GRANDMA, MY GUARDIAN ANGEL Lena never knew her parents. Her father left her mother while she was pregnant, and Lena never heard from him again. Her mother passed away from cancer when Lena was just a year old. From then on, Lena was raised by Granny Dot—her mum’s mum—who had lost her own husband young and devoted her life entirely to her daughter and granddaughter. From Lena’s earliest days, she and her grandmother shared a unique, unbreakable bond. Granny Dot always knew exactly what Lena needed, and there was nothing but understanding between them. Everyone loved Granny Dot, from the neighbours to the teachers at school. She would often attend parents’ evenings bearing a basket of homemade scones—after all, nobody should sit hungry at meetings after a long day’s work. She never gossiped or spoke ill of others; people regularly came to her for advice. Lena felt so lucky to have such a wonderful grandma. Lena’s own romantic life, however, wasn’t so fortunate. School, university, and work kept her constantly rushing about; she dated now and then but never found the right person. Granny Dot worried about it: — “Why are you still single, darling? Surely there’s a nice lad out there for a beautiful, clever girl like you!” Lena would laugh it off, but deep down, she knew it was time to settle down—she was nearly thirty, after all. Then, suddenly, Granny Dot was gone: her heart simply stopped one night as she slept. Lena was beside herself, unable to accept what had happened. She went through the motions—work, shopping—on autopilot, and at home, only her cat Molly awaited her. The loneliness was sometimes unbearable. One day, on the train home, Lena was reading a book when a pleasant-looking, well-dressed man about forty sat opposite her. He watched her for a while, and, strangely, she didn’t mind. Eventually, he struck up a conversation about books—something Lena could discuss for hours. It felt like a scene from a romantic film. When her stop came, the man—Alex—invited her for coffee. Lena agreed, heart fluttering. Thus began a whirlwind romance. They spoke on the phone and messaged every day, though met in person less often because Alex was always busy with work. He never spoke about his past, family, or job, but Lena didn’t mind—she’d never been happier with a man. One day, Alex invited Lena to a fancy restaurant and hinted at a special occasion—surely, he was going to propose! Lena was thrilled. Finally, she was about to have the family she’d always wanted. If only Granny Dot were there to see it. That night, browsing online shops for the perfect dress, Lena fell asleep. In her dream, Granny Dot appeared, dressed in her favourite frock, and gently stroked Lena’s hair. — “Gran, you’re gone… how are you here?” — “My sweet Lena, I never truly left. I’m always by your side, seeing and listening, even if you can’t see me. I’ve come to warn you: don’t see this man again—he’s not good for you. Please, trust your granny.” Then she vanished. Lena woke, unsettled, but decided it was just a dream—though a niggling worry remained. Why would Granny Dot warn her about Alex? Granny had never met him. Still, she couldn’t decide what to wear for the big day; everything seemed to go wrong. Saturday came, and Lena arrived at the restaurant in an old dress, feeling flat. Alex noticed at once and tried to cheer her up. At the end of the meal, like a scene from a film, he got down on one knee and produced a sparkling ring. Suddenly dizzy, Lena thought she glimpsed Granny Dot’s reflection in the window—watching intently. This was the sign she needed. — “I’m sorry, Alex, I can’t…” — “But why, what have I done?” — “Nothing. I just… always trusted my granny.” She rushed out. He followed, enraged, and shouted, “Fine! Stay with your precious cat, then—nobody else will have you, you silly thing!” and stormed off. Lena was reeling. How could this smart, loving Alex turn into someone so cruel? The next day, she visited her old classmate Andy—now head of the local detective unit—and asked him to run a check on Alex. A day later, Andy called: — “Lena, I’m sorry, but your Alex is a serial conman. He befriends lonely women, marries them, gets them to put him on the property deeds or take out massive loans for his ‘business’, then tosses them out and divorces them. He’s got several convictions. You had a lucky escape.” Lena was stunned. How could Granny Dot have known Alex wasn’t right? It was a miracle—perhaps she really was watching over her. Lena bought groceries and cat food on her way home, walking briskly with a newfound confidence. She knew she wasn’t alone: Granny Dot would always be nearby. People say lost loved ones become our guardian angels, watching and protecting us from harm. And perhaps—just perhaps—they’re right.

GRANDMA MY GUARDIAN ANGEL

I never really remembered my parents. My father left my mum while she was still pregnant, and after that, no one ever heard from him again. Mum passed away when I was just a toddler, barely a year old. Cancer took her quickly, like a candle burning out all at once.

It was my nan, Margaret, my mums mum, who raised me. Her husband, my grandad, had died young, so Nan devoted her whole life to my mum and then to me. From the very start, Nan and I had this unbreakable bond, almost as if we were tied together by something greater. She always seemed to know what I needed, even before I could say it. We just understood each other perfectly.

Everyone loved Nan Margaret. Neighbours, teacherseverybody. Whenever there were school meetings, shed show up with a basket of homemade scones or sausage rolls, saying it wasnt right for everyone to sit around hungry after a long days work. She never gossiped or spoke ill of anyone, and people often came to her for advice. I always counted myself lucky to have her.

As for me, well, life didnt exactly go according to plan. I focused on school, university, then work. Always rushing somewhere, always with a task to tick off. I dated a few blokes over the years, but none of them felt quite right. Nan did worry about me.

Emily, love, why are you still single? Surely there must be a decent fellow out there for you. Youre beautiful and cleveryoull find someone. Id laugh it off, but deep down I knew she had a point. Thirty isnt exactly young.

And then Nan was gone. Just like that. She went to bed one night and never woke upher heart gave out in her sleep. I was lost, walking through life like a ghost. Work, shoppingeverything was done on autopilot. Only my cat, Whiskers, greeted me when I got home. The house was hollow without her.

One evening, I was taking the train home, reading a book to drown out the emptiness. A man sat opposite, maybe in his early forties, smartly dressed, good-looking. He watched me closely, but not in a way that made me uncomfortable; in fact, I rather liked the attention. He started chatting to me about booksmy favourite topic. Its just like a film, I thought to myself. His name was Thomas, and he asked if I fancied a coffee at a nearby café. I agreed eagerly.

After that, things moved quickly. We had calls and texts every day, met up when we could. Thomas always seemed busy with work, and he never spoke about his past, family, or job. But for the first time, I was truly happy with someone.

One day, Thomas invited me out for dinner at a nice restaurant that weekend and hinted there was something special about the evening. I knew he was going to propose. I was over the moonfinally, marriage, children, the family Id always dreamed of. If only Nan was here to see it.

That night, stretched out on the sofa, I started pondering outfits for the big night. I always bought my clothes online and started scrolling through my phone, searching for the perfect dress. Somewhere in the middle of it, I must have drifted off to sleep.

And then, I had the most vivid dream. Nan walked into my room, wearing her favourite floral dress, and sat beside me, gently stroking my hair. I felt so happy, yet confused. Nan, youre not here anymorehow did you get here? I asked.

She smiled and said, Emily, Ive never really left. Im always right nearby, watching and listening, even if you cant see me. Im here to warn you: dont go through with it, love. Hes not a good mantrust your gran. And with that, she just faded away.

I woke with a start, bewildered. Id been so sure Nan was there only a second ago. I tried to shake it off as just a dream and resumed searching for a dress, but there was a nagging worry I just couldnt ignore. Why would Nan say Thomas wasnt a good man? Shed never even met him. Still troubled, I finally fell back to sleep, none the wiser about what to wear.

As the weekend drew near, I still hadnt chosen a dress. Nans words kept echoing in my head, and I couldnt focus on anything. I was never one for believing in dreams or omens, but Nan was different. If there was anyone whose advice I trusted, it was hers.

Saturday arrived, and I donned an old dress for the dinner. I wasnt in the mood for much, and Thomas picked up on it at once.

Everything alright, love? he asked.

Im fine, honestly, I replied, forcing a smile. He clearly didnt believe me but did his best to lighten the mood with jokes. Eventually, right at the end of dinner, Thomas dropped down on one knee and opened a ring box, just like a scene from a romantic film.

Suddenly, my head spun, my ears rang, and I saw Nan standing by the window. She simply stood there, eyes fixed on me. In that moment, I understood.

Im sorry, Thomas. I cant, I blurted out, barely able to speak.

But why? What did I do wrong? he asked.

Nothing. Ive always trusted my nan, thats all, I said, getting up and rushing out.

He caught up with me outside, his face twisted with anger. He shook me, shouting, So thats it? Youd rather stay alone with your bleeding cat, you miserable cow? Well, suit yourself. No one else will want you! And he stormed off.

I was absolutely stunned. This was the man I thought I lovedso clever, so kind, so affectionate. Some dream of marriage, familygone in an instant.

The next day, feeling shaken, I visited my old school friend, Oliver, at his office. He worked as a detective inspector and always helped out old friends. I handed him Thomass photo and details, asking him to check up on him.

A day later, Oliver called. Emily, Im afraid its bad news. Your Thomas is a notorious con artist. He targets single women, marries them, gets them to put their flats or houses in his name, then talks them into massive loans for some fake business venture. Not long after, he throws them out, divorces them, and leaves them with nothing. Hes been convicted for this more than once. You were lucky to get away.

I sat there in shock. How could Nan possibly have known he was trouble? It was like magic. Thank you, Nan, for still looking out for me and saving me from disaster.

With that, I popped down to the local shop, picked up some groceries and cat food for Whiskers, and walked home with a spring in my step, comforted by the thought that I wasnt alonethat Nan was always close by.

They say the spirits of loved ones watch over us, become our guardian angels, and shield us from harm.

I want to believe thats true. And after everything, I think I do.