Why Cant You Ever Lose, Just Once?
Settling into my armchair with my laptop, I was searching online for some history material. Tomorrow, I wanted to share something engaging with my sixth formers. The students are fond of me and always expect something new from their favourite history teacher, Diana Simmons.
Just then, my phone rang.
Hi, Diana, quick questiondoes your school need an English teacher? Im coming back home. Do you think your headmaster would hire me? Please put in a good word, weve been mates for ages, said Lily. Ive already called my mum, shes thrilled Im returning.
Lily, whats up? You always loved city life, whats brought you back to the village? You used to say it was too cramped here
Oh, Ive had enough of it all, been through every stage, the blokes are hopeless Never managed to get married, just bounced from one to another, but none ever proposed. Were both forty-two now. But Im not bothered, theres still time for things to turn out well, Lily laughed loudly. Alright, Di, see you soon
I sat thinking; it had been ages since Id seen my old friend. After we finished teacher training, I came back to teach at my old school, while Lily stayed in the city. Shed visit her mum, who lives next door to mine, but never stayed long before heading back.
I live alone in my flat; my daughter studies architecture at university in London, graduated school with top marksKatie is the pride of her mum and grandmother. Its a shame her dad never saw it. Andrew died in the Lake District, where he went hiking every year with friends. He couldnt live without the mountains, and they took him. Seven years have passed.
Lily and I grew up side by side. She was always lively and a bit lazy, often copied my homework, but did alright at school. She only chose teacher training because I was going, not out of any passion for teachingshe just wanted her friend nearby in case she needed help.
We both got in, but I threw myself into my studies, while Lily spent most of her time searching for a wealthy city boyfriend. We started out sharing a room in halls, but Lily soon found livelier friends and moved in with them.
Di, dont take it personally, Im swapping rooms with Kate. Shes just like you, a bookworm, only cares about studying.
I wasnt offended. I knew Lily liked having me around for convenience. Amazingly, she managed to graduate despite skipping classes and barely scraping bysometimes I helped, sometimes her mums money, sometimes her charming smile. With her diploma, Lily sensibly decided to keep looking for a city husband.
Di, Im not going back home, our village has no prospects. Ill get a job at a city school.
Alright, Lily, Im heading home. You know I always wanted to teach at my old school.
The headmaster, Anthony Mitchell, was delighted when he saw me with my degree. Hed known me as a top student, responsible and kind.
Wonderful, Diana, Simmons, isnt it? Now were colleagues. Im sure youll fit in quickly, he said cheerfully.
So began my teaching career. I loved my job, quickly connected with the students, young enough to relate to them. Kids always sense whos passionate and whos just there for the paycheque.
I met my husband, Andrew, at schoolhe taught physics. We married quickly and had a daughter.
Life with Andrew flew by, I sometimes thought. We were happy, never argued. He could turn anything into a joke, you dont find husbands like that often. We were two halves of a whole. I missed him.
Nearly seven years after Andrews death, Oleg came into my life. He wasnt a teacher, but ran his own garage in the village. Divorced, three years older than me.
Weve been seeing each other for eight months. Oleg loves me, understands Im made for family life, and has already proposed. Were planning to file the paperwork.
Olegs different from Andrew, I realised, but hes calm and caring too. People arent the same, so theres no point comparing. I hope Oleg will be a good husband.
Di, tell me, whats the pay like at your school now? Any bonuses? Whos the headmaster, and which old teachers are still there? Lily rattled off questions when she arrived and came to visit.
Lily, youre bombarding me! Lets have some tea first, then talk business So, why did you come back, tired of the city?
Di, did you mention me to the headmaster?
Not yet But you can go and talk to him yourself, youve got experience, Im sure there are openings.
Over tea, we chatted about everything. I asked about Lilys love life. Shes always been stunning, with a slim figure and beautiful wavy dark hair, knew how to present herself, but her wild romances never lasted. Once a man got to know Lily, his interest faded.
My love life? Plenty of men, but never met a decent one. And here in the village, Im not holding out hopewhat sort of men are there?
Dont say that, Lily You know how wonderful Andrew was, but
Well, you found one in a million, Lily said dismissively. Ive given up on men.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Oleg appearedtall, well-dressed, athletic, about forty-five. Lily was speechless.
Good evening, he greeted Lily politely. Di, you didnt tell me you had company.
Come in, Oleg, this is my childhood friend Lily. I didnt know shed turn up, I smiled, pouring him tea.
Hello, Lily managed, regaining her composure. Im Lily, we grew up together, went to school and uni.
The three of us sat for ages, reminiscing, laughing. But Lily was tense, thinking only that Oleg should be hers, not mineshe considered herself more attractive.
Wow, shes landed a great bloke, and hes got his own business Ive wasted years searching for someone like him, and here he is her thoughts raced.
Lily decided she could easily steal Oleg from me, given her looksshe just needed the right opportunity.
The next day, Lily went to the school. She was sure a sweet smile would get the headmaster to sign her application. But seeing Anthony Mitchell, now older, she hesitated and handed over her diploma.
Well, Miss Anderson, he said formally, Im afraid youll have to apply elsewhere, we have no vacancies. Sorry
The other school was in an old village across the river, not where she wanted to go, but she had no choice.
Di, that old Anthony wouldnt take me, sat there like a grumpy owl, didnt even smile, sent me to another school.
Really? Well, Lily, if he says theres no vacancy, there isnt. Maybe later, Ill let you know if something comes up By the way, dont forget my birthdays on Friday. Im celebrating at a café.
Oh, Di, what a friend I am! Id forgotten, but Ill come for sure. Good thing you told me, Ill get a present.
Im not after gifts, Lily, I laughed.
Alright, alright, she replied, thinking, nows my chance, I need to plan carefully.
On Friday morning, Oleg was busy at his garage, lots of work, but hed bought a present and was excited to surprise me.
Meanwhile, Lily called to ask when Id be home.
Im already in, only had two lessons today, I replied.
Lily came over, which surprised me since the party was that evening.
Whats up, Lily?
Di, heres my present, I cant make it to the café tonight.
What do you mean?
Well Ive got a date, dont want to miss out on a man Ive met here, she said evasively. Hes invited me somewhere else.
Alright, thanks for the gift, bring him along if you like.
I didnt notice Lily taking my phone with her, then heading to Olegs garage.
Hi, Oleg said, surprised to see Lily. What brings you here?
Hi, Im here for Diana. Shes lost her phone and cant call, and shes changed her mind about the cafésaid shell be at the riverside with friends, you know, by the big gazebo.
Lily, Im not sure about this Oleg said, confused.
Im telling you, she lost her phone. Come to the river.
He didnt suspect Lilys scheme.
I waited for Oleg at the café, but he never showed. I sat with a few friends, but the mood was ruinedthey could tell I was upset.
Oleg was baffled, finding only Lily at the river. She tried to seduce him immediately, having planned it all.
What do you see in Diana? Shes always been a plain Jane, she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. Look at me, Im better, more striking, we should be together.
Oleg didnt realise Lilys trick, but he didnt give in, offering to drive her to town. As they passed the café, they saw me heading homeI was stunned to see Lily in Olegs car. Everything became clear.
For a week, I didnt speak to Oleg. He couldnt call, as I had no phone, so I bought a new SIM for my old mobile. He came to my flat, rang the bell, but I wouldnt answer. Eventually, he caught me after school.
Diana, whats going on? Why did you cancel everything? Or did your friend mess things up?
Once we calmly pieced it together, we understood. Lily had tried her best. She didnt expect Oleg and me to reconcile, and when she came by to quietly return my phone, she muttered:
Why do you always get the best? Cant you lose, just once?
That was the end of our friendship. I married Oleg, and weve been happy together ever since. Lily still cant settle down, always searching.
Reflecting on it all, Ive learned that true happiness isnt about winning or losingits about being honest with yourself and those you love.
