“Mum, maybe let Gran go and get lost? Itd be better for everyone,” said Molly defiantly.
“Mum, how much longer can this go on? Are you going to remind me for the rest of my life?” Fifteen-year-old Molly spoke bitterly.
“Not the rest of your lifejust while she lives with us. If she goes outside, shell get lost and”
“And die under a hedge, and well live with the guilt Mum, why not just let her?” Mollys voice was sharp again.
“Let her what?” Her mother frowned.
“Let her go and get lost. Youve said yourself youre sick of dealing with her.”
“How can you talk like that? Shes my mother-in-law, not my own mother, but shes your grandmother.”
“Grandmother?” Molly narrowed her eyes, as she always did when angry. “Where was she when her precious son left us? When she refused to look after meher own granddaughter? Did she ever spare a thought for you, slaving away at any job just to earn an extra quid? She even blamed you when Dad left”
“Stop it this instant!” Her mother stood abruptly. “I shouldnt have told you any of this. Ive raised you wrong if youve no pity for family. It terrifies me. Will you treat me the same when Im old? Whats happened to you? You used to be such a kind girlbringing home every stray kitten or puppy. Gran isnt a stray” She shook her head wearily. “Shes already suffering. Your father left her too.”
“Mum, youll be late for work. Ill lock the door, I promise.” Molly looked up guiltily.
“Alright, before we say things well regret” But her mother didnt move.
“Mum, Im sorry, but it hurts to look at you. Skin and bones. Youre only forty but bent like an old woman, barely able to walk, always exhausted. Why are you staring at me like that? Who else will tell you the truth but your own daughter?” Molly hadnt realised her voice had risen again.
“Thanks. Just make sure she doesnt leave the gas on or the taps running.”
“See? Thats what I meanwere tied to her, no life of our own. Mum, why dont we put her in a care home? Shed have proper supervision. She doesnt understand anything”
“Not this again!” Her mother cut her off.
“Itd be better for everyoneher most of all,” Molly pressed on, ignoring her mothers irritation.
“I dont want to hear another word. I wont send her away. How long does she have left? Let her stay home.”
“Shell outlive us both. Go to work. I wont go anywhere, Ill lock the door, I promise,” Molly repeated sourly.
“Im sorry. Ive burdened you All your friends go out, and here you are, looking after Gran.”
They hadnt noticed Grans door was ajar. She had heard everythingthough whether she understood or would remember was another matter.
Her mother left for work, and Molly went into what had once been her room, now Grans.
“Gran, do you need something?”
Grans empty gaze gave no answer.
“Come on, Ill give you a sweet.” Molly helped her up and led her to the kitchen.
“Who are you?” Gran stared blankly.
“Have some tea.” Molly sighed and placed a sweet on the table.
Gran had always loved sweets. She and Mum hid them, only giving her one with tea. Molly watched as Gran fumbled with the wrapper. Through her thin grey hair, her pale scalp showed. Molly looked away.
Once, Gran had dyed and styled her hair, painted her lips bright red, arched her brows. Molly remembered the cloying scent of her perfume. Men had always noticed heruntil her mind began to fade.
Molly couldnt decide what she felt for Granpity, resentment? A knock at the door distracted her.
“Mum mustve forgotten something.” She went to answer.
But it was her friend, Tom, a sixth-former. Mum disapproved of him, so he came when she was out.
“Hi. Youre earlyMum just left,” Molly whispered.
“I know. She didnt see me.”
“Millie!” Grans voice called from the kitchen.
“Whos Millie?” Tom asked.
“Thats what she calls Mum, thinks shes her daughter. Wait in the bathroom. Shes having a clear moment.” She nudged him toward the door.
“No ones there.” Molly entered the kitchen to find an empty cup and a wrapper.
“I want tea,” Gran said.
“But” Molly gave up. Gran forgot everything, especially recent events, though she remembered the distant past clearly. Sometimes she confused them, didnt recognise them. Rarely, she had moments of claritybrief, fleeting.
Molly sighed, refilled the cup, and set out another sweet. Gran struggled with the wrapper until her tea was gone. Then Molly led her back to bed.
“Sleep now,” she said, closing the door.
Tom peered from the bathroom.
“Can I come out?”
“Yes. Kitchen.” Molly checked the door, then followed.
They sat close, sharing earphones, music playing. Molly swayed, eyes shut, until she realised Gran had slipped past them.
The front door was open. Gran was gone.
“The doorI didnt lock it. Mumll think I did it on purpose,” Molly said, near tears.
“Why would she?”
“You dont understand. I said earlier itd be better if she got lost. Mumll think I left it open to spite her.”
“Come on, lets look. She cant have gone far.”
Grans coat and shoes were still there.
“She went out in slippers and a dressing gown?” Molly stared at Tom.
“Maybe shes with the neighbours? Ill check outside, you ask around.” He dashed downstairs.
No one answered their doors. Molly ran outside. Tom searched the yard, under bushes, by the playground.
“Nowhere. Lets try the next streets. You go right, Ill go left. Meet back here.”
Molly even checked the bus stop. No sign of Gran. Had it been half an hour? Forty minutes? How far could she go in slippers?
“We should call the police.”
“Wait. Thinkwhat did she talk about most? Favourite places?” Tom panted.
Molly couldnt recall. She shrugged.
“Alright, widen the search. You head toward the school, Ill go the other way.”
Streetlights flickered. Dark patches made Molly hurry. Shadows seemed to move. Near the school, she remembered Grans storyonce, shed jumped from a first-floor window after being locked in.
Though Gran hadnt gone to this school, she always told the tale passing it. The gate was unlocked. The building was shaped like a “U.” Rounding a corner, Molly saw a group of lads laughing at something.
Gran stood in her blue-grey dressing gown. One boy held out an empty wrapper. When she reached for it, he snatched it back, and they roared.
“She doesnt understand anything. Escaped from the loony bin, have you?” He dangled the wrapper.
“Leave her alone!” Molly shouted.
The boys turned.
“Look, another one!”
“Whore you? Granddaughter?”
“Run away together? This ones not bad Want a sweet?” The boy stepped toward her.
Molly backed away. The boys closed in, blocking Gran. No longer laughing, they relished her fear.
Her back hit the fence. The gate was too far. They lungedone grabbing her arms, the others pinning her. Hands groped, deciding whod go first
“Get away from her!” Toms voice rang out.
Two stepped back; one held on. Molly kicked him. He yelped, letting go. She grabbed a piece of wood, swung at the boys fighting Tombut too short, hitting a back instead.
The boy cursed, lunged for her. She ran for the gate.
“Girl, over here! Weve called the police!” A couple stood outside the fence.
The boys fled. Molly helped Tom up. They approached Gran, who shrank back.
“Gran. Its me, Molly. Lets go home.” She hugged her.
“Whos Molly? Im waiting for Bobbyschools not finished”
“Gran, Bobby left school years ago. Come on.”
“I heard everything,” Gran said suddenly.
“What?” Molly froze.
“Millie wants to put me in a home. Dont let her.” Gran whimpered.
“Alright, lets go. Its coldyoull get ill.”
“No hospital”
They got her home. Molly changed her, gave her tea and a sweet, and put her to bed.
