GRANDMA, MY GUARDIAN ANGEL
I never really knew my parents. My father left my mum when she was expecting, and after that, he vanished from our lives completely. Mum herself passed away when I was just a year oldcancer, suddenly and swiftly, like a candle snuffed out.
It was my grandmother, dear old Edith, my mums mum, who took me in and raised me. Grandpa was gone long before I was born, so Grandma Edith devoted her whole life to my mother and me. From the start, there seemed to be an invisible thread between us. She simply understood mewhat I needed, what was on my mindand there was never any miscommunication.
Everyone adored Grandma Edith. The neighbours, the teachers at my school; she had a way of making people feel at home. Shed show up to parents evenings with a basket of freshly baked sconesNo sense in sitting about hungry after a long day at work, shed say. She never gossiped or spoke ill of anyone; people often turned to her for advice. I always felt incredibly lucky to have her in my life.
As for me, my own personal life left a lot to be desired. First school, then university, and then a steady jobI always seemed to be rushing somewhere. I dated from time to time, but nothing ever took root. It was always the wrong fellow or the wrong timing. Grandma Edith worried about it.
Well, dear Alice, shed sigh, still single? Surely there must be a decent young chap out there for you. Youre lovelyclever as anything! Id laugh it off, but in my heart, I knew she was right. I was nearly thirty; perhaps it was time I thought about starting a family.
Then disaster struck. Grandma Edith passed away suddenlyshe simply didnt wake up one morning, her heart slipping away in her sleep. I felt utterly lost for weeks, moving through the days on autopilotfrom office to shops, to home and back again. Now, only my old cat, Maisie, waited for me at home. The silence was loud and lonely.
One evening, while taking the train home, absorbed in a novel, a well-dressed gentleman about forty sat across from me. He studied me intently, but, strangely, I didnt mind. He struck up a conversation about books. Well, I could natter on for hours about books! Just like a scene out of a film, I remember thinking. When we reached my stop, I found I didnt really want to leave. His name was Edward, and he invited me for coffee in a little café nearby. I said yes without hesitation.
That was the beginning of a whirlwind romance. We spoke every day, sometimes for hours, though our meetings were less frequent due to his demanding job. He was charming, clever, attentiveand for the first time in my life, I felt truly content with someone. He rarely mentioned his past, family, or work, but I wasnt bothered. I was simply happy.
One weekend, Edward invited me to dinner at a lovely restaurant and hinted that the evening was going to be special. I quickly realised that he was going to propose. I was elated, dreaming at last of a family, of little ones, of shared breakfasts and quiet evenings. Oh, how I wished Grandma Edith could have seen this day.
Lying on my sofa, I wondered what to wear for this momentous evening. Id gotten into the habit of ordering things online, so I started scrolling through dresses on an app. In the end, I nodded off, my phone still in my hand.
Suddenly, in my dream, Grandma Edith walked into the room in her favourite cardigan, calmly sat beside me, and started stroking my hair. I was astonished, then overjoyed. But Grandma, youre not supposed to be here! How? I asked.
She smiled softly. I never really left you, Alice. Im always here, watching, listening but you dont see me. I came to warn you: dont see this man anymore. Hes no good, my dear. Trust your old gran. With that, she faded away like mist.
I woke with a start, sitting upright and bewildered. Just moments ago, shed been beside mehadnt she? Pushing it off as nonsense, I went back to browsing for dresses, but a sense of unease stuck with me. Why would Grandma say such a thing about Edward? Shed never even met him. Sleepless and unsettled, I finally drifted off again.
The big day loomed closer, but I still hadnt chosen a dress. I was distracted and clumsy, my grandmothers warning running circles in my mind. Normally, I put no faith in dreams, but wasnt there something special about Grandma Edith? After all, wed always shared such a strong bond. What if she was watching over me, wherever she was now?
Saturday arrived. I wore an old dressit felt wrong to buy something new. I arrived at the restaurant, my heart not quite in it. Edward noticed right away and asked if something was wrong.
No, no, Im fine, I lied.
He tried to lighten the mood with his usual jokes and gentle humour. Then, right at dessert, he got down on one knee and produced a ring, just like something from a romantic film.
Suddenly, the room seemed to spin, my hearing dulled, and there in the reflection of the window I saw Grandma Edith standing, gazing in at me. She didnt say a word; just watched, patiently, waiting. I understood instantlyit was a sign.
Im sorry, Edward, I cant
But why? What did I do?
Nothing. Its just Ive always trusted my gran, I said quietly, and I ran out into the night. He followed, but his eyes were wild with anger now. He shook me hard, shouting, Oh, I see! Dont want to marry me? Well, go on, be alone with your wretched cat then! Whod want you anyway? And he stormed off.
I was stunned. So this was the real Edward? Gone was the kind, clever man I thought I loved.
The next day, I went to see Andy, an old school friend who now worked at the local police station. I showed him a photo and asked if he could look into Edward.
A day later, Andy called me. Alice, I wish I had better news. Your Edward is a con-artist. He targets single women, marries them, and then tricks them into signing over their homes or taking out huge loans for his business. When hes finished, he throws them out and divorces them. Hes been in and out of court for years. Youre lucky you got out when you did.
How on earth did Grandma Edith know? Its pure magic, really. Thank heavens for her, saving me once again.
That evening, I bought some groceries and a tin of Maisies favourite food. When I returned home, my step was a little lighter, knowing I wasnt truly aloneGrandma Edith, in her own way, would always be nearby, keeping an eye on me.
You know, people say the spirits of our loved ones linger, watching over us, becoming guardian angels to keep us safe from harm. I want to believe its true. After all, she saved me from disasterand thats a lesson Ill never forget: always trust the ones who love you most, even when you cant see them.
