It seems my efforts have been wasted, grumbled Thomass mother, her voice carrying a cold annoyance across the room.
Thats what you getserves you right, for meddling in another womans marriage! Mrs. Hill pressed on, her tone sharper than ever. You deserve all the trouble youre in, you really do!
I didnt ruin anything, Eleanor replied at last, her voice coming back to her in a faint whisper. Thomas was already about to end things.
Oh, of course he was! Whether he wanted to or not, he was married to Lucy for nearly fifteen years! And it was you who made him leave her, and look what happenedshe lost herself and drank herself to an early grave.
By the time she reached her thirtieth birthday, Eleanors past was littered with a failed marriage and a pair of equally unsuccessful relationships. All shed ever longed for was a proper familya child she could love.
So when she began seeing Thomas, her spirits soared anew.
Five years older, tall and broad-shouldered, Thomas worked as a lorry driver for a delivery company. He seemed the epitome of reliability, a man who would stand firm through any storm.
Within just a fortnight of knowing each other, Thomas openly talked about their life ahead, sharing his dreams of having a son.
Eleanor silently prayed that their plans would all come true.
But nothing had prepared her for the shock, four months on, that the man she loved was already married.
Dont look so frightened, Thomas said earnestly, seeing her stunned expression. Ive been meaning to end it for ages, only I had nowhere in particular to go, and no one. I couldnt exactly go back to my mother at my age, could I?
All men say the same, Eleanor replied, voice trembling and almost on the verge of tears, her disappointment raw.
Im not like all men, Thomas retortedsomething about his determination felt final.
And he proved true to his word. In two months, he showed her the decree absolute confirming his divorce, and two months after that, they wed.
Though Thomas had a daughter from his first marriage (who stayed with her mother), he was full of warmth and support for Eleanors wish for a child of their own.
But there, the trouble started.
For over two years the pair tried and failed, before Eleanor finally went to see the doctor.
Shed never known herself to be in poor health, and the news from the doctor came as a shock.
Youre not the first and you certainly wont be the last, her GP reassured, voice gentle. A course of treatment, and youll be expecting in good time.
The treatment was agony.
The hormones brought wild swings of mood, gave her ravenous hunger, then left her stomach aching. Thomas noticed shed changedshe was jumpy, nervous, irritable. Sometimes she shouted for no reason.
Eleanor was resolute, thoughshe wouldnt involve Thomas. What if he left her? She couldnt bear the thought. No one must know.
Then suddenly one evening, Thomas walked in with a quiet teenage girl.
This is Alice, my daughter, he nodded to the pale girl beside him. And this is my wife, Eleanor.
Alices mother passed away, so shell be living with us now, Thomas said matter-of-factly, dropping his overnight bag.
What do you mean? Eleanor stammered, holding her tongue in front of the child. Ercome in, please.
Strangely enough, Eleanor had never met Alice. Thomas always visited his daughter away from their home, and not all that often. He paid the maintenance, that much Eleanor knew, but little else.
Eleanor thought, at thirteen, it must be dreadful to lose your mother. But, she told Thomas later that night, she wasnt prepared to raise someone elses child.
Should I drop her in care, then? Thomas retorted, sharp with anger.
No ones saying thatshe could stay with your mother for a while. Youve always said Mrs. Hill dotes on her.
My mum is getting on and her healths not what it was. She cant cope with a child.
As far as Eleanor was concerned, there was hardly any relationship with her mother-in-law to speak of. Theyd met perhaps a dozen times, both polite and reserved, and Mrs. Hillat fifty-eightseemed no more frail than anyone else her age.
And you think Im perfectly well? Eleanor bit back, then caught herself. She mustnt let Thomas suspect.
Id say youre finejust wound a bit tight. You sure you dont need to see a doctor yourself?
Thomas, I hardly know Alice, and she doesnt know me.
Shes a good kidyoull get along. But enough of thisI need to be up early.
Eleanor pressed her lips firmly and fell silent. She couldnt stomach a row with Thomas.
The next afternoon, she phoned Mrs. Hill to talk things through, but was abruptly cut off.
You married a man with a daughter, so whats your problem? the older woman snapped before hanging up.
That evening, Thomas erupted in furyeven with Alice in the next room.
Im done with all of this. Were getting a divorce. Alice will stay with you for now. Ill find a flat and take her with me when Im settled, he barked, grabbing a few things before slamming the door, leaving Eleanor dumbstruck, paralyzed by fear that he truly meant to leave her.
No, surely hed come back; he always did. And until then, she and Alice would have to manage together.
She soon discovered that Alice was, in fact, sweet-natured and consideratea quiet, gentle soul.
The girl helped out in every way, kept her room immaculate, never complained, always managing a grateful smile.
Within a week, to Eleanors surprise, she found that she liked Alice, and they were getting along far better than shed imagined.
Alice had a particular talent for cooking and eagerly learned new recipes at Eleanors side.
Evenings now found them watching old films together, chatting about the day to come.
Thomas stayed away, but Mrs. Hill rang Alice weekly. Eleanor gathered that her mother-in-law was checking whether she treated Alice kindlybut the girl only ever spoke warmly of life with Eleanor.
Still, one nagging issue pulled at Eleanors mindAlices schooling. She used to attend school near her mothers old flat, now a long commute away.
Eleanor tried reaching Thomas, but he wouldnt pick up. Instead, that same night, he walked in and started another quarrel.
Soyou cant have a baby for me, but youre still good at keeping secrets, arent you? I never expected this from you
Thomas, what are you talking about?
Dont play stupid! My mothers told me everythingthe infertility, the treatments, your tantrumsthe lot! I want nothing more to do with you.
Thomaslisten, pleaseI can explain, Eleanor pleaded, barely keeping herself from tears. But Thomas turned away, ignoring her.
Thankfully, Alice had popped to the shops and missed the shouting.
Wheres Alices suitcase? Were leaving. Ill be filing for divorcefor real this time. I was a fool to think you cared, to believe youd accept my daughter.
But I do care, Thomas!
Dont, Eleanor. Theres no point now, he muttered, shoving Alices things into bags.
Eleanor crumpled, weeping.
At that moment, Alice returned.
Was it you? Did you tell Gran about me? Eleanor cried to the girl through her tears. I honestly thought we were getting on
I havent said a word about anything, Alice replied, startled. What are you even talking about?
Go and wait in the car, love. Mrs. Hill appeared suddenly in the doorway. I told you never to come back here, didnt I? Has Eleanor been teaching you to disobey your elders?
Gran, what are you saying?
Leave it, Thomas interrupted, just wait for us outside, Alice.
The girl shuffled out obediently.
Why are you taking it out on her? Eleanors mother-in-law shot, her voice dripping with disdain. Shes innocent in all this! I popped by one day to drop off a cardigan, and I saw all those pills. Im not daftI know what theyre for.
Clearly, Mrs. Hill had been through Eleanors things. No matterit hardly seemed relevant anymore.
Its Gods punishment for you, interfering with another womans marriage! Mrs. Hill snapped. Now you must bear it!
I swear I ruined nothing, Eleanor managed. Thomas planned to leave her anyway.
As if! He loved Lucy for nearly fifteen years, and would have stayed if not for you. She drank herself to death, and my granddaughters an orphan because of you! Her spoiled life is on your conscience!
Thomas could only glance helplessly from one woman to the other.
But Alice, unexpectedly, flung open the door.
Gran, why are you lying? she blurted. Shed clearly heard every word. Mum was drinking for ages, thats why she and Dad kept fighting! Thats why he wanted to leave her!
Darling, dont talk such nonsense, Mrs. Hill cried. Youre not thinking straight, not after losing your mum
Noyou dont get it at all! Dad was right to leave. She was impossible when she drankalways arguing with him, and with me. But I couldnt leave hershe was Mum Eleanors good to me! She spends time with me, is always fair, teaches me things Alices voice broke and she sobbed.
All three adults rushed to comfort her.
So what if Eleanors ill? sniffed Alice. Shell get betterI know she will! Dad, why did you leave? She loves you. And so do I
Well, seems I went to all that trouble for nothing, Mrs. Hill muttered bitterly. I refused to take Alice just so youd give up and divorce Thomas on your own. And I poked about until I found those prescriptions. And all Ive done is make life hard for my own granddaughter.
Youve done enough, Mrs. Hill, Eleanor snapped, putting her arm around Alice and leading her to the bathroom to wash her tear-streaked face.
Thomas was left looking lost and out of place.
In the end, the couple reconciled. Alice chose to stay with them, refusing to move in with her grandmotherwhich, in truth, was something Eleanor secretly counted a small blessing.
The three of them keep only sporadic contact with Mrs. Hill, though she still quietly clings to the hope that, one day, she might be let back into their lives.
