“Mum, why don’t we just let Gran wander off and get lost? It’d be better for everyone,” said Maisie with a defiant edge.
“Mum, honestly, how much longer? Are you going to keep bringing this up forever?” Maisie, fifteen and sulky, folded her arms.
“Not foreverjust while shes living with us. If she went outside, shed get lost and”
“And die under a hedge, and wed spend the rest of our lives feeling guilty. Mum, why dont we just let it happen?” Maisie pushed, her tone sharp.
“Let what happen?” Her mum blinked, confused.
“Let her go. You said yourself youre fed up dealing with her.”
“How can you say that? Shes my mother-in-law, not my mum, but shes still your grandmother!”
“Grandmother?” Maisie narrowed her eyes, the way she always did when she was gearing up for a row. “Where was she when her precious son walked out on us? When she refused to babysit meher own granddaughter? She never spared you a thought when you were working yourself to the bone just to make ends meet. And she blamed you when Dad left!”
“Stop it, right now!” Her mum shot up from her seat. “I shouldnt have told you any of this. God, Ive raised you wrong if youve no compassion for family. It terrifies me. Whatll happen when Im old? Will you treat me the same? Whats got into you? You used to be such a kind girlbringing home every stray kitten you found. Grans not a kitten, Maisie.” Her mum sighed, shaking her head. “Shes already been punished enough. Your father left her too, you know.”
“Mum, youll be late for work. Ill lock the door, promise.” Maisie glanced away, guilt creeping in.
“Fine. Weve both said too much already.” But her mum didnt move.
“Mum, Im sorry, but its hard seeing you like this. Skin and bones. Youre only forty, but you walk like youre eighty, shuffling around exhausted. Why are you looking at me like that? Whos going to tell you the truth if not me?” Maisie hadnt realised her voice had risen again.
“Thanks. Just make sure she doesnt leave the gas on or flood the bathroom.”
“See? Thats what I mean. Were tied to herno life of our own. Mum, lets put her in a care home. Shed be looked after properly. She doesnt understand anything anymore”
“Are we back to this?” Her mum cut her off.
“Everyone would be better offher most of all,” Maisie pressed, ignoring her mums growing irritation.
“I dont want to hear another word. Im not sending her away. How long does she have left? Let her stay home.”
“Shell outlive both of us. Go to work. I wont leave, Ill lock the door,” Maisie muttered darkly.
“Sorry. Ive dumped too much on you. All your friends are out having fun, and youre stuck caring for Gran.”
They hadnt noticed Grans door was ajar. Shed heard everythingthough whether she understood or would remember was another matter.
Once her mum left, Maisie peeked into her old room, now Grans. “Gran, need anything?” she asked.
Grans vacant stare gave no answer.
“Come on, Ill give you a sweet.” Maisie helped her up and led her to the kitchen.
“Who are you?” Gran squinted at her.
“Drink your tea,” Maisie sighed, placing a wrapped toffee on the table.
Gran adored sweets. They had to hide them, rationing her to one with tea. Maisie watched as Gran fumbled with the wrapper. Through her thinning grey hair, her pale scalp showed. Maisie looked away.
Once, Gran had been glamorousdyed hair, red lipstick, perfectly arched brows. Men had noticed her. Now, that woman was gone, lost in confusion.
Maisie couldnt decide what she feltpity? Resentment? A doorbell interrupted her thoughts.
“Mum mustve forgotten something.” She went to answer.
But it was her mate, sixth-former Jake. Her mum disapproved of him, so he only came over when she was out.
“Hey. Why so early? Mum just left,” Maisie whispered.
“I know. She didnt see me.”
“Millie!” Grans voice carried from the kitchen.
“Whos Millie?” Jake asked.
“Thats what she calls Mumthinks shes her daughter. Let me take her back. Hide in the loo. Shes having a lucid day.” Maisie nudged Jake toward the bathroom.
“No ones here,” she muttered, returning to find an empty cup and wrapper on the table.
“I want tea,” Gran announced.
“But” Maisie gave up. Gran forgot things instantlyexcept fragments of the distant past. Was she pretending for another sweet? Or had she genuinely forgotten the tea shed just drunk? Impossible to tell. Maisie sighed, refilled the cup, and set out another toffee.
After Gran finished, Maisie led her back to bed. “Sleep now,” she said, closing the door.
Jake emerged from the loo. “Coast clear?”
“Yeah. Kitchen.” Maisie checked Grans door, then followed.
They sat close, sharing earbuds, swaying to music. Maisie didnt notice Gran slipping out
When she went to see Jake off, the front door was wide 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?” Jake frowned.
“You dont get it. I literally said today itd be better if she got lost. Mumll think I left it open to spite her.”
“Right, grab your coat. Well find her. She cant have gone far.” Jake glanced at the coat rackGrans quilted jacket was still there. So were her shoes.
“Did she go out in slippers and a dressing gown?” Maisie stared, baffled.
“Maybe shes at a neighbours? Got confused? Ill check outsideyou try the flats.” Jake bolted downstairs.
No one answered nearby doors. Maisie ran outside. Jake scoured the estatebushes, the playground slide Nothing.
“Lets try neighbouring streets. You go right, Ill go left. Meet back here,” Jake ordered.
Maisie even checked the bus stop. No Gran. How long had it been? Half an hour? Where could a confused woman in slippers go?
“We should call the police,” she said.
“Wait. Thinkwhat places did she talk about? Where did she used to go?” Jake panted.
Maisie drew a blank.
“Fine, wider search. You head toward school, Ill go the other way.”
Streetlights flickered unevenly. Maisie hurried past dark patches, imagining figures in the shadows. Near the school, she remembered a story Gran toldhow shed once jumped from a first-floor window after being locked in.
Though it wasnt this school, Gran always mentioned it when passing. The gates were unlocked. The building was a typical 1960s block. Rounding a corner, she spotted a group of lads laughing at someone.
Gran stood in her blue-grey dressing gown. One boy dangled a sweet wrapper, yanking it away when she reached for it. The others roared.
“Oi, leave her alone!” Maisie shouted.
The boys turned.
“Look, another one!”
“Whore you? Granddaughter?”
“Escaped the nuthouse together?”
The boy with the wrapper swaggered toward Maisie. The others followed.
She stepped back. They closed in, blocking Gran. No laughter nowjust leering confidence. Maisies back hit the railings. The gate was too far.
Like a pack, they lunged. Maisie flailed, but three against onehands pinned her. Fingers groped, deciding whod go first
“Get off her!” Jakes voice cut through.
Two boys turned. The third held Maisie tighter. She kicked his shin. He yelped, loosening his grip. Grabbing a scrap of wood, she swungtoo short for his head, it cracked his back.
He swore, lunged. Maisie sprinted for the gate.
“Over here, love! Weve called the police!” A couple stood beyond the railings.
The mention of police scattered the lads. Maisie helped Jake up. Gran cowered, mistaking them for more tormentors.
“Gran. Its me, Maisie. Lets go home.” She hugged her.
“Whos Maisie? Im waiting for Bobby. His lessons finish soon”
“Gran, Bobby left school decades ago. Come on.”
“I heard everything,” Gran said suddenly.
“Heard what?” Maisie froze.
“Millie wants to put me in a home. Dont let her.” Gran sniffled.
Was she more aware than they thought
