The Closest of Kin
Funny how life turns out. Things could have easily gone another way. The neighbour is always amazed, saying how lucky they are. The children always help, and the grandchildren come round all the time.
Even today, their middle grandson, Oliver, is coming over. Granddad spends time with him, helping with maths and teaching him how to do pull-ups on the bar in the courtyard of their block of flats.
Anne Johnson and Paul Smith have just crossed into their seventies, still spritely as ever! And they have three wonderful grandchildren.
Last night, Anne and her two granddaughters, the youngest, Millie, and the eldest, Grace, baked biscuits together. Just the thing for a nice cup of tea, and to spoil Oliver when he arrives.
Anne, we really ought to buy a globe, Paul interrupted his wifes thoughts. Ollie and Millie struggle to make sense of maps. We need a proper big one!
And well need a new football too. Ollie and I watched the lads play in the park and now he wants to join them.
There was a knock at the door. Oliver had come back from school.
Hello, Gran! Hello, Granddad! I brought your favourite Chelsea buns from the bakery.
He took off his coat and washed his hands straight away, just as Grandma had taught him.
How was school, love? Any new marks? Paul inquired.
Granddad, I got a couple of Cs in maths today. Will you help me sort it all out? I got a bit lost, Granddad, Olivers face clearly showed his worry.
What went wrong? We went through it all last time, didnt we? Never mind, lets sit down and go over it again.
Paul, let him have something to eat first. Then you can go over the homework.
Oh, save me a bowl of your borscht with sour cream, too, Paul winked cheerily at his grandson.
After their meal, Oliver and Granddad sat down to work through his maths. Anne watched them fondly as they settled in.
Soon, the gardening season would begin. What a delight! The air in the countryside was fresh and sweet. The youngest two, Millie and Oliver, would be joining them at the cottage. Grace, their eldest, usually came down with her parents at weekends. She was getting so grown upnearly seventeen now.
Grace was at college, training in healthcare. Shed started her work placement in the hospital, and she really enjoyed it. She wants to study further and become a doctor, to help people. A good girlkind and strong-willed. Shell go far.
Anne went over to the sideboard and picked up a photo frame, gazing at it thoughtfully.
Oh, my dear boy, Thomas. If only you could see us now! Forgive us, son, if we failed you. Perhaps we did things wrong, maybe we didnt help enough. You struggled, and it overwhelmed you No, Thomas, Im not crying. I hope you can see us, and youre pleased. Life is a jumble of joys and sorrows, isnt it? You didnt have enough of a chance to see it all. But theres nothing to be done now. Its all too late.
Anne, are you not listening? Julia and Max have arrivedwith Millie, too.
Gran! the youngest granddaughter shrieked, throwing her arms tightly around Annes neck, her small warm hands clinging.
Look at me, Gran, Millie said, gently turning Annes face to her own. See how pretty my hair is? Its just like yours! Because I look like you. I love you very much, Gran. Millie hugged her again, and Anne nearly burst into tears.
Youll wear your Gran out! Julia and Max exchanged a smile, watching them both. Have you forgotten you wanted to give Gran her present?
Oh, Gran, let me go! Millie scampered over to her mums bag and pulled out a sheet of paper. Look, I drew this at nursery. Thats you, that’s Granddad, that’s Mummy and Daddy, theres Grace, Ollie, and me! I drew it for you and Granddad. Our big family. Isnt it great, Gran? Do you like it?
I love it! And just look how much youve got everyone to look like themselves! Paul, come and see what Millies given us. Ill put it in a proper frame and treasure itour whole wonderful family together!
Well, wed better get off, Anne, said Julia. Ollie, have you packed your things? Dont forget your bag. Anne, Paul, please come to ours for lunch tomorrow. The children have even prepared a little concert for you! Thanks so much for todaysee you tomorrow.
The door closed. Anne and Paul sat down at the table with a pot of tea.
Arent we lucky, Paul, to have such a big, close family?
Yes, Anne.
Remember how Thomas brought Julia to meet us? How happy I wasI thought maybe hed finally turn his life around. For a year it all seemed fine. But then it all went back again…those friends, that bad crowd
Dont, Anne. Dont cry, Paul said softly, putting his arm around her.
And after Julia left, Thomas had that fight and now hes gone for good.
There, now, Anne, Paul wiped away her tears.
Its just, Paul I was thinking how blessed we were to find Julia again when she was expecting, after Thomas had gone. And then, when she met Max, we didnt just have Grace anymore but also Oliver and Millie. No matter what, theyre all oursthey belong with us.
You know, after all weve been through, Id say were the happiest grandparents in the world.
Because familywarts and allare always your own. Where there is love and understanding, trouble is always easier to bear.
