Oliver, do you remember when we used to rent that room not far from here from that landlady? Oh, she was such a character, William said, sliding his cup toward himself and looking thoughtfully at his old friend.
Of course I remember. She was lovely, always called us my boys. Actually, I saw her at the greengrocer’s just last week. Shes gotten older, Oliver replied.
Ha! Its been twenty years, naturally shes aged. She must have been close to fifty back then, so shes probably well into her seventies now.
Meeting student friends again after so many years was truly special. They seldom saw each othermostly exchanged greetings on the phone or wished happy birthdays on social media. This time, William had returned to his hometown of Norwich to sort out his aunts estatea small one-bedroom flat on the edge of town. He rang Oliver.
She was a good soul, always made sure we were fed.
I wouldnt say that! If anything, she used to raid our fridge to check if we had food at all, William protested.
Maybe so, Will, but I realised later she did it because she cared. After you left for London and I finished my last year in a different flat, I thought backshe was like an angel to us. Remember that sack of potatoes she always kept by the door?
Course. That sack rescued us so many timescould sneak a couple and shed never mind.
Exactly. Shed buy a huge bag, put the big ones aside, but the smaller spuds she left for us. Shed add in carrots and onions now and then, knew wed make soup. And remember when she suggested we all chip in and buy a sack of flour?
She baked us bread.
And spent all the flour on us! Did you ever see her eat that bread herself? I didnt.
Me neither, William nodded.
And when she did the laundry, she always asked if we needed anything washed, instead of just doing her own.
I remember it alljust, I didnt really get it back then.
Nor did I, not till I got that first flat on my own and saw the bills for electricity, water, cleaning the corridor, loo, and bathroomeven though I was barely ever there. Gave me a new perspective. Changed flats eventually, but thats history. So, tell me, what have you been up to? Here for long?
Just sorting things out. Hey, Olwhy dont we go see her? Maybe bring a cake, say hello, thank her properly.
Lets do it, Will. Thats a fine idea!
They planned for Saturday, so theyd have time to chat. Meeting at the old building, they climbed to the second floor and stood in front of her door.
Whats her name, her full name? William whispered, clutching a bouquet of chrysanthemums.
Er Aunt Maggie, but I cant remember if we ever knew the rest.
The doorbell buzzed nervously, just like in the old days. The door, replaced about ten years ago, took a while to open.
Aunt Maggie, good afternoon! they both chorused.
The elderly woman peered over her glasses, brow furrowed, then broke into tears. Oliver? William, my boys
Oh, Aunt Maggie, please dont cry.
Come in, dears, come in, my boys.
They sat together at the old kitchen table, now with a fresh oilcloth, sharing memories and laughter. William glanced aroundhow many evenings had they spent here? Not much had changed: the same vintage 1960s green kitchen cabinets, wooden stools freshly painted, and the old fridge still humming faintly in the corner.
Shall we pop out for a bit? William asked Oliver, We shant be long, Aunt Maggie, just stretching our legs.
Ill pop the kettle on, boys, Maggie replied, filling it carefully.
Outside, William fell silent, lost in thought, studying the cracked pavement.
Oliver watched the old man who sat smoking on the bench near the entrance.
Why does she always call us my boys? Oliver wondered aloud. She did it back then, still does now.
Im not sure, William admitted.
Are you talking about Maggie from number twenty-nine? the old man piped up with a toothless grin.
William glanced over Olivers shoulder at him. We are.
She lost her sons, both of them. Happened about twenty-five years ago, over in those garages. Shes only ever rented rooms to lads since then, to keep herself sane, bless her.
Oh! Did you know them? Oliver asked gently.
Didnt, but folks say they had a row, both were so young… Found them in the morning, perhaps if someone had got there sooner She walked like a ghost for a year. Then she let rooms to boys again started coming back to life. Those who stayedwell, I suppose you helped keep her going.
Suppose we did, William replied quietly.
Lets do something nice for her, Ol, William said as they climbed the stairs back up.
What shall we do, or buy?
She hasnt had a renovation in decades. Did you see the bathroom?
I did. If we tiled it ourselves, wouldnt cost much. The loo and the basin need replacing, though. The baths still sturdyjust needs a new coat.
I can get cheap tiles from a friends warehouseleftovers or old stock make it affordable, William added.
Lets do it. And they shook hands on it with a grin.
They finished their tea rather quickly, already eager to get started. Much later, after gathering all the supplies and doing the work over weekends, it took them about a month to finish. The end result brought pridea sparkling new bathroom for Maggie, without breaking the bank.
Maggie couldnt stop singing their praises, clapping her hands, and shaking her head in disbelief, even though shed watched every day as they worked. Oliver and William simply stood back, marvelling at what theyd accomplished.
Afterwards, as they waved goodbye from the garden, Maggie watched them go from her window.
Thank you, thank you for everything, she whispered to the clouds. Look after them, my boys, theyre good lads, they really are. Thank you…
And so, Oliver and William discovered that small acts of kindness sometimes matter more than any grand gesture, and that a heart open to others can heal old woundssometimes, it can even add years to someones life.
