“Someone take him away,” Laura said, tossing her hair back with a fake air of indifference.
Mumsorry, *Mum*froze in the middle of the kitchen, clutching a tea towel so tight her knuckles went white. “Laura, have you lost the plot? Hes your *son*. You cant just palm him off like unwanted furniture!”
Laura just fiddled with the edge of the tablecloth, avoiding eye contact. “God, Mum, dont be so dramatic. Im not sacrificing my life for him. Im thirty-two, in case youve forgotten.”
Mum sank into the chair across from her, heart pounding. Laura kept going.
“Finally met a decent bloke, yeah? Daniel proposed. We want to move in, start fresh.” She finally looked up. “And Jake well, Jakell just get in the way. New relationship, settling inyou *get* it.”
“Jakes *twelve*, Laura!” Mums voice cracked. “He *needs* his mum. Hell *know* youre tossing him aside for somefor *Daniel*.”
Laura flinched but recovered fast, waving a hand. “Oh, dont overreact. Ive got to *live*, Mum. Stop acting like I should revolve my life around him. Plenty of lads his age manage just fine on their own.”
Mum barely recognised her daughter. When had her sweet girl turned into this? She stood, walking to the window.
“No, Laura. Absolutely not.” She turned back, voice firm. “You *dont* abandon your child.”
“Oh, *here we go*!” Laura snatched her handbag off the chair. “Thought youd *understand*, but no. Fine. Ill sort it myself.”
The door slammed. Mum stayed frozen, staring at it, her chest aching.
—
Three months later, Mum stood in a posh London hotel, watching Lauras wedding reception. Music blared, guests laughed, but she felt nothing. She smiled through hellos, heart heavy.
Finally, she reached the newlyweds. Daniel was holding court with his mates; Laura beamed in her white dress.
“Laura,” Mum touched her shoulder. “Wheres Jake? I dont see him.”
Laura whirled, eyes flashing. She yanked Mum aside. “*What are you playing at?*” she hissed.
“Wheres your *son*? Hes not at his own mothers wedding?”
Laura folded her arms. “Daniel doesnt *gel* with Jake. So hes at home. Didnt want to ruin the day, yeah? Hed have been bored anyway.”
Mum stepped back, horrified. “You *left a twelve-year-old alone* because your new husband cant stand him? *Laura*”
“*Stop it!*” Laura glanced at the guests. “This is *my* day. Dont *ruin* it.”
Mum turned and walked out. Laura called after hershe didnt look back.
In the taxi, she gave the driver Jakes address, throat tight. All she could think: *How longs he been alone? Whats he thinking right now?*
Upstairs, she knocked. “Jake? Its Nana. Open up, love.”
The door cracked open. Jake stood theremessy-haired, eyes red. She pulled him into a hug.
“Nana does Mum not love me anymore?” His voice wobbled. “She said to stay here. Not to open the door.”
She held him tighter. “Pack your things, sweetheart. Youre coming home with me.”
As Jake packed, Mum texted Laura: *Jakes staying with me now.*
The reply came instantly: *See? I said that from the start. Shouldve listened.*
Mum turned her phone off.
—
Life settled. Jake got into swimming, codinghis dream. He grew taller, surer. Laura barely called; when she did, it was for paperwork. She had a daughter with Daniel now. Looked happy, from the rare photos.
On Jakes eighteenth, they cleaned up after a small party.
“Nana,” he said, drying a plate. “Theres something you should know.”
She turned off the tap. “The flat your mums in? Its *yours*.”
Jake froze. “*Mine?*”
“Your dad he passed when you were five. But he left it to you. Your mum was just the guardian till you turned eighteen.”
Two weeks later, Laura called at dawnfirst time in years.
“Mum, *what have you done?!* Jakes *evicting* us!”
She sighed. “Its *his*, Laura. His fathers will. You havent seen him in *years*now you want his flat?”
“Weve got a *family*! Where do we *go*?”
“Ask Daniel. You chose this.”
She hung up, looked upJake stood in the doorway, smiling faintly.
“Thanks, Nana.”
She hugged him tight. “Well get it back, love.”
Jake held her just as fiercely as she had him, years ago.
“Youve been my mum *and* dad,” he whispered. “Id *never* leave you. Were family.”
