You must be having me on, Alice said, eyebrows rising as she stared at Mr. Arthur Whitmore.
He shook his head solemnly.
No jest, Alice. But Ill give you time; this isnt an everyday sort of offer. I imagine youre reeling. Take it all ingive it a proper thinkIll be back in a week.
Alice watched him disappear down the path, her mind utterly addled by what he’d proposed.
Shed known Mr. Whitmore for three years. He owned a string of petrol stations across the Midlands, along with other businesses. Alice had been working part-time as a cleaner at one of his stations. He always greeted the staff by name and treated them with genuine kindness. People said Arthur Whitmore was a good man.
The pay at the station was fair, and there were always plenty who wanted her job. About two months ago, after finishing her shift, Alice was perched on the back step with ten minutes free.
The side door swung open and Mr. Whitmore himself stepped out.
Mind if I join you?
Alice scrambled up.
Of course, sirplease, sit!
No need to stand on ceremony. Its a grand day, isnt it?
She smiled, relaxing a little.
Yes, spring always brings hope, doesnt it?
Thats because our bones are aching for the end of winter.
He grinned, and she chuckled.
I suppose youre right.
Ive been meaning to ask, Alice: Why stick with cleaning? Didnt Laura offer to make you a cashier? Better pay, easier work.
I wish I could, but the hours dont match up. My daughter, Daisy, is still tiny and gets poorly a lot. When shes alright, my neighbour can mind her. But when things flare, I need to be with her. Laura and I swap shifts as neededshes been a godsend.
I see What does the doctor say about Daisy?
Alice sighed.
They dont really know. She suffers breathing fits, panic, all sorts. The tests cost a fortunewe havent been able to get in at the hospital. They say to wait, that she might outgrow it. But I cant just stand by and wait
Hang in there, Alice. Things will turn out right, youll see.
Shed thanked him. That evening, she was handed an envelopeher payslip with a generous bonus tucked in. No explanation.
She hadnt seen Arthur since. And just yesterday, hed turned up at her cottage. When she realised why, her heart leapt. His proposal left her all the more stunned.
Arthur had a sonHenrynearing thirty. After an accident years back, hed been left in a wheelchair. Nothing the surgeons tried worked. From then on, he’d withdrawn from life completelybarely speaking, even to his father.
Desperate, Arthur had a plan: he needed someone to marry Henry. In hopes the responsibility, the company, the changesome sparkmight draw his son back to life. It was a long shot. But to Arthur, Alice seemed perfect.
Alice, you and Daisy will want for nothing. Shell get any test she needs, the best doctors in London. All I ask: stay married one year. If Henry recoversbrilliant. If not, youll leave, and Ill see you right, financially. But for that year, youre under my protection.
Alice grew indignant, words failing her. Maybe reading her mind, Arthur said quietly,
Aliceplease. Think of this as a favour between two parents. You gain respectability as Henrys wife, the security of our house, and your daughters well-being. I doubt Henry will come anywhere near youhe hardly speaks to me. Please, not a word to anyone about this conversation.
She found her voice.
And Henrydoes he even agree to this?
Arthur managed a tired smile.
He says he doesnt care. Ill tell him my own health and business are failing, and he needs to settle downhe trusts me, always has. Its a kind liefor something good.
When he left, Alice sat, numb with outrage and confusion. But his earnest tone softened the blow.
And if she thought on it what wouldnt she do for little Daisy?
Anything.
Arthur was a father, toojust as desperate for his childs happiness.
Alices musings were interrupted by a frantic phone call:
Alice, quick! Daisys having a bad turn!
Im on my wayring the ambulance!
She arrived just as the ambulance pulled to the kerb.
Where have you been, Mum? asked the stern doctor.
I was at work…
The fit was worse than ever.
Shall we take her to hospital? Alice asked softly.
The doctor shook his head wearily.
No use. Theyll only make her unsettled. You should go to London, to a proper clinic. Thats your best chance.
Forty minutes after they’d gone, Alice made her decision. She lifted the telephone and rang Arthur.
Ill do it. Daisy needs help.
The next day, they set offArthur arriving in a stately Bentley, a young, well-dressed man in tow.
Alice, just bring what you need. Anything else, well provide.
Daisy looked at the car, eyes as wide as saucers.
Do you like it?
Very much!
Front seat, then. Youll see everything.
May I, Mum? Daisy pleaded.
If the police see, were doomed, Alice answered, trying for sternness.
Arthur laughed, holding the door open.
Inside you get! And if someone tries, well write them a ticket instead!
As they neared Arthurs housea true country manorAlices nerves twitched.
Lord help me. What have I done? What if Henrys cruel, or strange? Her thoughts tumbled.
Arthur must have noticed her tension.
Alice, calm yourself. You have a week before the wedding. You can change your mind any time. Henrys a gentle soulsmart, but broken. Youll see.
Stepping out, Alice gathered Daisy and gaped at the sight before her. It wasnt just a houseit was a manor of storybooks. Daisy practically shrieked in delight.
Mummy, are we to live in a real fairy-tale?
Arthur laughed and scooped her up.
Like it, do you?
Very much!
Until the wedding, Alice and Henry only met at supper. He ate little and spoke less, present in body but miles away in mind. He was a handsome man, but pale, as though sunlight was a distant memory. Alice could sense his paina mirror of her own. She was grateful he didnt mention the marriage once.
On the day, the household was all bustle. The bridal gown arrived the evening before. Seeing it, Alice nearly fainted.
How much did this cost?
Arthur just smiled.
Alice, dont fret. Better you never know.
Then he produced a tiny dress.
Daisy, your turn to try the dress.
Daisy shrieked with glee, twirling like a little princess.
Once, Alice chanced to look up and spotted Henry watching Daisy from the doorwayhis face half-shadowed by a soft, almost-forgotten smile.
Daisy slept in the room next to theirsAlice and Henrys. Only weeks before, Alice couldnt have imagined this life.
Arthur proposed they spend their honeymoon at the seaside, but Henry refused with quiet politeness.
Thank you, Dad, but wed rather stay home.
Their bed was enormous, but Henry kept a distance, making no advances. Alice, braced to spend the first night on tenterhooks, found herself sleeping soundly instead.
A week passed. As evening fell each day, they began to talk. Henrys wit shone; he knew books, science, and history. There was no hint of romancejust polite, thoughtful conversation. Alice found herself softening.
One night, she woke abruptly, her chest tight.
Somethings wrong
She dashed to Daisys room. As feared, her daughter was locked in another fit.
Henry, help! Phone the ambulance!
He was there in a heartbeat, dialling straight away. Within minutes, Arthur rushed in.
Ill ring Dr Evans myself!
When the ambulance arrived, it was a private teamimmaculately dressed and efficient. Their family doctor appeared soon after. While Daisy recovered, Henry kept holding her little hand.
Alice, he asked quietly, was Daisy like this from the start?
Yes. Weve been all overhospitals, GPs, tests, nothing changed. Her father told me to stop holding him back.
Did you love him?
I thought I did, once. It feels like another life.
So you agreed to my fathers terms
Alices eyes widened at his perceptiveness. He smiled slightly.
Father thinks Im ignorant. Ive always read him like a book. I dreaded who hed choose. When I met you, I was shocked. Youre not the sort to do this for cash. But now things make sense.
He met her gaze.
Dont weep for me, Alice. Well help Daisy. Shes a fightershes not broken, unlike me.
Why do you say youre broken? Youre clever, honourable, kind
He smirked faintly. Honestly, would you have married me otherwise?
She paused, then nodded.
I think loving you would be easier than loving the heroes who roam free. But its not even about that. I cant explain.
Henry smiled, You dont need to. I believe you.
Days later, Alice found Henry fiddling with a peculiar contraption.
Its for exercise, he explained. I should have used it for hours each day after the accident. I gave up. Now Im ashamedbefore you, before Daisy.
A sudden knock, and Arthur popped his head around the door.
May I?
Of course, Dad.
Arthur froze at the sight of the exercise machine, then turned to Alice.
Tell me were your labour pains hard?
Yeswhy?
The doctor said Daisy was probably pulled out too sharply and her skull was damaged. It healed outside, but inside it presses a nerve.
Alice collapsed in a chair. It cant be what now?
Arthur comforted her. Its not hopeless, Alice. She needs surgery. The pressure can be relieved and Daisy will recover.
But her headits dangerous
Henry reached over, taking her hand.
Listen to him. Daisy will no longer suffer if were brave enough.
How much will it cost?
Arthur looked at her, shocked.
Thats not your concern now, love. Youre family.
Alice stayed with Daisy in London during her hospital stay. Surgery was a success. Two weeks on, they were set to return.
Home.
But now, Alice wondered where home truly was.
Henry rang every day. Theyd talk about Daisy, about life, and about everything and nothing, as if theyd always been together.
The year passed swiftlyher contract nearly up. Alice avoided thinking what that meant.
They returned one cool evening. Arthur collected them himselfhis face grave.
Is something the matter?
I hardly know how to say it Henry has been drinking two days straight.
Impossible! He never drinks!
Thats what I thought. He was doing well, training, improving, then lost hope. Says nothings working.
Alice found Henry sitting alone in the dark, surrounded by bottles. She started gathering them up.
What are you doing?
Youre not drinking any more.
Why not?
Because Im your wife. And Ive had enough of it.
He looked startled.
Its just for now. Daisys betteryouve no reason to stay with a cripple.
Alice straightened.
You mean, with a fool? Henry, I thought you were strongI believed youd pull through. Was I wrong?
He hung his head.
Sorry. Maybe I didnt try hard enough.
Well, Im home. Lets try again, shall we?
The end of the year came. Arthur was all nerves; Henry was finally standing with a walker and doctors promised hed soon walk on his own.
It was time for Alice to go.
Should we offer her more money? Arthur whispered to his wife, anxious.
That evening, Alice entered with Daisy, and Henry in his chair.
Dad, we have something to tell you, Henry began.
Arthur stiffened, looking from one to the other.
Youre leaving?
Alice met Henrys eyes, then shook her head.
Not quite.
Dont put me through this!
Youre to be a grandfather. Daisys to have a little brother or sister.
For a moment, Arthur said nothing. Then he rushed forward, gathered them into his arms, and wepttears of joy, tears of relief, grateful that his family, at last, was truly whole.
