Mum, Give Us a Smile Arina never liked it when the neighbours would pop round and ask her mum to sing them a song. “Anna, give us a tune – your voice is so lovely! And you’re a great dancer too!” her mum would start singing, the neighbours would join in, and sometimes the whole group would be dancing in the garden. Back then, Arina lived with her parents and her little brother, Tony, in their house in a small country village. Her mum was always cheerful and welcoming, sending the neighbours off with, “Come round again – that was lovely, such a good time,” and the neighbours would promise to return. But for some reason, Arina always hated her mum singing and dancing. She felt embarrassed, though she could never quite explain why. She was in Year 5 at the time and once said to her mum: “Mum, please don’t sing and dance…I feel so awkward.” Even now, as an adult and a mum herself, Arina still doesn’t know why she felt that way, but her mum, Anna, replied: “Don’t be ashamed when I sing, Arisha – be glad! I won’t be able to sing and dance forever, only while I’m still young…” Arina, of course, didn’t understand then – life isn’t always so full of joy. When Arina was in Year 6 and her brother was in Year 2, their dad left them for good. He packed his things and walked out. Arina never knew what happened between her parents. When she was old enough, she finally asked: “Mum, why did Dad leave us?” “You’ll understand when you’re older,” her mum replied. Anna couldn’t tell her daughter yet that she’d caught her husband at home with another woman – Vera, who lived just a few doors down. Arina and Tony were both at school, and Anna had only come home after work because she’d forgotten her purse. The front door was unlocked, even though her husband should have still been at work – it was only about eleven in the morning. She walked in and found them both in the bedroom, not the least bit ashamed. There was a row that night, after her husband came back from work, but the children didn’t hear it – they were playing outside. “Pack your things, I’ve put them in a bag in the bedroom,” Anna told her husband. “I’ll never forgive your betrayal.” Ivan knew she meant it, though he tried to explain: “Anna, it was just a mistake, can’t we forget it and move on? We’ve got the kids…” “I said leave,” were her final words before she stepped out into the garden. Ivan took his things and left. Anna, hidden around the side of the house, watched, but she never wanted to see him again – the betrayal had cut too deep. “We’ll manage, somehow, with the kids,” she thought, and cried. She never forgave him. So Anna was left alone with two children. She knew it would be hard, but not how hard – she only realised that later. She had to work two jobs. During the day she cleaned floors; at night she worked in a bakery. She was always exhausted – the smile disappeared from her face forever. Although her dad had left, Arina and Tony still saw him; he and Vera only lived four houses away. Vera had a son the same age as Tony – they were in the same class. Anna never stopped the children seeing their father, and they visited him often, playing at his house or in his garden, but always came home to eat. Vera never fed them or made them welcome – playtime was fine, though. Sometimes, Vera’s son would come over to Arina and Tony’s house, and the neighbours would look surprised. Anna would feed all the children – she never minded her former husband’s stepson being there. But Arina never saw her mum smile again. She was kind and caring, but grew quiet and withdrawn. Sometimes Arina, coming home from school, would be desperate for her mum to talk to her, so she’d tell her stories about what happened at school. “Mum, guess what – Genka brought a kitten to class and it kept meowing during lessons! The teacher couldn’t work out where the noise was coming from, and told Genka off, thinking it was him. Then we said, ‘It’s in his bag,’ and she sent Genka – and the kitten – out, and called his mum in!” “Hmm. I see…” was all her mum would say. Arina saw that nothing made her mum happy any more. She even heard her crying at night, staring for ages out of the window, lost in her thoughts. Only when Arina got older did she understand. “Mum must have been completely exhausted, working two jobs and barely sleeping. And she probably didn’t have enough vitamins either. She did everything for me and Tony. We were always dressed well, our clothes were clean and ironed,” Arina often remembered. Back then, she’d plead, “Mum, please smile… I haven’t seen your smile for such a long time.” Anna loved her children, very much, but in her own way. She didn’t hug them often, but sometimes praised them for doing well at school and not causing her trouble. She was a good cook, there was always delicious food on the table, and the house was spotless. Arina felt her mum’s love most when she braided her hair – her mum would gently stroke her head, but always with a sadness, as though the burden had bent her shoulders. Anna’s teeth started to fall out early, and she never replaced them. After finishing school, Arina didn’t even consider going off to study – she didn’t want to leave her mum alone, and besides, studying elsewhere would cost money. She got a job as a shop assistant near home, to help her mum out. Tony was growing fast, always in need of new clothes and shoes. One day, a man named Michael came into the shop. He wasn’t local – he was from a village eight miles away. He liked Arina at once, even though he was nine years older. “What’s your name, gorgeous?” he said with a grin. “You’re new here, aren’t you? I’ve not seen you before when I’ve stopped by.” “Arina. I haven’t seen you before either.” “I’m from a village eight miles from yours. Michael’s my name.” That’s how they met. Michael started coming to see Arina regularly in his car, picking her up after work. They went for walks, sat chatting in his car, and he even took her to meet his mother, who was unwell. Michael had split up with his wife – she’d moved to the county town with their daughter, unwilling to look after her mother-in-law. Michael had a good-sized house and a big smallholding. When Arina visited, he was generous: the table was loaded with sour cream, meat, and sweets. She liked it there. “Arina, will you marry me?” Michael asked one day. “I really like you. I’ve got to be honest though: Mum will need looking after, but I’ll help.” Arina was quietly delighted, though she didn’t show it. After all she’d been through, looking after an ailing mother was no hardship. Michael waited anxiously. “Why not – at least I’ll eat my fill of meat and sour cream,” she thought. “Alright, I’ll marry you,” she said out loud. Michael was over the moon. “Arisha, I’m so happy – I love you… I doubted you’d agree, you being so young and me an older, divorced man. But I promise: I’ll never hurt you, and we’ll have a happy life together.” Michael worked hard and helped with everything at home. After the wedding, Arina moved to his village. Truthfully, she was ready for a change. By now, Tony had grown up, studying car mechanics at college in the county town, only coming home on weekends and holidays. Time passed. Arina was truly happy with her husband. She gave birth to two sons, one after the other. She didn’t work – there were enough chores at home, what with the children and the smallholding (Michael’s mum died two years into their marriage). Michael was still a generous husband, doing most of the heavy work. “Don’t carry those heavy buckets – that’s my job,” he’d say to his wife. “You milk the cow, feed the chickens and ducks, I’ll take care of feeding the pigs.” Arina knew Michael loved her and adored their children. She never had a big home or lots of stock with her mum, but she knew how to manage, and Michael appreciated everything she did. “Arina, let’s take your mum some meat and sour cream and milk. She has to buy everything, and we have our own, all home-grown.” Anna always accepted the gifts gratefully, but she never smiled, not even with her grandsons. They visited often, but Arina always felt sorry for her, not knowing how to bring her mum back to life. “Arisha, maybe you should speak to the vicar for advice – he might know what to do,” Michael suggested, and Arina jumped at the idea. The vicar promised to pray for Anna, and said, “Ask God to send your mum a good person to meet,” so Arina prayed as hard as she could. One day Anna asked her daughter, “Love, could you lend me some money? I want to get my teeth sorted.” “Oh Mum, I’d pay for everything for you!” Arina replied, delighted. But she knew her mum would insist on paying her back, which she did. Not long after, Arina hadn’t managed to visit her mum because Michael was busy helping his Uncle Nick, who was moving from the county town to their village after splitting with his wife, and needed help with paperwork for his new house. Sometimes Arina went with Michael to visit Nick, but one day Michael came home and said, “You know, I think Uncle Nick wants to get married – I heard him talking on the phone…” “And why not?” Arina agreed. “He’s still young – with a nice house, what good is it staying alone?” Soon Nick himself invited them for a visit. “I want you round. I’ve met my first love – we were at school together. She’s coming here tomorrow – pop down for tea the day after.” Two days later, with gifts in hand, Arina and Michael went to see Nick. But as Arina walked in, she froze in disbelief – her own mother was standing there, smiling shyly. Anna looked so much brighter and happier than before. “Mum! I’m so happy for you… but why didn’t you say anything?” “I didn’t want to jinx it, in case nothing worked out.” “Uncle Nick, why did you keep it quiet?” “I was afraid Anna might change her mind… But now we’re happy.” Arina and Michael were overjoyed – Anna glowed with happiness and couldn’t stop smiling. Thank you for reading, subscribing, and for your support. Wishing you all the best in life

Mum, Give Us a Smile

Emily never liked it when the neighbours popped over and, before long, were nudging her mum to sing.

Come on, Anne, give us a song! Youve got such a lovely voice. You dance like nobodys business, too, they would say. And off her mum would gotreating the whole lot to a song as the neighbours joined in, sometimes everyone ending up whirling around the garden.

Back then, Emily lived with her parents in a small village in the English countryside. She had a younger brother, Tom. Their mum, Anne, was always cheerful and welcoming. As the neighbours left, shed say, Do come again soon, it was such a lovely evening! and bid them farewell as they promised just that.

Emily wasnt entirely sure why she disliked her mum singing and dancing so much. She actually felt embarrassed by it all. At the time, she was in Year 6 and finally blurted out one day, Mum, pleasedont sing and dont dance. It makes me cringe. She didnt really understand why herself.

Even as a grown-up and a mum herself, she still cant properly explain it. But Anne just chuckled and replied, Oh, Em, dont be shy! You should be pleased your mums jolly. I wont always be singing and dancingyouve got to enjoy it while it lasts, while Im still young!

Of course, Emily didnt think twice about it then, nor realise that not every day in life is full of laughter.

Things changed drastically when Emily was in Year 7 and Tom in Year 3. Their dad left. He packed his bags one Thursday and vanished for good. Emily had no clue what had happened between her parents. When she was a teenager, she finally asked, Mum, why did Dad leave us?

Youll understand when youre older, her mum replied.

At the time, Anne hadnt told her that shed come home unexpectedly in the morningshed forgotten her purse at the bakery where she worked. When she returned, she found her husband with another woman, Vera, from the next street, right there in their own bedroom. Anne was stunned. Ivan and Vera were looking at her like she was the one whod unexpectedly walked into the wrong film.

That night, Ivan came home from the factory, and all hell broke loose. The children were outside, oblivious.

Your suitcase is packed in the bedroom. Get out. Ill never forgive you for this, Anne announced, not mincing words.

Ivan tried, rather hopelessly, to smooth things over. Anne, I got swept up in a stupid mistake. Can we forget it? Weve got children together.

I said, go! Anne insisted, turning on her heel and stepping out into the garden.

Ivan took his bag and left. Anne, hidden round the corner, peered cautiously. She didnt want to ever see him again; the betrayal was lodged deep in her heart.

Well muddle through, the kids and I, she thought, tears streaming silently down her cheeks. Ill never forgive him for this.

She didnt forgive him. She was on her own with two children. She knew it would be toughit was even tougher than she feared. She ended up working two jobs: scrubbing floors during the day and baking bread all night at the local bakery. Sleep was scarce; her smile, it seemed, had disappeared for good.

Even though their father moved out, Emily and Tom still saw himhe lived just four houses away with Vera. Vera had a son Toms age, and they even ended up in the same class at school. Anne never stopped the children from visiting their dad. Theyd go over, play in the garden or living room, then return to their mums place for teaVera was never one for feeding other peoples children.

Sometimes, Veras boy trailed after Tom and Emily to their house, much to the nosy neighbours surprise. Anne would feed all three, never batting an eyelidshe bore no grudge against her ex-husbands stepson. Yet Emily never saw her mum smile again. She was still kind and attentive but more withdrawn than before.

When Emily came home from school, part of her wished her mum would smile and chat, so shed ramble about school, hoping to cheer her up.

Mum, guess what? Jonny brought a kitten to class, and it kept meowing during lessons. Our teacher couldnt figure out who it wasshe even scolded Jonny, thought he was making the noises himself! When we told her it was his kitten in his backpack, she marched him out with a firm Come back on your ownand fetch your mum with you next time!

Hmm. Right, her mum would say, not quite present.

Emily saw nothing cheered her mum up. Sometimes, shed overhear her crying at night, standing at the window, staring out at nothing. Only later, as an adult, did Emily really understand.

Mum must have been so tired, working two jobs, barely sleeping. Probably missing her vitamins, too. But she did her best for Tom and me. We were always clean and smartnot a crease on our uniforms, Emily would remember fondly.

Back then, all she wanted was, Mum, pleasejust smile, for once. I miss your smile.

Anne loved her children, fiercely but quietly. She rarely hugged them but sometimes praised them for good grades and generally not causing chaos. Their home was always spotless, the food deliciousher mum could really cook.

Emily knew her mum loved her in those little momentslike when Anne would brush and plait her hair, smoothing it down with a sad look, shoulders drooping. Anne lost her teeth early, had them removed, and wasnt bothered about fancy replacements.

After her GCSEs, Emily never considered going off to college. She just couldnt leave her mum to cope alonegoing away would cost money they didnt have. So, she found a job at the village shop around the corner, determined to support her mum. Tom was growing fastnew shoes and trousers every other month.

One day, a chap called Michael strolled into the shop. He wasnt locallived in a village eight miles away. He looked a bit older, but friendly.

Whats your name, then, beautiful? he asked with a grin. Youre new hereIve never seen you before, and I come through all the time.

Emily. I havent seen you about either.

Im Michael, from down the road.

And so it began. Michael started turning up in his battered car, waiting for Emily after work. Theyd stroll around the lanes, sit in his car. Eventually, he took her to visit his village. He lived with his mum, who was seriously ill. He was newly divorced; his wife had upped and moved to the nearest market town, taking their daughter with her. She didnt want to be saddled with Michaels ailing mother.

Michaels house was generous and the table was always fullcream, roast meat, chocolates. Emily enjoyed her visits. His mum stayed mostly in her room.

Emily, why dont we get married? Michael said one evening. I really like you. Ill be honestyoud have to help look after my mum, but Ill pitch in wherever I can.

Emily said nothing at firstbut she felt relief. She didnt mind caring for his mother at all. Michael watched her nervously.

Well, at least Id get all the cream and roast dinners I could eat, she joked to herself, then aloud, Alright, Ill marry you. Michael was over the moon.

Emily, thats brilliant! I love youhonestly, I doubted youd say yes. Im a divorced old chap, and youre so young. I promise, Ill treat you right and well have a good life.

He kept his promise, mucking in with jobs big and small.

Emily moved in after they wed, and honestly, she didnt much miss her old home. Tom had grown up, off at college in the city training to be a mechanic, coming back only for weekends and holidays.

Time passed; Emily was genuinely happy. She and Michael had two sons in quick succession. Emily stayed homeit was a full-time job with the kids, and Michaels mother died two years into their marriage. Still, there was plenty to do in the house and garden. Michael worked hard, but he took care of most of the heavy chores. Hed often scold her: Dont haul those heavy bucketsIll do it. You milk the cows, and look after the chickens and ducks, but leave the pigs to me.

Emily knew her husband adored her and the boys. She was well used to rural life by now, and Michael was generous to a fault.

Em, lets take your mum a hampermeat, cream, milk. She has to buy everything, but weve plenty to spare.

Anne, ever stoic, would accept gratefully but still never crack a smile. Even with her grandchildren, she stayed reserved. They visited often; Emilys heart ached for her, never knowing how to pull her mum back to life.

Emily, maybe pop into the vicarage and talk to the reverend? He might have some advice, Michael suggested one evening. Emily grabbed the idea.

The vicar promised to pray for Anne and advised, Ask God to send your mum someone kind wholl make her happy, and Emily prayed as hard as she could.

One day, Anne called,

Love, would you mind lending me some money? I want to get dentures sorted at last.

Oh, Mum! Ill pay for the lot, Ive been wanting you to do this for ages! Emily was thrilled, though knew her mum would insist on paying her back.

Emily sent the money and waited to see her mumbut life got in the way. Michael was busy sorting out things for his Uncle Colin, whod left the city after his wife threw him out when their kids left home. Michael was busy getting Colin set up in a cottage nearbya tidy, comfortable place.

Michael would pop in to see his uncle, and Emily had been round a couple of times too. One day, though, Michael came home looking suspiciously cheerful.

I think Uncle Colins got a new lady friend. Went over the other day and overheard him on a callseemed pretty cosy, he said.

Good on him! Hes still young, after all. Nice house, too, could use a proper woman to run it, Emily replied.

Not long after, Uncle Colin dropped in himself.

Id like to invite you over. Look, I ran into my first love from school. Shes moving in tomorrow. Drop by the day after?

So, a couple of days later, Emily and Michael fetched a cake and tea and set off for Uncle Colins. Emily walked in, stopped dead and nearly dropped the cake. There, standing by the windowgrinninga little shy, was her mum. Anne looked younger, happier. Absolutely radiant.

Mum! I cant believe it! Why didnt you tell me?

I just wanted to be sure it would work out first, love.

And you, Uncle Colinwhy didnt you say anything?

Didnt want to jinx it, you know. But were very happy.

Emily and Michael hugged them both, delighted that Anne had finally found someonesomeone who had brought her smile back at last.

Thank you for reading, subscribing, and for all your lovely support. Wishing you all the best.