Alice Middleton grew up in a rural English villagethe eldest daughter in a large family. She was a sturdy girl: tall, broad-shouldered, growing quickly. As a child, other kids tried out nicknameslike Big Al and Giantbut none of them stuck, as Alice was always able to stand her ground.
As she matured, so did her circle of friends. Fewer people dared tease or insult her; instead, Alice earned respect as a steadfast friend, always ready to help, known for her kindness and fairness. She would go out of her way for anyone in need, be it a child or a stray cat, but could dish out a good telling-off to any bully.
Being the eldest in a busy household, Alice didnt get much parental affection. She spent her days caring for the younger siblingsoften at the expense of her own leisure. Still, she managed to do well at school and find time for friends. The first truly kind words from her mum came when Alice was sixteen. Her youngest brother Ollie had fallen ill. No one could calm himexcept Alice, who held him in her arms until he finally drifted off to sleep.
Youre my treasure, love, said her mother, Susan, gazing at her tiredly, stroking Alices hair and kissing the top of her head.
Go and have a lie down, Mum, Alice whispered. I can look after Ollierock him if he wakes. Hes exhausted, poor thing, and youre barely standing.
But youve got school tomorrow, and your GCSEs are so close, Mum protested.
Theyre easy lessons. I can skip them if needed, Alice replied. You really need your rest for tomorrow.
Susan sighed, looking at her daughter with newfound tenderness. Youve grown into such a good girl, and I barely noticedalways busy with chores and the little ones. Im sorry, sweetheart.
Dont say that, Mum, Alice replied fervently. I never felt left out. I knew you loved and cared for all of us. I might have had more chores, but I had more freedom too.
Freedom?
You and Dad always said when I’d finished my jobs, I could go out and play. You just asked me to take the twins, Beth and Sam, along. So I always rushed my chores to get out with my mates.
And the twins dont bother you?
Never, Mum. The girls would argue over who got to push the buggy. Ben Carter would bring old toys for us to share. My mates always helped. Theyre good friends.
Its you thats good! All right now, love, lets see if Ollie will settle in bed. If he wakes, Ill deal with him.
Alice started transferring Ollie to the cot, but he stirred and began to cry again. Alice shook her head and settled in for the night, holding him.
Well, Im up anyway, Mum said. Tell me about your studies. Ive hardly ever had to chase you about homework. But your form tutor said youre top of the class. I was surprised.
Yeah, I am, Alice smiled. Lessons just come naturally to me, but Auntie Maggie says its easier in a village school. In the city, its tougher.
So what? Susan looked bemused.
It matters, Alice said with conviction. I wont live in the village forever. I want to keep studying, so Ill have to go to the city for college and compete with city kids.
Susan had never considered thisa village woman herself, whod married young and now worked as a dinner lady at the primary school. But her sister Maggie, who lived in Sheffield and worked as an accountant, had recently offered Alice a place to stay while she studied.
Maggie had chosen a different path: shed left the village, gotten her education, and worked in a good job, never marrying or having children. She adored her niece, inviting Alice up for holidaystreating her to trips to the park and city cafés.
Well, love, Susan sighed, I wont hold you back. Youve helped me enoughits time to think about yourself. Work hard on your exams and go for it.
Alice felt a weight lift: shed feared her parents would need her at home, as there were still young children to care for. But her mum was rightit was her chance.
Days flew by. Alice aced her exams and got into university. She made new friends, both city and country kids, and her warm, cheerful nature helped her get along with everyone.
Every so often, her family would send up fooda bounty of sausages, farm eggs, and home-made butter. Auntie Maggie would shake her head: What am I supposed to do with all this?
Alices food parcels were a hit at the halls of residence. She arrived at student parties with bags bursting with good things, making her extremely popular.
Her mates paired up, but Alice found herself single, though not unhappyshe noticed boys were interested, but she had her own plans. In her fourth year, along came Ed.
Alice met Ed at a house party, dragging her signature bags of treats. Her friend Tom helped her lug everything up the steps.
Sure you can carry all that? Alice laughed, eyeing wiry Tom. Think Im stronger than you!
Tom grinnedthey always joked about the obvious contrast: Tom was the smallest lad, Alice the tallest girl, built like an athlete rather than anything else.
Ive got helpmy mates coming, Tom winked.
That was how Alice met Eda sharp dresser with a charming smile and easy banter. Girls liked him; Alice did too. He was tall, walked with confidence, and liked to stand out. Alice favoured classic clothesquality over trend, but her size made fashion a challenge. Ed, on the other hand, loved bold shirts and trendy hair.
Ed became a regular in their group. He didnt make obvious moves, but Alice sensed his interestand so did others.
You fancy Alice, Tom said to Ed one evening. Shes greatand single.
Yeah, top girl, Ed agreed, but didnt elaborate.
What are you waiting for? Tom pushed. You dont have a girlfriend. Chat her up.
Why dont you, then? Ed shot back. Shes your mate too.
Im just a mate. Plus, mate, shes two heads taller than meand twice as broad!
Tom really did like Alice, but they made an odd pair. Friends gently ribbed them, but Tom and Alice always played up their differences for laughs. Once, Tom pretended to jump up to kiss Alice, and she picked him up instead. It was all in good fun.
But you do fancy her, Tom insisted gentlyhe liked both Alice and Ed, and thought theyd be good for each other.
Ed hesitated. Shes well, shes country, you know?
So what? Tom laughed. No ones saying you have to marry her and move to the farm. Shell probably stay in Sheffield.
Its not that, Ed replied. Alice is wonderfulbeautiful evenbut its a different sort of beauty. Not fashionable. She stands out as country, no matter how long she lives here. Big girl, too.
Funny, though, you dont turn your nose up at her food! Tom scoffed and dropped the subject, a bit put out by Eds attitude.
Truthfully, Ed was drawn to Alice. He treated her as a friend, made her laugh, but sensed quickly her feelings were deeper than for any of the others. He liked herphysically and otherwise. She was lively, genuine, practical, and always solved problems with a smile. Whenever he looked at her, with her bright eyes and calm, kind face, he felt tenderand a bit out of his depth.
One evening, they were out in the park when Eds phone rang. He went pale.
My little brother, Charlie, he told Alice. I said Id be home late. Now hes made a messneighbor says they tipped something off the balcony onto someones car. Music blaring, and they told her off when she complained.
Where are your parents?
Holiday. Left me in charge.
Im coming with you, Alice said at once. Youll need help sorting this.
Ed was slightly embarrassed to bring Alice, but she came anyway. An hour later, he was grateful she had. She handled the shouting, talked down the angry car owner, and soon had the mess sortedwith a knack Ed had never seen before.
How did you do that? Ed marvelled.
I promised Id deal with your brother, and he calmed right down, Alice smiled.
From that day on, Ed was astonished by Alices knack for diffusing tensionbe it with neighbours, his family, or even his parents.
He was falling for her, he realised. He wanted her around. But he was still uneasyalmost embarrassed to introduce her to his cooler friends from town. Still, Alice never pressured him to define their relationship, though she longed for him to.
As graduation approached, Alice wondered aloud about staying in Sheffield. Auntie Maggie urged her to stay as long as she likedshe loved having Alice there, treating her like a daughter and promising the flat would go to her one day.
After graduation, Alice got a solid job straight awayhigh salary, good prospects. Ed moved in with her. Life was generally happy; Alice became known for her homey styleserving up hearty cottage pies and soups rather than trendy bites or fancy puddings, even at restaurants.
But it was at a dinner out, when Alice ordered pea soup and pickled herring, that Ed felt a twinge of annoyance. He craved something differentedgy, with his old crowd. He realised hed let go of his old life, and felt restless.
Alice noticed something was off and tried to talk, but Ed couldnt explain even to himself.
One day, Alice came home early and heard voices in the kitchenEd and Tom.
You dont realise what youve got, Tom was saying. Girls like her dont come around often. No fake lips, no cheap wigs. Loyal, clever, amazing cook.
I know, Ed replied. I love her. But part of it was the chase. And now, I miss my old lifecafé trips, skinny girls with high heels. Alice is wonderful, but shes not my world. Shell always be countrystill brings food by the box, cooks in pans big enough for ten. And shes immensehow am I supposed to style her? Nothing fits.
Then move on! Dont string her along while you look down on her cottage pies!
Ed shook his head, lost for words.
Alice, standing in the hallway, felt her world shatter. She packed up Eds things and asked him to go. Ed blustered, pleaded, tried to argue, but Alice was resolute. He left.
Alice crieddays, then weeks. But she healed. She did up her flat, worked hard, then spent her holiday with her family in the country.
When she returned, there stood Ed, bouquet in hand, begging her to take him back. He spoke with heartfelt regret, but Alice was startled to realiseshe no longer cared.
A few months later, Alice started seeing Michael, a solid, dependable maneventually building a family with him. Ed tried, time and again, to mend things, but was always too late; he had lost the woman who, in all her English countryside strength and care, was unlike anyone else hed ever known.
