck, Billy, my dear grandson!
Will you be going back to Mother? she asked. He set down his fork, looked puzzled, Which mother? The one who abandoned me and only sent me trinkets once a year? No, I wont go. You are my mother now, and thats settled, he answered, resuming his meal.
Edith brushed away a tear, grateful for the grandson who had become her strength in old age, a blood relation she cherished above all.
