While I was on holiday in Cornwall, my mother rang me in a state of absolute hysteria. She couldn’t stop sobbing, her voice trembling with distress. I ended the call, desperate to learn more, and quickly reached out to my brother Edward. But instead of comforting me, Edward snapped, telling me bluntly that I ought to ask Mother myself if I wanted answershe already knew why she was so miserable. He even went so far as to say she was merely reaping what shed sown.
Panic churned inside me. My husband Richard and I quickly decided to cut our holiday short. Despite the hefty price of the train tickets back to London, we agreed we needed to be there.
When we finally arrived at my mothers flat in Islington, she was still shaken and inconsolable. We sat her down and poured her a splash of valerian, hoping it might steady her nerves, and at last she managed to tell us what had happened. She explained that after work, shed returned home to find my sister-in-law, Emily, covered in bruises. Knowing Emily was pregnant, Mum feared the worst and immediately ran to her side, wrapping her in a hug and asking what on earth had happened. But just then, Edward walked in the door. Emily leapt to her feet and began shrieking, accusing Mum of abusing her.
Mum stood there, completely dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what was happening. Edward, not questioning his wife’s words for a second, turned on our mother and ordered her out of the house in fury. Later, he took Emily to St Marys Hospital, where, tragically, it became clear she had suffered a miscarriage. Edward refused to hear Mumor any of usout. He ignored our calls, scorned every attempt at reconciliation, and nursed a bitter resentment against our mother. But deep down, I couldnt shake the feeling that something was desperately wrong; I trusted Mums innocence.
Mercifully, the truth emerged from the unlikeliest source. Emilys own friend, Jane, who proved to have a good heart, came forward. She told meher voice thick with guiltthat Emily had orchestrated the entire drama. It was all a plot, she confessed, designed to turn Edward against Mum and have her thrown out. In truth, Emily herself had taken steps to end the pregnancy. When Edward learned the real story, he was livid; his anger was cold and swift as he packed Emilys things and put her out. With immense remorse, he returned to Mum and offered a heartfelt apology.
A mothers love is boundless, and after all this anguish, Mum simply pulled him into her arms and forgave him, her heart somehow big enough for it all.
