“Mum, maybe we should just let Gran wander off and get lost? Itd be better for everyone,” said Maisie, her voice sharp with defiance.
“Mum, how much longer can this go on? Are you going to remind me of this for the rest of my life?” the fifteen-year-old snapped back, hurt lacing her words.
“Not the rest of your life, just while shes still with us. If she steps outside, shell get lost and”
“And die under a hedge, and well live with the guilt Mum, honestly, why dont we just let her?” Maisie challenged again.
“Let her what?” Her mother frowned, uncomprehending.
“Let her go and get lost. You said yourself youre sick of all this hassle with her.”
“How can you say that? Shes my mother-in-law, not even my own flesh and blood, but to you, shes family.”
“Family?” Maisie narrowed her eyes, a sure sign her temper was rising. “Where was she when her precious son walked out on us? When she refused to look after meher own granddaughter? Did she ever spare you a thought when you were scrambling for extra shifts just to make ends meet? She even blamed you when Dad left!”
“Enough!” Her mother stood abruptly. “I shouldnt have told you any of this. Ive raised you wrong if you cant show a shred of pity for someone who needs it. It terrifies me. Will you treat me the same way when Im old? Whats happened to you? You used to be such a kind girl. Youd bring home every stray kitten or puppy you found. Gran isnt a stray, Maisie.” She shook her head wearily. “Shes already paying the price. Your father abandoned her too.”
“Mum, youll be late for work. I promise Ill lock the door.” Maisie gave her a guilty glance.
“Fine. Before we say things well regret” But her mother didnt move.
“Mum, Im sorry, but its painful to look at you. Skin and bones. Youre only forty, but youre bent like an old woman, barely able to drag your feet. Always exhausted. Why are you looking at me like that? Who else will tell you the truth if not your own daughter?” Maisie hadnt realized shed raised her voice again.
“Thank you. Just make sure she doesnt leave the gas on or the taps running.”
“See? Thats what I mean. Were trapped here because of her. No life of our own. Mum, lets put her in a care home. Shed be looked after properly. She doesnt understand anything anymore”
“Not this again,” her mother cut in sharply.
“Itd be better for everyone, especially her,” Maisie pressed on, ignoring the warning in her mothers voice.
“I dont want to hear another word. Im not sending her away. How much longer does she have? Let her stay at home.”
“Shell outlive both of us. Go to work. I wont leave, Ill lock the door, I promise,” Maisie muttered darkly.
“Im sorry. Ive piled too much on you. All your friends are out having fun, and youre stuck here looking after Gran.”
They hadnt noticed the door to Grans room was ajar. Shed heard everything, though it was doubtful she understoodor would remember any of it in a minute.
Her mother left for work, and Maisie stepped into what had once been her bedroom, now Grans.
“Gran, do you need something?” she asked.
Grans vacant eyes showed no sign of recognition.
“Come on, Ill give you a sweet,” Maisie said, helping her up and leading her to the kitchen.
“Who are you?” Gran stared blankly.
“Have your tea.” Maisie sighed and set a wrapped toffee in front of her.
Gran loved sweets. She and her mother hid them, rationing her to one with her tea. Maisie watched as Gran fumbled with the wrapper. Through her thinning grey hair, patches of pale scalp showed. Maisie turned away.
Once, Gran had dyed and styled her hair, painted her lips bright red, arched her brows. Maisie remembered the cloying scent of her perfume. Men had noticed heruntil her mind began to slip.
Maisie couldnt untangle her own feelingspity, resentment, something else? A knock at the door jolted her from her thoughts.
“Mustve forgotten something,” Maisie muttered, going to answer.
But it was her friend, Sebastian, a sixth-former. Her mother disapproved of him, so he timed his visits for when she was out.
“Hey. Youre early. Mum just left,” Maisie whispered.
“I know. She didnt see me.”
“Millie!” Grans voice floated from the kitchen.
“Whos Millie?” Sebastian asked.
“Thats what she calls Mumthinks shes her daughter. Take her to her room, then wait in the loo. Shes having a rare clear moment.” Maisie nudged him toward the bathroom.
“No one here,” she said, returning to find an empty teacup and wrapper on the table.
“Want tea,” Gran said.
“But” Maisie bit back frustration. Gran forgot everything, especially recent events, though distant memories stayed sharp. She often confused them, mistaking Maisie for someone else. But sometimes, for fleeting moments, clarity returned.
Was Gran scheming for another sweet, or had she genuinely forgotten shed just had tea? Maisie sighed, refilled her cup, and set out another toffee.
Gran struggled with the wrapper. When the cup was empty, Maisie led her back to bed.
“Sleep now,” she said, closing the door behind her.
Sebastian peered out from the bathroom.
“Can I come out?”
“Yes. Kitchen.” Maisie checked the door latch, then followed.
They sat close, sharing earbuds, music low. Maisie swayed slightly, eyes half-closed. She didnt notice Gran slipping past into the hall
When she went to see Sebastian out, the front door stood open. She rushed to Grans roomempty.
“The door I didnt lock it. Shes gone. Mumll think I did it on purpose,” Maisie gasped, near tears.
“Why would she think that?” Sebastian asked.
“You dont get it. I said today itd be better if she got lost. Mumll think I left it unlocked out of spite.”
“Right, grab your coat. Well find her. She cant have gone far,” Sebastian said.
Maisie glanced at the coat rackGrans quilted jacket hung untouched. Her shoes too.
“Did she go out in slippers and a dressing gown?” Maisie stared at Sebastian.
“Maybe shes with a neighbor? Wandered onto the landing, didnt recognize the flat Ill check the street. You try nearby doors.” Sebastian dashed downstairs.
No one answered the neighbors doors. Maisie gave up and ran outside. Sebastian scoured the courtyard, checking bushes, the playground slide
“Nothing. Lets try nearby streets. You go right, Ill go left. Whoever finds her first calls. Meet back here,” Sebastian ordered, already running.
Maisie even checked the bus stop. No sign. How long had it been? Half an hour? Forty minutes? How far could a confused old woman in slippers get?
“We should call the police,” she said when they regrouped.
“Wait. Thinkwhat places did she talk about most? Where did she used to go?” Sebastian panted.
Maisie frowned but couldnt recall. She shrugged.
“Fine, lets widen the search. You head toward the school, Ill go the other way.”
Streetlights flickered unevenly. Maisie hurried past darker stretches, imagining figures in the shadows. Nearing the school, she remembered a story Gran toldonce, shed forgotten an exercise book and climbed out a first-floor window when the caretaker locked her in.
Gran hadnt gone to this school, but she always mentioned the tale when they passed. Maisie pushed at the gateunlocked. The building was a typical postwar design, shaped like a squared-off “C.” Rounding one wing, she spotted a group of boys laughing at something. “Gran,” she realized, running toward them.
Gran stood in the courtyard in her blue-grey dressing gown. One boy held out an empty sweet wrapper, snatching it back when she reached for it, his mates roaring.
“She doesnt understand. You escape from the loony bin, love? Want a sweet?” He dangled the wrapper again.
“Leave her alone!” Maisie shouted.
The boys turned.
“Look, another one!”
“Whos this? The granddaughter?”
“Escaped with granny, did you?”
The boy with the wrapper stepped toward her. The others followed.
Maisie backed up. They advanced, blocking Gran, their mocking grins
