Grandads Fiancée
This Saturday, Emily decides its time for a deep clean. Not wanting her sons underfoot, she sends them off to their grandads house. Shes just finished and is warming up supper when the boys burst in.
Well, how was your day? Hows Grandad? she says, giving them both hugs and kisses.
We went for a walk in the park, fed the crows, had ice cream, reports Adam, the older of the two.
Grandad promised to teach me to ride a bike if you let him, beams little Oliver. Mum, can I?
Well talk about it when Grandad buys you a bike, Emily replies.
Hes already bought one for himself, Adam says in his matter-of-fact way. Says he wants to keep fit now.
Emily is surprised but keeps her thoughts to herself.
Go and wash your hands. Were about to have dinner, she calls.
Weve already eaten at Grandads. Auntie Judith cooked for us, says Adam.
Auntie Judith?! she sputters.
Grandads fiancée! Oliver giggles.
Dont be silly, Emily chides. Grandads not getting married.
Its true, Mum! Adam insists. He and Auntie Judith love each other. Are we going to the wedding?
Emily stands rooted to the spot, thunderstruck. Well, thats a turn-up for the books! She had never expected this in a million years. Its been five years since her mum died, and Emily still feels the loss sharply. She always assumed her father did too they were married for so long. But apparently not! Along comes some flighty woman without shame or scruples making eyes at her ageing father. And definitely not out of love! Shes seen enough horror stories in TV dramas, of naive pensioners left heartbroken and penniless. Sure, she knows theyre fiction, but dont those stories come from somewhere? Life, thats where! What if this fiancée has her sights set on Dads flat? The property issue changes people everyone knows that! Dad lives alone in a nice, spacious flat right in the heart of Oxford, next to the park. What if she runs rings around him and the grandchildren are left with nothing? The nerve!
Emily offered to have her dad move in with her so many times since her divorce. Raising two boys alone, she figured her ageing father could do with company and help. But he was stubborn! Set in his ways, a proper English gent who liked ruling his own roost. And now look, shes let this slip past her.
Heart pounding, she dials her dad.
Dad, how are you? Are you on your own?
Ah, your lads told you already, he chuckles. No, Judiths here. Ive been meaning to tell you, but the moment never seemed quite right
How long? Emily tries for a calm, reasonable tone but fails.
Oh, come on, Dad! At your age! Surely there are more sensible things to think about
Whats my age got to do with it? he says crossly. What, am I supposed to sit around waiting for the Grim Reaper? Am I done just because Im seventy? Thats a bit harsh, dont you think?
Have you thought about me, and your grandsons? How will this affect us?
Emily, love, Ive always thought of you and the boys. But now I want a bit of happiness of my own. I was lonely, really down. Judith has given me a reason to wake up in the morning. And what do you mean, how will it affect you? Has anything got worse for you or the lads? If Im happy, surely thats a good thing? Isnt that what your mum and I taught you?
Well, exactly! What about Mum? Emily says, her voice trembly.
Emily No one could ever replace your mother, her father says with a heavy sigh. I hoped youd understand. Who knows how much time Ive got left? However many years, I want to spend them as happily as I can. Its a shame you arent happy for me.
Emily aches at his words. Still, she thinks, how can a clever old man be so naive?
But why get married? she pleads. Why not just live together? Secretly, she hopes this Judith will leave once she finds out Dad isnt rolling in money.
Because Im a gentleman, thats why! I dont want to live in sin at my age, he answers, firm as ever.
Emily realises that phoning and arguing wont get her anywhere. Suddenly she has an idea.
Tell you what, Dad. Why dont you and Judith come over for lunch tomorrow? I ought to meet my future stepmother, shouldnt I? she says, managing to keep her tone steady.
Thats the spirit, her father says, clearly relieved. Youll like her, youll see.
Well see all right, Emily thinks. Ill make sure this woman knows shes not getting her hands on Dads flat!
Emily prepares for their visit with care. She lines up all her parents photos through the years onto the shelves the wedding picture right in the centre of the sitting room, facing the table. She makes all Dads favourites, exactly how Mum did, even cabbage rolls using her recipe Dads most treasured dish. She hopes the memories will make her father see sense. But when she opens the door, shes so stunned she can barely manage a greeting. Her father stands with a smartly dressed, grey-haired lady his own age.
Hello, Judith Emily forces out.
Call me Judy, Judith says with a bright smile, shaking Emilys hand firmly. Ive wanted to meet you for ages, Emily. But Michael here kept dithering. No need to stand on ceremony though you look just like your mum, so beautiful. Do you mind if I call you you, not Mrs Emily?
Emily laughs awkwardly, not sure whether to weep or smile. Eventually, she blurts out, Did you know my mum?
Not personally, no theres a wedding photo of your parents in his living room. You resemble her so much
Feeling all at sea, Emily ducks into the kitchen. Her hands shake so badly she spills some sauce while plating up the cabbage rolls. Ill mop that up later, she tells herself, and takes the dish into the lounge.
Let me help, Judy offers.
No, Im fine, thank you, Emily says politely, and goes to fetch the salad.
Yet, despite all her reservations, theres something she likes about Dads new lady friend. She just needs time to adjust to the idea. Still deep in thought, Emily forgets that the kitchen tiles are wet she slips and crashes to the floor. A sharp pain shoots through her leg. Everyone rushes in at her yelp.
So much for a nice family lunch. An ambulance whisks Emily off to hospital, leaving her father and Judith with the boys. Turns out, its a fracture with a displacement shell be in hospital for a while. Emily is beside herself with worry, but she neednt have been. Judith visits her every day, helps her move around on crutches, and both she and Michael look after the children, keeping house, doing laundry, making meals, even supervising homework.
I wanted to apologise, Emily tells Judith one afternoon. I thought badly of you I was sure you only wanted Dads flat.
Oh goodness, Emily! Judith laughs. I have my own place. Your father is hopelessly stubborn! He flat-out refused to move in with me, says all his roots are here. And this wedding idea he goes on and on, honestly, hes driving me a bit barmy
What do you mean you dont want to marry Dad?
Honestly, at my age, who needs to be a bride? People would laugh! Im just grateful weve found each other and can enjoy the rest of our lives together.
So, it seems Emily wont get a stepmum just yet. But her boys have gained a wonderful grandmother, and she herself, a dear friend. Most importantly, Grandad has a new zest for life and hes determined hell win Judys hand in marriage. Looks like hes finally met someone more stubborn than he isOne golden afternoon, when Emily finally hobbles home, she finds the house alive with the easy cacophony of laughter. The boys are chasing bubbles in the garden, Michael and Judith stand arm in arm by the roses, teasing each other about who makes the better trifle. Emily watches, her heart unfamiliar and light, and for the first time in a long while, her memories bring comfort instead of pain.
Later, Grandad rings the little brass bell hes unearthed from the attic and announces, To familyold, new, and just stubborn enough to keep each other on their toes! Judith rolls her eyes but squeezes his hand all the same.
Emily raises her mug of tea high, a secret smile blooming. Maybe love, she thinks, isnt about holding on tightly, but about letting go just enough for something unexpected to take flight.
The crows circle in the fading sun, the boys shriek with delight, and Emily knows, in this messy, improbable moment, her mother would have smiled too.
