The door burst open as Emily and her husband, Oliver, rushed into her parents flat. Mum, Dad, you asked us to comewhats happened?
Truth be told, it had been a long time coming. Her mother had been ill, battling a terrible diseasestage two. Shed endured chemotherapy, then radiotherapy. Thered been remission, her hair growing back in wisps. But peace was fleeting. Now, she was worsening again.
Emily, Oliver, come in, her mother murmured, pale and thin as a child.
Sit down, both of you, her father said, uneasy. Weve got an odd request. Hear your mother out.
Emily and Oliver settled on the sofa, watching her. Margaret drew a breath, glancing at her husband, Henry, as if gathering strength.
Emily, Oliver, dont be shocked, but Ive a strange thing to ask. Wed like youto adopt a boy for us. At our age, they wont let us. And for other reasons.
Silence.
Emily was the first to speak. Mum, youll be surprisedweve been thinking the same thing. Weve two daughters, your granddaughters, but weve always wanted a son. No guarantee the next would be a boy, and my healthwell, after the C-sections, the doctors say no more. So wed thought of adopting. A little boy. Then you say this. Why?
Margaret twisted the hem of her jumper. I dont know where to begin. Ive been unwell again. Then my old friend, Auntie Noraremember her? She used to have that mole hanging over her eye. Terrified her, they said it might turn nasty. But she went to Granny Violet in the countrysidehad it *spoken away*. She pestered mecome with me, go to Granny Violet! People travel from all over. So I went.
Emily and Oliver listened, breath held, but lost.
Granny Violet asked me straight offDo you have a son? I told herjust Emily, and two granddaughters, Lily and Rose. But she pressedAnd before your daughter? Margarets fingers trembled. No one knew. Not even you, Emily. Before youthere was a boy. Late-term loss. He didnt make it.
And then? Emilys eyes were wide.
Granny Violet saidAdopt a boy. Then walked off. I wept like Id failed him. Like I owed some other boy the love hed never have. And I realisedI *want* to. Not to get better. Just to save one little life from loneliness. Do you understand?
Emily threw her arms around her. Mum, I do. Lets do it.
Theyd already spoken to the childrens home. Now, they all wentMargaret and Henry too. In the playroom, toddlers sat on the rug, stacking blocks.
Mum, lookthat fair-haired boy, like you! See how hes concentrating, tongue out, Emily whispered.
Margaret smiled. But thena murmur from the corner. A taller boy, eyes downcast, muttering.
Are you speaking to us? Margaret asked.
He stepped forward. Please, misstake me. I promise, you wont regret it.
Soon, the papers were signed. Oliver and Emily adopted Alfie. Lily and Rose were thrilleda brother at last.
Alfie settled quickly, calling them Mum and Dad. He often stayed at Granny Margaretsclose to his school. But he never called her *Granny*.
Mum Margaret, hed say. And shed catch her breath, wondering*Is it him? The one I lost?*
The doctors insisted on new treatment, but she worsened. Alfie stroked her cropped hair. Mum Margaret, why are you ill? I want you better.
I dont know, Alfie. But Ill try.
Henry spoke to the surgeon. Fifty-fifty, the man said. But well fight.
They agreed.
On the day, nerves frayed. Emily rang non-stop. Henry waiteduntil he realised Alfie was missing.
He found him in their bedroom, face buried in Margarets dressing gown, sobbing. Mum Margaret, dont go. I cant lose you again. Stay with me, please
The phone rang. The surgeons voice was weary.
Henrys heart dropped.
Henry? Its Dr. Carter. It was closebut she made it. Like someone was helping her. Congratulations. Shes got more life in her yet.
Thank God! Henry hugged Alfie. Shes aliveour Mum Margarets alive! AlfieI heard you praying for her. Thank you, son.
