When Emily came to pick up her son from nursery, he dashed over, wrapped his arms around her neck and urgently whispered in her ear:
Mum, Mum, lets take Olivers granny home with us!
What? Whose granny? What are you talking about? Emily didnt understand. Come on, get your coat on quickly, Dads waiting for us in the car.
That one, over there! Jamie started pointing at an elderly lady who was slowly leading a little boy out of the nursery. Olivers granny! I told you!
Dont be silly. Shes somebody elses granny.
So what? he whined. Cant you just ask her, so shell be my granny too? Please.
You already have grandmasand not just one but two! Why would you want another? Stop being daft and put your trousers on.
But, Mum Jamie pulled a woeful face and started pulling on his warm trousers. My grandmas arent right. Olivers is the proper sort. Shes a real grandma.
What do you mean, theyre not real grandmas? Emily managed a hesitant smile. Of course theyre real, darling! Theyre Dads and my mums, not hers. Not Olivers.
So what? Jamie looked mournfully at his mum. Doesnt matter if they had you. They never became grandmas.
What do you mean, never became grandmas? Dont be silly. Youre our little boy, which means our mums are automatically your grandmas!
But I dont want them to be automatic grandmas! I want them to be proper ones, Jamie kept on.
And what does that mean, being a proper grandma?
Like Olivers granny.
Whats so special about Olivers granny then? I dont understand you, Jamie.
She lets him call her Granny really loudly, Jamie explained. One of my grandmas says I have to call her just Anne, and the other one tells me off for shouting Gran when were outside playing.
Tells you off?
Yeah. She goes, What do you mean, Gran? Im still young. Dont embarrass me in front of the neighbours!
My mum says that to you?
Yes. And she says youre always offloading me onto her. Olivers granny always says Oliver is the best thing that ever happened in her life. I want to be the best thing in someones life too.
I cant believe my mum would say that Emily looked at Jamie, suddenly downcast, asking a lot less sternly, Come on, get dressed, sweetheart. Dad will be worrying. And does Grandma Anne tell you off for calling her gran too?
She doesnt really tell me off, Jamie shook his head, pouting. She just doesnt answer if I call her that. If I say Anne, she gives me a compliment. And Mum, why dont my grans know how to cook proper food?
What do you mean? Emily stared at Jamie, baffled. Are you saying your grans dont feed you when you stay with them?
They dont, Jamie answered sharply.
Hows that? Dont fib! They give you all the things Dad and I never got as kids. All the best stuff for you, I knowIve seen what you eat at theirs myself!
Oh, honestly Jamie grimaced. Sausages, frozen pies, salads Is that supposed to be the best?
Well, what do you want then?
Pancakes.
Pancakes? Emily repeated.
Yeah. Or drop scones. Olivers granny told him today, Well go home and Ill make you some hot drop scones, with clotted cream and jam. Remember how we made jam together in the summer? And Oliver was so happy! But my grans never make jam with me.
Oh, Jamie Emily looked at her child with a pang of guilt. Would you like to have a tea with jam tonight? We can stop at the shop and get some.
Oh, the shop stuff never tastes right
How do you know?
Ive already asked my grans Theyve bought it before.
Did you ever ask them to make you drop scones?
Yeah Jamie sulked, pulling on his jacket. They said it takes too long. Instead, they take me to a café. There are pancakes there, but theyre always cold and the jams all sugary and fake. Olivers granny says pancakes right from the pan are the tastiest thing on earth.
Yes, they are Emily murmured dreamily, taking Jamie by the hand and leading him towards the car park. The tastiest ever. I remember my gran used to make them like that for me
As they walked to the car, where Jamies dad was waiting, Emily pulled out her phone and dialed her friend.
Susan, are you at home? she asked in a guilty tone.
Yes, her friend replied.
Can I ask you a favour? Promise not to laugh.
What is it?
You once said you could make amazing drop scones, that your lad eats them all up. Well
So?
Could you share the recipe? Susan started laughing, but Emily cut in, I said dont laugh! I really need it.
Come over, Ill teach you instead.
When?
Right now, of course.
I cantIm picking Jamie up from nursery, he and my husband are waiting in the car.
Well then, bring them all! Your boy and mine can meet. See you soon. And Susan hung up.
The next day, Emily made sure to take a half day from work. She went over to her mums house, ready to teach her how to make drop scones properly. Her mum tried to play indignant, muttered something about modern grannies not spending all day in kitchens anymore, but Emily cut her off firmly:
Mum, if were such a nuisance, Ill never bring Jamie over again. Do you even know what makes a real gran? And why dont you ever make jam in the summer, now youve got a grandson?
Her mum looked as though she was about to say something sharp, but then she saw the determination on Emilys face, and wisely said nothing.
Looking back, I realised how much the simplest thingsfresh pancakes, a kind wordcan make a child feel truly loved. Maybe the real secret isnt about being a proper gran, or dad, or mum. Its just about being there, and making a little time for warm memories.
When Vera Came to Pick Up Her Son from Nursery, He Threw His Arms Around Her Neck and Whispered Passionately in Her Ear:
