The Tag-Along
“Susan, shes got a bit of baggage though! Or does that not bother you?” Margaret leaned on the fence, smirking at her neighbour. “Couldnt you find anyone better? Youre hardly a doddering fool, and the village is full of nice girls. But you had to pick her!”
Susan sighed, too proud to admit to herself that her sons choice troubled her, let alone to hear it from her oldest frenemy.
“Our children are our joy, Margaret! What on earths wrong with her? Shes young, shes pretty, shes good-tempered and I know for a fact shes decent. And as for the childwell, what of it? He was born in wedlock, not the other way, and shes a widow at her age through no fault of her own. We’ll help, raise himand Ill end up with another grandchild. So theres absolutely no need for all these wagging tongues!”
Pursing her lips, Susan shooed Margarets tabby off the fence where it was making its way towards her garden.
Hes got into the habit! Hes taken three of my chicks, Margaret! Keep your stripy horror inside or Ill let Jess out and youll have no one else to blame.
Oooh, Im quaking, Margaret grinned, nudging her fat tabby away from the fence. We’ll see who gives chase first. He was after my own chicks last year. I keep him because hes a marvellous mouser, thats all. Instinct is instinct.
Wouldnt hurt for him to keep his instincts behind closed doors!
Oh, Su, I almost forgotjars! The jam must be ready by now.
Youre out gossiping here and whos minding it, then?
Thats Olga. She arrived yesterday to help with the veg patch.
Olga? But isnt she due any day?
Hence shes on jam duty while we slave outside. She wont sit idle! Shes a gem, that one.
Why praise her behind her back and give her grief to her face?
“For order!” Margaret laughed again. “Youll be mother-in-law too, soon enoughtake note. Be too soft and theyll be running rings round you in no time!”
“Well see,” Susan waved her hand dismissively. “Do you want the jars or not? Ive no time for nattering, jobs wont do themselves.”
Once Margaret left, Susan got on with the dough. Tomorrow, her son would arrive to introduce her to his fiancée. Fiancee… Susans hands stilled. Somethings bound to happen
She didnt know Emma. Only heard of her and glimpsed her once or twice at her sisters in the next village. Nothing at first glance. Just a girl, fair, big-eyed. Tall, matching her David in the least. Though, hardly a girl nowyoung woman, married before, a child in tow. A boy, three or so. Life had been uncommonly unkind to Emma. She lost her parents as a child and was raised by her grandparents. They brought her up, saw her married, and just as they were overjoyed at a great-grandchild, tragedy struckEmmas husband was killed in an accident. And so she was left a widow, baby on her hip. What’s not to pity? Only, Susan wished she could keep her sympathy at a distance. Her heart ached for her sonafter her husband passed, David was her rock and refuge. She was glad he stayed near, but fretted too. He was grown now, time to build his own family, but he joked away any questions, talking about waiting for true love. Then recently, he announced hed found itEmma.
Susan had rushed to her sisters. She had to know more. Her elder sister, Linda, snapped right back at her.
“Stop fussing like an old hen!”
“But who is she? And then what?
“Hell bring her to you, not for long anyway.”
“What do you mean?” Susan was taken aback.
“Didnt David tell you? I passed grandads house to him. Its not fit yet, needs building work, but the plot is big. Theyll build there.”
Susans thoughts chased each other like rabbits. So her son would move outnot far, the villages were close and the bus ran often. But its not the same. Having him home evenings, helping in the housethat was different from him running his own. Shed be left with only holidays to visit.
“Why the long face? Arent you happy for him?” Lindas tone softened as she sat beside Susan. “You have to let go. Hes grown, love. He needs his own familydont fight it.”
“Youre right. Im just afraid. What if it goes wrong? Theres the boy too…”
Listen, theres plenty of girls round here, but Ive not a single one Id trust as much as Emma.
“And thats what worries me. Shes too good to be true.”
“Oh, youre impossible!” snapped Linda. “Would you prefer she was awful? Come on, all that really matters is that theyre happyand dont make a mistake that costs you your son.”
What mistake?
“Refuse her and youll lose him. Ive seen how he looks at Emma. Thats real love, Sus.”
Susan remembered her sisters words, a hard, prickly weight settling in her chest, growing each sleepless night, though she couldnt say why.
Straightening, she shook out her numb hands, started kneading dough again. She must welcome Emma, make sure she felt wanted here. Linda was rightSusan couldnt let her son know her doubts. Wait and see. For now, just do her best.
Tiny, perfect pasties lined up neatly on a platter. Susan sighed, remembering how her husband loved the bite-sized ones.
Like sunflower seeds! hed laugh, Never enoughdelicious!
Hed catch her hand and kiss it. Susan would laugh, pulling her fingers away, hugging him. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears wellinghow she missed John. Hed have had good advice. Or at least, comfort.
That night brought no rest. Susan tossed and turned, finally giving up on sleep, longing for morning.
Emma stood behind David, too nervous to meet Susans eyes. Little Jack wiggled, wide-eyed at Susans unfamiliar garden. So many new things! There was a big dog, quietly tethered (oddGran Vals one always barked), and a cat, tail swaying with purpose. Jack glanced up at his mum.
“Let him go, let him have a look around. Ill put Jess awayand there’s nothing else to worry about. Youll see him from here,” Susan said, watching Emma curiously.
Hardly a girl, bless her, and yet so thin, so pale. Hard to believe shed mothered such a strapping boy. Something stirred in Susans chest, nudging aside the knot of tension. The boy trotted past her, stopping at her feet, looking up.
“Where did the cat go?”
“What cat?” Susan frowned. “Ive no catwhere did you see one?”
Jack pointed near the step. Susan gasped, “Lets go, quick! If he gets in with the chicks again”
Jack darted after Susan, understanding little but eager to please. They caught the cat by the coop.
You little devil! Off you go! Susan whipped off a slipper and tossed it.
Seeing Jack laugh, she smiled in spite of herself. Nice lad! Lively but gentle. She handed him a chick; he hesitated to take it, only stroking it with care.
Hes small.
Susan brought Jack inside, and in no time he was on her knee munching pasties. She caught Emmas glance toward David, smiled warmly.
Youve got a lovely boy there, Emma. Clever, loves his foodevery grannys dream.
Seeing Emma exhale with relief, Susan noticed that anxious look again, thatnerves. Shes a worrierwants the best for her child. Means shes a good mother. Susan realised thenthe knot had loosened, buried deeper. Not gone, but it hurt less.
David chatted, joking about wedding details, while Emma kept her gaze on her plate. When David stepped out, Susan asked:
“Why so quiet? Jack, heres more cherriestry them, theyre sweet.”
Emma looked up, eyes clear grey. For a while she just studied Susan, thinking, then spoke:
What is there to say? I told David, I dont want a big wedding. We couldve just gone quietly.
And he disagreed?
He says thats not proper. All the family expects it. Cant let them down.
“There’s some sense in that, but you shouldn’t hold back. Why not the big wedding?”
Emma bit her lip. “Im afraid. Happiness likes quiet. Last time I got married with a big fuss, but well…”
“Dont think like that, Emma. You lost your husband, grief like that marks a soul. But Ill tell youthe man loved you, hed wish for your happiness now. Everyone gets their share dealt by fate. Cant run from it. Best is to accept what life gives, whether with gratitude or notup to you.
Emma hesitated. “I was just afraid youd judge me.”
For what?
For marrying again. And to David, of all people. He couldve had anyone. Why me?
Jack squirmed, so Susan set him on the floor.
“And you are?”
Susan knelt, smiled: Im your granny now, Jack. You can call me Granny Sue.”
“Alright!” Jack nodded solemnly.
The wedding was as David wanted. Relatives grumbled and gossiped at first, but Susan scowled them into silence.
David and Emma spent nearly a year living with Susan. She soon forgot about that sharp, anxious knot in her chest. Watching Emmas gentle care with David, Susan knew it was time to stop worrying. It wasnt easy, but Emma had a rare way of calming even Susans rare irritation, smoothing things without ever taking offence or raising a cross word.
“Why do you keep everything bottled up, Emma? You should let yourself cry, talk to David about things! Maybe itd help your mother-in-law ease off,” Margaret called, shooing her cow down the lane.
“And wed all end in a row, would we? What use in mother and son fighting? Terrible advice, honestly,” Emma replied dryly, unbothered.
“Youre too proud, Emma! Wont do you any good in life.”
“Its healthier to do things my way and ignore busybodies,” Emma retorted, going indoors.
Margaret snorted, and her new gossip was soon making its rounds.
By the following year, David had finished building their house and he and Emma moved in. Life bustled on. One day, Emma went to the doctor, uneasy.
“Pregnant? Are you sure?”
“Of course,” the doctor smiled, “you didnt plan this?”
“Its not thatof course Im happy! But last time was so different. Is it a problem?”
“There are some issues, so youll need to stay in hospital a bit. But well make sure both you and your baby are alright.”
Susan came straight over to look after Jack. Emma opened the door and noticeably winced.
Whats wrong?” Susan frowned at her daughter-in-law.
Its nothing. Emma tried to busy herself as Susan unpacked treats for Jack.
Thanks, Granny Sue! Jack was busy with his new toy car.
Susan peered at Emma. “You looked terrified when I came in. Thought I was angry at you?”
Emma nodded, her cheeks colouring. Susan sighed. That Margaret, honestly. It was her nasty little chat that had soured Susans mood all morning, setting her heart fretting all the way over.
“So, not only a widow with a child as baggage, but now sickly too? Whatll she bring into your family, Susan? Still time to”
“Margaret, honestly, whats wrong with you? Was your mum unable to hug the meanness out of you? Whats it to you what Emma does?”
“Its nothing! Just teasing. Hope all turns out well for them!”
Susan turned her back on her, heading for the bus stop. She tried to calm herself on the journey, but it didnt quite work; Emma picked up immediately that something was off.
“Dont mind me, Emmaits nothing. Two idiots squabbling on the bus set me off. Why cant people live in peace?”
Emma smiled gently. Susan couldnt fib, not reallybut if she was being soothed, she wasnt angry at Emma.
Go on then, pack up. Need a hand?
“Im ready. I just dont want to go to hospital.”
Susan grunted, “Has to be done. Its for the babys health, so thats that. Dont worry about Jack, Ill keep an eye on him. All will be well.”
David drove Emma to hospital and the days crept by slowly. After a couple of weeks, doctors nodded approvingly; home leave soonjust for a bit, mind, under watch. “Is there someone at home with you?”
“Yes, my mother-in-laws there. Shes looking after my son.
“Mother-in-law?” raised the doctors brow, as if expecting trouble.
“Oh, mines wonderful! Not like the stories.”
“Rare thing to hear,” the doctor smiled.
Emma was due to come home; meanwhile, her kind mother-in-law was tearing her hair out.
“Oh Lord, what do I do? How will I tell Emma?!”
Jack disappeared that morning. Normally obedient and never venturing beyond the gate unattended, Susan trusted him outside while she cookedEmma coming home meant everything had to be fresh. David brought food to hospital, sure, but it was never as good as home-cooked.
The kitchen table was near the window; she watched Jack playing in the sandpit, building something. Turning to the stove for just a moment, she glanced backhe was gone.
Where the devil? She wiped her hands on her apron, rushed outside.
The yard offered little cover. No Jack. The gate hung open. The road was empty. It’d only been a minute since shed glanced outwhere could he go?
Jack, however, had heard a racket by the fence and hurried to see. Some older boys had a black-and-white puppy, whimpering as they tried to snare it.
“Let him go! Youre hurting him!” Jack rattled the gate till it swung open.
The boys just laughed, tormenting the puppy as Jack darted among them, trying to free him. He didnt notice them wander onto a different street, another, until a fierce shout from an old lady chased the bullies off. Jack stood, clutching the puppy as she glared.
“And you? Not looking to hurt him, are you?”
“No! Hes littleit hurt him!”
“Hmph. Good.” The old woman moved on. Jack looked around, realising he was lost. Mum had always said: “If youre lost, stay putsomeone will find you.” He cuddled the puppy and spied a bench by a gate. He sat, waitingGranny Sue would find him. Or Mum.
He had no idea hed wandered so far, and Susan was searching much closer to home.
When David arrived, he saw the open gate. “Stay there,” he told Emma, who was pale from nausea. “Ill check, be right back.”
He found Susan in floods of tears up the next street.
Jacks gone! I only turned awaygate was opengone!
David calmed her down. Where have you looked?
Nearbyhe couldnt have gone far.
“Well split upyou stick close, Ill try further. And leave Emma out of this. She mustnt worry right now!”
David found Jack an hour later, fast asleep on a bench, the puppy curled up in his arms. The puppy barked as David approached.
“Youll make a fine guard dog,” David chuckled, scooping up his son. “Time to wake up, son.”
Daddy Jack blinked up, then smiled sleepily. I stayed put, just like you said.
Good lad! Thats why I found you. He nodded at the puppy. And whos this? Looks a bit like Jess, Granny Sues dog.
Or more like Porthos, hes so chubby. Can we keep him?
Why not? Whats a home without a dog? Lets see what he grows up into!
David picked up the puppy and strode home. Susan was waiting, franticwhen she saw them, she almost collapsed on a neighbours bench.
“Mum, hes fine, we found him!”
She hugged Jack tight, crying with relief.
Granny, I didnt mean to scare you! I wont ever again!
Susan quietly wept, cuddling her grandson. Who said he wasnt hers? Margaret could say what she likedfew boys could be dearer.
Emma only heard about it later. Jack kept quiethe sensed Mum didnt need more worry. They laughed washing the flea-bitten puppy, and huggedsoaked but happy.
I missed you!
I missed you more!
Jacks baby sister was born right on time. A small, wailing bundle, they named her Emily after Granny Susan. Susan bloomed with happiness, popping round to the village as often as possible. She worried at first that Emma might hold a grudge, might not trust her again after the scare. But Emma never uttered a reproach.
“He mightve wandered off on me, too, mum. Dont blame yourself. He looks after everythinghed rescue a ladybird from danger.”
“It means hes growing up kind. Thats good.”
Susan never meddled, only helped where needed, and seeing how grateful Emma was, Susan would have moved mountains for that simple, “Thank you, Mum!”
Watching Jack race over for a hug, Emily being handed into her arms, and Emmas grateful smile, Susan knew she was doing something right.
“Off to Emily again?” Margaret asked from the gate, watching Susan lock up. “You spoil them, Sue!”
“Grandchildren, MargaretI’ve two now.”
“Only ones really yours!”
“Theyre both mine, Margaret. My granddaughterand my grandson. Though youd have trouble understanding.”
“Got any pearls of wisdom then, old girl?”
“I do. Love goes both ways. To be loved, you have to try yourself. My children and grandchildren love me, Margaret. Do yours?”
“Lets say they respect me!”
“Thats something. But, I think loves even better. Dont you?” Susan winked and glanced at her watch. “Oh lord, the bus! And theyre waiting for me.”
