My husband had a grandmotherGran, as he always called her. Every summer, he spent the whole school holiday at her place in Bath. She never seemed to mind his stay. Back then, she ran her own little business. Single-handedly, she handled everythingorganised it all, and sold herbal remedies to local chemists. My husband still doesnt know how she managed it, but he remembers that for those days, she earned quite a decent living. Gran was a woman of a very particular temperament. She absolutely doted on him, never scrimped when it came to hearty meals, but she wouldnt give him so much as a penny for little indulgences. Everyone in the family assumed she must be saving for something.
Gran had enormous wardrobes at home, all with little compartments, each one securely locked with a key. Growing up, my husband was endlessly curious about what she kept in there, but she always said it was work-related and left it at that.
Then, times changed. Small businesses became common everywhere, and competition overtook her. Thats when she turned her hand to being a local healer. She never charged for her help, though the people who sought her out were usually quite well-off. We used to visit her when she was still with us. By then, she lived in real povertywore old, patched clothes, and had the simplest of meals. Wed take food parcels each time, but she always turned them down. Shed say we oughtnt spoil her; shed grown used to living that way.
When she passed away, she left her cottage to my husband. When we went to sort out the inheritance and tidy the house, we discovered her larder was overflowing with foodall long out of date. It turned out grateful clients had brought her these gifts, but shed never touched them. But the real shock came when we opened up those old wardrobes. Inside were scores of expensive things from the ninetiesa whole trove of quirky collectibles. There was more than we could possibly count. Why on earth would she choose to lock up her savings in things certain to lose their value? I still cant fathom her way of thinking. Maybe I never will.
