Martha Wilson set off for work earlier than usual. On weekends, the youth always left a lot of litter behind, so she arrived at 4 a.m. to get everything done. Shed been a cleaner for many years now. Once, her life had looked entirely different.
As she picked up her broom, Martha thought of her beloved son, whom shed had on her own at 35. She hadnt been lucky with men, so shed devoted herself to her child. She adored her little Jeremy. He was clever, handsomethe only thing that worried her was how much he hated living in their neighbourhood.
“Mum, when I grow up, Ill be a proper success!” hed tell her.
“Of course you will, loveno doubt about it,” shed always reassure him.
The moment Jeremy turned 16, he left home and moved into student digs closer to college. Martha hated him being so far away, but he promised to visit often.
At first, he did. Then he met a girl, and home slipped further from his mind. Then one day, he came back for goodonly to tell her he was terminally ill. Martha couldnt understand why life had dealt them such a cruel hand.
She fought with everything she had. The doctors suggested treatment abroad, but it cost a fortune. Without hesitation, heartbroken, she sold her flat. Then one night, the call came.
“Your sons gone,” the doctor said.
Martha didnt want to live anymore. Without Jeremy, nothing mattered.
One morning, as always, she went out to clean the streets.
“Morning!” called Simon Lewis, walking his dog.
“Morning! Youre up early,” Martha replied.
“Ah, got bored sitting indoors. Thought Id take the dog out and have a chat with you,” he said cheerfully.
Simon was a lifelong bachelor. Martha flushed slightly under his attention.
“Right then, well leave you to it,” he said, strolling off with his terrier.
Martha got back to workuntil she spotted something on a bench. A phone. She glanced aroundno one in sight. She switched it on, and photos flashed up. Someone mustve left it behind. Then she froze.
“Jeremy my boy!” she sobbed.
Suddenly, the phone rang. Flustered, she answered.
“Hello? Hello? Thats my phonecan I get it back?” a womans voice asked.
“Of course. I found it on the bench in the park. Come to this address,” Martha said, reciting it.
The girl arrived soon after. When the door opened, Martha spotted a young man behind her.
“Tell me why do you have pictures of my son on your phone?” Martha asked shakily.
“Of Jamie?” the girl frowned.
The lad stepped inside.
“Jeremy!” Martha criedthen fainted.
The young man rushed to her. “Whats wrong with her?”
“She mustve mistaken you for someone. We should call an ambulance,” the girl said.
Fifteen minutes later, the paramedics revived Martha. Once they left, she finally learned the truth.
Still dazed, she turned to the girl. “Do I know you? How did you get pictures of my Jeremy?”
“Im Emily,” the girl said. “I dated your son. But he left when I told him I was pregnant.”
“Left? He never mentioned you!”
“We were together a few months. Then he vanished after I told him. I thought he was scaredso I let it go.”
“No, love. Now I understand. My boy was ill. He didnt want to burden anyonenot even you. Hes been gone for years” Marthas voice broke.
Emily paled. “Gone?”
“He didnt make it. I sold everything to save him, but it wasnt enough.”
Emily exhaled slowly. “So he was trying to protect me”
Then she beckoned the young man over. “Jamie, come here.”
He stepped forward.
“Yeah, Mum?”
“Jamie, remember how I said your dad abandoned us? That wasnt true. He was illhe died before you were born. And this this is your grandmother.”
Marthas eyes filled with tears as she looked at her grandson.
“Gran,” Jamie said shyly.
“Come here, love.” She hugged him tightly.
Emily smiled. “Why not move in with us? Weve got space, and wed love to have you.”
“No, love. Im set in my ways here. But Ill visit often,” Martha said.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
“Mind if I join?” Simon stood there, holding a huge bouquet. He handed it to Martha. “Fancy a walk?”
“Of course,” she smiled.
Emily and Jamie peered from the kitchen. “Can we come too?” they asked in unison.
“Only if you behave,” Simon teased.
Two months later, Martha became Mrs. Lewis. His terrier, Rex, adored the new familyespecially Jamie, who took him on long walks while Martha baked pies for everyone.
