Come on in, Mum, weve been waiting for you, said her son, Thomas, while his wife took her coat and handed a pair of slippers to her mother-in-law. Suddenly, her cheerful smile was replaced by a look of concern.
Mary walked into the sitting room where the guests were gathered, and Lydia nodded slightly at the floor. Thomas saw what she meant there were wet footprints across the floorboards. They exchanged a glance but decided not to mention it for the time being.
Thomas and Lydia had exciting news their twin boys had been born a few months ago. Now that the babies were thriving, they invited their closest family to share in the celebration.
Mary, long since retired, had brought carefully knitted little jumpers shed made herself for her grandsons, as she had no money for shop-bought presents. She had been hesitant to visit, telling them shed come another time, but Thomas and Lydia insisted that she should be with them on such an occasion.
The boys were named Henry and Edward, names that filled Mary with delight. Her late husband had been called Edward, and her own father had been Henry Thomas was faithfully continuing the family tradition of naming, which warmed her heart.
Oh, hes such a lovely little thing, looks just like you, Lydia. And this one is your image, Thomas. Or perhaps notI cant tell them apart; they really are like two peas in a pod, Mary fussed around the cot, hopelessly confused. The twins truly were identical.
Thomas and Lydia chuckled, their mothers joy and fretfulness making them both smile.
When the guests had gone, Mary began to get her things together as well. Lydia glanced at her husband, and Thomas offered, Mum, why not stay the night? Its late, you might miss the last bus. Besides, you could help Lydia with the little onestheyll need a bath and to be tucked in.
If you say so, love, I will, Mary replied.
She helped Lydia clear the table and washed up all the dishes. Then they all gathered together to bathe the twins. The happiness in Marys eyes was unmistakable. Lydia handed her one of the boys to hold, but Mary hesitated nervously. She was afraid the baby was too tiny and might slip from her arms.
Mum, you managed to raise Thomas without dropping him, Lydia teased.
Oh, that was a lifetime ago. Ive quite forgotten what its like to hold a baby, Mary fretted.
But Lydia gently placed Henry in her arms, and the little boy quietly fell asleep, as if he recognised the familiar comfort of his grandmother. Lydia rocked Edward to sleep herself.
Mary was given the guest room so she could get a good nights rest, but it was a long time before she could sleep. She lay awake, ears pricked for any sound from Henry or Edward. So tense was her vigilance throughout the night that she finally drifted off only at dawn, thoroughly exhausted.
When morning came, Lydia was already up and had breakfast ready, while the twins slept on.
Wheres Thomas? Mary wondered aloud, seeing only Lydia in the kitchen.
Sit down and eat, Mum, Thomas will be back in a minute, Lydia answered quickly, seeing Marys anxiety.
A moment later, Thomas appeared, carrying a large box.
Mum, this is for you. Go on, open it, he said, his eyes twinkling.
Mary opened the box and found a brand new pair of boots nestled inside. She was utterly speechless.
Theyre far too expensive, I cant possibly accept such a gift, she said, her eyes brimming with tears.
Theyre not dearer than you, Mum. Put them on and enjoy, Thomas replied warmly.
Mary tried on the boots, hardly able to fathom how her children had known she needed them so badly. Her old boots had fallen to pieces and were beyond repair, but she couldnt afford a new pair.
Suddenly, one of the boys began to cry, and off Mary hurried in her new boots, forgetting all about their price.
You darling, thank you, Thomas whispered to his wife. Without you, it wouldnt have crossed my mind.
It was simple, really, Lydia said softly. Your mum arrived yesterday with her feet soaking. I saw the wet footprints, glanced at her worn-out boots, and I put two and two together. Three thousand pounds is a lot for us, but well earn more. For your mum, its out of reach. She should have them.
She hugged him gently.
For Mary, it was a warmth she felt perhaps from the new boots, perhaps more so from knowing how cherished and important she truly was to her children.
