— Darling, how are you? And the baby, is he well? By the way, have you chosen a name yet? — He has no name. Let his new parents decide what to call him. I’m leaving him, Mum… I am leaving him… Nobody wants us anyway

Darling, how are you? And hows your son? By the way, have you thought of a name yet?
He doesnt have a name. Let his new parents call him whatever they like. Im going to leave him, Mum I am. No one wants us, were all alone in this world.

Emily, do you want me to bring your baby for a feed?

No, Ive said before. Ill sign the papers to give him up.

The nurse shakes her head and leaves. Emily turns to face the wall and bursts into tears. The other mums in the ward steal glances at her, then quietly continue feeding their babies.

Emily arrived at the hospital in the middle of the night; it happened quickly. The boy weighed seven pounds ten ounces, healthy and lovely. When the new mum caught sight of him, she began to weep, but not out of happiness.

There, there, its alright. Why the tears? Hes a lovely, strong boy. You wanted a daughter, perhaps? Never mind, come back next time and youll have a daughter.

Im leaving him Im not taking him home.

Now, dont be hasty. Whats got into you? Take some time to think about it, hes your child. Surely you cant just give him up?

Across the hall, Emilys room-mate, Harriet, is sitting with her husband on the visitors bench, telling him how their little girl wrinkles her nose in the funniest way. They laugh together. Just then, an older woman, shopping bag in hand, asks Harriet to fetch Emily.

Harriet goes to the ward and brings Emily out.

Sweetheart, how are you? Hows the little one? Thought of a name yet?

He hasnt got a name. Let whoever wants him give him one. Im leaving him, Mum No one wants us, its just the two of us in this whole wide world.

Emily hides her face in her hands, overcome with sobs. Harriet quickly says goodbye to her husband and slips away, feeling uncomfortable.

Youre not on your own, love, Im here for you. And as for Graham, well, what can I say? His fancy woman twisted his mind, told him the baby wasnt his that youd been running about and he lost his temper. Hell come round in the end, youll see. I brought you some bits eat, love, keep your strength up. Name the boy James, will you?

Emily heads back to the ward and shoves the bag in her bedside drawer. Childrens voices float down the corridor. She steps out to investigate.

Is that my baby?

Yours, yes.

Would you let me try feeding him?

The nurse stands and brings the child over. Hes crying, face red and scrunched up.

Hush now Your mums here to feed you.

Emily awkwardly tries to find a comfortable position, and Harriet comes to help. The baby soon quiets, content, and Emily cant help smiling to see his tiny button nose and serious little frown.

From then on, James is brought to Emily for every feed. She delights in observing his little face, his determined brows.

Emily, was that your mother? Shes lovely.

No, that was my mother-in-law. Lost my mum when I was young, Dad was always out somewhere, so my auntie brought me up. Then I married and moved into my husbands.

Things were good until he started up with someone else.

He left, doesnt want to know me now, and the shock of it all brought on the labour.

Where will you and the baby go now?

Grahams mother wants us at hers shes on her own, husband gone, only son and hes done a runner. Shes a kind woman, always treated me well.

Go, then. Let her fuss over her grandson. Grahamll see sense eventually and come back.

And so Emily goes to live with Barbara who helps in every way, adores her grandson.

When James turns a month old, his father appears. Emilys not home, off shopping.

Mum, Im heading up to Manchester with Katie, got offered a job there. Just popped in to say goodbye. And to ask for some money, if theres any going spare.

Not a chance You left your wife expecting a baby, you rat. She almost abandoned your own son Oh, for shame If your father were here, hed have given you what you deserve Im not giving you a penny. Ive got my grandson now. He needs it more than you. Go and learn to earn for yourself.

James starts screaming from his cot, and Barbara goes to him.

Wont you even take a look at your son? Hes the image of you.

Son? Thats not my boy Emilys got up the duff by someone else, why should I care?

Foolish talk, Graham. Run along now and stay foolish if you must.

Barbara retires, and Emily takes her job. James starts nursery, and the three of them settle into a cheerful, lively home.

Barbara, whens your daughter-in-law moving out then? Its a strange one, the in-laws living together, booting the son out.

Emily means more to me than Graham does, and my grandsons my greatest treasure. Theyre the reason I get up in the morning, Vera. Keep your nose out.

Vera shakes her head and walks on, never understanding Barbaras choices; her own little prince always comes first, reckless though he may be.

Barbara notices Emily is taking more care with her appearance, slipping out in the evenings.

So, Emily, whats his name?
Whose?

The chap youre out with Tell me, Im dying to know.

Oh, were just friends Hes here visiting family, we met by chance.

Does he know about James?

Of course, he knows everything.

You should bring him round. No point hiding him from me. If hes a decent man, then all the better.

Jack thats the fellow brings a basket of strawberries and a homemade pie his aunt has baked. For James, hes got a toy car and a football.

It turns into a joyful evening, with Jack spinning funny tales, Emily laughing, and Barbara wiping her eyes from all the fun. After hes gone, Emily asks eagerly:

Well, what do you think of him?
Hes a good man, love polite, interesting, and, most importantly, he clearly loves you. Dont let happiness pass you by!

A month later, Jack comes to ask Barbara for Emilys hand.

No need to worry, Mrs. Turner. Well live in Oxford, I have a big house. We love each other, and I think of James as my own son. Will you give us your blessing?

Barbara sees them off to the city, Emily, Jack, and James. They promise to write, to come and visit She is left behind, all alone.

A year later, Graham turns up, a thin, neglected lad in tow.

Good heavens, Graham, what on earth has happened to you? Your boy looks a sight dont you wash his clothes or what?

Oh, Katies gone now Ran off with some bloke with big money We spent all we had, not a penny left Thought Id come to see if theres anything left here for me.

Youve got a nerve. After all this time suddenly you remember your mothers at home.

Even about James Katie admitted she lied to me, claimed he wasnt mine to push me out. But he is. So, where is he? I want to see my boy.

You missed your chance. Emily married a decent man, and shes happy. James is Jacks son on paper now, so you dont have a son here. As for me, Im packing up and moving in with them Emilys just had a little girl and I want to meet my granddaughter. Keep an eye on the house, alright?

Barbara boards the train, her mind busy with thoughts. Life turns out in the oddest ways, but theres no greater happiness than knowing youre needed and can give help or comfort just as she had once done for Emily. Who knows what would have become of them all otherwiseAs the train rattles over the tracks, Barbara peers out the window at the rolling fields, a small smile growing on her face as she pictures Emilys gentle laugh and the way Jamess hand slips so trustingly into hers. She imagines the scent of new milk and the softness of her granddaughters downy head, of evenings filled with warmth and light, with old stories and new beginnings.

Outside the station, Jack is waving, James perched proudly on his shoulders, Emily cradling the baby, her eyes shining. Barbara steps down, her bags nearly forgotten as James runs to greet her, and Emily presses her close with a grateful kiss.

Home at last, Gran, James whispers.

Barbara gazes at the little familyher familyand feels the ache of old wounds soothed by a future she had never dared hope for. She laughs, her heart full, and slips her hand into Jamess. Together, they set off down the winding lane, toward the house aglow with welcome, where love, unexpected and stubborn, has chosenagain and againto stay.