Dont Send Him Away If He Comes Back
Sophie barely remembered her parents. Theyd shuffled off the mortal coil one after the other while she was still too little to know what was going on. First, her dad grew illshe has this vague memory of her mum sitting beside his bed while he stared at the ceiling. Then he was just gone. Not all that long after, her mums heart gave out. Just like that: two tickets to the big sleep.
The neighbors, Margaret and Richard, stepped in without fuss. Theyd always been close to Sophies folks and sorted out guardianship because no actual relatives appeared, not even one lurking in a distant shire. Margaret and Richard had a son, Oliver, who was three years older. Once Sophie turned up into a proper young womanquite the looker, if she did say so herselfOliver fell head over heels. She didnt kick up a fuss. You might say she was the best souvenir he could find, right under his own roof.
They got married and moved into Sophies old family home, spruced it up with new wallpaper and a bit of paint. Before you could say Bobs your uncle, a baby boy was on the way.
Soph, Im chuffed to bitsour very own son! Finally, the family name will carry on, and Ill love him to bits. And you, of course, Oliver said, positively glowing with anticipation.
Sophie gave birth to their son in the autumn, well past midnight. It was a tough old business, and afterwards she curled herself up, eyes squeezed shut, sighing like shed run a marathon.
Well, thats me donefinally had the baby, time for a bit of kip.
The next morning, the woman sharing her ward got her bundle delivered for feeding, but not Sophie. She fretted:
Wheres my boy? Hell need feeding too!
Alls well, chirped the nurse, hes having a nap. Dont worry, hell make himself known when hes hungry.
The second daystill no baby delivered. Sophie broke down in tears.
Wheres my baby? Whats happened to him?
The cleanerMrs. Maureenmumbled as she scrubbed the floor, Not to put too fine a point on it, love, but that little un looks a bit poorly. Barely a peep out of him, just a faint squeak. Ive seen a lot over the years
Just then, the nurse strolled in, calm as a summers day. Hes very delicate, the little chap. Were keeping him on a drip just now, giving him vitamins and whatnot. Hell be all right with some time.
Finally, the nurses brought Sophie her son. She almost jumpeda tiny thing, felt like holding a bundle of feathers, with a head so big it looked like itd been delivered special delivery. When Sophie and baby James got home, Oliver greeted them. When she unwrapped the blanket, Oliver nearly dropped his mug.
Hes so small, and that head Its bigger than he is! Are you sure hes ours? Did they swap him at the hospital?
Oliver, dont be daft. Hes ourshe just turned up tiny. The doctor said hed grow all right, given time.
Sophie started mothering James with all the love and kindness she could muster. Meanwhile, Oliver wouldnt even come near him. A week later, he dropped a bombshell.
Sophie, Ive quit my job and Im heading up north. I cant be doing with all thisneed a normal kid, want a healthy son. All the best! He rattled his keys out of pocket, shut the door and buggered off before Sophie could protest. Apparently packed the suitcase days ago.
Sophie stood there, watching his back vanish down the lane. Hed even dodged seeing his own parents, just slunk off to the bus stop. She broke the news herself to Margaret and Richard, blubbing as she spoke.
Olivers left us. Said he doesnt want a son like James. Hes gone away.
Margaret howled, squeezing a handkerchief, while Richard just frowned and mumbled, Dont worry, love, well get by.
Sophie was left with her boy and the in-lawswho were right next door, so at least they could help. Margaret brewed up herbal teas and taught Sophie to bathe James in all sorts of old concoctions. Richard, hobbling about with his stick, tried to help in the garden and fetch water in the odd bucket, taking it steady. Theyd get together for a cuppa at night, even managed a chuckle or two.
James started to fill out, grow strongturned into a lively lad who adored his granddad, always reaching out his arms. Richard doted on him, never letting go if Sophie stopped by, and laughed louder than anyone. When James took his first unsteady steps, Sophie broke downcrying happy tears as he wobbled straight into her arms. She scooped him up and spun him around.
My brilliant boy! I always knew everything would turn out. Youre my world.
Sophie carried him over to demonstrate for Margaret and Richard. James grinned and stamped his little feet, trying to look big.
Margaret dabbed her eyes. Richard smiled broadly and said, There you go, ladproper English footing now. He almost added more, probably thinking less-than-kind things about his son Oliver, but held his tongue.
Sophie never expected Oliver to return.
Five years rolled by. Plenty happened after Oliver left. Margaret and Richard helped out, but not for long. Two years ago, Richard passed on, then Margaret followed almost a year after. They never saw their son again. As she was fading, Margaret begged Sophie:
Forgive us, pet, forgive Oliver. He left you both… Please, youre a mum yourself, you understand. However he is, hes still my boy. I beg you, if Oliver ever returns, dont send him awaypromise me that.
Sophie didnt hold out hope that Oliver would ever come back, but she promised anywayif only to give Margaret a bit of peace at the end. She buried Margaret and carried on with James, who was clever for his age and talked like a little grown-up. When she fetched the firewood, hed drag a bundle along behind her, proud as anything.
Youre my little gentleman, my right-hand man! shed say, while James beamed.
James was six when one afternoon the garden gate creaked open and Oliver wandered in, looking like a lost tourist. James was darting about, chasing butterflies. On spotting Oliver, he approachedwell-mannered and cautious.
Hello. Do I know you?
Ium Im Oliver Richardson Margaret and Richards boy
Im James. Mum calls me Jamie, said the lad.
Oliver, eyes wide, planted himself on the bench, shell shocked.
You said youre Jamie?
James, adorable as ever, said, Dont cryMum says men dont cry. Are you could you be my dad?
Oliver promptly dissolved, sobbing. The word dad tipped him over completely.
Just then, Sophie appeared on the porch, and she too slumped onto the step, gobsmacked.
Oliver?
Mum, is that my dad? I knew he was comingI just did!
Sophie hugged James close.
Yes, Jamie, thats your dad.
Sophie, darling, forgive me. I was a cowardI ran away. I let you both down, Oliver pleaded, kneeling before them.
James trotted down and hugged Olivers neck. Sophie said nothing, but he saw in her eyes a glimmer of forgivenesshe hoped.
And, er how are my parents? I headed straight here Oliver asked.
Theyre all right nowburied them myself. Theyre over there she gestured towards the churchyard.
Later, the three of them stood at Margaret and Richards graves. Oliver wept, keeling over on the grass.
Please forgive me, Mum, Dad
Sophie and James stood quietly, holding hands on the walk back. James looked up repeatedly.
Dad, not crying anymore?
No, son, not anymore. I promise, no more tears.
How did you two get on without me?
It was mixed! said Sophie. Thanks to your parents, we managed. We helped them too whenever we could.
Yes, dad, piped up James, Mum always told me to thank Grandma Margaret and Granddad Richard. I was very scrawny when I was bornyou know, Granddad always said so. But look, I grew, didnt I? Going to school next year, Mum says. I even fed Granddad from a spoon when he was ill, and made Grandma eat her dinner too!
Oliver chewed his lip, deep in thought. I legged it when things got hard. Thought it was too much. But Jamie came through, stronger than ever. And Sophiemy goodness, shes the one who carried us both. And I only came running back when life got a bit rough. Look at melook at my family.
Sophie was wrestling inside.
To forgive or not? Forget it allstart fresh? What to do? But James was clinging to his fathers hand, and there was that promise to Margaret.
That night, after James was tucked up, Sophie and Oliver sat at the kitchen table. Oliver fiddled with his mug, nervously wondering:
Will she kick me out?
But Sophie quietly said:
Your mums last request was: ‘If Oliver comes back, dont send him away.’ I promised.
Oliver breathed out, relieved.
Thank you, Sophie. Ill never hurt you, or Jamieyou’re everything to me.
Some time later, Oliver turned to Jamie with a twinkle in his eye:
What would you think, Jamie, about having a little sister?
Jamie answered, dead serious, I wouldnt mind, but will you manage? Ill be busy at school soon.
Well manage, sunshine. Dont you worry.
Cheers for reading, thanks for your kind support, and best of luck to you!
