The Closest of Kin: A Heartwarming Family Story of Grandparents Anna and Paul, Their Three Wonderful Grandchildren, Home-Baked Treats, Maths Lessons, and the Unbreakable Bonds That Sustain Them Through Joys and Sorrows

Family Ties. A Story

Funny, how life turns out. It could have all been so different. The neighbour, Mrs. Dawson, cant get over their lucksuch helpful children, grandchildren always popping in and out.

Even today, their middle grandchild, little Tom, is coming round. Granddad keeps him sharp with numbers, and teaches him to do proper pull-ups on the bar in the blocks courtyardthough its really a leftover bit of pipe, but dont tell the council.

Anna and Paul, just a smidge over seventy, reallypractically teenagers, if you ask them. And what have they got? Three splendid grandchildren.

Last night, Anna, with her two granddaughtersyoung Molly and her big sister Daisybaked mountains of shortbread. Perfect for a good cuppa, and just the thing to spoil Tom after school.

Anna, love, we need to get ourselves a globe, Paul called out, interrupting her thoughts. Tom and Molly are hopeless with the atlas. It needs to be a big globe, mind!

And a football, too. Tom spotted the older boys playing basketball in the park. Now he fancies joining in.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Tom had come tromping in from school.

Hi, Nan! Hi, Granddad! LookI got you your favourite Chelsea buns from the bakery.

He hung his coat, washed his handshe knew, nothing gets past Nan.

How was school, mate? Get any marks worth mentioning? Paul asked, knowing the answer already.

Granddad, I got two Cs in maths. Will you help me? Im all muddled up, Granddad, Tom admitted, his eyes downcast, the portrait of misery.

What happened? We got through that topic last time, didnt we? Right, lets get stuck in and sort things out.

Paul, let the lad eat firstthen you can get on with all your sums, Anna insisted.

Oh, and make mine a bowl of your best leek and potato, Paul winked at Tom.

After lunch, Tom and his granddad buried themselves in homework. Anna watched them with the softest smile imaginable.

Spring was almost herecould practically smell the fresh countryside air. Tom and little Molly would soon be running wild in their allotment plot. Daisy, of course, came down weekends with her parents; she was nearly seventeen and off saving the world.

Daisy was training as a nurseplacement at the local hospital. She loved it, and wanted to go further, dreaming of becoming a doctor and helping people. Shes a gem, that onetough as old boots and gentle with it.

Anna wandered over to the sideboard and picked up a framed photo.

Oh, my darling boy, Simon, if only you could see us now. Forgive us, love, maybe it was our fault, maybe we missed something. We couldnt help, didnt know how. No, Simon, Im not crying. I hope you see, somehow, how we liveand are happy for us. Lifes a jumble, isnt it? A bit of everythingjoy and sorrow, all mixed up. You didnt get to see much of it, son. But its too late for regrets now.

Anna, cant you hear? Julia and Max are herewith Molly, too.

Gran! Molly squealed, flinging herself round Annas neck, clutching her with warm, sticky hands.

Look at me, Gran, Molly said, turning Annas face towards her, look! My hairs pretty, just like yours! Because I want to be like you. I love you so much, Granny! And Anna was almost undone, holding back happy tears.

Go easy on Granny! laughed Julia and Max.

Oh, Granny, let go a sec! Molly slipped down and fished a wrinkled drawing out of her mums bag. Look, I drew this at nursery. This is you, Granddad, Mum, Dad, Daisy, Tom, and me! Our giant family! Do you like it, Granny?

I love it, darling. And everyone looks spot on! Paul, come see what your granddaughter has made us! Ill frame itput it by the telly and stare at it all day. What a treasureour big family!

Right, Anna, time to get going. Tom, grab your backpackdont forget your homework. Anna, Paul, pop round for Sunday roast tomorrow, will you? The kids have a performance planned. Thanks again, see you tomorrow!

The door closed quietly. Anna poured the tea; Paul found the custard creams.

Arent we lucky, Paul, to be surrounded by such a tribe?

We are, Annie, we really are.

Remember when Simon brought Julia home for the first time? I hoped so much thatd turn him around. For a whole year everything was rosyI couldnt have been happier. Then it all fell apartthose crowds, those wild nights

Dont, love, dont cry, Paul put an arm round her.

And then Julia left. And Simon he got caught up in that fight And that was that. No more Simon.

There now, Annie, lets not get gloomy today, Paul gently wiped her tears.

Oh, Paul, Molly gave me her picture and I thought, what a blessing that we found Julia when she was expectingafter Simon was gone. Then she met Max, and now, besides Daisy, weve got Tom and Molly. Theyre all ours, through and through.

And Ill say thisif fate meant us to go through that lot, then we must be the happiest grandparents in Britain!

And our big familytheyre the closest people in the world.

Where theres love and good advice, Paul, thats all the luck youll ever need.