Mom, Maybe Grandma Should Just Get Lost? It’d Be Better for Everyone,” Masha Said Defiantly.

“Mum, maybe we should let Gran go and get lost? It’d be better for everyone,” said Maisie, her voice sharp with defiance.

“Mum, how much longer can I take this? Are you going to remind me of this for the rest of my life?” Maisie retorted, her tone wounded.

“Not the rest of your lifejust while she lives with us. If she steps outside, shell get lost and”

“And die under a hedge, and well live with the guilt Mum, why dont we just let her?” Maisie challenged again.

“Let her what?” Her mother frowned.

“Let her go and get lost. You said yourself youre sick of dealing with her.”

“How can you say that? Shes my mother-in-law, not even my own motherbut to you, shes your grandmother!”

“Grandmother?” Maisie narrowed her eyes, the way she always did when anger simmered. “Where was she when her precious son walked out on us? When she refused to look after meher own granddaughter? Did she ever care when you were scrambling for extra shifts just to make ends meet? She even blamed you when Dad left!”

“Stop it, now!” her mother snapped, standing abruptly. “I never should have told you any of this.” She sighed. “Ive raised you wrong if youve no pity for your own flesh and blood. It terrifies me. Will you treat me like this when Im old? Whats wrong with you? You were always such a kind girlcouldnt walk past a stray kitten without bringing it home. But Gran isnt a stray” She shook her head wearily. “Shes already punished enough. Your father left her too.”

“Mum, youll be late for work. I promise Ill lock the door.” Maisie glanced guiltily at her mother.

“Alright. Well only say things we regret if this goes on” But her mother didnt move.

“Mum, Im sorry, but it hurts to look at you. Skin and bones. Youre only forty, but youre bent like an old woman, barely dragging your feet. Always exhausted. Why are you looking at me like that? Who else will tell you the truth but your own daughter?” Maisie hadnt realised she was shouting again.

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

“See? Thats what I meanwere chained to her. No life of our own. Mum, lets put her in a care home. Shed be looked after properly there. She doesnt understand anything anymore”

“Not this again!” her mother cut in sharply.

“Itd be better for everyoneespecially her,” Maisie pressed, ignoring her mothers rising irritation.

“I dont want to hear another word. Im not sending her away. However long shes got left, she stays here.”

“Shell outlive both of us. Go to work. I wont leaveIll lock the door, I promise,” Maisie repeated bitterly.

“Im sorry. Ive burdened you too much. While other girls your age are out enjoying themselves, youre stuck caring for Gran.”

They hadnt noticed Grans door ajar. Shed heard everythingthough whether she understood or would remember in a minute was another matter.

Her mother left for work, and Maisie stepped into her old bedroom, now Grans.

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

Grans gaze was blank.

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

“Who are you?” Gran stared vacantly at her.

“Drink your tea,” Maisie sighed, placing a sweet on the table.

Gran had always loved sweets. She and her mother hid them, allowing her only one with tea. Maisie watched as Gran fumbled with the wrapper, her thin grey hair revealing pale scalp beneath. Maisie looked away.

Gran used to dye her hair, pile it high, paint her lips scarlet, and arch her brows. Maisie remembered the cloying scent of her perfume. Men had noticed heruntil her mind began to slip.

Maisie couldnt untangle her feelingspity, resentment, guilt? A knock at the door distracted her.

“Mustve forgotten something,” Maisie muttered, going to answer.

But it was her friend, Tom, from sixth form. Her mother disapproved of him, so he only came when she was out.

“Hey. Why so early? Mum just left,” Maisie whispered.

“I know. She didnt see me.”

“Millie!” Grans voice called from the kitchen.

“Whos Millie?” Tom asked.

“Thats what she calls Mumthinks shes her daughter. Wait in the bathroom. Shes having one of her clear days.” Maisie nudged him toward the bathroom.

“No ones here.” Maisie returned to the kitchen to find an empty cup and a crumpled wrapper.

“I want tea,” Gran said.

“But” Maisie gave up. Gran forgot everythingexcept the distant past.

She sighed, refilled the cup, and set out another sweet. Gran struggled with the wrapper, fingers stiff. When the tea was gone, Maisie led her back to bed.

“Sleep now,” she said, closing the door.

Tom peered out. “Can I come out?”

“Yes. Kitchen.” Maisie checked the door and followed.

They sat close, sharing earphones, music drowning out the world. Maisie swayed, eyes shutuntil she realised Gran had slipped out.

The front door was open. Gran was gone.

“Shes gone. Mumll think I did it on purpose!” Maisies voice cracked.

“Why would she?”

“You dont understand. I just said today itd be better if she got lost!”

“Come on, well find her. She cant have gone far.”

Grans coat and shoes were still there.

“Did she go out in slippers and a dressing gown?”

Tom suggested checking nearby flats while he searched outside. No one answered the doors. Maisie ran out, Tom scouring hedges and playgrounds.

“Nothing. Lets widen the search. You go toward the school, Ill head the other way.”

Streetlights flickered. Shadows loomed. Near the school, Maisie remembered Grans storyjumping from a first-floor window as a girl.

The gates were unlocked. Around the back, a group of boys jeered at a figure in a blue dressing gownGran. One dangled an empty wrapper, yanking it away as she reached.

“Leave her alone!” Maisie shouted.

The boys turned, smirking. “Whos this? Another escapee?”

They closed in. Maisie backed against the fence. One grabbed her wrists, others pressing close

“Get off her!” Toms voice cut through.

A scuffle. Maisie kicked free, grabbed a plank, swunghitting a boys back.

“Girl, over here! Weve called the police!” A couple stood beyond the fence.

The boys fled.

Maisie helped Tom up. Gran cowered, thinking they were attackers.

“Gran. Its me, Maisie. Lets go home.”

“Whos Maisie? Im waiting for Bobbyhis lessons finish soon”

“You heard everything, didnt you?” Gran said suddenly.

Maisie froze.

“Millie wants to put me in a home. Dont let her,” Gran whimpered.

Home, Gran was tucked in with tea. Tom, bruised, stood at the door.

“Youre a mess. Howll you explain this?”

“Doesnt matter. We found her.”

Maisie sat at the kitchen table, trembling. Shed never live down the guilt if Gran had been lost.

When her mother returned, Maisie was still up.

“Youre awake? Everything alright?”

“Fine. Tea?”

Two cups. Two sweets. They caught each others eyesand laughed until it ached.

*”Perhaps senility is mercy for those who cannot face their past.”*

*Colin McCullough*

*”Everyone wants to live long, but no one wants to grow old.”*