<h4>Chapter 41: Another Grandma</h4>


    The day started like any other for Isabe Thomas. Nearing sixty, she had been retired for years. Throughout her life, she worked as a nanny or a childminder, always surrounded by children. Now, after retirement, her days were quiet... peaceful but undeniably boring.


    A few weeks ago, her peaceful world was shaken when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The diagnosis hit her hard, not just physically but emotionally. Though the NHS assured her that all diagnostic tests, treatment, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and follow-ups would be covered, the waiting was excruciating. She had already waited almost a month just to receive her mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy results after her GP’s referral. Now, she faced another uncertain wait for surgery and chemotherapy.


    Though the NHS promised treatment within forty days, other patients warned her that dys often stretched past two months, citing a shortage of specialists and the overwhelming number of cases. Her only son, who rushed from London upon hearing her diagnosis, pleaded with her to consider private treatment. But she refused. She already knew from online forums that private treatment would cost more than 100,000 pounds, money they simply didn’t have. Her son worked a mid-level government job, barely managing London expenses. Selling her modest house wouldn’t even cover the full cost.


    So, she had sent her son back to London, telling him not to worry. She would wait for the NHS and whatever woulde.


    Her neighbors, somehow learning of her condition, asionally dropped by to lift her spirits. Today, as she was preparing her lunch, she heard a knock on the door. Expecting a neighbor, she walked to the door, forgot the steel turner in hand.


    But when she opened it, she froze.


    A beautiful young woman stood at her doorstep, smiling brightly.


    "Lady Langford... No... Are you... Eleanor?" she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.


    The young woman nodded and smiled warmly. "It’s been a long time, Aunt Be."


    Isabe’s heart leapt, and memories of a small girl she once raised came flooding back. The steel turner slipped from her hand,nding on the carpet with a dull thud as tears welled in her eyes.


    Eleanor stepped forward and embraced her. In that moment, words were unnecessary. Though Eleanor was once only her duty, Isabe had loved her like her own. Despite being a paid nanny, the bond they shared had always been real. Eleanor’s eyes moistened too.


    Being a werewolf only intensified emotional moments like these. Joy, grief, love... everything hit deeper, stronger, rawer.


    Behind Eleanor, Teresa quietly stepped into the house, gently closing the door so as not to disturb the reunion.


    Finally, after what felt like a long embrace, they pulled away. Isabe wiped her eyes and asked, "I haven’t seen you in years. How did you find me here?"


    Eleanor grinned. "You used to tell me stories about your neighborhood... the Edgbaston Stadium, the River Rea. It wasn’t hard to trace you."


    Isabe blinked in surprise. "You remembered all that? You were just a child back then!"


    Eleanor just smiled, not exining that her awakening as a werewolf had sharpened memories once buried deep.


    Then Isabe noticed Teresa, standing politely behind Eleanor. She immediately shifted into host mode. "Oh! You brought a guest with you. Please, sit on the sofa. I’ll make some refreshments."


    Eleanor waved her off gently. "You don’t have to do that. This is Teresa, my secretary and friend."


    Teresa stepped forward, offering a polite greeting. "You might not remember, but I met you once when I was still in primary school."


    Isabe nodded, beginning to recall a young girl with pigtails visiting with Eleanor.


    "Please sit, Aunt Be," Eleanor said, gently guiding her to the sofa. "We need to talk. Teresa, could you turn off the stove? We’ll eat togetherter at a restaurant."


    Teresa gave a nod and headed to the kitchen area.


    Once seated, Eleanor looked into Isabe’s eyes. "Aunt Be, I already know about your diagnosis... about the NHS dys, your financial situation, and your son. I came to take you with me. You’ll get treatment in Manchester."


    Isabe gasped. "No, no. The NHS is providing everything. The cancer is in its early stage. I’ll be fine. And your step-family... they’ll be furious if you spend money on me like this."


    Eleanorughed softly. "You still think I’m with the Whitmore family?"


    Isabe blinked. "You’re not?"


    "I left that house a long time ago," Eleanor said calmly. "And I’m wealthy... on my own terms."


    Isabe frowned, still hesitant. "I appreciate it, truly... but I’m managing fine."


    Seeing her hesitation, Eleanor decided to drop the bombshell. "Don’t you want to meet my daughter?"


    Isabe’s eyes widened in shock. "You have a daughter? How old is she? Why didn’t you bring her?"


    "She’s at home," Eleanor smirked. "But if you want to meet her, you have to follow my instructions. When I was a child, I followed you everywhere. Now it’s your turn."


    She paused dramatically. "We’ll go eat first... something proper. Then, you’lle to Manchester. You’ll get treatment and stay with my daughter. You don’t need to do anything, just be there for her... as the grandmother she’ll never have."


    There was a sadness in Eleanor’s voice that pierced Isabe’s heart. She remembered Lady Langford, Eleanor’s mother, who had hired her to care for the little girl. Had the Whitmores not sacked her, she would’ve stayed with Eleanor for life.


    Finally, she nodded. "Alright... I’ll go. But give me a day or two to prepare the house."


    "There’s no need," Eleanor said, then turned to Teresa. "Call the team. Pack what Aunt Be needs... only what we can’t buy in Manchester. Call someone to buy everything else and send them to my viter."


    Within fifteen minutes, three of Eleanor’s bodyguards had packed up Isabe’s belongings. Boxes and bags were loaded into the cars while Isabe stood quietly, overwhelmed by the speed of everything.


    Once the house was locked, they helped her into the car. The convoy headed out.


    Teresa had already made a reservation at The Cat and Fiddle in Great Barr. They all had a warm, delicious lunch there.


    By the time they arrived at Eleanor’s vi, the sun had dipped below the horizon.


    Hearing the sound of the cars outside, Freya ran out excitedly.


    "Mommy!" she called, but stopped midway when she noticed the elderly woman beside her mother. She stared at her warily, eyes flicking between the two women.


    Eleanor said gently, "Freya, this is my aunt. You can call her Grandma."


    Freya tilted her head, studying Isabe carefully. Great Grandma Fiona and Grandma Selene was younger and full of energy, always ying with her. This new grandma looked... old. Could she even y?


    Still, she was a polite girl.


    "Grandma," she said shyly.


    The single word made Isabe’s heart ache with emotion. Tears welled again in her eyes. She thought of Lady Langford... how things might have been different.


    Freya blinked at her, confused. "Why are you crying?"


    Isabe quickly wiped her cheeks and smiled. "Good girl. I just remembered your original grandma, that’s all. Can I give you a hug?"


    Freya took a step closer but remained puzzled. "Did my Grandma bully you?"


    Eleanor burst intoughter while Isabe chuckled, opening her arms.


    "No, sweetie," she said, pulling her in. "It’s just that you’re too cute."