Youre Still the Best
The wedding had come and gone in the little English village, and Alice and Graham were now married. Village weddings were always lively affairs, with festivities spilling out into the streets, and neighbours continuing to celebrate for days afterwards, sometimes gathering on doorsteps or benches, just for the excuse of a good knees-up.
Alice and Graham moved into Grahams grandmothers cottage, setting up a home of their own, separate from their parents. Graham worked as a van driver, transporting goods from the nearby town to the villages two shops.
He and Alice hadnt courted for long; Graham knew that beneath her quiet smiles, Alice would make a caring wife. Theyd only been together for two months when, one evening as they walked by the village green, Graham had said, Alice, shall we get married?
Oh, isnt it a bit soon? she asked, taken aback.
Whats the point in waiting? Weve known each other since schoolthough I finished two years before you. So, what do you say?
I say yes, Alice replied, grinning.
Alices mother raised her eyebrows when she heard Graham had proposed.
Oh, love, isnt he rushing it a bit, old Graham? Are you sure he knows his own feelings? How do you really feel about him, petal?
I like him, mum. Hes a good bloke.
Well, darling, I just want you to remember: a husband should be a solid wall, someone you can lean on.
Meanwhile, the village couldnt help but notice that Michael, once a steady lad, had taken to drinking too often. Hed always been a bit shy, but lately hed been seen with a rowdy group of blokes who seemed to do little more than sit about and drink all day.
Maisie, whats happening with your Michael? gossiped the neighbours, shaking their heads. Hes a fine combine operator, but theyll sack him, mark my words, if he keeps this up.
For months, Michael hardly had a sober day. His mum fretted and scolded, pleaded and begged, but he wouldnt listen. Come harvest-time, Michael was too drunk for work, and in the end, he lost his job. It was a shamehed known the farm machinery like the back of his hand.
Whats come over that Michael? Mrs. Edith asked Maisie one morning. Saw him staggering home again the other night, such a shame for a young man with promise.
Maisie herself had no clue what had triggered this change. She came home one day to find Michael lying on the sofa, mumbling. She leaned over, trying to make out his words.
Alice Alice why did you marry him why, why I love you
Maisie recoiled in surprise. Goodness me, its about Alice the postmistress? Michaels in love with her? Whod have guessed? He never dated the village girls, the poor soulhes too timid for his own good.
That day, as Alice strolled past delivering letters, Maisie waited to intercept her on the path.
So you went and married Graham, Alice, and what about my Michael, then? Hes heartbroken, maybe thats why hes taken to drink. Whyd you do that to my boy?
Alice was so startled she could barely reply, but finally stammered, Maisie, whatever do you mean? I dont know what youre talking about
Oh, so you dont remember walking out with Michael then?
No, honestly, never. Wed run into each other now and thenjust a hello and a word or two, thats all. He never even looked my way, Maisie, Id swear to it.
He did, though. He loves you, I heard it with my own ears today. Hes always been shy, maybe thats why he never told you. Now look at him
Oh, Maisie, I truly didnt know, I promise. I never guessed.
Hes just a shy lad, thats all, Maisie sighed.
Well, Ill have a word with him, Maisie, I promise. Maybe itll help him turn a corner.
Two days later, Alice, out on her deliveries, came upon Michael sitting on a log with that rough crowd. She stopped in her tracks. Michael, what are you doing here? I want a word. The others melted away, leaving Michael staring at the ground. Alice sat beside him.
So, how longs this been going on then? she asked.
What do you mean? he muttered.
You know that youre in love with me
How did you find out?
I worked it out. Tell me about it.
Its been years. Since school, really
Alice was genuinely shocked; shed never realised. After a pause, she spoke gently. Michael, if you really care for someone, you wish them welland keep your chin up, you dont go drowning yourself in drink. All this does is hurt you, and your mum. Shes beside herself with worry. The village is talking, you know. You were always such a steady lad, and now look at you. Please, think of your mum.
I know, Alice. Its just hard
Well, youre a grown man, Michael. Pull yourself together. And really, take a look at menot much to write home about, is there? Crooked legs, hopeless with housework, always so grumpycant imagine what youd see in me! Youll find love again, you will, and happiness too. Give your poor mother a break.
With that, Alice got up and walked away; Michael watched her go, eyes full of longing.
Youre still the best, no matter what you say about yourself, he murmured quietly to the empty lane.
As Alice passed by the village shop, she noticed her husbands van outside.
Thats odd, Graham was meant to be in town still, she thought, so she popped inside.
No one was behind the counter at first, but then Tanya, the shop assistant, rushed out from the back, cheeks red and hair awry.
Oh, Alice, looking for something?
No, just saw Grahams van. I thought he was supposed to be in town.
Ah, well, his van broke down. Hes gone to fetch some parts from the garage.
I see. All right then, Ill be off, said Alice, and left.
The weeks rolled by. Alice kept delivering papers and pensions. She no longer saw Michael loitering with his old mates. Slightly concerned, she handed a paper to Maisie and asked, Maisie, I havent seen Michael around at all lately.
Hes at home. Gave up the drink, thank heaven. Gets up, does bits in the yard, chops wood, and comes inside again. Turned those layabout friends away too.
Oh, thats wonderful. Im pleased for the both of you.
Thank you, Alice. He says it was you who talked sense into him.
Alice laughed and went on her rounds, posting papers through letterboxes. Passing by the shop again, she noticed Grahams van once more. Curious, she slipped inside. Thats when she caught Graham locked in an embrace, kissing Tanya. They were so engrossed, they didnt see her come in.
Oh! Alice blurted out, startled. Sorrywalked in at the wrong time They jumped apart.
Alice, well discuss this at home, Graham said, unable to meet her eyes. Tanya, on the other hand, stared at Alice with brazen confidence.
No, youre not early at alljust caught us, finally. Its exhausting, sneaking about. Graham and I have been in love for ageshe married you out of spite because I let him down once, Tanya sneered. Graham nodded. Even married, he still loves me.
Alice, please started Graham.
No need to explain. I see perfectly well, Alice said, dashing out the door, hurt.
Back home, her mother comforted her.
Darling, I told you not to trust that Graham too easily. But mistakes can be fixed. Things will work out, youll see.
News of the divorce travelled through the village in a flash. Nothing stayed secret longeveryone seemed to know of Graham and Tanyas affair, except for Alice, whod learned last.
Maisie broke the news to Michael over tea. Did you hear, Michael? Alice is divorcing Graham. He was cheating on her with Tanya. No time to sulkyou should get yourself down to the farm, get your job back. Old Mr. Miles said hed welcome you if youre off the sauce. Hes kept an eye on you.
I always knew about Graham and Tanya, Michael replied. I couldnt tell Aliceshe wouldnt have believed me.
Not too much later, word whizzed around that Michael and Alice the postmistress were getting married.
At last! old Mrs. Edith announced by the shop. Maisie looks ten years younger from happiness. Im so glad for them.
Michaels a good mangave up drinking for her. You see what true love can do, agreed their neighbour, Mrs. Valentine.
As for Graham and Tanyawell, no good will come of it. Shell be off with someone else soon enough, and Graham will live to regret it, was Mrs. Ediths stern conclusion.
Michael came home one crisp autumn evening, and Alice had supper waiting: warm soup, a plate of her homemade sausage rolls, and a freshly baked apple pie cooling on the windowsill. She joined him at the table, eyes twinkling.
This is delicious, Alice, Michael said, tucking in. And to think you used to say you were hopeless at cooking.
I am hopeless, and Im ever so bossy, she laughed.
But Michael looked around their tidy, cheerful kitchen and smiled. No, loveyoure the best there is.
Oh, and by the way, Im pregnant, Alice suddenly blurted out, and Michaels eyes went wide as saucers.
Are you serious? Oh, Alice, thats the best news ever! He leapt to his feet, hugged her, and covered her in kisses.
Alice gave birth to a daughter, and three years later, a son. The family was content, especially Maisie, who adored her daughter-in-law and doted on the grandchildren. Life settled into its steady rhythm.
And so, in that small English village, everyone learned that while people can make mistakes and hearts can be broken, its never too late for fresh beginnings or for happiness to return. Lifes true wealth is found in kindness, honesty, and the courage to move onand in the end, love always finds its way.
