She's a mirror image

We promise to publish some of the stories we received in our writing competition. This one beautifully captures the question we all ask when we look at a new-born child.

"Come and meet your new grand-daughter," said Hazel. Janet stepped closer to the little crib to look inside. There, nestled beneath the covers, was the latest edition to the Browning family. Two little eyes looked up at her: soft brown wispy hair framed her tiny face. Janet suddenly felt faint.

"Would you like to have a cuddle?" asked Hazel. "Mum, whatever's the matter?" Janet had seen those eyes before and wispy hair.

"Come and sit down, you look quite ill."

It was all coming back to her; it was her grandmother's eyes and hair. She remembered days long ago when grandmother visited, sitting on her knee listening to stories and another time having a bleeding leg gently bathed. The memories came flooding back. Suddenly she saw Hazel looking worried and she remembered where she was at Hazel's, looking at her own grand-daughter. Excitedly she told Hazel of her grandmother and the miracle of the little mite looking at her with the eyes and hair of yesteryear. Hazel was amazed. "How wonderful," she said, "but I have a problem, what to name her: Sophie, Chloe, so many I don't know which to choose. What was great grandmother's name?"

"It was Martha", said Janet.

"Martha", Hazel thought for a while studying her daughter. "Yes, Martha seems right," she cried excitedly.