GRANDMOTHER, MY GUARDIAN ANGEL
My parents are just shadows in my memory, for I never really knew them. Mother was left alone when she was expecting me; my father disappeared without a trace, and not another word was ever heard from him. Mother fell ill suddenly, a cruel disease snatching her away when I was but a year oldI never even had the chance to know her embrace.
And so it fell upon Grandma Edith, my mother’s mother, to raise me. Widowed young, she devoted her life to her daughter and then to me, her only granddaughter. From my earliest days, a special bond tied us togethermost would say we were two halves of the same soul. Grandma understood me without words, her wisdom filling the space my parents left behind. We were always in perfect accord.
Grandma Edith was beloved by all who knew her: the neighbours, the ladies at the church, my teachers at the village school. She often turned up at school meetings with a basket of warm scones or tartsnever believing it proper that anyone should attend on an empty stomach, especially after a long working day. She never engaged in gossip or spoke ill of anyone, and whenever someone sought advice, it was always to her door they knocked. I truly counted myself lucky to have such a marvelous grandmother.
My own life seemed to be always on pause. School, then university, later a clerical job in town; always in a hurry, always with something needing doing. Id had suitors, but none who truly held my heart. Grandma would fret dearly over it.
Oh, Alice, dear, shed say with a soft sigh, why are you wasting such beauty and wit? Youre a lovely girlsurely theres some decent lad about! I would laugh her worry away, but deep down I knew she was right. I was nearly thirty; it was high time, as theyd say, to start a family.
Then, heartbreak came when we least expected it. One quiet morning, Grandma Edith passed peacefully in her sleep, her great heart simply ceasing its beat. I was lost in a stupor, walking through life in a daze: to work, to the grocers, home again, moving by rote. Only our old tabby, Tilly, waited for me at home. I had never felt so alone.
One afternoon, travelling home by train and absorbed in a novelmy favourite escapea gentleman sat opposite me. Around forty, smartly dressed, he had a kind face and an air of quiet confidence. I noticed he watched me with interest, but rather than being unsettled, I found it pleasant. He began to speak about booksand once I start on that subject, I can prattle for hours. Just like something from the pictures, I thought to myself.
As my stop drew near, I wished I did not have to part ways. William, as he introduced himself, suggested continuing our conversation over tea at a nearby café. I accepted with more delight than Id felt in years.
From that day on, our romance blossomedwhirlwind and heady. We phoned and wrote every day, though met less often, for William was ever busy with work. He seldom talked of his past, work, or family; strangely, it didnt trouble me, for for the first time, I was truly happy in someones company.
One weekend, William invited me to dinner at a fine restaurant and hinted it would be a memorable night. I could hardly contain my joywas he to propose? At last, I might have what Id always wanted: a husband, children, a home. Oh, how my grandma would have rejoiced.
Lying on my old settee that evening, I wondered what on earth I would wear for such an occasion. Shopping was always best done from the comfort of my sofa, scrolling through dress shops on my little smartphone. Lost in a world of fabrics and colours, I fell asleep mid-search.
Suddenly, in my dream, Grandma Edith walked into the room, wearing her favourite blue dress, and settled beside me, gently stroking my hair as she often did. I was taken aback, but so glad to see her. Grandma? Howhow are you here? Youre not really Ive never truly left, Alice, she replied, Im always here watching over you, always listening, even if you cannot see me. Heed my warning: do not pursue this man, child. Hes not the one for you. Do listen to your old gran.
And with that, she faded like mist.
I awoke with a start, heart thumping. Just a dream, I tried to persuade myself, yet the unease she left behind would not go away. Why would Grandma say such a thing? She never even met William. Despite trying, I couldnt settle on a dress and, troubled, drifted back to restless sleep.
The important day crept closer, but I had no better luck with my dress. Grandmas words circled ceaselessly in my mind, making every choice seem wrong. Id never believed in fateful dreams. But our bond had always been so strongwhat if, truly, she was watching from somewhere beyond, knowing things I could not?
Saturday arrived. I wore a familiar old dress and went to meet William at the restaurant. The mood was heavy, and William noticed immediately. Is something wrong, love? he asked. No, nothing at all, I replied, feigning a smile. He joked and did his best to make me laugh, as if he sensed the shadow between us. At the meals end, just like in a film, he dropped to one knee and presented a ring.
Suddenly dizzy, I heard rushing in my ears and, glancing to the window, saw or thought I saw Grandma Edith watching from outside, silent and steady, her eyes on me. I took it as a sign. Im sorry, William, I cant… Why not? What have I done wrong? Nothing. Only, I must trust my grandmother, and I ran from the restaurant in tears.
He chased after me, his eyes flashing with anger. Gripping my shoulders, he shouted, So thats it, you daft wench? You dont want to marry me? Well, rot at home with your mangy cat then! No one else will have you, you silly spinster! And he stormed off.
Stunned, I stood rooted. Was this the William I had loved? My dream of family, of happiness, tumbled apart in that cold moment.
The next morning, I went to see an old school friend, Thomas, now a detective inspector in town. Hed always been good to his mates. I asked him to look into Williams background, handing over a photograph and what little I knew.
A day later, Thomas rang me. Alice the chaps a crook. He cons single women, marries them, worms his way in until they sign over their flats, takes out big loans for his ‘business’, then throws them out and divorces them. Hes been arrested several times already. You had a lucky escape.
I just sat, stunned. How on earth could Grandma have known? Some things in this life must truly be a mystery. Thank you, Gran, for watching over me, for steering me clear of harm.
Carrying my shopping and a packet of cat food for Tilly, I walked home lighter of heart, reassured by the thought that I was not really aloneGrandma would always be near, somewhere.
Folk say the souls of loved ones never quite leave us; they become our guardian angels, keeping watch and ward, protecting us from misfortune. I rather hope thats true. I really do.
