Martha Wilson headed to work earlier than usual. On weekends, the kids always left a mess, so she arrived at 4 a.m. to get everything done. Shed been a cleaner for years nowonce, her life had looked very different.
Grabbing her broom, she thought of her beloved son, the one shed had on her own at 35. Shed never had luck with men, so shed poured all her love into him. She adored her little Oliver. He was clever, handsomebut there was one thing that worried her. He hated their neighbourhood.
“Mum, when I grow up, Ill be a proper success!” hed say.
“Course you will, loveno doubt about it,” shed reply.
When he turned 16, he moved out to live closer to his college. Martha hated him being so far away, but he promised to visit often.
At first, he did. Then he met a girl, and home became an afterthought. Then one day, he returned for goodwith news that shattered her. He was terminally ill. Martha couldnt understand why life had dealt them such a cruel hand.
She fought with everything she had. The doctors suggested treatment abroad, but the cost was staggering. Without hesitation, she sold her flat. Then, one night, the call came.
“Your sons gone,” the doctor said.
Life lost all meaning.
One morning, as always, Martha went to tidy the estate.
“Morning!” called out Simon Wright, walking his dog.
“Morning! Youre up early,” she said.
“Ah, bored at home. Fancied a walkand a chat with you,” he grinned.
Simon was a bacheloralways had been. Martha flushed slightly at his attention.
“Right, best let you get on,” he said, strolling off with his terrier.
Martha got back to workthen spotted something on the bench. A phone. She glanced aroundno one nearby. She turned it on. Photos flashed upsome kid mustve left it. But then she froze.
“Oliver my boy!” she sobbed.
Suddenly, the phone rang. She hesitated, then answered.
“Hello? Thats my phonecan I get it back?” a womans voice asked.
“Y-yes. Found it on the bench. Come round,” Martha stammered, giving her address.
The girl arrivedand behind her stood a boy.
“Whered you get photos of my son?” Martha asked shakily.
“Ethans pictures?” the girl frowned.
The boy stepped forward. Marthas knees buckled.
“Oliver!” she cried, collapsing.
The boy rushed to her. “Whats wrong with her?”
“Think she mistook you for someone. Should we call an ambulance?” the girl said.
Fifteen minutes later, the paramedics had Martha settled. When they left, the girl finally explained.
“You know me?” Martha whispered. “Howd you have photos of Oliver?”
“Im Emily,” the girl said. “We dated. He left when I told him I was pregnant.”
“Left? He never mentioned you!”
“We were together a few months. Then he just vanished. I figured he got scared.”
Martha shook her head. “No, love. Now I understand. He was sickdidnt want to burden you. Hes been gone years”
Emilys face paled. “Gone?”
“Cancer. I sold everything to save him, but we were too late.”
Emily exhaled. “So he was protecting me” Then she turned to the boy. “Ethan, come here.”
He shuffled forward.
“Mum?”
“Remember how I said your dad left us? Turns out he was ill. This is your nan.”
Marthas heart swelled as she looked at her grandson.
“Nan,” Ethan murmured shyly.
“Come here, love,” she whispered, hugging him.
Emily smiled. “Move in with us? Weve got roomand youre family.”
Martha shook her head. “This place is home. But Ill visit often.”
Just then, a knock. Simon stood there, holding flowers.
“Fancy a walk?” he asked.
Martha smiled. “Alright.”
Emily and Ethan peeked out.
“Can we come?” they chimed.
Simon winked. “If you behave.”
Two months later, Martha became Mrs. Wright. Simons terrier, Rex, adored his new familyespecially Ethan, who took him on walks while Martha baked pies for them all.
