Give me your girl and Ill keep my mouth shut.
Youre wrong, I didnt see it. Be a decent man, Ian, dont ruin everything
What did I call you, Ian? Have you forgotten my name? You can call me Zachary Gray.
Please, dont drag this to the magistrate
Ian straightened up, shoulders rolled back until his shirt creaked. A fierce heat flared in his dark eyes, scorching the shaky Zachary, whose shoulders drooped with fear. Zachary had been a foreman for years, but Ian only became the village chairman a year ago. At first folks thought he was too youngjust twentyfivebut the district officers saw his grip on the coop affairs, his drive, his sensible approach, and gave him the nod.
Youre a thief, Zachary, Ian said, his voice ringing with a metallic edge. If I say something, you cant turn awaymy authority will bend you like a sheeps horn.
There were haystacks and they vanished, the chairman continued. It was spring, you think Ive forgotten? Ill take you to court if you dont come clean!
Zachary swallowed hard. I swear on my word and on the truth, I was working the fields, I didnt take anything. Ian, maybe we can strike a dealmy wife wont survive this, and I have children
Children, you say? Ian mused. You want a compromise? Youd like me to protect you but whats the risk for me? If I cover you, theres got to be a price.
Zacharys eyes flicked to the chairman, sensing a possible opening. And what about Mabel? Shes a lovely girl what if I marry your daughter? I could take her in
Ians smile went cold. Mabels still a child.
Still a child? Ian repeated. I saw her at the farm the other day, already a bridetobe.
Shes only seventeen, barely out of childhood, still a doll to be cared for.
Its time for a living doll, Zachary. Heres my terms: you hand over the girl to me and Ill keep silent about your mistake. If you resist, Ill inform the district officers and well go to court. So think give me your daughter or keep stuffing biscuits, and youll never see your family again.
Zachary fell to his knees. What are you asking? This is an unbearable burden. How could I force my daughter into this? Am I a monster?
Ian returned to the table, sat down and pulled out a sheet of paper. Then well record it: Zachary Gray went against the authority, meddled with the common good
Wait, dont write that, Zachary croaked, Ill speak to my daughter first.
Ill speak to her then, Ian replied. Shes a stubborn one, might even argue back you call her small.
Its your fault, you took her, Zachary muttered. She got scared.
If youre willing to pull at your heartstrings, Ian smirked.
Zachary sighed heavily. If only my soul could
Later, Zachary got home, slumped onto the bench and started untying his boots.
Whats with you? asked Molly, his wife.
On the table sat a pot of stew with potatoes, and fresh bread baked in the oven filled the cottage with a warm aroma. Whats the worry?
Mabel! he called. Shes just come out of the pantry, hair not yet braided.
What, Uncle? Molly asked, confused.
He looked at her. Our chairmans set his sights on our girl he wants to marry her.
Mabels lips trembled, her hands twirled her tousled hair, and she stood like a trembling birch in the wind: Why would he want me? I dont want this
Molly clutched her chest and sat down hard.
Zachary sighed again. I know you dont want it, and I dont either. Its too early for you what can we do?
Uncle, why are you doing this to me?
It wasnt my idea, its the chairman. Hes a tyrant, everyones scared of him
Their younger son, Charlie, leaning against the hearth, listened intently.
Im sorry, I messed up, my mind was bad, I didnt keep an eye on those haystacks in spring
Mum, theyll lock you up, Molly warned.
And Ian promises to lock me away hes breaking his word, Zachary muttered.
Its a mess, if he wants to take Mabel, hell leave you too
Thats it, Zachary said, hand over my daughter for my mistake I dont need that kind of soninlaw.
Dad, you should complain, Charlie interjected.
Silence, Ill manage without your advice, Zachary snapped. If you speak up, youll end up in trouble the chairmans listening.
Mum, Im scared of him, Mabel sobbed.
Zachary looked at his daughter, then at his wife, took a deep breath and started packing.
Where are you going? Molly asked.
Pack, Mother, dont forget your shirt, and the biscuits Ill go to Ian tomorrow morning, let him take me, Im not a foe to my daughter, I wont force her, but its too early for her
Molly rushed to him, hugged him, and said, Well see what happens. Mabel retreated to her room and lay on the madeup bed, listening to her mothers cries and her fathers sighs. She hadnt even noticed her friends coming over only her cousin Fred, Matildas son, a year older, seemed a decent match. The chairman, Ian, was older and his grim face always frightened her; he barked at everyone, demanded, and scolded. He felt like a complete stranger.
Mabel felt sorry for herself she hadnt even had time to look around before a forced marriage was being arranged with the nasty Ian Zorin. She also felt sorry for her dad, who might be taken away forever. She started to braid her hair, tugging at the strands, not from pain but from anger and desperation. She went back to her parents, took the satchel from his hands, and said, Dont go anywhere, Father.
If youd agreed, Zachary thumped his chest, I wouldnt be hurting you now. Itll be hard for you Ill finish my term, then youll live without tears.
Dad! Mabel clutched him. Dont go! Hell lock us up, no one will look after me, Charlie, or my sister Antonia, who already has a husband and children.
Zachary slumped onto the chest that stood by the door, which doubled as a bench. I know, Antonia will be blamed, the whole family will be shamed, theyll say Zachary Gray turned the hay into nonsense thats the scary part.
Tell him tomorrow Ill agree, send the matchmakers, Mabel begged.
Molly gathered the packed belongings, put them by the stove, and wiped her eyes while setting the table.
That night Zachary and Molly lay awake, talking and sighing heavily. From the next room Mabels cries could be heard.
No, Molly, shes scared of him, marriage feels like a burden, especially now, Molly whispered. Tomorrow morning grab my satchel, Ill head to the yard, go to Ian, and say I wont hand her over.
Molly, hearing this, pressed close to her husband: Zachary, as you say, we cant live without you
At dawn they rose quietly, careful not to wake the children. While they were in the yard, Charlie slipped out the gate. By the time they caught up, the sun was high.
Wheres our little one? Zachary asked.
Probably ran off to school, Mabel guessed, I havent seen him since morning.
Alright, hell come back. Ill stay a bit longer
Zachary, stay home till lunch, the neighbours boy wont get any trouble, Molly said, still hoping the war would pass over their cottage without touching them.
Zachary thought, Theres no rush to go to prison.
Meanwhile, Charlie was riding a cart with his uncle Martin to the district centre.
Charlie, why are you heading to the centre? Martin asked.
Ive got a school assignment to collect certificates, Charlie replied, making up a story.
Martin urged the horse onward, and they clattered into the centre. There they met the district secretary, Graham Hughes, a solid, terse man in his midforties. Charlie, thinking Graham could help his dad and Mabel, blurted out, I need Alex Mitchell.
What for? Graham asked.
Just a matter, Charlie replied.
Kids dont belong here, Graham said.
Then Graham himself stepped forward. Charlie, flustered, rattled off a tale about missing haystacks, swearing Ian was behind it all.
Do you know who youre accusing? Graham warned. Youre slandering the chairman.
Charlie persisted, It was Ian Archibald, he wants to take Mabel.
Graham, exasperated, sent Charlie to wait outside while he fetched the chairman.
Inside, Ian Zorin, now overseeing the fields and the farm, was reprimanding an errant tractor driver. When Graham entered, everyone fell silent. Ian straightened, ready to report on the days business.
Charlie, meanwhile, kept an eye on the council building, not one to complain easily, but his heart went out to his dad.
Graham asked, Tell me, whats your role here?
Albert Mitchell, just trying to keep things afloat, Ian replied.
Graham pressed, I see your haystacks disappeared last spring. Why didnt you speak up earlier? And why do you think Zachary is at fault? Because his daughter refused you?
Ians face paled. Im guilty, he admitted. It wasnt proven that Zachary did it; someone else took the stacks. I tried to scare him.
Graham answered quietly, Youll go to court for overstepping.
Charlie burst in, pointing to the radio. Turn it on, he shouted. The broadcast announced war news, dated 22 June 1940.
Ian, pale, said, I wont claim innocence now, but dont take me to court. Let me go to the front, Ill be drafted anyway.
Graham, stunned, considered his options.
Ian continued, The hay is gone, we dont know whose cows ate it. Im needed on the front.
Graham asked, Wholl stay here?
Others will step up, like Martin, whos too old for conscription but could lead the council.
Graham nodded, Alright, Zorin, Ive got other matters.
A week later, the council yard filled with carts and villagers gathered, some crying, some singing, some laughing. Ian bowed, took his satchel, and stepped into a circle, playing a battered fiddle with surprising vigor. The crowd surrounded him, clapping.
Martin Iliffe, now acting chairman, remarked, Ian Fletcher, those are strong hands youll need them for a rifle, not a bride.
The Gray family waved goodbye as they left.
Winters harshness, unpredictable springs, and heavy days came with grim news.
Molly sighed, looking at her daughter, We thought wed escaped disaster, but another ones come. Now it feels like the old fire dying in the hearth.
Four years later, the village of Littlebrook had lost many, but spring 1945 brought hope.
Fellow farmer Fred returned in March after being wounded, still the same lad whod been conscripted at eighteen.
Molly asked the grownup Mabel, What about Fred? Hes a good catch.
Mabel replied, Im not sure, Mum.
A month later Ian returned, his coat missing a sleeve. He greeted the women, How are you all doing? Wheres my wife?
Glad to see you, Ian! Shes on the farm, shell be delighted youre back. Todays a celebration the sons returned.
At the next council meeting, Ian was proposed as chairman again.
Theres already a chairman, he said, Martin kept the coop going through the war, isnt he worthy of staying?
The selfremoval? someone asked.
It seems so, Ian agreed.
Hed changed quieter, less proud. The war had smoothed his edges.
He walked over to Zachary, Good to see you, Zachary.
Zachary replied, Good to see you too, Ian.
Ian continued, Ive thought about those haystacks for years, sorry for the trouble. I know I wasnt innocent, but I was scared.
Zachary coughed, Then I forgive you, Ian. I didnt take any of the hay.
Charlie, now older, asked, Dad, why are you talking like that? He was a snake, now youve turned him into a lamb.
Ians eyes softened. Life is short, lad. Mistakes are easy, fixing them is hard.
Later, Mabel and Martins daughter, Emma, arrived with milk barrels. Ian, tying a horse, turned to Mabel, Help me with that barrel.
She helped, and their hands brushed. He whispered, I wont need your help any more.
Mabel felt a strange pity for Ian, despite the fear he once inspired.
Weeks later, Ian wasnt seen much; teenagers from the Hollis family took over his duties. One warm May day, Mabel spotted a familiar silhouette near the lane.
He hopped off a cart, grinned, The wars over, Mabel. No more trouble.
She leaned her head on his chest, both surprised, and embraced. He whispered, My arms arent enough to hold you, she replied, But together we have three arms, enough for us.
He brushed her hair back, kissed her tearstreaked cheek, and held her tightly, saying, I wont let go. I survived for a reason.
Months later, Molly sorted through the old chest by the door, filling it with handstitched blankets, towels, and sheets. She packed the quilts made for Mabel, treating them as treasure.
Ian Fletcher, why have you taken your medals off? Martin asked, seeing the former chairman.
Theyre just metal, Ian replied, My only reward now is Mabel, the one I must protect.
The sun shone warm over the fields, slipping through the thatch, reminding everyone that life goes on, and love endures.
