Hey love, picture this: its a grey afternoon at the little nursery on the outskirts of Manchester, and all the kids have already been scooped up by their mums and dads. The only one left is little Jack, hunched in the corner with his toy car, his eyes glued to the window. Miss Margaret, the nursery carer, keeps glancing at her watch, eyebrows knitting.
Jack lets out a heavy sigh, looks out at the dark gap in the window, then at the door.
Miss Margaret, he says in that shy voice, I saw a big brown dog by the fence this morning. I think its still out there. Mums scared to go near it. Maybe we could go outside and shoo it away?
Miss Margaret chuckles, No dog, love. Dont make up stories. Ill give your mum a ring again. She pulls out her phone, dials the number shes saved for Jacks mother, but it just rings and rings. No answer. She sighs, glances at the clock again, and thinks, *Something must have gone wrong. This never happens. Jacks dad isnt in the picture, and his mum is always super responsibleshed have called if she was delayed.*
She leans over, Jack, lets get you dressed. How about we head over to my flat? Ive got a cat that could use some company.
Jacks eyes widen, A cat? Really? Can I play with it?
Sure thing, off we go.
The moment they step into Miss Margarets flat, the place feels warm and cosy, the air scented with fresh biscuits. A huge, lazy ginger cat named Morris lounges on a cushion, letting Jack pat his soft fur and tolerating the boys clumsy antics. After a mug of tea, Jack soon drifts off to sleep on the sofa.
Miss Margaret gently lifts him onto a spare bed, then scurries to the kitchen with her phone tucked in her pocket. She spends the next hour on the line with the police and the local Accident & Emergency liaison, learning that a young woman had been rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after a road accident. The woman is unconscious.
Whenever she wakes up, could you let her know Jacks all right? Hell stay with me for a while. She shouldnt worry. Well visit her soon, Miss Margaret tells the officer.
When she returns, Jack is sitting up, his cheeks wet with tears. Wheres my mum? he sobs, I want to go home. I dont want to be here. Mums crying at home, the babys crying, all my toys are waiting for me. Please, lets go back to Mum.
Miss Margaret kneads his hair, Oh, sweetie, dont cry. Your mums just at work right now. Itll be okay. This place is safe, and I love you, as does Morris.
Jack sniffs, Shes not up in the clouds, is she?
She shakes her head, No, shes not. Why would you ask?
Because my dads gone up there, and Grans too. They watch me from the sky. When I behave, theyre happy. What if Mum also goes up there?
Miss Margaret pulls him into a tight hug, his little nose pressed against her shoulder. Your mums strong, love. Shell be fine. Tomorrow well head straight to the hospital. Shes not at work; shes in a ward because shes a bit under the weather.
Jack perks up, Is her throat hurting? Like mine did?
Yes, a sore throat and a little arm ache. Shell get better, and youll go home with her.
Can we bring her warm milk with honey? he asks eagerly.
Of course, well bring it. Now close your eyes, Ill read you a bedtime story.
He looks at her, Miss Margaret, why do you live alone?
The question catches her off guard. A tear slips down her cheek. I had a son and a husband. They went to the cottage for a weekend and I stayed home to tidy up. There was an accident. Now its just me and Morris. I wish they were still here.
Did they go up to the sky?
Yes, she whispers, they did.
Jacks small voice trembles, Dont cry, Miss Margaret. Theyre looking down on you. When youre happy theyre happy; when you cry theyre sad too. My mum told me that. Lets keep them from feeling sad.
She wipes her eyes, pulls him close, and plants a gentle kiss on his forehead. Alright, lets get some sleep. Tomorrow well have to get up early. Would you mind staying with me for a bit while your mums in hospital? Morris and I would love the company.
Deal, Jack nods, Ill help with the dishes. Can I call you Gran? Not at school, just here.
You can, love. Sleep now.
Miss Margaret stays by the window a while longer, dabbing at her own tears, while Jack sleeps soundly on the spare bed.
Fast forward a few years. Jack wakes up at the crack of dawn, leans out of bed, stretches, and the kitchen is already filling with the smell of fresh scones. He tiptoes over and finds Miss Margaret bustling about.
Gran, why are you up so early? he asks, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
She smiles, Couldnt sleep, thought youd be up with Mum, and I wanted to surprise you with scones. Here, have a splash of milk. Ill catch a little nap later, maybe dream of the clouds when the time comes.
And thats how Jacks mornings still start with the warm scent of baking, a cheeky kiss, and a reminder that sometimes, the people we love are never really far awaytheyre just waiting in a cosy flat across the street, with a cat named Morris and a gran whos learned to love again.
Love you, and Ill call you later. Bye!
