I spent nearly all my pension on tonight! I thought you valued me! But you just wanted to find someone to pay for your dinner, didnt you? Thank you, Walter. Goodbye.
Edith stood before her bedroom mirror, eyeing her new blue dresssimple, yet tasteful. Shed spent two hundred pounds on it, a lot for a pensioner like herself.
But Walter had promised her something special. Hed said thered be a surprise, so shed felt she couldnt possibly turn up in her old cardigans.
Running her hand along the fabric, Edith reminded herself it had been years since shed bought anything new. Usually, she counted out every penny for bills, groceries, and prescriptions. She lived alone and watched her money closely. But tonight, shed allowed herself to feel beautiful.
Shed met Walter in the doctors surgery four months earlier. Hed been moaning about his blood pressure in the queue for the GP. Out of sympathy, Edith had offered the name of a good doctor, and that conversation led to another. She found him charming, good-humoured. Hed asked if she wanted to have tea together the next week.
Soon they were strolling through the park, sharing cups of tea in little cafes. They always split the bill. Walter would explain each time, You know how it is, Ediththings are tight. I live with my daughter, my pension barely stretches, and then there are the grandchildren.
Edith understood. Her own pension went just as fast.
When her birthday drew near, Edith told him she didnt want a fuss.
No need, Walter. Im old enough to know better. No sense in wasting good money.
But Walter insisted.
Oh, Edith, we must do something! Youre a treasure. I even got you a present.
A present? Edith felt herself blush.
Its a surprise, he winked. Lets go somewhere nicehow about a restaurant? Well celebrate properly.
Edith hesitated, but Walter wouldnt take no for an answer. And when he hinted at a special gift, she wondered if he meant a necklace, or perhaps tickets to the theatre.
Thats when she decided to buy herself the dress. She booked a hair appointment, handing over another fifty pounds, and reserved a table at a smart bistro.
On her birthday, Edith was up before sunrise. She felt butterflies in her stomach. She smoothed down her new dress in front of the mirror. Not exactly a girl anymore, but certainly not a wreck.
She headed to the salon for her hair, which the stylist curled into soft waves. Edith barely recognised herself as she glanced at her reflectionshe hadnt felt so lovely in years.
She took a taxi to the restaurantanother twenty pounds. But it was a special day, after all.
Walter was waiting outside in his old windcheater, a little wrinkled. In his hand he held out a single, slightly wilted supermarket rose, still in its plastic wrapper.
Happy birthday, Edith! he said, handing her the flower.
She smiled and took the rose. Thank you, Walter.
They went inside. The table was tucked away by the window, cosy. The waiter offered the menu, and Walter beamed at her.
Choose whatever you like, Edith. Its your night. Dont hold back.
Edith glanced at the prices. Steepnearly fifty pounds for a main. But if Walter insisted
Ill have the baked cod with vegetables. And the chocolate cake, please.
Perfect choice! Walter nodded. Ill have the same. For company.
The waiter made a note and left. Walter reclined in his seat, pleased with himself.
Enjoying your birthday, Edith?
I am, thank you. Im glad you talked me into this, she replied.
Id never forgive myself if we let such an occasion slip by.
Their meals arrived. They chatted as they ate, Walter regaling her with silly stories from his factory days, making her laugh. Edith listened, content.
Once theyd finished, Walter reached into his coat pocket with a flourish.
And now, my dear, your present.
Ediths heart sped up as she took the little paper packet. Inside was a single chocolate barthe sort you found at any newsagent for barely a pound.
She stared at it, unable to believe it. This was his big surprise? Had she really spent her pension for this?
Do you like it? Walter asked, hopeful.
Yes, thank you, she managed, twisting a smile onto her face.
I picked it out. I know your sweet tooth, he grinned.
She nodded, trying not to show the wave of disappointment she felt.
Soon after, the bill arrived. Walter glanced at it and whistled.
Goodness! Eighty pounds! Not cheap, is it?
Edith tensed. He had said it was her night. Did he mean he was paying?
Walter patted his pockets, frowning.
Oh, Edith, I mustve left my wallet at home!
Edith stared.
You forgot?
Yes, blast it. Silly me. Old age, I suppose. Would you mind covering it? Ill pay you back, promise.
He gave her a sheepish smile. She silently got out her purse, counting out eighty poundsher money for the next two weeksthen handed it to the waiter.
Thank you, love, Walter sighed, relieved. Ill settle up with you soon.
They left the restaurant. Walter rambled on about his grandchildren, cheerful as ever. Edith walked beside him, doing sums in her head.
Two hundred on the dress. Fifty on her hair. Eighty on the meal. All for a plastic-wrapped rose and a chocolate bar worth a pound.
She stopped in the middle of the pavement.
Walter, wait.
He turned.
Whats wrong?
Edith looked at himat his contented face, that battered coat.
You know, Walter, Ill remember this birthday for years.
Oh, good! he exclaimed. So it was a success!
It wasnt a present you gave me, she continued steadily. It was a lesson.
Walters brow knotted.
What lesson?
That words mean nothing. Its actions that count. Four months, youve moaned about money. You promised me something special and brought a chocolate bar. And you forgot your wallet.
He opened his mouth, but she cut him off.
I spent almost my whole pension tonight! I thought you cared! But you just wanted someone to foot the bill, didnt you? Thank you, Walter. Goodbye!
Edith turned and strode away, leaving him baffled on the street.
Edith! Come on, Ill bring the money round tomorrowI explained about my wallet!
She didnt look back, gripping the drooping rose tightly.
At home, Edith hung up her new dress and brewed herself a cup of tea. She glanced at the wall calendartwo weeks left until pension day, and not much to last her.
Edith smiled to herself. A costly lesson, perhaps, but it was money well spent. Shed never let someone treat her like a walking cashpoint again.
She chucked the rose and the chocolate bar straight in the dustbin, not wanting to see them another minute.
The next day, Walter rang.
Edith, surely youre not cross? Lets meet and talk about it.
No need, Walter. Weve said all there is to say.
But I told you, I just forgot my wallet! It happens all the time.
No, you didnt forget, she replied calmly. You never meant to pay. Not once in all the time Ive known you.
You know my pensions tiny, he protested.
So is mine, Edith retorted. And yet I manage on it, pay for myself, and even treat you. You just took advantage, Walter.
He went quiet.
Goodbye, Walter. Please dont ring me again.
She hung up and blocked his number. Sitting at her kitchen table, Edith felt an unexpected sense of lightness. Yes, shed blown her budget. Yes, she might have to scrimp until payday. But at least she was free from someone who only saw her as a walking wallet.
A week later, she bumped into her old friend Margaret in the greengrocers. Edith told her everything. Margaret tutted.
I know the type. I had a chap like that oncealways leaving things behind. His wallet, his manners, and his decency.
They laughed together, and Edith left with bread and porridge oats for her last few quid before payday.
The new dress would hang in her wardrobe as a reminder: seventy is no reason to lose your common sense. And next time, shed save her timeand her moneyfor someone who truly valued her.
