Indifference comes in many shades, a fragment of a womans voice floated to Verity as she stared out the window, sometimes you have to shut your eyes and pretend you dont see, as if the world cant touch you.
And sometimes its downright criminal, another female voice chimed.
Verity turned her gaze toward the passing houses, the blur of cars and strangers on the high street. The little town of Ashford had finally shaken off the nights lethargy and was humming awake.
She felt a sour sting at having to ride the bus today. Yet James had called the night before, saying his shift would run all night, so why should she be offended? Work was work. Colleagues had offered to give her a liftespecially one young man who had stared at her a little too keenlybut shed declined. It would be improper for a married woman to ride with a stranger.
She dialed James again, listened to the endless buzzing of the line, sighed, hung up, and slipped her phone back into her handbag. She stared at the window once more. Busy, I suppose. Always busy at the worst possible moments
A queasy rumble reminded her that the early weeks of her pregnancy were still making themselves known. The bus lurched over a pothole and her stomach clenched.
At the supermarket, the managers relentless schedule left little room for rest. Nausea fluttered in Veritys belly and a dizzy spell rose, but there was no time to linger. An inspection from the head office was due any minute.
Swept by urgency, Verity snapped at the cashdesk clerk, a brightcurled girl named Daisy:
Daisy, go help Anne with the fridge, or well all be swallowed whole! Im off to finish the reports!
Daisy slipped away, and as she did, she leaned toward her coworker, who was arranging milk bottles with meticulous care, and whispered:
Did you hear that James is cheating on Verity?
Annes eyes widened. Is that true?
Absolutely, Daisy replied, eyes bright. I saw him this morning leaving the house of my old school friend, Liz. She kissed him goodbyequite the scene.
So we should tell Verity, Anne said, puzzled. Why are you telling me?
Daisy laughed, tapping her temple. Youre naïve, Anne. Men will wander; who doesnt? Ill bet theyll end up divorcing.
Anne thought a moment. Whether they split or not is up to them, but Verity deserves the truth. Perhaps its better this way; a marriage built on betrayal cant stand.
Daisy giggled again, eyeing Anne with a hint of disdain. Its not our business, dear. Nice people like you end up blamed anyway.
Anne sighed and said nothing more, though a knot of unease settled in her stomach. She and Verity were close, almost like sisters. From childhood shed been taught that a bitter truth outweighs a sweet lie, that honest pain is preferable to comforting illusion.
The stores administrator, Dennis, noticed Veritys pale face in the back office. He sipped his coffee thoughtfully while finishing a report on his laptop.
Dont worry, Verity, everything will be fine, he said with a smile.
Verity waved a hand, sighing. Im not worried. James isnt answering his phone, so I keep worrying.
Dennis fell silent. Hed liked Verity from the moment hed started as a floor assistant, rising quickly to manager thanks to his sharp mind and hard work.
Maybe hes just busy, he offered. Im not one to meddle in other peoples affairs, even if I see James being cold.
Verity smiled, slipped her phone into her pocket, and hurried out as the inspection team arrived.
The next week, Anne found herself unable to sit still whenever she saw Verity. The rumors about Jamess late nights, Veritys reliance on the unreliable bus service, and the possibility of a hidden lover nagged at her. She decided to test the theory.
She told her boss shed be late and showed up at the house of the supposed other woman. Her mother had once warned that a heart can break for those you love, and that night the warning proved true. She watched James embrace a radiant blonde, kiss her on the lips, and promise to return later. The sight stabbed Veritys chest. How could a kind, helpful woman be married to such a scoundrel?
That evening, Anne resolved to act. She didnt plan to speak the words; she would let the truth find its way. When Verity left for work, Anne slipped into the staff room where Dennis was about to head home.
Dennis, we need to talk, she said, narrowing her eyes.
He looked puzzled.
Its about Verity, she began. I saw James with that woman.
Dennis stared at the floor, then asked, Is it proper to interfere in their marriage?
Its not about propriety, Anne replied, a sly smile forming. She deserves to know.
What if something happens to the baby? Dennis protested.
Then its fate, Anne snapped. Truth is better than lies. Take me to my village; theres a wise old woman who can help. Shell let the truth surface on its own.
Dennis hesitated.
You like Verity, dont you? Anne pressed. Will you give her a chance to discover the truth?
He sighed, then agreed.
In the village, Grandma Zoe welcomed the two young people warmly. She was no witch, just a greyhaired matriarch in a drab cardigan and a long skirt, her arthritic legs hidden in warm tights. Her eyes, though, were sharp enough to pierce a soul.
Anne handed Zoe a photograph of Verity. Zoe smiled at Dennis, lit a candle, and passed its flame over the phone screen.
I see that James is not meant for her, she murmured. They will part, though it may take time. Hes deceitful; she is kindhearted.
Can we speed it up? Anne whispered.
The truth cannot be rushed, Zoe replied. I will help her see it. After that, she will decide her own path.
Zoe rose, shuffled onto the cold terrace, and returned with a canvas sack and a large pot. She scooped a handful of dried herbs, muttering:
Fields of wind, open the truth for Verity. May it be gentle, may it be harmless.
She added a few more herbs, noting in a low voice that they were safe even for a pregnant woman. Dennis asked if they would harm the baby. Zoe winked: Only gentle herbschamomile, yarrow, and a few secret ones. No danger. She then asked Dennis if he would marry the child if Verity ever drove him away from this rogue. He gulped and nodded, I would.
The hardest part, Anne thought, was getting the herbs to Verity. The day was winding down, and Verity craved instant noodles.
Ill make it for you, sit tight! Anne shouted, dashing to the staff pantry, grabbing a packet of noodles, and pulling the sack of herbs from her pocket.
Dennis sat at his desk, silent, hoping Verity would leave James, yet uncertain whether meddling was right.
Anne breathed a sigh of relief as Verity finished the last slurp of her soup. Both she and Dennis felt the weight of their decision, but duty and conscience won out.
The next morning, Verity took her usual seat by the window on the bus, gazing at the passing countryside. The drivers voice crackled over the intercom:
Ladies and gentlemen, please bear with usroadworks ahead, well need to take a detour.
Then, as if in a nightmarish reel, the scene unfolded: James emerging from a strangers doorway, arms around the blonde, their liplocked goodbye not at all friendly. Verity lunged toward the window, disbelief clouding her mind, her stomach lurching, a fog swallowing everything.
She awoke in a hospital ward, the first face she saw was Annes, eyes wide with worry.
Verity Im sorry, this is my fault
What are you talking about? Verity murmured. I saw James with Liz Is it true?
James shuffled in, guilt painted on his face, but he could say nothing.
How long have you been seeing Liz? Verity demanded.
Verity, the doctor said the babys fine. There was a scare of miscarriage, but we got through it, Anne soothed.
Dennis entered, bearing a bag of fruit. The doctor, appearing shortly after, scolded them for the crowd.
Let him in, please, Verity pleaded, settling onto the bed.
Dennis forced a weak smile. I was worried about you and the baby.
Thanks, Verity replied, but youre always there for me, unlike some.
Dennis chuckled, Forget it.
Annes head popped back into the room.
Verity, I have to admitI set this up so youd learn about Jamess betrayal. I couldnt stand watching you get lied to. Please dont be angry.
Verity laughed, then thought a moment.
Id be angry if you knew and stayed silent. I dont like lies. By the way, I dreamt of an old woman saying the cheat isnt my destiny. Destiny is the one who brings a gift when you wake.
She glanced at Dennis, who stared at her without blinking.
Anne sat on a stool, took Veritys hand, and gently stroked it. She felt certain shed done the right thing. Scoundrels must be cut out before its too late, while theres still a chance to start anew. The important thing is to have loyal friends and loving people nearby; the little things will sort themselves out.
