My husband vanished. My motherinlaw caught wind of it and turned up at my flat in Camden. He had taken the modest savings wed been tucking away for a house and fled, leaving me in a rented studio with my sixmonthold daughter, Lily. My motherinlaw barged in and announced:
Pack a bag, love. You and the little one will be staying with me.
I tried to refuse. For years Id sparred with her, each of us never uttering a kind word. When my husband ran off, the only voice that reached me was hers. My own mother said there was no room for me in her house, and my older sister, living with her own children, also turned me away, muttering that my mother would dance through life as if she were on a stage.
Thank you. Ill be grateful for your hospitality, I muttered, the first time Id ever said thank you to her.
She scoffed, Oh, hush! Youre not a stranger. She cradled Lily in her arms. Come on, darling. Let Mum get ready, and we wont bother her. Will you live with Grandma, love? Of course you will. Grandma will spin you tales, take you for walks, braid your hair
The soft rustle of her voice felt like a whisper in a dream. She had always warned me never to come near her old boat, yet now she was offering a berth. I gathered my things and moved in with her. She set up a spacious room for us while she slipped into a tiny attic nook. I blinked in disbelief as she said:
Whats the matter? The child needs room; shell be crawling soon enough. I dont need much space myself. Make yourselves at home. Dinner will be ready in an hour.
She suggested steamed vegetables and boiled meat for supper and added, Youre a nursing mother. If youd like, I can fry something, but a light diet is better for the baby. Its up to you.
The fridge was stocked with rows of tiny glass jars of baby food. Time to try new flavours, dont you think? If Lily isnt happy with this lot, well pick up something else. Speak up, dear. She smiled at me.
Tears burst from my eyes. Her unexpected kindness struck a chord deep within me; I had never known anyone to look after me and my daughter the way she now did. She drew me close and whispered:
Hush, girl, hush. Men are strange. I raised your husband alone. His father left when his son was eight months old. I wont let my granddaughter grow up the same way. Thats enough, youve wept enough. Pull yourself together.
Through sobs I told her I hadnt expected such warmth and thanked her: Thank you, truly. If it werent for you, I dont know where Lily and I would have ended up.
She replied, Im the one to blame for raising a reckless lad. Ill mend what I can now. Come, wash your face and go to bed. Tomorrow will be brighter.
We celebrated Lilys first birthday togetherme, Lily, and my motherinlaw, our beloved Gran and guardian angel. We laid Lily down for an afternoon nap, sipped tea, and nibbled cake when a knock sounded at the door. My motherinlaw rose to answer.
Mum, meet Monica. Monica, this is my mother. The voice of my husband fell through the hall, pale and thin. Mum, could we stay with you for a while? I cant afford a flat; I have no work.
Hearing his name made my skin turn white. Fear seized me: perhaps my motherinlaw would let them in and throw Lily and me out. Tears welled again.
Get out! Take your girl with you. You robbed your wife and child, left us penniless. This is the life thats answered you. Leave now. And you, Monica, watch out. He may abandon you too.
I had been terribly wrong about my motherinlaw. She became more than a second mother; she turned into the first. We lived under one roof for six years until I married again. At my wedding she took the place of the brides mother. Lily now goes to school, and a little brother will be arriving soon. My motherinlaw beams at the thought of a new grandchild, her heart swelling with joy.
