Mom, Maybe Grandma Should Just Disappear? It’d Be Better for Everyone,” Masha Challenged.

“Mum, why dont we just let Gran wander off and get lost? Itd be easier for everyone,” Emily said defiantly.

“Mum, honestly! Do you have to bring this up all the time?” Fifteen-year-old Emily folded her arms, her voice thick with resentment.

“Not *all* the timejust while shes living with us. If she steps outside, shell get lost and”

“And die under a park bench while we live with the guilt Mum, why dont we just let her?” Emily challenged again.

“Let her *what*?” her mum frowned.

“Let her go and get lost. Youre the one who said youre sick of dealing with her.”

“How can you say that? Shes my mother-in-law, not even my own mumbut shes *your* grandmother.”

“Grandmother?” Emily narrowed her eyes, the way she always did when she was furious. “Where was she when her precious son walked out on us? When she refused to babysit her *own* granddaughter? She never spared a thought for you, slaving away at extra jobs just to scrape together a few extra quid And she *blamed* you when Dad left!”

“Stop it right now!” Mum snapped. “I shouldnt have told you any of this.” She sighed. “Ive raised you wrong if youve got no compassionnot even for family. It scares me. When *Im* old, is this how youll treat me? Whats happened to you? You were always such a kind girl. You couldnt walk past a stray kitten or puppy without bringing it home. Gran isnt a puppy” Mum shook her head wearily. “Shes already paying for it. Your dad didnt just leave ushe left her too.”

“Mum, youll be late for work. I *promise* Ill lock the door.” Emily glanced up guiltily.

“Fine. Before we say something well regret” But Mum didnt move.

“Mum, Im sorry, but it *hurts* to look at you. Skin and bones. Youre only forty, and youre hunched over like an old woman, shuffling along like you can barely lift your feet. Always exhausted. Why are you looking at me like that? Who else is going to tell you the truth if not your own daughter?” Emily hadnt noticed her voice rising again.

“Thanks. Just make sure she doesnt leave the gas on or the taps running.”

“See? Thats what I mean. Were tied to herno life of our own. Mum, lets put her in a care home. Shed have proper supervision there. She doesnt understand anything anymore”

“Are we *really* doing this again?” Mum cut her off sharply.

“*Everyone* would be better offher *most* of all,” Emily pressed on, ignoring Mums rising irritation.

“I dont want to hear another word. Im *not* sending her away. How long does she have left? Let her stay at home.”

“Shell outlive *both* of us. Just go to work. I wont leave the flatIll lock the door, I *promise*,” Emily muttered darkly.

“Im sorry. Ive dumped too much on you All your friends are out having fun, and youre stuck looking after Gran.”

Theyd been talking without noticing Grans door was ajar. Shed heard everythingthough whether she understood, or would even remember in a minute, was another matter.

Mum left for work, and Emily stepped into her old bedroom, now Grans.

“Gran, do you need something?” she asked.

Grans face was blank.

“Come on, Ill give you a sweet.” Emily helped her up and led her to the kitchen.

“Who are you?” Grans empty stare fixed on her.

“Have your tea,” Emily sighed, placing a wrapped toffee on the table.

Gran *loved* sweets. She and Mum hid them, rationing her to one with tea. Emily watched as Gran fumbled with the wrapper. Through her thin grey hair, patches of pale scalp showed. Emily looked away.

She remembered when Gran dyed and styled her hair, painted her lips bright, arched her brows. The cloying scent of her perfume lingered in memories. Men used to turn their headsuntil her mind started slipping.

Emily couldnt untangle her own feelingspity, resentment, frustration? A knock at the door cut through her thoughts.

“Mum mustve forgotten something,” she muttered, heading to answer.

But it was her mate, sixth-former Oliver. Mum didnt approve of him, so he timed his visits for when she was out.

“Hey. Youre earlyMum just left,” Emily whispered.

“I know. She didnt see me.”

“Millie!” Grans voice floated from the kitchen.

“Whos Millie?” Oliver frowned.

“Thats what she calls Mumthinks shes her daughter. Ill get her settled. Hide in the loo. Shes having a lucid day.” Emily nudged him toward the bathroom.

“No one here.” Back in the kitchen, she found an empty cup and a crumpled wrapper.

“I want tea,” Gran announced.

“But” Emily gave up. Gran forgot things instantlyespecially recent ones. But her distant past? Crystal clear. Mostly, she was lost, confused, mistaking them for strangers. Except in rare, fleeting moments of clarity.

Was Gran pretending nowangling for another sweet? Or had she truly forgotten the tea shed just drunk? No way to tell. Emily exhaled, refilled the cup, and slid another toffee across the table.

Gran struggled with the wrapper, fingers stiff. When the cup was empty, Emily guided her back to bed.

“Sleep now,” she said, shutting the door behind her.

Oliver peered out from the loo.

“Can I come out?”

“Yeah. Kitchen.” Emily checked the lock, then followed.

They sat close, sharing earphones, music humming softly. Emily swayed slightly, eyes half-shut. She didnt notice Gran slip past into the hallway

When she walked Oliver to the door, she froze. It was *open*.

“The door I didnt lock it. Shes gone. Mumll think I did it on purpose” Emilys voice wobbled.

“Why would she think that?” Oliver frowned.

“You dont get it. I *just* said today itd be better if she got lost. Mumll think I left it unlocked *to prove a point*.”

“Alright, grab your coatwell look. She cant have gone far,” Oliver said.

Emily checked the hooksGrans quilted coat was there. So were her shoes.

“Did she go out in *slippers and a dressing-gown*?” she breathed.

“Maybe shes with a neighbour? Wandered onto the landing, didnt recognise the flat Ill check outsideyou try the floors,” Oliver said, already sprinting downstairs.

No one answered the neighbouring doors. Emily gave up, rushing outside. Oliver combed the estateunder bushes, behind the playground slide

“Nothing. Lets try the next block. You go right, Ill go left. Call if you find her. Meet back here,” Oliver ordered before darting off.

Emily even checked the bus stop. No sign. How long had Gran been gone? Half an hour? Forty minutes? How far could a woman in slippers get?

“We should call the police,” she said when they regrouped.

“Wait. Thinkwhat does she talk about most? Favourite places?” Oliver panted.

Emily racked her brain but drew a blank.

“Fine, widen the search. You head toward the school, Ill go the other way.”

Streetlights flickered unevenly. Emily hurried past dark patches, shoulders tense. Near the school, a memory surfacedGrans story about forgetting an exercise book, climbing out a first-floor window when the caretaker locked her in.

Shed never attended *this* school, but passing it always triggered the tale. Emily shoved the gateunlocked. The building was a typical 1960s H-block. Rounding one wing, she spotted a group of lads laughing around a figure.

*Gran.*

She stood in the courtyard, blue-grey dressing-gown flapping. One lad dangled a sweet wrapper, yanking it away when she reached. Their laughter boomed.

“She doesnt even get it. You escaped the loony bin, love? Want a sweetie?” He taunted, offering the empty wrapper again.

“Leave her *alone*!” Emily shouted.

The lads turned.

“Oi, lookanother one!”

“Whore *you*? Granddaughter?”

“Escaped together, did ya?”

The ringleader swaggered toward Emily. The others fanned out behind him, grins fading into something darker. Emily stepped back, shoulders hitting the fence. The gate was too far