It so happened that he was raised by his nan, even though his mum was still alive.
Thats how it was for Stanleyhis nan brought him up, though his mother was very much around. Truth be told, his mum was brilliantlovely and kind-hearted. But she was a singer at the Philharmonic, so she was rarely home. With all her travelling, she even split from her husband, the boys father. So Stanley was left in his nans care.
For as long as he could remember, walking back to their block of flats, hed always glance up at the fourth floor and see the silhouette of his dear nan at the window, waiting impatiently for him to return. And whenever she saw him off somewhere, shed wave through the window, and hed always wave back.
But when Stanley turned twenty-five, his nan passed away. Now, coming home to no familiar figure at the window, he felt unbearably hollow and sad. Even when his mum was in, Stanley still felt alone. They hadnt spoken properly in years, had nothing in common, didnt even discuss day-to-day troubleslike strangers.
A few months after his nans death, Stanley suddenly decided to move to another city. His IT skills were in demand everywhere, after all. Online, he found a decent firm offering a good salary and even covering rent. His mum was thrilledher boy was grown now, off to make his own way, far from her.
He packed only his nans favourite mug as a keepsake and a few clothes to start with. Shouldering his rucksack, he glanced one last time at the kitchen window and saw nothing. His mum didnt even come to wave him off. A cab whisked him to the train station, and soon he was lying on the top bunk of a sleeper carriage.
The next morning, the train pulled in right on time. Stanley found his new workplace, checked in, then set off to pick a flat from addresses hed scouted online. Navigating the unfamiliar city with his phones GPS, he suddenly noticed a block of flats. Oddly, it looked just like home. All those post-war builds were similar, but this one felt different somehow. Maybe because the window frames were painted the same peculiar shade of turquoise.
Without meaning to, Stanley strayed from his route and drifted toward the building. He just wanted to stand there a moment, remembering his nan. As he drew close, his gaze instinctively lifted to the kitchen windowand he froze. His head spun at what he saw. On the fourth floor, behind the glass, was his nans silhouette. He knew it was her in an instant, his heart near leaping from his chest.
Stanley was no fool. He knew it couldnt be real. So he shut his eyes, turned away, and started walking off. His mind told him it was just some other old womanbut his heart whispered, *Wait! Its her!* And he listened, stopping, turning back, looking up again.
She was still there. Stanley couldnt take it. With his rucksack bouncing, he bolted for the building, up to the fourth floor. And just like back home, the lock on the stairwell door was busted. He flew up the steps and pressed the buzzer. The door opened to a bleary-eyed girl in a dressing gown, blinking at him in confusion.
What dyou want?
Me? Stanley stammered. II want my nan.
Your *nan*? she echoed, then suddenly grinned and called over her shoulder, Mum! Someones here for you!
While her mother shuffled over, the girl eyed this odd bloke curiously. Stanleys head wasnt just spinning nowhis heart felt like it might stop.
Whos asking? A woman in her fifties, equally sleepy and wrapped in a dressing gown, appeared.
Mum, listen, the girl smirked. He just called you nan.
Wait, Stanley whispered. I didnt mean you. I meant in your window. The kitchen. There was a woman there. My nan. I *saw* her.
What, are you off your head? the girl snorted. Theres no nan here! Just me and Mum, got it?
Right. Sorry. II mustve got mixed up. Stanleys vision swam. He stepped back, dropped his rucksack, and braced himself against the wall. Just give me a sec. Ill go.
The girl moved to shut the door, but her mother stopped her.
Oi, lad, she said, concerned, you alright?
Fine, he lied softly. Dont worry.
You dont *look* fine. Face red as a beet. Come here. She guided him inside, barking orders at her daughter. Lucy, grab his bag! Bring the blood pressure cuff!
Wide-eyed, Lucy obeyed.
The woman sat Stanley down in the hall, wordlessly checking his vitals before snapping more instructions. Lucy gaped at the scene.
Get my bag. Ive got meds in there. She turned to Stanley. Just in case, Ill give you something. Then well call an ambulance.
No ambulance! he croaked. I just got off the train. Havent even got a place yet
Listen to my mum! Lucy cut in. Shes a doctor, alright?
Youre not from round here? the woman asked.
He just nodded weakly. Then pleaded again, Please, dont call anyone. I start my new job tomorrow. First day.
Quiet. She was already injecting something into his arm. This ever happen before?
No.
How old are you?
Twenty-five.
Heart problems?
Im perfectly healthy.
Healthy? Blood pressures through the roof. This isnt funny.
Mightve been the shock.
What shock?
I told you. I saw my nan in your window. She was standing there, in the kitchen, looking right at me.
Your *nan*?
Yeah. But she died. Two months ago. Theres really no old woman living here?
Youre a strange one, Lucy giggled. I *said*, its just me and Mum. But if itll calm you down, Ill check the kitchen.
She trotted offthen let out a shriek moments later.
Mum! What *is* this?! She reappeared holding an unfamiliar mug. Weve *never* had this at home!
Stanley gave a weak smile. Thats my nans mug. I but its supposed to be in my bag. I brought it as a keepsake. This is weird.
Where *is* your bag? The mother and daughter stared at him, baffled.
Right there. He nodded at his rucksack by the door. The mug should be inside.
They emptied the bag. No second mug.
To this day, the family cant explain it. Especially Lucys mum. Because two months later, she became Stanleys mother-in-law. Talk about fate.
