– Darling, how are you? And how is your little boy? By the way, have you chosen a name yet? – He doesn’t have a name. Let his future parents decide what to call him. I’m going to leave him, Mum… I’m going to leave him… Nobody wants us anyway

Love, how are you? And the baby? By the way, have you picked a name yet?
He doesnt have a name. His new parents can name him whatever takes their fancy. Ill leave him, Mum I will Nobody wants us, Mum, not a soul in this whole wide world.

Sister Zoe, do you want your baby brought for feeding?

No, I told you already. Ill be signing the refusal form.

The nurse shook her head and walked out. Zoe turned to the wall and wept. The other mums in the ward just exchanged glances and carried on bottle feeding their little ones.

Zoe had arrived in the middle of the night; everything happened quickly. The baby boy weighed seven pounds, twelve ounces, handsome and healthy. One glance was enough for Zoe to burst into tears, but not the happy kind.

Now there, come on, darling, why the tears? Hes a lovely little ladand sturdy! Were you hoping for a girl, maybe? Never mind, next time perhaps.

Im not keeping him I cant take him.

Oh, love, really? Whats brought this on? Dont be hasty. You need time to thinkhes your baby, surely you cant just leave him?

Daisy, Zoes ward neighbour, was sitting with her husband in the visitors lounge, nattering on about how funny their daughters nose wrinkles when she sneezes. A lady arrived, carrier bag in hand, and asked if someone could fetch Zoe.

Daisy dutifully popped back to the ward and brought Zoe out.

Sweetheart, hows it all going? And your son? Did you settle on a name?

No name for him. Let his new parents call him what they like. Mum I cant do it anymore No one cares for us, just the two of us lost in this world.

Zoe hid her face in her hands and let the tears run. Daisy, caught in the drama, mumbled an awkward goodbye and hastily left.

Youre not alone, love, youve still got me. That louse of a husbandwhat can I say? His wretched mistress convinced him the baby wasnt his, and now hes stormed off. Hell come to his senses. Here, Ive brought you some bitsa snack, so your milks good and hearty. And do call your son Jack.

Back in the ward, Zoe stuffed the bag into her bedside cabinet. The sound of wailing babies drifted in from the corridor. Zoe peeked out.

Is that mine?

Yours.

All right, let me feed him.

The nurse fetched the baby, who was purple with fury and letting the world know it.

Oh, now, dont cry like that Mummy will sort you out.

Zoe clumsily tried to settle him. Daisy came over and lent a hand. The baby hushed straightaway, and for the first time, Zoe managed a proper smile. What a funny little chap he was, snuffling away so earnestly.

From then, Jack was brought to Zoe for every feed. She found herself studying his button nose and furrowed brow with fascination.

Zoe, was that your mum visiting? She seemed lovely.

No, that was my mother-in-law. My mum died when I was tiny. Dad was off gallivanting most of the time so my aunt raised me. Then I marriedmoved in with the husband. All was fine until he found someone else.

He left you?

Just packed up and went. I was so thrown, the baby came early.

Where will you go now, with the baby?

My mother-in-law says come stay with her. Shes on her ownno husband, sons disappeared. Shes always been kind to me.

You should go thenshell help, and maybe your husband will see sense. Itll be company for her to have an actual grandchild about.

So, thats just what Zoe did. Mrs. Anne Barker doted on Jack and was a help with everything.

A month on, the babys father decided to make an appearance. Zoe, of course, was out shopping.

Mum, Im heading off to Birmingham with Katie to take up a job. Just popped in to say goodbye. And, er do you have any money, you could spare?

Spare you money? Not likely. You left your wife pregnant and she nearly left the baby in hospital, you great twit No, Ive got a grandson to care for nowyoull make your own way.

At that moment Jack began to cry, and Anne dashed off to tend him.

What, not even going to look at your boy? Hes the spitting image of you.

Thats not my sonZoe played around, why should I care.

Honestly, what a fool you are. Off with you then. Go live your senseless life.

Mrs. Barker finally retired, handing her job over to Zoe, while Jack started at the local nursery. The three of them made a cheerfully odd little family.

Anne, is your daughter-in-law not planning to leave then? Its unusual, isnt itmother-in-law sticking around, son booted out.

Zoes worth ten of my son, and Jacks my whole world. I live for them, Vera. So maybe keep your opinions to yourself, eh?

Neighbour Vera shook her head and tottered off to sort her own affairs. She really couldnt make sense of Annes choices. She would never have put up with such a wayward son, but perhaps it was just fate.

Anne began to notice Zoe out in the evenings, looking a bit more polished than usual.

Zoe, whats his name then, this fella?

Who, Mum?

The bloke you keep sneaking off to see. Go on, you can tell me.

Its nothing, were just going for walks. Met by chancehes visiting relatives nearby.

Does he know about Jack?

Of course he does. All of it.

Well, bring him round sometime, you dont need to hide him from me. If hes a decent chap, thats what matters.

The chap, Peter, came over bearing a basket of berries and a homemade pie from his aunt. For Jack, hed bought a toy car and a football.

They had a brilliant evening. Peter had everyone in stitches with his stories. Zoe giggled, and Anne Barker laughed until she cried. When Peter had gone, Zoe turned to her mother-in-law.

Well, what did you think, Mum?

Hes lovely, sweetheart. Genuine, interesting, respectful. Most importantly, he adores you. Hes a proper gentlemandont let him slip away.

A month later, Peter came to ask Anne for Zoes hand in marriage.

You can rest easy now. Were moving to Oxfordnice big house. I love Zoe, and Jacks as good as my own. Give us your blessing.

Anne stood in the drive, waving as Zoe, Peter, and Jack left for their new life, promising to write and visit She wondered how shed manage now, on her own.

A year on, her own son resurfacedson in tow, who looked a bit rough around the edges.

Good grief, William, who does he take after? Doesnt your wife bother washing his clothes?

Well Theres no wife anymoreshe ran off with a bloke with money. We lost everything. Suddenly remembered Ive got a mother and a home.

Nice of you to recallafter all these years, you barely knew if I was alive.

She told me the truth about Jack, toomade up that he wasnt mine so Id leave. Was all lies. Id like to meet my son now Where is he?

Well, that ships sailed. Zoe married a wonderful man, shes happy. Jacks taken his name nowyouve no son here. As for me, Im packing up to go live with them. Zoes just had a baby girl, and I want to help and meet my granddaughter. You can stay here and look after the house, all right?

Sitting on the train, Anne looked out over the fields streaking by and marvelled at how funny life could be. What a peculiar blessing it was, being needed, being able to helpas she once did for Zoe. If she hadnt, who knows how their stories might have ended?