I watched Jane storm onto the aircraft stairs and shout, Edward! Ill love you forever! Ill be back, just you wait! She then walked back to her seat, sank down and wept bitterly. I sat beside her, staring out of the small window in silence. Only God knows what ran through my mind at that moment, but I would never blame hernot a single word. On my lap rested our twoyearold daughter, Poppy, who could not understand why her mother was crying so loudly while I did nothing to soothe her.
The plane set a course for Brighton.
In the cabin were countless relatives of ours, all heading to what they called their promised land, forever
Back in Manchester, I knew that Jane had once loved a young man named Edward. They had studied together at university, and Jane was convinced Edward would become her husbandthere was no other possibility. Their affection grew stronger and hotter with each passing day.
Then everything changed in an instant. Janes mother announced that we were moving to Brighton. We have found a suitable suitor for you within our circle, she declared. Jane laughed at the sudden news, but soon the matchmakers arrived with the prospective groom. When Jane saw me, she slipped away unnoticed from the gathering. The offered husband was completely unsatisfactory, yet the relatives decided the wedding would go ahead without Janes consent, insisting it would be a perfect match.
Seeing her daughters distress, her mother tried to persuade her: Jane dear, we must go! Afterwards you can build your life with whomever you choose. Look at mecalm, sensible. Im a good match. Youve already won my favour. Patience and love will follow.
Jane told Edward everything.
Edward shrugged and said, Jane, you cant defy your family. Im in the same boat. It seems Im not wanted here. Accept it. Jane thought Edward a coward. So he gave up on me without even trying! In desperation she married me.
Later there were tears, departures, and broken dishes, but I cherished my wife. I forgave everything magnanimously, understanding that Janes love for Edward could not be erased. A wife, after all, must be won.
When Poppy was born, Jane threw herself into motherhood. It was a temporary refuge, though she still loved Edward.
At last the relatives completed all the paperwork for our move abroad, and every possession was packed. Edward, incognito, showed up at the airport to see Jane off. As Jane was already seated on the plane, she spotted Edward in the distance, waving a bouquet of flowers. Without a second thought she leapt onto the stairs. Edward tossed her a huge bunch of daisies, but the wind scattered them across the grass.
The aircraft accelerated, and the daisies were blown along the runway.
Brighton became our new home, a new life, with many hardships on the road to happiness. It would take years before Jane and I could finally breathe easy. We had to learn English, adopt the local customs, get used to the damp climate, and find work.
Some elders would eventually pass on. Jane gave birth to two more daughters, Emily and Lucy. I was always there, a guardian angel, watching over the family without fail and handling every household chore.
Together we traveled across Europe. On our silver wedding anniversary, surrounded by children and grandchildren, Jane declared her sincere love for me, and I said I still could not believe the boundless happiness we shared.
Janes mother was rightendurance turned into love
When Janes best friend from Manchester visited and asked, What about Edward? Have you forgotten him? He never married, never settled down, Jane would answer, Edward? Remind me who that is?
