My father-in-law was left speechless when he saw how we were living.
I first met Charles at a mutual friends wedding. Not long after, I left the countryside behind and moved to the city, where I found myself a position. To be honest, I was over the moon to finally escape rural life and taste the excitement of the city. Our relationship moved swiftlywithin a year, our daughter was born.
But then everything changed.
Why is our daughter fair-haired with blue eyes, when were both dark? Charles once asked, suspicion heavy in his tone.
Dearest, she must take after your father. Just look at the likeness between them, I replied.
Dont be ridiculous. A child should resemble her mother or father, not some distant relation. And my mother insists that she cant possibly be mine.
Truthfully, Margaret, his mother, had disapproved of me from the start. She never believed I truly loved her sonsuspecting I was only desperate to move out of the village. But Charless father, Mr. Arthur Bennett, was a kindly soul. He and Margaret had parted ways years before, and Arthur had started a new family, yet he never forgot Charles.
In any case, Charles soon brought another woman into our home. He told me coldly to pack my things and leave at once. I had no choice.
With nowhere to go and my own parents unwilling to take us in, I rang an old friend who kindly offered us her sofa for a few nights. Eventually, I managed to rent a small bedsit and moved in there with my daughter. Unfortunately, I had barely a penny to my name.
One afternoon, while picking up groceries, I heard a familiar voice call out my name.
Girls, wherever have you disappeared to? I even went back to the village looking for you, it was Arthur, my father-in-law.
Hello. Its good to see you, I whispered, embarrassed by my situation.
I know what Charles did, and theres no excuse for it. He and his mother are so much alike Where are you staying now?
Were renting a small room.
That wont do. Im in a bit of a rush but when I return, we shall sort this out. Here, take thisit should tide you over for a fortnight, he said, handing me an envelope.
I was overcome with relief, at least able to buy food and milk for my little girl.
Arthur returned sooner than expected and came to see how we were faring. The state of the place truly shocked him. His new wife, however, didnt approve of us joining their household. Undeterred, Arthur found another wayhe used all his savings to buy a small flat and left it in my daughters name. I tried my best to refuse such a gift, but he wouldnt hear of it. The gesture, he assured me, was for his granddaughter, not for me.
Within a month, my daughter and I settled into our new home. Arthur even furnished it himself and brought in all the essentials.
Dont rush to put the little one in nurseryshe needs her mother now. Ill help you, dont worry about a thing. Even my wife has come round; shed like to meet her granddaughter now, he reassured me.
Thank you, truly!
No tears now, love. You can always come to me if you need anythingI wont turn you away. In time, life will improve, youll see.
Im grateful my daughter has such a wonderful grandfather, especially since she was less fortunate with her own father. Arthur did everything he could to make things right for us.
Years have passed. I remarried, but Ive never forgotten Arthur. He remains a cherished guest at our home, and we make a point to visit him often.
