Everything is in the deed, a plump, smiling woman in her late forties said, her voice drifting like a distant bell. Rosamund, you dont recognise me? You walk past and never say hellohave you become proud?
Merry, dear, Im sorry, I truly didnt know, Rosamund halted, squinting as if the fog of memory might clear. How could I recognise you after all those school years? We never met again.
They embraced, two former schoolmates now scattered by fate. Rosamund had stayed in her modest market town of Larkspur, while Merry had married and moved with her husband to the mistshrouded Scottish Highlands.
Merry, youve grown quite largemust be from happiness, laughed Rosamund, her hair now threaded with silver and fine lines gathering around her eyes. What wind has blown you back to these familiar hills? Isnt everyone here gone?
Theres my cousin, Catherine, remember? She was older than me
Yes, Ive seen her once or twice. Why ask?
Shes dead now; I came to her funeral. My flight home is tonight. No kin left here, truly, Merry whispered, the words hanging like wilted petals.
Such a loss, she was a good woman, Rosamund agreed.
And you know who I met at the funeral? Merry continued, eyes flickering. Mick.
Mick?
You, the fellow you dabbled with brieflywhat happened between you two? I only remember you slipping away fast
Ah, Mick. I know nothing of him, Rosamund replied, puzzled.
Hes a distant relative of Catherines, perhaps on her husbands side. Hes aged, unkempt now Weve all changed, butHe left his first wife soon after marrying, remarried twice. Two sons came of that union, the second born with a disability. He seemed unable to bear the strain, abandoned his wife and children, then wed a third time. He was alone at the funeral, Merry narrated, her voice a soft echo in the dreamhall.
Thats always been his harsh nature, Rosamund said, and thank heavens our paths diverged.
Micks sister told meshe doesnt speak to himVera was also at the service. She revealed the second wife and the disabled son. When he walked away from the ailing child, relatives condemned him, but he snapped back, declaring, There are plenty of women without woes; why should I suffer, Merry recounted, a wry smile touching her lips.
I can picture it, and Im not surprised, Rosamund answered.
They lingered, recalling a handful of old classmates, then Merry excused herself, swapping numbers. Rosamund walked home slowly, the evenings surreal weight pressing on her shoulders. Mick floated back into her thoughts, the boy she had dated before marrying her husband, Andrew.
God sent me or rather, thank you, Father, for seeing Micks true nature at once, she mused, the memory of that night vivid as a fading photograph.
Now, at fortyseven, Rosamund remained slender and respectable. In youth she had been a pretty girl, often noticed by boys, with many advances, yet she never flitted from one to another, preferring friendly camaraderie.
She had first met Mick at about twenty. He seemed romantic, sometimes bringing flowers, watching films, strolling in the park. Their courtship lasted three months; she even imagined marrying himtypical teenage dreams. Mick always escorted her home; her parents knew of him. Her father, Zachary Whitfield, a cheerful, garrulous man who could coax a story from anyone, often teased, Darling, why not invite Mick over? Weve never met the fellow you spend time with.
Alright, Dad, well come together, Rosamund promised.
The next day she said, Mick, come over; Mom and Dad want to meet you.
Fine, lets go, he replied instantly.
When they arrived, Zachary was just about to sit down for dinner.
Come in, he said, shaking Micks hand. Both of you, have a seat. Were about to eat. Dont wander off hungry till midnight. Eat first
Mick sat beside Rosamund, a little shy under the parental gaze, even though it was her own home. Her mother, Eleanor, was frying fish. Their cat, Tabby, roamed the kitchen, circling their feet, drawn by the scent. When the family sat, Eleanor placed a piece of fish in Tabbys bowl.
If I dont give her, she wont leave me alone, Eleanor laughed, shell keep twirling at my feet.
Zachary chatted with Mick while Eleanor kept offering him bites. Suddenly Tabby, perhaps in haste, began to choke; a bone lodged in her throat. Everyone leapt up except Mick, who remained seated, eyes unfazed. They gathered around the cat, unsure how to help.
Tabby coughed, wheezed; Eleanor scooped her up and rushed outside.
She must cough the bone out, she muttered, almost in tears, and Zachary followed.
While the family scrambled, Mick ate his dinner with an eerie calm. At last, Eleanor returned with Tabby, the bone expelled, the crisis averted.
Thank God, she sighed, setting Tabby down. You scared us, little one.
Rosamund, youre priceless, she added.
Mick, still composed, said, What a fuss over a cat. Shell be fine; there are dozens of cats on the street anyway.
Rosamund and her parents exchanged bewildered looks.
Do you have a cat at home? Eleanor asked earnestly.
No, I cant stand having cats in a flat, Mick replied dismissively.
After tea, Mick suggested a walk. Rosamund, noticing Zacharys sour expression, felt a tug to leave.
Lets go, he said, and they stepped out. Yet the evening, which had begun so brightly, dimmed. Rosamund soon grew weary and turned back.
Mick, I dont feel like walking. Ill head home, she said. Its close enough; Ill manage.
Alright, dont make me see you off, Mick replied, planting a quick kiss on her cheek.
At home, Zachary and Eleanor lounged on the sofa, still discussing the nights oddities. Rosamund joined them, aware that her father was just and perceptive, her mother kind yet softspoken, while her father could be blunt.
Rosamund, Ill tell you straight, he said, looking her in the eye. I dont want to see that boy near you again. Hes unworthy.
She fell silent, already considering his words.
Listen, Zachary continued, you can test a person in many waysgive him power, wealth, or watch how he treats animals, as we saw. He watched a choking cat and didnt flinch. That tells me hes unreliable; hell abandon you when things get tough. End it now before it goes further. Youve promised him nothing. Youll find a better man, and he wont be left alone. Thats my verdict.
Yes, Dad, thats why I came home early. I didnt want to continue with him, Rosamund replied, her voice tinged with sadness. His remarks about Tabby and cats didnt sit right with me.
She told him plainly that she was ending things. Whether she ever truly loved Mick or his fathers words simply lodged deep in her heart, she found it easy to part.
The next day Mick met Rosamund, and she was already rehearsing her goodbye.
Hey, Rosamund, he greeted, leaning in as if to plant a cheek kiss, but she sidestepped.
Whats this, Rosie? Showing off?
Mick, Im telling you theres nothing more between us. Ive decided, so lets be friends, she said.
Why now? Did your family not like me? he asked sarcastically.
Both. I dont want to see you anymore, she replied, walking away, the wind carrying harsh whispers about her and her parents.
Good, I made the right choice, she thought, relieved. Dad was right.
Time passed; Mick didnt appear again, and Rosamund felt a quiet joy that some boys linger forever.
I never loved Mick, she finally concluded.
Soon she met Andrew, the love of her life. They married, raised two children, and now have a granddaughter. They live in nearperfect harmony.
As Rosamund approached her front door, thoughts of Mick still swirled, triggered by the brief reunion with Merry.
I cant forget that episode. Im grateful to my father. If he hadnt invited Mick to dinner that night, if our cat hadnt choked, how would I have seen his true nature? Perhaps I would have, but later
Merry, her old classmate, echoed the story of Mick abandoning a wife and a sick childan echo that matched the cats tragedy, sealing the surreal pattern of that night.
