Don’t Leave, Mum: A Family Story The wisdom goes: people are hard to figure out at first. But Barbara Matthews always thought that was nonsense—she was sure she understood people perfectly! Her daughter, Amelia, got married a year ago. Barbara had dreamed that Amelia would find a worthy young man, there’d be grandchildren, and she, as the grandmother, would be at the centre of a big, happy family once again. Her new son-in-law, Ross, wasn’t a fool—and he certainly wasn’t poor, something he seemed rather proud of. But they began their married life in Ross’s own flat, hardly ever asking for Barbara’s advice! In fact, Ross seemed to be a bad influence on Amelia! None of this fit with Barbara’s plans, and Ross soon got on her nerves. “Mum, you just don’t understand—Ross grew up in care. He achieved everything on his own, he’s strong, he’s good, and he’s kind,” Amelia said, upset. Barbara just pursed her lips, always finding a new flaw in Ross. Now she saw him as a fraud, pretending to be something he wasn’t with her daughter. It was her maternal duty to reveal the truth about this empty, useless man—before it was too late! No proper education, stubborn, not interested in anything! At weekends, he just sits in front of the TV—apparently he’s “tired”! And Amelia wants to spend her whole life with this sort of man? No way—one day she’d thank her mother. And if children come along—her, Barbara’s grandchildren—what could they possibly learn from a father like that!? Barbara was bitterly disappointed. Ross, sensing her disapproval, started to avoid her, too. Their conversations became rarer, until Barbara stopped visiting their home altogether. Amelia’s father, ever the gentle soul, stayed neutral—he knew his wife only too well. But one night, Amelie called, her voice panicked: “Mum, I haven’t told you, but I’m away on a business trip for two days. Ross caught a chill on site, and he came home early—he wasn’t feeling great. I’ve been calling him, but he’s not picking up.” “Why are you telling me this, Amelia?” Barbara snapped. “You live your lives now, barely even think about your father and me! Does anyone care how I feel? Apparently not! And now you’re ringing at night to tell me Ross is ill—are you serious?” “Mum…” Amelia’s voice trembled; she really did sound worried, “I just feel sad that you won’t see we love each other. You think Ross is unworthy, but you’re wrong! How can you think your own daughter would fall in love with the wrong man? Don’t you trust me?” Barbara was silent. “Mum, please—I know you still have the key to our flat. Please, could you check on Ross? I think something might have happened to him! Please—Mum!” “Alright—just for you,” said Barbara, waking her husband. No one answered the door at Amelia and Ross’s flat. Barbara unlocked it herself. Inside, it was dark—was anyone even home? “Maybe he’s not here?” her husband suggested, but Barbara silenced him, suddenly feeling Amelia’s worry. She entered the living room, and was horrified—Ross was lying awkwardly on the sofa, clearly feverish. The paramedic brought Ross around: “Don’t worry, seems your son’s had complications after a cold. He’s been working too hard?” the doctor asked kindly. “Yes, he works hard,” Barbara replied. “He’ll be alright. Just keep an eye on his temperature and ring us if you need to.” Ross was soon asleep again. Barbara sat by his bedside, feeling strange—here she was, at the bedside of her despised son-in-law. He lay there, pale, hair slicked to his forehead with sweat, looking much younger and softer than usual. “Mum,” he mumbled, half asleep, grabbing her hand, “don’t leave, Mum.” Barbara was taken aback but didn’t pull her hand away. She sat with him all night long. At dawn, Amelia called: “Mum, I’m sorry—I’ll be home soon. There’s no need for you to go—you’ll see, it’s nothing serious.” “It’s alright. Everything’s fine now,” Barbara smiled. “We’re here, waiting for you—with everything under control.” ***** When her first grandchild was born, Barbara was the first to offer her help. Ross thanked her, kissing her hand: “See, Amelia—I told you, your mum would support us.” Barbara, cradling little Timothy, wandered through the flat speaking fondly to the baby: “Well, Timmy—you’re a lucky lad. You’ve got the best parents, and a devoted nan and grandad. You’re a lucky boy!” So perhaps there is some truth in the saying—you can’t judge a person straight away. And only love can help you truly understand.

Dont Leave, Mum. A Family Tale

Theres an old English saying: You cant judge a book by its coverthough Barbara Wilkinson would have told you thats a load of codswallop. She always reckoned shed got a sixth sense for people.

Her daughter Emily had got married a year back.

Barbara had cherished the hope that Emily would find herself a fine young man, have a brood of grandkids, and Barbaranaturallywould reign as matriarch over this rapidly expanding clan, just as she always had.

Instead she got Tom. Not daft, as men go, nor poor eitherand, by the looks of it, he was rather chuffed with himself on both counts.

But Emily and Tom had moved into Toms flat, set up shop on their own, and, horror of horrors, apparently had no need of Barbaras pearls of wisdom!

Honestly, the fellow was a terrible influence on Emily!

None of these goings-on fit into Barbara Wickedsons plans. Tom grated on her nerves more and more.

Mum, you just dont get itTom was in foster care, he worked hard for everything, hes strong and genuinely lovely and kind, Emily used to sigh.

Barbara would purse her lips and find yet another flaw in Tom to catalogue at family tea.

He wasnt at all what he made himself out to be to her daughter, oh no! And as Emilys mother, wasnt it her solemn duty to open her girls eyes to this empty, shallow chap before it was too late?

No proper schooling, stubborn as a mule, could not have been duller if he tried!

At weekends hed just slump in front of the telly, claiming he was knackeredas if anyone believed that.

And this is the chap her daughter wants to spend her life with? Over Barbaras dead body! Emily would thank her for it in the long run.

And what will happen once the kids come alongher, Barbaras, very own precious grandchildrenwhat could a dad like Tom teach them?

To sum things up, Barbara was decidedly disappointed. Tom, having quickly twigged to his mother-in-laws vibes, soon started giving her a wide berth.

They saw less and less of each other, and eventually Barbara declared she wouldnt set foot in their flat ever again.

Emilys father, a genial chap, knew his wife too well and settled himself snugly on the fence.

One night, fairly late, Emily phoned Barbara. Her voice teetered on the edge of panic.

Mum, I didnt mentionhad to go away for two days for work. Tom got a chill at the building site, left early, not feeling well. Ive been ringing him but he wont answer.

Oh, Emily, what are you telling me for? Barbara huffed, You two clearly know best, scarcely give a fig about me and your dad! Does it matter how Im feeling, anyone care? Really, calling me in the middle of the night to bleat about Tom being ill? Are you quite mad?

Mummy Emilys voice wobbledpoor girl was truly wound upI suppose I was just hurt you couldnt see we love each other. You think Toms not good enough, but youre wrong! I mean, what makes you think your own daughter could fall for a bad man? Dont you believe me?

Barbara was silent.

Mum, pleaseI know youve still got our spare key. Could you and Dad pop round? I just I really think somethings wrong. Please, Mum!

All right, but only for your sake, Barbara sniffed, already prodding her husband awake.

No one answered when they rang the bell at Emily and Toms, and Barbara let herself in with her key.

Inside: darkness. Maybe no one home? Emilys father muttered the idea, but Barbara shot him a look. That flutter of worry from Emily had somehow caught her, too.

Stepping into the lounge, she got the fright of her life. There was Tom, sprawled awkwardly on the sofa. He was burning up!

The paramedic soon had him sorted.

Dont worrylooks like your sons got a bad infection after his cold. He must work a lot? he asked, giving Barbara a kindly look.

Yes, he does, she nodded, taken aback.

Hell be fine. Just check his temperature and call us if anything seems off.

Tom dozed fitfully while Barbara settled herself in an armchair and stared at the enemyher son-in-lawsbedside.

He looked terribly young as he lay there, jaw unclenched, a shock of sweat-soaked hair stuck to his forehead. She found herself feeling, inexplicably, a surge of sympathy.

Half in sleep, Toms hand found hers. Mum dont go, Mum, he murmured.

Barbara was stunned. But she didnt pull away.

She sat quietly, holding his hand, all through the small hours.

Emily rang at dawn. Mum, thank you, really. Ill be back soon, no need to stay, looks like hell be all right.

Barbara smiled, relief in her voice. Absolutely fine, love. Well stay put until you get hereeverythings sorted now.

*****

When Barbara met her first grandchild, she promptly offered to lend a hand.

Tom kissed her hand in gratitude. See, Em, you said your mum wouldnt want to help us!

Barbara, grandly cradling little Harry as she paced up and down the lounge, beamed at the baby:

Well now, Harry-boy, youve hit the jackpot, havent you? Best parents you could hope forand, of course, a marvellous granny and granddad. Youre a lucky lad!

So perhaps that old English saying is right after allyou cant judge a book by its cover.

And maybe, just maybe, its only love that helps you read beyond the front page.