Everything Turned Out Just Right
After his wifes passing, Arthur had been living alone in his cottage for fourteen years. Though his son and daughter often suggested:
Dad, you should remarry. Its hard keeping up a house and such a big garden by yourself. Mum wouldnt mind She left us far too soon.
Im not thinking about that just yet. Im used to it now, and honestly, I dont mind running things here. Sixty-five isnt exactly old.
Peter and Alice always considered their father a bit eccentric. He was a perfectly normal bloke in most ways, but Alice would tell her husband:
I just dont get why Dad plants so many potatoes, carrots, marrows and sweetcornplus all the fruit! He lives alone, then just gives most of it away. Its ridiculous Every autumn he hauls half his crops to the childrens home.
Arthur truly did fill his garden with every fruit and veg imaginable. He felt the earth shouldnt go barren, and every autumn hed arrangewell in advance with the headmistressto send everything to the childrens home in the next town, never accepting a penny. The headmistress sent a car over every year, and Peter and Alice just shook their heads.
Who refuses money these days? Peter would say when Alice phoned him, Only our old man.
Oh, tell me about it. Hes a true oddball.
Arthur had lived his entire life in the villageborn, raised, married, and then left to bury the love of his life, with whom hed shared years of happiness. Peter, after doing his National Service, decided not to stay.
Dad, I want to live and work in the county town, hed announced, shattering the plans his father had madeespecially the idea of building a house for him on his parents old plot.
Well, its your choice, son. I wont stand in your way, Arthur had replied, managing to hide his disappointment.
But you know, Ill still set about putting up that house. Maybe the grandchildren will need it
Peter found work at a local factory, married a girl from the area, but the marriage didnt last a year. They went their separate ways, and soon after he started seeing Juliabubbly and quick-wittedthough he took his time before moving in with her in her little flat.
One evening Peter returned from work to find Julia in the kitchen, sitting on the lap of some bloke, music blaring throughout the flat. They were both so caught up they didnt notice him till Peter had slipped into the bedroom, stuffed his belongings into a bag, and set off for his bedsit at the factorys boarding house.
Lucky I didnt marry her, he thought, slumped before the telly, not even taking in what was on screen. This town life isnt working for me The old man always said the village was better. He was right. Im going home.
Arthur was out in the garden as Peter came striding through the gate.
All right, Dad, they embraced.
Hello, lad. On holiday? Wheres the rest of you?
No holiday, Peter grinned. Im home for good. City lifes not for me.
I always told you: bloom where youre planted, as they say. Now you know yourself.
Yeah, Dad, youre right as always. Is Mum in?
Where else would she be? Shes in the kitchenI think she knew you were on your way. Shes got pies in the oven, come on in.
Mum bustled over as soon as she saw Peter and his bag. Delighted, she flung her arms around him.
Oh, Peter love, its wonderful to see you. Good thing you came, just in time for fresh pies! she beamed.
As they gathered around the table, Arthur began planning Peters future.
Well have the new house finished in no time now youre here. Just a bit of floor left and the chimney, thats all. Stay here as long as you likeor forever, for that matter.
Son, you need to settle down with one of our girls. Youve seen city women arent for you. Of course, there are flighty girls here toonobodys without flawsbut there are good ones as well. Take, for example, Maisie next door
Mum, shes only a child compared to me! Peter laughed.
That was years ago. You were in year nine and she was just starting juniors. Big difference then, not so much now! his mother chuckled.
Time passed. Peter married Maisie, their son Charlie grew up, and together they lived in Arthurs housea place much improved and expanded over the years: a big farmhouse now, complete with a shed, a new greenhouse, and all sorts of livestock.
Peters mum had passed away. Alice visited rarely now, living in Oxford with her much older husband, Henrya former university lecturer shed married right after graduation. They never had children, not for lack of trying, but because Henry liked peace and quiet, found children bothersome, even though he taught them for a living. He had a daughter from his first marriage, but hadnt seen her since his ex-wife moved to Germany years before.
Though Henry was kindly enough, he had his peculiarities. When he proposed, hed warned Alice straight off, I do not want children. Alice, blinded by love, simply agreed to everything.
My jobs stressful, hed tell her. The students get cheekier every yearspoilt, the lot of them. All their fathers think the world of their darling children.
Alice always agreed, undemanding, accepting the quiet home life her husband desired, never working outside, her world wrapped around Henry. Shed once fancied trips out, a bit of fun with friends, but with time she found his quiet world suited her. Now, the mere thought of guests bothered them both.
Alice, we dont need people traipsing in hereloud music, dirty dishes, the mess! And if we visit others, you cant go empty-handed like back home. This isnt your village, where you knock at the door with a jar of pickled onions and some cold potatoes.
Alice became fully accustomed to this life, changing nothing. On the rare occasions they did visit Arthur after Peters mother died, Henry hated the village even more. Arthur too was uneasy with their visits, realising both his daughter and her husband were out of their element.
Theyd load up the boot with spuds, apples, and Henry would grumble every time: why grow so much, when you could just buy it in Oxford? Why waste petrol driving back and forth?
Arthur couldnt understand. How could anyone dislike village air, the smell of the damp earth, fresh grass? He just kept quiet.
When routine seemed set for life, everything unexpectedly shiftedArthur was taken to hospital after a stroke. Peter went along, and since the local hospital was being refurbished, Arthur was sent to the district one in the city. The doctor reassured them both:
Hell recover. Hell need care, but its not as bad as it could have been.
As the day of discharge approached, the doctor insisted:
He cant be alone just now. Someone needs to look after him.
The day before Arthur came out, Alice rang Peter.
Pete, were bringing Dad straight to you after hospital, she said firmly.
Alice, couldnt he stay with you for a bit, just so he isnt travelling too far straight from hospital?
Are you kidding, Pete? Where am I supposed to put him? My Henry needs absolute quiethis jobs exhausting, university life wears him out. Hes on edge as it is Our Dad, after a stroke, is just too much. Well bring him to you tomorrow. If you dont want to do it, hire a carer, Ill even help pay. But you know Dadhell be difficult
All right, bring him by. I know your fussy Henry wouldnt share his flat with an invalid for anything. I just hope Dad will stay here with us and doesnt mind a carer. Hes never been lonely, even after Mum passednever thought about remarrying in all these fifteen years. Hes not old, even now. Ill set up the sunny room for him.
When Alice and Henry brought Arthur to Peters home instead of his own house, Arthur was indignant.
What dyou take me for? Ive both hands and feet. I dont need a nursemaid! he raged.
Henry took instant offence; his hand went to his forehead dramatically.
Alice, my head is pounding. Were leaving. They can sort themselves out.
She agreed without demur, slid into the car, and off they went.
There was not a speck of dust in the place.
So Peter and Maisie had to bring Arthur back to his own homeluckily, it was only round the corner. Arthurs spirits lifted the moment he saw his familiar garden and was further baffled to find Maisies mother, Margaret, smiling on the doorstep.
Welcome back, Arthur. Dont fret, Maisie gave me a key. Ive done a tidy, put the kettle on, even cooked a bitfigure youd be hungry after the journey.
Arthur and Peter exchanged puzzled glancesneither had known a thing about this arrangement.
Inside, the house shone, warmth filled the rooms, and a feast waited on the table. Arthurs heart swelled, reminded of how his late wife always cared for him. For a moment, his eyes misted over, but he quickly shook it off.
Oh, Margaret, youre a marvel. Thank youI never expected this.
Seasons changed. In time, Arthur and Margaret married. She cared for him, and before long his stroke seemed a distant memory. Peter was amazed at his dads decision. Maisie stayed quiet: it had been her idea to ask her mother to look after Arthur, and then to suggest they marry. She knew Arthur was a good man through and throughhardworking, gentle, never a drinker. Margaret, being local and knowing the family, agreed.
So it was that everything worked out just right. Alice and Henry no longer set foot in the villageno reason to. Peter was there to care for their father, and all Alice and Henry desired was peace and quiet.
Thank you for reading, and wishing you all good fortune and cheer!
