Maggie Thompson was already sixty, finally ready to hang up her scrubs, but she wasnt in any rush. She finished her night shift at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, slipped into her coat, and headed home. The rain was coming down in sheets and shed forgotten her umbrella, so she tucked her bag over her head and trudged to the bus stop.
Out of nowhere a tiny wail caught her ear on a bench lay a baby, just a few days old, soaked through. Maggie scooped the little bundle up and tried to calm him. The mother, looking horrified, darted back into the hospital because the child was drenched, and quickly rang an emergency paediatrician.
Its a boy, about two weeks old, perfectly healthy, the doctor said after a quick check. I dont know why anyone would leave him here, but youve got to love and look after a little one like this.
Maggie decided to stay on night duty she wasnt planning on getting any sleep anyway. Soon the police showed up, asking for a statement, and Maggie kept the baby snug in her arms the whole time.
A couple of hours later a young married pair arrived with the officers. The girl was in tears, the boy could barely stand.
Lets have a look at the baby, the girl whispered, maybe hes ours.
They hurried to the childrens ward. When Emily looked at the infant, she broke down crying, clinging to him and refusing to let go. Maggie was baffled, until the inspector stepped in and cleared things up.
Emily and Robert have been seeing each other in secret because their families disapproved, he explained. Emilys parents finally gave their blessing, but Roberts mother has been trying everything to drive a wedge between them. When the baby was born, they hoped their own mother would be overjoyed. Instead, the grandmother thought Emily was spoiling the child and, seeing an opportunity while the young couple went off to the cinema, she dropped the baby off under the maternity ward.
So thats the whole tale. Most likely that little lad will never get to see his grandmother again.
