I Will Always Be With You, Mum: A Heartfelt Story You Can Believe Grandma Valerie couldn’t wait for evening to come. Her neighbour Natalie, a single woman approaching fifty, had just confided something so astonishing that Valerie’s head was spinning. To prove her point, Natalie had even invited her round later to show her something remarkable. The story began quite simply. That morning, Natalie had dropped by as she was on her way to the shop: “Is there anything you need, Valerie? I’m popping to the corner shop to pick up bits for a pie and a few other things.” Valerie smiled. “You’ve always been so good and caring, Natalie. I remember you as a little girl. It’s a shame things haven’t worked out for you—but you never seem sad or complain, not like some.” Natalie laughed. “What’s there to complain about? I do have a man I love, it’s just we can’t be together for now. Would you like to hear the reason? I’ve never told anyone else, but I want to tell you. Well, partly because you probably wouldn’t be believed if you repeated it!” She grinned. “Just let me know if you need anything from the shop. I’ll pop in on my way back, and over a cup of tea, I’ll tell you all about my life. Maybe then you’ll be happy for me and stop worrying.” Valerie didn’t really need anything, but asked Natalie to fetch a loaf of bread and some sweets for tea, her curiosity well and truly piqued. Later, as they sat together over tea and cake, Natalie began: “Valerie, you remember that thing that happened to me twenty years ago? I was nearly thirty. Met a bloke—nice enough, so I thought I’d marry him even if I didn’t love him. At least I’d have a family. He moved in and I got pregnant. When the baby came, a little girl, she lived just two days and passed away. I thought I’d go mad with grief. My husband and I split up soon after. A couple of months later, once I’d stopped crying, something happened. It’s hard to explain, Valerie. I’d got everything ready for my daughter—the cot, bedding, toys, the lot. They say it’s bad luck to buy these things early, but I didn’t believe that. Then one night I was woken by the sound of a baby crying. I thought I was imagining it, but the crying came again. I went to the cot—and there she was. My little girl. I picked her up, my heart nearly bursting with happiness. She looked up at me and then drifted peacefully to sleep. And from then on, almost every night, she would come to me. I even bought formula and a bottle, but she hardly ever fed—just smiled, closed her eyes and slept in my arms. Is that even possible?” Valerie leaned forward, utterly enthralled. “I know it sounds mad, but it’s true,” Natalie insisted. “It just went on—we got used to those nightly visits. I knew my little girl was living in another world, with her own mum and dad, but she never forgot me. She would visit, and one night she said to me: ‘I will always be with you, Mum. We are bound by an invisible thread, and nothing can ever break it.’ Sometimes I wonder if it’s a dream, but she even brings me gifts from her world. They don’t last long here though—they fade away like snow in spring.” That evening, Valerie finally visited Natalie’s flat. No one else was home—just the two of them. Suddenly, a gentle light shimmered in the air and a sweet young woman appeared: “Hello, Mummy! I’ve had such a good day, I want to share it with you. And here’s a present for you.” She placed a small bouquet on the table. Turning to see Valerie, she smiled again. “Oh, hello! Mum said you wanted to meet me. I’m Marianne.” After chatting a while, Marianne faded away like morning mist. Valerie sat silent, absolutely stunned. “Well, I never… that really happens!” she whispered. “Your daughter’s a beauty, Natalie, just like you. I’m so happy for you. You really are a lucky woman—maybe luckier than anyone I know. I would never have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself. Thank you for opening my eyes. The world is so much bigger than I thought; life goes on everywhere. I’m not afraid anymore.” The flowers on the table became paler and then vanished altogether. But Natalie smiled, full of hope. Tomorrow would be a wonderful new day. She was going to meet Arkady, the man she loved and who loved her back—she just knew it. And someday soon, she’d introduce him to the two people she loved most in the world: Marianne and Arkady.

Ill always be with you, Mum. A story you might believe

Granny Margaret waited for evening with restless curiosity. Her neighbour Dorothy, a single lady fast approaching her fifties, had told her such a tale that her head had been spinning all afternoon.

To prove her story, Dorothy even invited her to come by that night and promised, Ill show you something strange.

It had all spun out from a simple chat. That morning, Dorothy had stopped round on her way to Marks & Spencer and poked her head into Granny Margarets kitchen.

Need me to pick up anything, Maggie? Im heading down the road for flour to make myself a scone, maybe a few bits and bobs.

Granny Margaret looked Dorothy over with warmth. Youre a dear soul, Dorothy, truly you are. Always so helpful. I remember when you were a lass, playing hopscotch outside. Its a pity it never worked out for you with anyone; always on your own. You dont mope about, though, or complainnot like some do.

Whats there to moan about, Maggie? I have a man I love, though we cant live together yet. Ill tell you why. I wouldnt tell anyone else, but youre safe, and even if you did gossip, whod even believe it? Dorothy chuckled. So, what shall I fetch for you? After I get back, pour us some tea and Ill tell you all about my life. You might be happy for me then, maybe wont pity me so much.

Margaret hardly needed a thing, but she asked for some bread and boiled sweets anyway. She was already itching to know what Dorothy might reveal.

Dorothy returned later carrying the bread and sweets, while Margaret steeped a proper pot of Earl Grey, her ears ready.

You remember what happened to me, Maggiemust be twenty years now. I was just shy of thirty. I had a chap, and we planned to marry. I thought, well, hes decent, even if I dont love him fiercely. Better a family than lonely nights.

We sent in our marriage notice, he moved in. Soon enough, I was expecting. But the little girl I bore came two months early, lived only two days, then she was gone.

I thought Id lose my mind to the grief. I left himnot much tied us after that. Couple months passed. Slowly, I dried my tears.

And then

Dorothy paused, watching Margaret for any sign of disbelief.

Dont know how to begin. My spare room was all set up for the babycrib, blankets, a doll or two. Everyone says its unlucky to prepare ahead, but I ignored the old wives tales. I bought it all, tucked it in, laid her teddies beside.

But one nightI wake up to the sound of a baby crying. At first, I thought my mind was playing tricks from all the sorrow. But there it was, again. I crept to the cot and therea tiny girl, just sleeping!

I picked her upmy heart nearly stopped with joy. She looked at me, shut her eyes, and drifted off again.

Every night from then, she came to me. I even bought formula and a bottle, just in case, but she didnt seem hungry. Shed cry, Id hold her, shed smile, settle and sleep.

Margaret listened, transfixed. Is that even possible? she murmured, unwrapping a sweet.

I thought not, Dorothys cheeks glowed with excitement.

And then?

Just like that, its never really stopped. Dorothys smile seemed touched by moonlight. My girl lives in another worldhas a mum and dad there. But she hasnt forgotten me. She visits, almost every night. Sometimes, she even says,

Mum, Ill always be with you. Were stitched together with a thread no one can break!

Sometimes, I wonderam I dreaming? Only she brings me gifts from that world, though they fade quickly, melting away like morning frost.

Margaret gulped her tea, throat tight from the tale. Really? Truly?

Thats why I want you to come over. See for yourself. Tell me what you think is real, because some days Im not sure

That evening, when the sky hung deep blue over terraced rooftops, Margaret visited Dorothy. They sat together in the dim parlour, half in shadow.

The house was quietjust the two of them. Sleep pressed in, but suddenly, the room shimmered gently with a strange light. The air rippled, and into the room stepped a graceful young woman.

Hello, Mum! Ive had a wonderful day, I wanted to bring you joy! The young woman set down a bouquet of bluebells on the old table.

Oh! Good evening, she turned to Margaret, Mother said you wanted to meet me. My names Harriet

In a breath or two, the girl vanished like mist.

Margaret sat rooted in silence, utterly astonished. It took her time to find her words.

Well, Dorothy I dare say these things truly happen. Your daughter is lovelyher smile is yours.

Im glad for you, Dorothy. Seems youre happier than most, perhaps luckier too! Margaret looked at the space where Harriet had stood, her heart full. Never would have believed it, had I not seen. Theres such wonder in the world. Im not afraid of anything now, not even death.

Thank you, truly.

Youve opened my eyes. Life goes on, everywheretheres always more. Im content now, whatever comes.

The bluebells on the table slowly paled, until a soft breeze whisked them away.

But Dorothy, after seeing Margaret out, smiled to herself through the hush. Tomorrow was another marvellous day. Shed see Alexander, the one she loved. And he loved hershe felt it in her bones.

How did she know?

Well, how could you ever explain that?

And one day soon, she would have them all meetthe greatest loves of her life: Harriet and Alexander.