A lonely cleaner finds a phone in the park. Turning it on, she takes a long time to recover from what she sees.
Martha Wilson sets off to work earlier than usual. Weekends always leave a mess behind, so she arrives at 4 a.m. to get everything done. Shes been a cleaner for years. Once, her life had been completely different.
As she picks up her broom, Martha thinks of her beloved son, whom she had at 35. Shed never had luck with men, so she devoted herself entirely to her child. She adored her little Oliver. He was clever, handsomethough it worried her how much he disliked their neighbourhood.
“Mum, when I grow up, Ill be a proper man!” hed say.
“Of course, love, no doubt about that,” shed reassure him.
When Oliver turned 16, he left home, moving into student housing closer to college. Martha didnt like him being so far away, but he promised to visit often.
At first, he did. Then he met a girl, and home became a distant memory. Then he returned for goodonly to tell her he was terminally ill. Martha couldnt understand why life had dealt them such a cruel hand.
She fought desperately. The doctor suggested treatment at a private clinic, but the cost was staggering. Without hesitation, the grieving mother sold her flat. One night, the call came.
“Your son is gone,” the doctor said.
Martha didnt want to live anymore. Without Oliver, nothing mattered.
One morning, as usual, she heads out to clean.
“Morning!” calls out Samuel Carter, walking his dog.
“Morning! Youre up early,” Martha replies.
“Too restless to stay in. Thought Id walk the dog and have a chat,” he says cheerfully.
Samuel is a lifelong bachelor. Martha flusters slightly under his attention.
“Right, well leave you to it,” he says, continuing his stroll.
Martha gets to workthen spots something on the bench. A phone. She looks aroundno one in sight. She turns it on. Photos flash across the screen. Someone mustve left it behind. As she looks closer, her breath catches.
“Oliver! My boy!” she sobs.
Suddenly, the phone rings. Startled, she answers.
“Hello? Hello? Thats my phonecan I get it back?” a womans voice asks.
“Of course. I found it on the park bench. Come to this address,” Martha replies.
The girl arrives. When the door opens, Martha spots a young man behind her.
“Where did you get photos of my son?” Martha asks shakily.
“Of Ethan?” the girl frowns.
The lad steps inside.
“Oliver!” Martha gaspsthen faints.
The boy rushes forward. “Whats wrong with her?”
“She mustve mistaken you for someone. We should call an ambulance,” the girl says.
Fifteen minutes later, the paramedics revive Martha. Once they leave, she finally learns how her sons photos ended up on that phone.
Still dazed, Martha looks at the girl. “Do I know you? How do you have pictures of my Oliver?”
“Im Emily,” the girl says. “I used to date your son. But he left when I told him I was pregnant.”
“Left? He never mentioned you,” Martha says, confused.
“We were together a few months. Then I told him about the baby, and he just disappeared. I figured he got scared.”
“No, Emily. Now I understand. My boy was ill. He didnt want to burden anyonenot even you. Hes been gone for years,” Martha whispers, tears falling.
Emilys eyes widen. “Gone?”
“He passed away. I sold everything trying to save him. We were too late.”
Emily exhales shakily. “So he was protecting me.”
She calls the young man over. “Ethan, come here.”
He steps closer.
“Yes, Mum?”
“Ethan, remember how I told you your dad left us? That wasnt true. He was sick. This is your grandma,” Emily says gently.
Marthas heart swells as she looks at her grandson.
“Grandma,” Ethan murmurs shyly.
“Come here, love,” Martha hugs him.
Emily smiles. “Would you like to move in with us? Weve got room, and wed love to have you.”
“No, dear. This neighbourhoods home. But Ill visit often,” Martha says.
A knock at the door.
“Mind if I join?” Samuel stands there, holding a bouquet. He hands it to Martha. “Fancy a walk?”
“Absolutely,” she smiles.
Emily and Ethan peer from the kitchen. “Can we come too?” they ask in unison.
“Behave yourselves,” Samuel jokes.
Two months later, Martha becomes Mrs. Carter. His dog, Rex, adores the new familyespecially Ethan, whom he follows everywhere while Martha bakes pies for them all.
