One Request When Victoria found out from her neighbour that Granny had moved, she was surprised. S…

One Request

The news of Grandmas move drifted to Emily via the neighbour, Mrs Barker. As with every birthday, Emily brought a cake and a bag of plumsGrandmas unwavering favourite. She paused outside the block, wrestling for her ringing phone, when the neighbour from the ground floor called out:

Emily, is that you? Grandmas gone off, you know.

Technically, she wasnt Emilys grandmother, but the grandmother of her ex-husband, Oliver. Theyd met at university, Oliver still living with Grandma then. Emily remembered the anxious visitthe feeling of being scrutinised, since Oliver had no parents, only Grandma, who raised him from age five. It turned out her nerves were needless; Grandma embraced her instantly, like family.

They married in their final year, and Grandmas wedding gift was unthinkable: a one-bedroom flat. Yes, on the citys edge, fifth floor, no balcony, but theirs and theirs alone. Shed spent a lifetime scrimping, never wanting to intrude on their start.

To Emily, who never owned a thing, the flat felt palatial. Her stepfather, always alert to ensure she didnt eat more than his children, never waste water, constantly scolded for unnecessary electricity. At seventeen, Emily worked as a waitress, rented a tiny box rooma closet in disguise. The dormitory wasnt for her with her city registration, so the flat felt truly grand.

It lasted but a short time. A year after the wedding, Emily came home early from her shiftintent on making breakfast for Oliverand found a blonde, upturned nose girl in her bed. The girl smoked, sending grey ribbons to the ceiling, and water splashed audibly from the bathroom. The blonde wasnt rattled, simply pulled the duvet over herselfthe one Grandma gifted for Christmas.

That was the endfive years strength evaporated. Emily didnt cause a scene; they divorced quietly. Oliver kept the flat, as expected. The blonde, omnipresent throughout, hissed: Get written proofshell get pregnant by some lorry driver and try for the place!

Where did she go? Emily asked, declining the call.

Oh, to yours! Those two are soon to have a baby, so they swapped, answered Mrs Barker.

Emily grew uneasyGrandma was unsteady after her hip fracture, and the flat was up five flights, sans lift. How would she manage? The day Emily found the blonde, she and Oliver had decided to move in with Grandma and care for her, but now, shed be alone in an alien corner, unfamiliar to all.

News of the baby stung as well. Oliver always refused children; he wanted to live for himself.

Alright, thanks, Mrs Barker.

So off to the bus stop, forty minutes ride, clutching the battered handrail, hoping not to destroy the cake.

To revisit the flatthe site of her happiest yearfelt melancholic. Emily traced old steps, noting subtle shiftsa new shop sign, fenced-off derelict land. The yard was bright with a new playground, and a boy in wellies sat with bare feet in a puddle.

Im at the beach! he announced cheerfully.

Emily smiled and produced a chocolate bar from her pocket.

There you go, Robinson Crusoe!

Grandma, of course, played it off with dignityher own idea, she insisted.

Oliver visits, brings groceries, will drive me to the surgery if needed, Grandma explained.

When was his last visit? Emily pressed.

Oh, just yesterday.

Emily saw straight through it. The dustbin under the sink bulged, stank faintly, and the bread was hard enough for nails.

Let me pop to the shop, Emily suggested. I forgot to buy cheese.

That part was a fib.

Grandma protested, but Emily persisted. On leaving, she left her umbrella on purpose, so shed have an excuse to return the next day and head for groceries again. Grandma held out, insisting Oliver visited, until Emily caught a cold in autumn, stayed away for a week, and Grandma called herself, shyly asking when Emily might return.

Visiting so often proved tough, so Emily made her own arrangement: the puddle-boy hauled rubbish daily for £5 a week, while groceries came via delivery. Emily even bought Grandma a smartphone and taught her how to use the app. Oliver doubted Grandma could cope, but she managed. Emily called weekly, sometimes more, sometimes less. Grandma seemed to forget Oliver was Emilys ex. She boasted about his baby, gushed over videos Oliver sent to the shiny new phone.

Have they brought the great-grandchild around? Emily asked.

Goodness, hes much too small!

For the first birthday, though, Oliver brought the boy. Grandma asked Emily to withdraw £100 for a present from the bank card. This way, Emily knew about all the visitsOlivers birthday, the boys, New Years, and, presumably, the blondes birthday in April. Grandma always withdrew a tidy sum for every occasion.

She attempted to give Emily money too, but Emily refused.

Ill be terribly cross! Emily insisted.

One day, Grandma said:

Alright, but promise youll grant me one request. No more pestering with money.

Which request?

Ill tell you later.

Later, it would be. Emily agreed.

When Paul appeared in Emilys life, Grandma learned first. Emily barely spoke with her mother, who drank in tandem with the stepfather, scolding Emily and calling her a failure.

You let a man with a flat slip away? Honestly! Youll always live cramped in these little boxes!

Paul had no flat; he vowed to earn it. He was five years younger, and Emily denied his courtship for ages, but finally accepted. He was kind and lively; his family embraced Emily at once. The family owned a detached house on the citys outskirts, and apart from eldest Paul, there were five brothers.

Didnt risk a seventh girl, Pauls mum said with a wry smile. Waiting for granddaughters now. What about youcareer woman or baby plans?

I want children, Emily admitted.

Good! Well await your daughter. Pauls our sensible onethe rest are proper rascals!

They married modestly, skipped a celebration, used their savings for a trip. Emily fretted for Grandma, but nothing could be done.

Her worry was justified. No one knew how it happenedGrandma might have felt ill and gone for help, or decided to take out the rubbish herself She was found cold on the staircase.

Emily knew she mustnt grieve too hard; shed made a test just the day before, happy to tell Grandma her news But how could she not grieve? If she hadnt gone away, would things have turned differently? She missed the funeralOliver never even informed her, despite knowing they still spoke. She didnt call him to argue.

But a few days later, Olivers wife called:

So clever, are you? Well take you to court and prove the wills nonsense!

Emily couldnt fathom the fuss at first. The blonde shouted abuse, and eventually Emily realised they meant a flat.

A day later, the solicitor called. He asked her to come in, read Grandmas will and letter.

Emily read, tears sliding. Grandmas praise was overwhelmingshe thanked Emily for everything, made her feel awkward, since Emily acted out of love, not gratitude, and had no one else dear. Heres the request I mentioned: accept this flat as my gift; I have nothing else to offer.

Emily thought Grandma meant the flat where she lived, but the solicitor corrected herit was the two-bedroom Oliver now lived in. The single-bedroom was Olivers, Grandma had gifted him that long ago.

Asking for time to consider, Emily and Paul discussed it. Emily didnt want the flat, fearing harassment, threats, risking her own child for bricks and mortar. But ignoring Grandmas request felt wrong. They pondered long, finally settling on a plan.

They invited Oliver and his wife to the solicitor, checking first with him. He thought Emily naive, but offered no argument.

Olivers wife attacked Emily, nearly with fists if Paul wasnt present, showering venom and threats.

Pack it in! Oliver shouted suddenly. Emily has a rightshe cared for Grandma for three years.

Emily was astonishedshed even written a speech for Oliver.

Theres nothing else to discuss. Well shift our things and vacate the flat, he said without meeting her eyes.

Emily then revealed her plan: she didnt want to break up their home, the one-bedroom was enough. Shed talked it over with the solicitor; provided Oliver consented, everything could be arranged.

For the first time, Oliver looked at Emilyhis gaze, apologetic.

His wife, abruptly calm, demanded coffee and biscuits, complaining the journey had tired her and Emily should have said sooner.

Emily had a daughter. She named her Sophie, after Grandma. Pauls mother was over the moongranddaughters would follow, but Sophie always remained the favourite.

© Hello, Sadness!