Out of the Woods
Martha woke up at the crack of dawn and glanced across at the other beds. Her mother was sleeping soundly, dead to the world, but her grandmother was lying there suspiciously quietno snoring, just giving her foot an absent-minded scratch. Martha had the feeling Granny was actually awake, even though it was still early.
Holding her breath, Martha tiptoed quietly, craning her neck to look at her grandmother’s face.
Granny noticed her granddaughter moving about and stopped fidgeting. She turned over to face the wall and let out a small, fake snore.
Martha gave a little sigh of reliefshes asleep! She crept to the kitchen, pulling her shirt on as she went.
In the kitchen, Martha took a swig of milk straight from the bottle, rummaged in the cupboard and pulled out a crust of bread and some bacon. That would be her lunch sorted.
She padded softly across the wooden floor, barefoot, made her way to the front door and slipped outside onto the porch.
The sight before her was breathtaking: the whole garden, the grass, the trees thick with green leaves bathed in the first golden sunlight.
Martha stretched and gulped in the fresh, clean air.
You could see the outline of her figure through the tatty old clothes she’d thrown on. A grey flannel shirt with long sleeves, an old coat lined with rabbit fur around the edges, and some thick woollen trousers. Absolutely boiling and so uncomfortable, but at least those trousers kept the biting insects at bay.
All her clothes were hand-me-downs from Grandmother Matilda. She used to wear them when she was young…
Martha grinned at the dog, Misty, who barked at the gate. She grabbed the bag with food, some water, matches and two zinc buckets, and set off into the woods.
She knew the woods so well she could navigate them with her eyes shut. She wasn’t afraid of the swarms of gnats that attacked instantly, or wolves or even anything bigger. She grew up here, after all, and knew every single path.
She, her mum and gran lived miles from anywhere, pretty much in the middle of nowhere, you might sayright in the woods.
***
Once upon a time, Grandpa Arthur, now long-gone, had built this house not far from the village. Hed been a keen hunter and always dreamed of living near the woodland. The story goes that he dug himself a hole in the ground first and fixed it up for living. Whenever he and Granny had a row, hed go off and stay there for ages, thinking hard about whether to leave her or stay for their daughters sake.
Granny Matilda was a tough nut, not the easiest person to live with by any stretch.
The only reason Grandpa Arthur didnt leave for good was that little den of his. It gave him a place to wait out the storm whenever things at home were rough.
Granny Matilda, for all her gruffness, couldnt bear being alone for long. Shed come to his hideaway and coax Arthur to come home, but if he refused, shed just lie down on his makeshift bed and dig her heels in until he gave in.
Shed pretend to be ever so obedient thenagree to everything, sigh dramatically. Shed remind him that their little girl, Mary, was waiting for him at home, and shed lay the guilt on thick.
She was quite the manipulator, good old Gran. Arthur would always cave and come back in the end… until Matilda kicked him out again over some daft argument.
Strangest thing: they always argued in that big old house, but in the den, they got on perfectly well.
Then, after one last screaming match, Grandpa packed up his belongings, trudged off into the woods, and started building a new house from scratch.
Out in the sticks, right there among the trees. No, he couldnt live like a worm in the ground forever. Granny came countless times, shouting for him to come home, but Arthur just kept his head down, hammering away year after year.
And at last, when he was already an old man, he finished ita lovely place, truly.
He even made the furniture himself out of timber from the woods. At first, he wouldnt let Matilda in, but she practically laid siege to the house, spying from the bushes, waiting. Then one day, while Arthur was busy with the shed and bathhouse, she snuck in and moved herself and all her stuffsaucepans, mattress and everythingright inside.
He came back, and there she was, smiling at him from the mattress.
What are you doing here? I never asked you to come! Arthur grumbled. You were the one who kicked me out, remember?
I’ve nowhere else to live, Arthur, she replied. Our daughter, Mary, is all grown up and married now. Had the wedding without you, by the way. She’s living in our old house with her new husband. So, I thought I wouldn’t get in the young’uns’ way. Came to stay with you insteadcant exactly turn away family, can you?
Arthur was gobsmacked.
Turns out, while hed been busy building and escaping, hed missed Mary’s whole childhood; she was grown up and married off.
He looked in an old cracked mirror Matilda brought, and he saw for himselfhe really was an old man.
Apart from his eyes and nose sticking out of all those whiskers, his face was just wrinkles.
He was old, they both were, which is maybe why he couldnt bear her anymorethe years had swept away all the old sparkle.
And theyd hardly really lived at all. Barely enjoyed being young.
He lived on a couple more years after that, and then illness carried him off for good.
Matilda didnt mourn long. She was busy with the new house, the chickens and goats she kept, a thousand things to do.
A decade or so later, her daughter and granddaughter came to live with her. Marys marriage hadnt worked out, so she moved back in with her mum, bringing Martha with her.
***
Martha grew into a strong and sturdy girl.
Her mother and grandmum wouldnt let her do anything. She wasnt allowed to visit the village, which was only half an hours walk away, or play with the local children.
It wasnt until her thirties that Martha figured out why: living in the woods had turned the two older women wild with jealousy. They saw her as their property.
Martha was the breadwinner of the family. She learned how to catch fish in the woodland lake, haul water from the lake all year round, break the ice in winter.
She chopped wood, gathered kindling all summer, even learned to hunt rabbits and game birds, with Misty helping out.
In summer, she looked after the vegetable plot at the back of the house…
She never knew any different. She had no idea you could live with electricity, work a regular job, buy food in a supermarket, instead of scouring the woods for sustenance.
Martha was, by all accounts, extraordinary. Shed never even set eyes on a man.
So it was quite something when one finally stumbled into her solitary world.
***
One sunny day, Martha picked a spot in a clearing and settled down to enjoy the smell of moss and wild berries, pine and earth.
It was so quiet, just the whine of gnats and the odd distant bird call. The moss under her felt softer than any cushion. Martha stretched her legs out and made herself comfortable, filling a bucket with blueberries.
Here in the woods, she could rest and recover her peace of mind, well away from all the clatter at home.
She never expected her little world would be invaded.
A man, with huge blue eyes and a sunburnt face, turned up in a dark shirt. He looked chasedlike hed been running from something. When he spotted Martha, he flinched, grabbed a tree for support and gasped for breath.
Waterhave you got some water? he managed to ask.
Martha sat there like a startled cat, cautious and still.
His eyes flicked to her bag, hanging from a tree branch.
He was more desperate than afraidit seemedhe grabbed the bag and peered in. Spotting the water and bread with bacon, he didnt bother to ask, just sat down in the moss and started devouring everything.
Thank you so much, miss. Can you tell me how to get to the nearest village?
I dont know, Martha replied, indignant.
Please dont be scared of me, the man pleaded. I wont harm you, honestly. I just want to get home. I went to a wedding, and thenwell, I had this crazy adventure, never mind… Oh, what am I saying. Just please help me.
He suddenly shook and hid behind a tree, shoulders trembling.
He was crying and embarrassed about it.
The whole thing had Martha on edge. She stood up, stretched out the stiffness in her legs, still eyeing him warily.
Ive got no money, no papers, no phone, nothing! the man cried. Ive spent two nights lost in the woods, terrified! The gnats have eaten me alive Please, I’m begging you, help me! Ill go down on my knees if I have to
Ill help, she answered awkwardly, but I need to pick these berries first.
He stopped sobbing and poked his head out.
Berries? Seriously? Ive been lost for two days and youre collecting berries?!
Martha just scowled and kept picking as fast as she could. Mum and Granny will tell me off if I dont bring them backI’ve got to collect two buckets. Wait a couple of hours, will you?
The man flopped down in the moss, eyeing the buckets: shed only filled half of one. What a strange woman! Not much like a woman at all, more like a bloke.
He came over, grabbed a bucket and said, Let me helpitll go quicker.
So he started picking too, watching her hands as they flewshe was so efficient, while he was all fingers and thumbs.
Whats your name? he asked.
She flinched at the question, then answered simply, Martha.
What an unusual name. Im William. Why so many blueberries? Are you going to sell them?
Martha shivered a bithe was firing off so many questionsbut, to her own surprise, she answered, and even started to feel a bit curious about him.
They left the woods chatting away, William being careful and polite, drawing out all sorts of information: she lived with her mum and grandmother, in a house in the woods, with no men aroundmuch to his relief.
The village wasnt far, which was another relief. But most importantly, as much as he wanted to, he couldnt show himself in public just yethe didnt want to attract attention.
***
Granny Matilda sat on the porch, soaking in the sun.
When her granddaughter returned from the woods with a man in tow, the old lady was speechless.
Mary! she shrieked, and Marthas mother ran out of the chicken shed and froze in shock.
Mary, help me upI think my legs have stopped working! Granny muttered.
Mary snapped out of it and rushed over.
Whos that? Your daughters brought a criminal home, a fugitive! Lord help us… whispered Matilda, eyeing up the stranger in his dark clothes.
Meanwhile, Martha set the buckets and food inside the porch and told her mother, Ill just nip upstairs and get changed. This is Williamhe got lost in the woods and needs food and directions to the village.
The two women exchanged worried looks.
Well, that explained itthey must have missed something in their parenting if Martha couldnt see shed just brought a criminal into the house.
Still, they didnt dare say a word while William was in the room.
Finally, Mary said, Young man, youll need a wash and a change of clothes. Who knows how many ticks youve got on you.
William paused on the threshold and grinned, Youre probably right. But I dont have any other clothes. I got lost, you see. Id be very grateful if you have a spare shirt and trousers.
Weve got nothing! snapped Granny.
Martha, overhearing as she passed, protested, Of course we do, Granthere are Grandpas old things in the attic. Ill fetch them. You go to the bathhouse!
William sighedhe only wanted food and a bed. But he pulled himself together and went to the bathhouse, which was still warm from the night before. He took off his old clothes, found some matches and chucked them in the fire. No more prison clothes.
No one would look at him with fear anymore.
He resolved not to sleep until hed eaten and got directions out of these woods. He didnt want the ladies thinking he was some sort of villain. Best to leave as soon as possible.
He ladled warm water over himselfand didnt notice Martha blushing as she peeked through the half-open door, then scurried away, mortified.
***
Martha pulled herself together as she returned to the house, but Gran was already yelling, Youre mad! Who have you brought into this home?!
Who did I bring? Martha protested, bewildered.
The older two gabbled at her, opening her eyes to the world, and Martha stood there, gobsmacked.
Now she was looking at William with sudden fear. He came into the kitchen, sat down and tucked into his dinner without a care.
Thanks so much, he said when hed finished, but now, could you help me pleaseshow me the way out of the woods?
The women gave him complicated instructions, but he couldnt make sense of them. At last, he simply said, Would you mind walking me part of the way? I get lost so easily, honestly.
Mary offered, Ill go with you.
Youre mad! Gran hissed. What if he murders you? Martha brought him; let her take him back out!
***
Martha led William out of the woods, stopping at the edge of the trees.
How oddtheyd been talking all the way and the time went like a flash.
William turned to look at her. For a moment, surrounded by leaves, with her sun-kissed face, she looked almost beautifuleven though you couldnt call her pretty, there was something about her.
He thought, if she was dressed up properly, hair loose, shed actually be quite lovely.
Her openness struck him. He’d never talked to a country girl before like this; she was so simple and direct.
He found it oddly endearing.
Thank you, you wonderful young woman, youve saved me, he said, full of feeling. If it werent for you, Id still be stumbling around in those woods, stinking in these rags.
Martha just watched him silently, hiding in the birch shade, then furrowed her brow.
You were in prison clothes. Does that mean youre an escaped convict?
He snorted, Of course not! But I can see why youd think so.
Fact is, I was on my way back from a weddingdidnt feel too well, so I stopped the car to have a nap in a clearing. Suddenly, this bloke in prison overalls jumped me. When I woke up, hed left me in a bush, stolen my clothes and car, and all that was left was his own stinking kit. Ive been wandering lost for days, eaten alive by gnats
Martha nodded, compassion in her eyes. I saw the bump on your head. That mustve hurt.
He chuckled, ruffling his hair, Ill live. I just need to get to a police station and report it.
Take care, Martha smiled.
***
When Martha returned home, her mother and gran were waitingGranny launched into her at once.
Trying to get us all locked up, are you? Bringing a criminal into the house!
Hes not a criminal, Gran, hes just a gent in trouble, thats all.
Oh, easy for you to believe him, hanging on his every word! How are we supposed to keep on living like this, with someone as daft as you? Hes an escaped con and hes twisted your headutter fool!
Granny went on and on until Martha couldnt bear it any longer, so she fled into the woods, tears streaming.
Night was falling.
She sat by the lake, staring into the water. What a daya day of revelations.
Shed learnt so much from William.
Turns out, living in the woods is old-fashioned. Other people live in comfortable flats or houses, with electricity and all the mod consno fires, no candles, watching telly and reading online.
They eat in restaurants, buy nice food and clothes, go out to work. Shed always secretly suspected as much.
Shed once found a photo album amongst Grannys thingssuch beautiful, colourful photos, everyone looking so cosy.
Clearly her mum and gran were hiding something, and keeping her away from the village so she wouldnt find out how others really lived!
She sat there, feeling blue, until a shadow slipped soundlessly down to the lake. Martha froze in the bushes.
An old man scooped water into a bucket and shuffled back into the woods. From the way he walked, Martha guessed he was ancient. Curiosity got the better of her, and she followed him.
She moved almost silently, as only someone raised in the woods can.
He didnt go far, just to a small door at the side of a hill, which he opened and disappeared inside, shutting it behind him. Martha blinkedshed played in these parts often and never noticed a door like that. How strangesomeone lived in a bunk dug into a hill, just a couple of miles from home.
***
The next day, Martha tracked down the hill, got closersure enough, there was a door, camouflaged by moss. She chose a spot nearby, settled down and started picking berries again, keeping an eye out.
Sure enough, by evening, the old man emerged.
He looked harmless, thin and grey, walking slowly with a stick, wobbling with a little bucketobviously off to the lake for water.
Martha just wanted someone to talk to. She wasnt close to her mother or gran, who had only ever treated her like a servant, never giving the warmth she craved.
Work and berry-picking had always been her only escape.
She tried not to startle the old man as she approached.
Hello.
He jumped and dropped his bucket, but calmed quickly when he saw it was just a young woman.
Martha picked up the bucket and said gently, Let me help. You live here? Were not far awayjust a couple of miles. How come weve never met? Is this your little hobbit house?
The old man bristled at all the questions, snatched the bucket and hobbled off.
At dinner that night, Martha mentioned the strange old man living in a burrow to her mother.
Her mother ignored her, but Granny went pale.
What old man? What did he look like? she demanded. That old rascal
Martha and her mum stared at Matilda.
So you know him?
Thats your Grandad. Hes hiding from me, Granny muttered.
Martha was stunned.
But you said hed died?
Thats what he claimedsaid he was on his deathbed. Claimed he was off to die in the woods, away from us all, like an animal. Clearly he just went back to his old waysdug himself another hideout. Lied through his teeth, the daft old fool, and I believed him!
Martha gaped at her gran. So thats our grandadthe one who built this house? Oh Granny, you should see how skinny and frail he is. No wonder you always changed the subject when I asked where his grave was. I cant believe it! Im shocked!
Tears sprang to Marthas eyes. Dont you feel sorry for him? Hes our family
***
After that revelation, Martha, sobbing, ran back to the hill.
She yanked on the door, and it openedshe was stronger than she looked.
Grandad was curled up on a bench, looking like nothing more than an old, sick dog.
His hut was nothing but povertysome empty tins on a rough wooden table, as makeshift dishes.
What do you want? he snapped, teeth chattering.
With a trembling voice, Martha said, Grandad Arthur, why didnt you tell me I was your granddaughter?
He sat up and scowled. Leave me alone. Tell your Gran I dont owe her a thing. I left her a new house, didnt I?
He shoved Martha out and slammed the door in her face.
Martha pulled on the door againthis time, it came right off its hinges, which sent the old man into a rage.
What are you playing at, you daft girl? What do you want from me? he shouted.
Youre my grandad, Martha hollered back, I just want to be near you!
Im not your grandad, you daft thing, he muttered. Look, the doors come off nowIve not the strength to fix it! Used it all up building that house for you lot. Youre not Marys daughter anyway. I might be old, but I remember Mary cant have kids
What?!
Martha almost howled.
Its true. Mary married a widower with a childyou. Took you when they split. Raised you as her own. Now put that door back!
The old man looked at her with something close to loathing.
Martha ran blindly through the woods, sobbing her heart out. She ran and ran until she was hopelessly lost. At last, exhausted, she collapsed, weeping.
***
She says shes lived in the woods all her life. I mean, thats bonkers! Tamara Smith, a tall woman in a smart suit, stalked about the council office, throwing her arms up. Shes thirty, and shes got no passport, no papers, no nothing! Never went to schoollike she was raised by wolves! What are we meant to do? Shes sitting out there, crying.
The parish council leader squinted at his secretary, Come on, she cant have never been to schoolsurely not? Mad, this is. The press will have a field day! And Ive only been here two years. How was I supposed to know about three women and an old man living in the woods? Im not from hereand now its my problem
Of course it is, Tamara said, and well both be in trouble! I really havent a clue what were supposed to do
The leader sighed, Bring the girl in. Lets hear her story.
So Martha came in, blotchy-eyed and miserable, and sat down as directed.
They lied to me. My mum and gran. Im not even their blood! But I worked for them, did everything, and now I just feel lost, I cant go back. I hate them for what theyve done and I feel so sad for grandad
The council leader exchanged a look with Tamara.
Tamara, bring us some sweet tea and a bit of chocolate, would you? And you, love, take a minute, gather your thoughts, and tell me everything from the start.
***
Getting used to life on the outside was tough for Martha. She often thought about giving up and running back to her old woodsgathering berries, catching fish, splitting logs
But really, life in society was so much easier.
She couldnt get over how easy it was to mop the floors in the shopjust turn on the tap, dampen your cloth, and off you go.
No more lugging water across the forest, no hacking through ice.
Everything was so simpleplus you got paid! Money, to spend on food and a new dress.
No foraging or hunting needed.
And all this time, her mum and gran had denied her this simple life, made her slave away. Her grandad was rightshe was daft to trust those two old witches.
But how do you go on, knowing youve been used all your life?
Her mother and gran had just shrugged her off when she wanted answers, telling her to go and not come back, as if she was nothing to them. No papers, no nothinggo on then, off you go.
Thats all she needed to know.
***
Martha, is that you? a familiar voice called as she took out the rubbish at work.
She spun, heart in her mouthand there was William.
Standing there in hat and coat, folder in hand.
My rescuer! he beamed.
Didnt they put you in jail? she blurted as she walked closer.
Jail? Me? William laughed.
Grannys warnings that he was a fugitive popped into her mind, but she instantly dismissed them.
She trusted this near-stranger far more than those two.
Blushing, she shrugged, Just ignore me! What a surprise to see you.
William gave her a warm smile, It really is! I even went back to your woods looking for youyour gran said youd gone forever, wandered off. Pretty sure shes a bit touched. And here you areIm so glad to see you, honestly.
Martha laugheda proper, full laugh, and it felt good.
William joined in, then offered, I have to pop out on business, but could I see you after? Where can I find you?
I clean the floors in this shop, Martha admitted shyly.
William appreciated her honesty.
Ill be back in an hourwhat time do you finish?
Ill be free in an hour, she replied.
Perfect! Promise me you wont disappearIll be back.
Martha headed back inside, thoughtful.
The shop assistant, Janet, poked her nose out and asked loudly, What were you talking about with Mr. Williams? You two know each other? You do surprise me, Martha
Well, Im not telling you anything, Martha grinned.
Id better get on with my work, she said, fending off more questions.
She felt lighter than she had in ages.
So it was truehe wasnt a fugitive, just a regular bloke. And she was going to need his helpshe wanted to bring Grandad out of that hole in the woods.
Why not? She had her own room now in the hostel.
No, not in the village, but in the district centre, where theyd helped her get new papers, a place to live, a job.
Now she could bring her woodland grandad to live with her, even if he wasnt blood.
She knew better than anyone what it was like to struggle in the woods, to be so cold, so alone.
But here, with heating, hot water at the tap, a real bed so much more comfortable.
She wouldnt begrudge the old man a place in her corner, nor a bowl of soup.
***
William drove off, grinning like a schoolboy.
Hed finally found his girl from the woods, the one whod haunted his mind and heart all this time.
His heart nearly leapt out of his chest when he saw her, and he was sure nowshe mattered to him.
Hed looked hard at plenty of women since, but none were quite like her.
One meeting could never be enoughhe didnt want to let her go again.
If only he didnt have to rush off, now hed be worrying shed vanish.
But noshed be there, working in the shop! Funny he hadnt seen her when theyd hired the new cleaner.
Oh, thats righthed asked Janet to help with hiring, and shed sorted Marthas papers…
***
Janet the shop assistant was rather put out.
The boss had told her shed have to mop up herself today. Hed put the new cleaner, Martha, in his car, fussed over her, and whisked her off, practically skipping.
Janet sighed.
How unfair!
Shed been flirting with Mr. Williams for three years and hed never once looked at her. Then along comes Martha, and he goes weak at the knees.
He’s completely whipped, she muttered.
If only she knew why. Martha, of course, kept quietjust you wait, she thought, things might change soon enough. William only had eyes for her.
Annoying, that.
