Love
In the eyes of the villagersboth women and men alikeLucy Cornwell had behaved immorally towards her own sister, Kate. At least, thats how folks saw it.
This is how it all unfolded.
The Cornwells were a decent family. Frederick Michael had worked his entire life as a tractor driver, and Mary Stephanie was the cook at the village primary school.
In her younger days, Mary had struggled to conceive. She spent years visiting herbalists and old healers, hoping for a child. At last, her efforts bore fruit: God sent her a daughter, Lucy.
Despite her gentle, loving name, Lucy was not an attractive child, but that did not matter to the Cornwells. She was their much-longed-for miracle. So what if she walked a little lopsided, her head usually tilted to one side, and carried a slight hunch on her back like a school satchel?
Lucy turned into a tender, homely girl, quiet and withdrawn from other children, always on her own, preferring solitude.
Just as Lucy was about to finish secondary school, the Cornwells had another shock: an unexpected addition to the family.
Kate was born.
Unlike shy Lucy, Kate was bright, pretty, and bursting with energy. She never shied from a challenge, and as she grew, she was the terror of the playground, commanding the boys with a stick in handa proper wildcat.
Lucy doted on her younger sister, helping to raise her. In caring for Kate, Lucy put aside her own ambitions and prospects for a career. Truth be told, Lucy was never much of a scholar, so her parents didnt pressure her to leave for the city.
When Kate got older, Lucy eventually qualified as a pastry chef, but decided she didnt want such a responsible job. With her diploma in hand, she moved back to the village, and her mother found her work as a postwoman, delivering the villages letters.
***
Years passed as quickly as thoughts. Before anyone realised it, Kate became a university student.
By then, Lucy was living in her own little cottage, which her parents had helped her buy. The house was small and wooden, with outbuildings in the gardena shed, a chicken coop, and a bathhouse. With her parents help, Lucy made the place very cosy.
She never had any desire to leave the village. I want to live here, close to you, she told her parents.
All would have been well, except Lucy never did marry. There werent many eligible men in the village, and she thought herself unsuitable for marriage anywayor so she believed at the time.
…The very first weekend Kate came home from university, she wasnt alone. She brought a friend. A month later, she brought a boyfriend.
The Cornwells were quite taken aback.
Whos this then? they asked.
Mum, Dad, this is my boyfriend. Dont get the wrong ideawere just friends, Kate said quickly.
Katherine! We sent you to study, not chase after boys! Thats enough of that, scolded her mother, wagging her finger at her daughter. Cant you live without a boyfriend? Youre still a child! Weve only just let you out from under our wing, and look what youre up to!
Mum! We live in the same halls, we share a kitchen, and he cant cook to save his life. Im teaching him, and he helps me with my coursework in return.
Mary Stephanie blinked in confusion. How does he help?
With homework, Kate replied.
Oh, Mum, hes really nice, honestly! Kate tried valiantly to defend him. Youll like him!
Mary Stephanie eyed her daughter in astonishment. Her daughter had brought home some tramp for all she knew! The young man looked about thirty, unshaven, with an impudent air, an old T-shirt, and battered trainers on.
Mary wasnt eager to let that character inside, and she stood blocking the porch. Frederick Michael, the father, felt his fists itch to chase the lad off the property.
Were happy to see you, love. But not him. Sorry, Mary declared. He can go.
Where is he supposed to go? protested Kate.
Back to the bus stop. He can try to flag down a lift.
The young man stood lazily surveying the garden, squinting his crafty blue eyes at the sunlight, and muttered, I cant remember the way to your bus stop.
Ill take you, said Kate.
And she did, but not to the bus stopinstead, she led her boyfriend straight to her sisters house.
Come on, Dave, dont be upsetit just didnt work out with my parents, thats all.
Theyre ancient, like dinosaurs! Dave quipped. Not much point talking. I almost legged it when your dad grabbed the axe!
Dont be silly, he was only scaring you. My dads brilliant, really.
***
Lucy hadnt expected visitors. She was a solitary soul, no friends in the village, so the appearance of a strange young man left her tongue-tied and flushed.
Lucy, sis, pleaded Kate. Can my friend stay with you for the night? Mum and Dad wouldnt let him in, and there’s no bus till morning. He can leave first thing and you dont have to tell our parents about him.
…No one couldve predicted what would come next.
The young man happily accepted a meal, explored the house, then nonchalantly asked Lucy, So, wheres your husband?
I dont have a husband.
How come? Whose house is this then?
Mine.
Surely there must be men in the village? Hard to believe a lovely lady like you lives alone and owns her own home.
Lucys knees went weak; her head was spinning. She went outside to busy herself with chores, too shy to even enter her own home while the stranger was about.
Towards evening, she came in, made him a quick supper, and after setting up a bed for him, decided shed lock the door behind him and sleep at her parents house. She planned to return in the morning to let him out.
But as she was fluffing the pillow, she suddenly felt a pair of strong hands wrap around her.
He stepped up behind her, holding tight, and she froze.
Lucy, came his voice, suddenly husky. Are you afraid of me?
She gasped for breath like a landed fish. N-no.
Then why are you trembling like a leaf?
For the first time in her life, Lucy felt the touch of a manany man. She was overwhelmed. Her arms and legs felt like jelly, her throat was dry, and words stuck to her tongue.
Everything faded. The next thing she remembered, it was morning and the cockerels were crowing.
***
Word quickly spread that Lucythe old spinster, as she was unkindly knownhad somehow acquired a young fiancé. The whole village of Littlehampton was abuzz.
The gossips whispered in corners, speculating about the upcoming wedding of Cornwells eldest.
Where did she find him, then? Never leaves the house, that one. Did he just tumble from the sky, or what? She never says a word!
The handsome youth, all cleaned up and decked out in pressed shirts by his betrothed, drew a great deal of attention, especially set against plain, aging Lucy.
Hes a looker, is Dave, so they say. Came down from London. Shes nearly forty, hes not a day over thirty. Must be thick, or blind, to have picked her!
Some were crueler still.
Pretty young girls cant find a fiancé, but Lucys managed to net herself a catch! It wont lasttheyre a complete mismatch. She should back off and let the lad find someone his own age. Why doesnt he marry Katie Shenton, single mum and only twenty-three? She could use a husband, while Lucys an old maidlet her find herself an old widower!
Like George Thompson, nice enough chap but drinks too much these daysgive him a wife and hed improve! Lucys too fussy, acting like royalty.
Such were the harsh words.
Youd think kindly villagers wouldnt let jealousy creep into their hearts, but there are always those who resent the happiness of others, as if spitting insults makes them easier to swallow.
***
For a long while, the gossips kept tabs on Dave: what was a young, lively man doing marrying an unattractive older woman?
Only the Cornwells knew the answer, though not at first. Kate had brought him, after all, and it was to Lucy he had latched on.
Initially, Kate left in a huff.
Mary Stephanie noticed her eldest had stopped visiting so often, and when she did, she looked differenteyes shining, hands trembling, always dropping things.
Perhaps Lucy’s started drinking? she fretted to Frederick. She looks odd these days.
They decided to investigate and discovered that Lucy wasnt alone in her houseshe was hiding Dave, the very same young man Kate had brought from London.
They found Dave hiding in the wardrobe when they arrived unexpectedly.
Hello, daughter, Frederick said as he came in. Go on, show us who youre hiding.
Lucy looked cornered. Quietly, through clenched teeth, she muttered, Im hiding no one.
Frederick sighed. Lucy, after thirty-seven years, youre still a terrible liar. Come out of there, son!
There was a tense pause. Mary and Frederick took seats at the table, while Lucy dashed to the kitchen to make tea.
The silence stretched until Frederick eventually asked, Soare you getting married?
Lucy bowed her head, and Dave finally emerged from the wardrobe. Good afternoon, he mumbled.
Mary, overcome with emotion, wiped her eyes and cast a suspicious gaze over her prospective son-in-law. He wore a clean T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms. She squinted and recognised the shirtit was Fredericks, a gift from the previous year. Lucy, stealing your fathers clothes for this scoundrel?
Shed twigged immediatelyhed tried it on with Kate, and when that didnt work, he switched to Lucy!
Dave shuffled awkwardly and spoke, Im single and free to marry, but Ill warn youIve no money for a fancy wedding.
Frederick and Mary exchanged glances and hung their heads. They werent keen, but what was to be done now? It was better to marry Lucy off than risk spoiling her good name.
It was decided. The wedding was in a couple of months. For the first time, Lucy walked out of her house on the arm of a manher beloved.
To her, he truly became a beloved.
***
Life with her new husband was peaceful. Dave lounged about like a sultan, while Lucy bustled aroundmaking pies, stews, and knitting jumpers.
After the wedding, Frederick gave it a week and then came round.
Come on, Dave, he urged, opening the door. Out you pop, help me chop firewood.
Chop firewood? Dave replied, startled. I I dont know how.
We’ll teach you, then. Off you go.
Despite Daves sour look, Lucy brought him his coat, gave him a timid kiss on the cheek, and sent him off to help.
Mary Stephanie wasted no time intervening, Quick, Lucy, get your coat, were off to the market town.
Why? Lucy frowned.
Mary pursed her lips. The women are saying you dress like a sack of potatoes next to your new husband! Never mind them. Well get dresses, shoes A trip to the hair salon. You have to look after yourself for your husbands sake!
Lucy later saw her mothers point. Soon, all sorts of womendivorcees and young mothers aliketook to walking past her house in flirtatious outfits. Lucy quickly realised they were eyeing up Dave.
The next complication was her younger sister, Kate.
Kate stopped visiting, refusing all contact over the mishap with Dave. Shed given Lucy a piece of her mind: I only asked you to keep an eye on Dave. Not this! What have you done? He was my boyfriendyou stole him! Now Ive lost both my boyfriend and my sister!
And you, Dave? Remember what you promised me? How you wanted to marry me? Turns out you lied. You fancy women with their own homes, even if theyre older. Well, good luck to you both. Just remember, Dave, your wifes old and gets older every day!
Lucy was devastated by her sisters cruel words. Tears flowed for days.
Was it the house, Dave, is that why youre with me?
Dave kept silent, but then muttered reluctantly, Not at all. Its not like that. Kate attached herself to me, all right? Shes lively, pretty, fun, but her expectations are dauntinga car, a city flat. I could never afford any of that. I failed out of college, couldnt hold down a job. My parents are drunks, stuck in a tiny flat with three other kids. I left home the second I finished school. Odd jobs, nothing serious. I tried to study, but it was hopeless.
Then Kate latched onto me, kept saying she was in love, wanted to marry. I thought it would be to my advantage, given her family. She invited me home, made it sound like Id be welcomed with open armsbut your parents turned me out.
Seeing you, Lucy, it was different. You expect nothing. I saw at once youd never ask me for anything. Your house is so welcoming, you fed me so wellId not eaten my fill in years. I just wanted to stay with you, sit by your table forever
So youre with me because youve nowhere to go, Dave?
He looked at her and shrugged off the question, No, of course not. I knew straight off you were my woman, he lied.
***
Word soon spread that Dave had actually come for Kate, but since the Cornwells turned him away, he ended up with Lucy.
That chaps amoral! clucked the gossips. He doesnt care whose house he lands injust wants a warm bed and a bellyful.
Look at him! Never tries to work, no get-up-and-go. Frederick practically has to drag him out to do anything.
Lucy could have done better. Normally, a man like that would be shown the door, but she dotes on him. Foolish woman.
Lucy heard all the gossipthe village was full of talkbut paid it no mind. Rumours always come and go. What mattered most was her own family. She shut her ears to the chatter and went home, where she belonged.
***
The Cornwells became used to their eldest being married and gradually accepted Davewhat else could they do? At least he wasnt a drunk or a wife-beater.
Meanwhile, the youngest daughter vanished from sight, sulking over her grievances.
It was nearly six months before Mary Stephanie saw Kate again.
I miss her so much, I need to see my daughter, she fretted, packing up food to take with her.
But Kate was nowhere to be found, her old room in halls occupied by someone else.
She only comes to visit friends at weekends now, whispered the porter. And shes got a right bump on her now. Didnt you know?
A bump?
Yes, shes living with a boy and expecting his child. Didn’t you know?
Mary found her daughter with the help of Kates matesit turned out shed been living with a young lad, renting a room in the city.
***
Frederick Michael drowned his sorrows in drinkhis nerves couldnt take it anymore. Both daughters, once the pride of his life, now left him with sons-in-law he was hardly prepared for.
The new one, Nick, was just as rough and ready as the last; but he was lively and fun, livening up even his own wedding, causing the whole family to fall for him.
But could they make it work? Kate and Nick were fiery and argued daily, living in the Cornwell house. Within six months of their baby, a boy called Kit, Nick had run off.
Kate took it in strideslightly relieved, in fact. She left the baby with her parents and returned to her studies in the city.
***
Kit was fussed over by his grandparents and Aunt Lucy. Even Dave got dragooned into babysitting.
Did you sprain your arm on purpose, Dave? shouted Frederick from the yard most mornings. Trying to skive off haymaking, eh? That means Lucy will be out there in your place. You stay home and mind the baby!
Frederick stopped by regularly to keep everyone in linemaking sure the chores were done and the animals fed.
Dave resented Fredericks interference, but he was far too dependent on Lucy to complain. And Lucy relied on her parents.
Dave refused to work, becoming a burden on Lucys broadening shoulders. He ate well, grew soft, and pondered whether he really wanted to spend his life as a village husband under the thumb of his father-in-law.
He loved Lucys home, but any kind of work was beyond himthe essence of village life.
***
One day, exhausted from haymaking, Lucy stumbled home wishing only for her bed. She was getting older, it seemedwork wore her out more every day.
Dave, love, are you worn out from minding the baby? she called.
There was no reply. Worried, she looked through the house and garden, shouting.
Hes not here, called the neighbour from over the fence. He left little Kit with me and gave me a note for you.
A note? Lucy echoed, puzzled.
The neighbour brought over Kit and handed her a note:
Lucy, youve been a good wife, thank you. Because of you, I woke up to myself and realised: Im not cut out for village life. So Im leaving. Well divorcedont fight it. I took a bit of your money for travel and initial expenses, and I reckon Ive worked for it. And one more thing: youd have been worth your weight in gold, if youd only been alone in the world.
Lucy stared at the note in numb silence.
She took Kit, changed him into clean clothes, played with him and tried to push aside her own exhaustion.
Inside, she wrestled with what had happened and why he had gone.
She weptonly Lucy knew how many tears were shed. It took her years before she let go of Dave for good.
In time, everything faded.
She had her own son by Dave, little Alex, but she kept the news from her ex-husband, as she wished.
She raised Kit as her own, and the boys affection grewhe began to call her Mum.
I have nothing but thanks for fate, Lucy reflected. Dave was good in his own way, just passing through my life. Thanks to him, I discovered happiness with a man and the joy of being a mother.
I wont try to keep himhe can follow his path. I thank him for giving me my son and helping me feel like a woman at last.
Now Ill simply livewith my children and my family.
***
What a fool Lucy is, came the half-hearted whisperings in the village. Fancying that scoundrel, who left her with a son. But what did she expect? Theres no way a young man will settle with an older woman.
Lucy heard it all and smiled, heading off with the children for a walk.
She was used to gossip. Maybe, one day, shed become a gossip herselfafter all, theres not much else to chat about in a slow, sleepy village.
And she even smilesidiot.
***
Dave came back one day when no one expected him.
Older, worn by life, scuffed shoes as always.
He peered sheepishly into Lucys kitchen. He took in the boyhis sonand asked, Will you take me in? Is this Kithow hes grown!
Lucy led her son away and returned.
Yes, thats Kit. Why are you back, Dave? We agreed, remember?
Ive come for you, Lucy.
What about your search for purpose, Dave?
Oh, all thats nonsensea load of tosh, made up by lazy people. Home is where youre welcome and its warm.
Thats right, Lucy replied, but my home is my own, Dave. Go and find yours.
What, you dont want me? What about your feelings, Lucy? I could hold you now and
No, Dave. Feelings are for daydreamers like you. Its a handy excuse. I cant live with someone I dont trust anymore. Ive got work to do, haymaking tomorrow.
Still haymaking? Old Frederick Michaels still going, is he? Dave chuckled, looking disheartened.
Their meeting fizzledthere was nothing left to say. Dave saw that love had long since departed, flung his bag over his shoulder, and left.
Bye, then. Let me know if you ever need me.
***
Oh, that Lucy! the village gossips sighed. Men dont grow on trees. She should have let her husband move back in
But as I sit on my porch, jotting these words, I find myself thinking: Life gives us all kinds of people, and not every visitor is meant to stay. Ive learnt, after all these years, that happiness doesnt come from listening to neighbours, or clinging to those who never truly belonged. Love comes in many shapesand sometimes the best love is quiet, self-made, surrounded by childrens laughter and the calm satisfaction of weathering it all with dignity.
