Mum, what are you doing here? Harper asked, spotting her mother in the maternity ward.
Oh, dear, did you have an appointment today too? And you didnt tell me anything yesterday Grace lowered her eyes, embarrassed.
Mum, this is the waiting area for expectant mothers. Why are you here? Harper ran a hand over her rounded belly.
Sweetheart, I wanted to tell you Grace turned, searching for the right words. Im pregnant as well.
Grace had given birth to Harper when she was eighteen. The girls father never bothered, paying a paltry childsupport through the courts. Still, Grace poured everything into her daughter. She held two jobs, stitching nighttime orders to make ends meet. Friends shook their heads, Why wear yourself out? Youll waste your youth! Grace ignored them; she only wanted Harper never to want for anything the best chocolate, the latest jackets, pricey dolls everything Harper asked for. She denied herself, but Harper never felt shortchanged.
Harper got used to the good life. She didnt count pennies; she bought what she wanted, even managed a class trip to the seaside. When university time arrived, she enrolled in the most prestigious college on a feepaying place. Grace didnt argue.
In her third year, Harper met James. He was a year older, finishing his degree. Grace liked him instantly a serious lad with his head on straight. Finally, she thought, my girl will have a steady husband, a rock. Even if she has a baby, she wont be alone.
And it happened. Harper got pregnant. James immediately proposed, and they staged a swanky wedding. His parents footed half the costs, Grace covered the rest, and even splurged on a holiday to Brighton for the newlyweds.
James, fancy a stroll? Harper suggested.
Absolutely. The weathers brilliant and theres a new café down the road. Lets pop in for a bite, he smiled, patting her belly.
They wandered through the park, fed the pigeons, then ducked into the café. No sooner had they sat down than Harpers face went pale.
Whats wrong? James frowned.
Mum she blurted.
Two tables away, Grace sat with an unfamiliar gentleman.
Ah, right! James turned.
Grace saw them, gave a shy smile.
Lets go say hello. Whos that with you? James started to stand.
No, were not going. I dont want to watch! Harper sprang up and bolted outside.
James paid the bill and chased after her. On the pavement, Harper confronted her mother.
Who is he? Havent you forgotten youll soon be a grandmother?
Harper, youre an adult. I raised you; dont I deserve a life of my own?
James intervened politely.
Everything okay, Grace?
Oh, James, its fine
Come on! Harper grabbed his hand and nearly sprinted away.
Harper had always assumed Grace belonged solely to her. The idea of her mother having a partner was unthinkable. In truth, Grace hadnt dated anyone for years she was scared of Harpers reaction.
Two years earlier, her boss, Mark Whitfield, had begun to court her. Hed liked her for ages, but she never made a move. When he finally showed interest, she gave in. They started seeing each other, and Mark even suggested she move in with him. Grace hesitated, but eventually agreed though she didnt know how to tell Harper. And then the maternity ward encounter happened a spectacularly awkward meeting.
Soon after, Grace discovered she was pregnant at fortythree. Late, sure, but she didnt contemplate an abortion. Mark was over the moon hed never had children, and now he could be dad to a son or a daughter.
After the café, Harper stopped answering calls. James was the only one who kept Grace updated. Then another surprise visit to the clinic, and Harper completely cut off contact blocking numbers, ignoring messages.
Grace learned about her granddaughters birth from James.
A girl, 21 inches, 7 pounds 2 ounces! he announced cheerfully.
Congratulations! Can we come see her? Im practically crying, Grace whispered, eyes welling.
Ill try to persuade Harper
But Harper flatly refused. Grace was anxious, even though she was already six months pregnant and doctors warned her against stress.
Four months later she gave birth to a little girl, wrote to Harper that she now had a sister. The reply was silence, save for a bouquet and a call from James.
Years passed. The girls grew. Harper and James named their daughter Sasha, while Grace and Mark called theirs Natalie, after Grandma. James occasionally sent photos: First tooth! or Shes walking! Grace hoped that by the time Sasha started school, Harper would soften. Yet Harper held firm, though there seemed little reason to stay angry.
On Sashas seventh birthday, Grace called James.
Come over with Sasha. Were looking forward to seeing you.
Ill see what I can do
That evening James passed on the invitation.
Were not going, Harper cut.
But theyre your mother and sister, James tried to reason.
She betrayed me. I dont want to see that girl.
And so they lived parallel lives: Grace and Mark in a cottage in the Cotswolds, Harper and James in a council estate. Occasionally a mutual friend would mention Graces health Shes in hospital, Natalies got a fever. Deep down, Harper longed to visit, to hug, as she once did, but jealousy and resentment kept her away.
James, we still need ribbons and a changeofclothes for Sasha, Harper said at dinner.
Well manage. Can you believe its been seven years already?
Mum, can I skip English class? Sasha burst into the kitchen.
No! We moved flat just for that school! Harper snapped, trying to be the strict mother Grace once was, giving her daughter the best she could.
First September, James took a day off to escort Sasha to her firstyear class at a prestigious languagefocused school.
Bell rang, congratulations were shouted, teachers gave advice
Astar! the teacher announced.
Ours! Harper whispered, leading Sasha to the group.
In the crowd of parents, she spotted Grace. A beat later their eyes locked. Neither could hold back; Harper rushed to her mother, tears long held finally streaming down her cheeks. Grace pulled her into a tight embrace, just like the one from Harpers childhood, and in that instant every grudge seemed to melt away as if it had never existed.
