GRAN, MY GUARDIAN ANGEL
I cant remember my parents. My father left my mum when she was pregnant with me, and I never heard anything about him after that. Mum passed away when I was just a year old, cancer took her so quickly, like a candle burnt down to the wick.
It was Gran, my mums mother, who brought me up. Her husband died young, and she spent her whole life devoted to her daughter and me. From my earliest days, wed had this special connection, almost like she could read my mind. Gran always knew exactly what I needed, and we had a real understanding between us.
Everyone loved Gran. From the neighbours to my teachersthey all adored her. She would turn up to parent evenings with a basket of homemade scones, saying, No good sitting here hungry, everyones tired after work. She never gossiped or judged anyone; people often came to her for advice. I felt so lucky to have her.
But me? I never had much luck in my personal life. School, university, workI was always rushing, always had something to do. There were a few lads here and there, but something was always not quite right. Gran worried about it.
Oh darling Lucy, why are you still single? Surely theres a decent lad out there for you. Youre so clever and so beautifulanyone would be lucky to have you. Id laugh it off, but deep down I knew she was right. I was thirtytime was marching on.
When Gran died, it was so sudden. She just didnt wake up one morning; her heart had stopped while she slept. I was lost without her. I went to work, went grocery shopping, but everything felt automatic, like I was switched off. At home it was just me and Pippa, my tabby cat. Id never felt so alone.
One evening on the train, with a book in hand, a man about forty sat across from me. Well dressed, pleasant looking. He kept glancing at me, but I didnt mind for some reason. He struck up a conversation about literaturewhich I could go on about for hoursand I thought, This is like something out of a film. His name was Nicholas. When my stop came, I didnt want to get off. Nicholas suggested we carry on talking in a café nearby, and I agreed with a little flutter of excitement.
That was the start of everything. We were messaging and calling every day, though we met up less oftenNicholas was always at work. I didnt know much about him really; he steered clear of topics about family or his job, but I didnt mind; I was happy, truly happy for the first time.
One day, Nicholas invited me to a nice restaurant at the weekend, dropping hints that this would be a special evening. I realised he meant to propose to me. I was over the moon! Finally, Id have a husband, children, a family like everyone else. Oh, if only Gran had been here to see the day.
That night, I lay on the sofa trying to decide what to wearsuch an important occasion. I always bought my clothes online, so I scrolled through dress after dress on my phone, but must have drifted off to sleep.
Suddenly, there was Gran, right there in my old flat, wearing her favourite blue dress, sitting beside me and stroking my hair. Gran! How youre supposed to be gone, how are you here? I said, breathless with surprise and happiness. She smiled softly, I never really left you, Lucy, Im always by your side. I see everything, hear everything, even if you cant see me. I must warn you: dont get involved with that man. Hes no good. Please listen to your old Gran. And with that, she faded away.
I woke with a start, stunned. Id *just* seen hernow she was gone. Telling myself it was just a dream, I tried to go back to dress shopping, but a gnawing worry sat in my chest. Why would Gran say Nicholas was bad? She had never met him. The night wore on, and with nothing chosen, I drifted back to uneasy sleep.
As the big day approached, I still hadnt chosen what to wearnothing felt right. Grans words kept ringing in my head. Ive never believed in prophetic dreams before; it never happened to me. Still, if we had that connection, maybe from the other side she could see things I couldnt…
Saturday arrived. I wore an old dress and tried to pull myself together. I just couldnt shake the feeling of dread. Nicholas noticed straight away.
Whats wrong, sweetheart? he asked.
Oh, nothing, honestly.
He laughed and joked, doing his best to cheer me up. At the end of the meal, just like out of a romcom, he went down on one knee and offered me a ring.
Thats when it hit mea rush of dizziness, buzzing in my ears. I looked up and saw Gran standing outside the window, just watching. She didnt say a word, just stood there. I knew it was a sign.
Im sorry, Nicholas, I cant, I blurted.
But why? What have I done? he protested.
Nothing. Its just I always trusted my Gran, I said, running out of the restaurant.
He chased after me, eyes blazing, and grabbed my shoulders, shouting, So, you dont want to marry me, is that it? Fine. Stay with that stupid cat of yours. No one’s ever going to want you, you daft, frumpy cow! And with that, he stomped off.
I was shell-shocked. Was this really the loving, clever Nicholas Id thought I knew? There went the dream of a husband, children, and family
The next day, I went to see my old classmate, Matthew, who now worked for the police as a detective inspector and always helped out his old mates. I asked him if he could look Nicholas up, showed him a photo and what details I had.
A day later, Matthew called me. Lucy, sorry but I have to tell you Nicholas is a serial conman. He targets single women, marries them, gets them to sign over their flats or take out big loans for his so-called business, and then throws them out and divorces them. Hes been to prison several times. You were lucky you got out in time.
I couldnt believe it. How did Gran know? Somehow, she didshed saved me again. Miracles do happen. Thank you, Gran, for not leaving me and for protecting me from harm.
I popped in to the local shop, bought some groceries and food for Pippa, and walked home with a spring in my step, comforted by the thought that Im not aloneGran is always somewhere close by.
They say the souls of loved ones watch over us, becoming guardian angels, shielding us from trouble and misfortune Id like to believe thats true. I really would.
