John had lost his sister. He drove to the village to attend her funeral. His wife, Margaret, stayed at homeher health wasnt up to the journey. Margaret knew John would return that day, so she got everything ready in advance. She piled mashed potatoes and some rather chummy-looking meatballs onto plates. When John walked into the kitchen, Margaret called out, Just in time for dinner, I see! John didnt say a word, but gave his wife a strange, unreadable look.
Whats happened? Margaret asked, bewildered.
I havent come back on my own, John blurted out after a moment.
What do you mean? Whos with you? Margarets eyebrows sailed halfway up her forehead.
Presents for the Wife
Margaret Anne thought, well, here we areold age at last. Shed taken to lying on her back, staring at the ceiling and reflecting on a life both long and, lets face it, rather uneventful, especially these last three years.
Back then, her husband John was still alive. Hed just turned sixty-two. When Johns sister passed away in the countryside, hed travelled there to set things in order but when he came back
Through the door with John came a thin, timid-looking girl.
Margaret, this is my sisters granddaughter. Her names Daisy, John introduced, nudging the girl forward.
Margaret gave her the stern once-over, shot a moody glance at her husband, then relented, Come on in, Daisy! Ill get supper on the table.
Margaret, knowing her husbands return was imminent, had prepped everything already. Plates groaned with mashed potatoes and meatballs waiting to be eaten.
Sit yourself down, Daisy! Eat up! she insisted, summoning her sweetest voice.
Kitchen Capers
Daisy tucked in obediently. Margaret gave John a significant glare and they excused themselves to the bedroom.
John, what on earth is this about? Margaret whispered, door firmly shut.
Margaret, the girls got nowhere to go. Let her stay with us. She hasnt got anyone left, John murmured.
What about your niece? Isnt she her mother?
She didnt even come to say goodbye to her mum. My sister brought Daisy up singlehandedly since she was a toddler. John sighed. Now theres no one at all for her.
John, were both retiredour healths dodgy at best, Margaret protested, glancing at the door. How old is she?
Twelve.
Shell need raising till shes at least twenty!
Well get some help from the council. My sisters place will be sold in six months, Ive sorted it. Mind you, its just a two up, two down, begging for a bulldozer. Still, weve got some savings. Emily and Harry will help if it comes to itthey are our children after all.
Theyve got their hands full! All their kids are at schoolwont be long till theyre getting married and causing more chaos. And theyre our grandchildren, even if they do live at the other end of the country. We meant to help them, remember?
Margaret, Daisy is still familysort of.
Not really my blood, is she? she scoffed. Right, come on, lets eatthe suppers going cold!
Daisy looked panic-stricken as they came back into the kitchen, plainly aware shed been the hot topic behind closed doors. She stood up abruptly.
Granny Margaret, please dont send me away! I havent got anyone except you and Granddad. Ill help, I promise.
Oh, go on then, stay!
A Year Later
John passed away that winter. The kids made the trip, paid their respects, then sat down with their mother. Daisy went round to the neighboursshe knew adult conversations didnt need her audience.
Mum, why are you keeping Daisy? her daughter asked.
Shes Johns granddaughter, after all, Margaret replied, her eyes puddling up. And shes got no one.
Why dont we get her into a care home, Mum? her daughter pressed. Youre not exactly in the first flush of youth. Why bother at your age?
Ive got nobody else left. You lot pop in once in a blue moon and Im not getting any healthier. At least Ive got someone to talk tosomeone here. Margaret dabbed her tears with a tissue.
All right, Emily her son said, putting a comforting hand on his sisters shoulder. Itll be tough for Mum on her own. Let Daisy stayitll do her good.
They stayed another day, but with three kids each and more on the way, off they went.
So it was just Margaret and her not-quite-family Daisy once more. Daisy, a lovely child, had just turned thirteen but ran the whole house for her granny, as if she really was her own.
Margarets health slid even further. Again the children came.
Im not well at all, Margaret began as soon as they arrived. Thank goodness Daisys here. I want to leave her the flat.
Have you lost your mind, Mum? Emily exclaimed. Youve six grandchildren! My Alice is fourteen already, Harrys Sophie is fifteen. Soon enough theyll be storming the registry office. Shouldnt you leave it to your own grandchildren?
Not one of thems queuing up to look after me.
Its summertheyre on school holidays, Emily announced. Theyll come and stay the summer with you.
Sure enough, three days later in moved the grandchildren, and off went their parents. Poor Daisy, the eternal gooseberry, retreated to the neighbours again.
The granddaughtersSophie and Alicewere giddy at being left in charge. On the first evening, they stayed out until it was dark, then came home to find Granny unable to get up, food untouched. She asked to be helped to the loo. The girls screwed up their faces and muttered, but in the end, they helped her.
That night Margaret asked for water several times before Sophie finally roused herself to fetch it. When Granny needed the loo again, the cousins had a row about whose turn it was.
Making breakfast and feeding Granny took more effort in the morning. Fortunately Margaret managed to get herself to the kitchen and sit at the table.
After two days the girls mood had soured considerably. The last straw came when Granny wanted help getting washed. They called home and within twenty-four hours, theyd packed up and gone.
Margaret was left with only Daisy, struggling to get out of bed.
A Whole Year Passed
Now fifteen, Daisy managed the entire flat. She was starting Year 10, kept the place immaculate, managed her schoolwork and still cared for her granny. Yet Margaret brooded:
To think shes not even really family, and yet she looks after me so well. But soonthree years, maybe fiveshell be off. I should leave her the flat. I reckon the kids will see sense.
She struggled out of bed, fished her mobile out (one of those clever onesJohn had given her that for her sixtieth, taught her how to use it), and Googled the local solicitors office.
Next day, the solicitor came round and sorted everything out.
Margaret rang her son and daughter straight away to tell them shed left the flat to Daisy. The next day, they turned up togetherflat in a decent part of town, three bedrooms, second floor. It was enough to get anyones attention.
Mum, are you sure about this? Emily began immediately. Why not come stay with us? You could spend a month at mine, a month at Harrys, and meanwhile well sell this place.
And what about Daisy?
Well arrange somethingfoster care. You have real grandchildren to look after you.
I know exactly how much they want to look after me. With Daisy, I feel safe. And Ive no desire to be parcelled up and shuttled between you two every month.
Alright, Emily, Harry reasoned. Maybe this is for the best. Mums contentand that matters most. If she wants to leave the flat to Daisy, so be it.
They stuck around for a few days, then off they went. Daisy appeared from the neighbours soon after.
Granny, why did Uncle Harry and Auntie Emily come round?
Oh, just visiting, love, Margaret grinned. Now, come sit downIve something to tell you.
Gran, youre being mysterious.
Pass me that folder on the dresser, would you?
Daisy fetched it and perched next to her.
Ive left the flat to you, my dear. All the papers are in here.
But Gran, why? Im not your real family.
My lovely, youre the closest family Ive got! Promise me youll never leave me?
What are you going on about, Gran? I havent got anyone else but you either.Margaret reached out and took Daisys hand in both of hers, those papery-soft fingers trembling. Then well stick together. Youll see me off one day, and after that, this place will really be yoursa home, not just a roof. Plant something on the windowsill, have noisy friends over. Open windows in spring. Let it be yours, in every way that matters.
Daisys eyes shimmered as she squeezed Margarets hand. The old woman beamed through her tiredness. A curious peace settled between them, like settling dust in a shaft of golden afternoon light. That evening, Daisy brought Margaret a mug of cocoa, and the two sat together on the sofa, watching the world dim behind pale curtains.
Outside, an early star appeared, and inside, the girl and her almost-family granny leaned their heads together, comforting each other in the hush. For the first time in a very long while, Margaret felt the dizzy happiness of belongingnot to blood, but to loves stubborn, everyday faithfulness. And as the shadows stretched across the walls, both knew that, for all their losses, theyd managed to knit something lasting and true: home, exactly as it ought to be.
