I was driving back from my weekend at the cottage late on a Thursday evening. Id set off just as the sky was darkening, letting the car crawl along the longest outer loop of the towns ring road rather than the usual shortcut. If I didnt have to be at work tomorrow, I probably would have stayed out there for the night.
Why was I in no hurry? Simply because I didnt feel like going home at all I didnt want to see my husband, Tom. A quiet voice inside Victoria had been telling her for weeks that the roof they shared wouldnt shelter them for much longer. Their marriage had grown cold and tense, the occasional argument swelling into fullblown fights.
Even now, as she stared ahead, Victoria kept the car steady, pondering the strangeness of their fractured relationship. The outer road passed through a tiny village. She eased off the accelerator as she always did, and just past the bus stop, the headlights caught a peculiar sight: an elderly woman standing in the glow, clutching something wrapped in a rag and pressing it close to her chest as if it were a newborn.
The old lady looked at the approaching cars with such hopeful anticipation that Victoria pressed the brakes without a second thought. She pulled up, hopped out, and hurried toward the woman. Near the womans feet lay a little wheeled basket.
Why are you standing here? Victoria asked, her tone edged with concern. Do you need help? Whats that youre holding a baby?
The baby? the woman blushed, clearly embarrassed. No, its not a baby its a loaf of bread.
A loaf? Victorias eyebrows rose. What do you mean a loaf?
Just a homebaked loaf fresh from the oven I sell it.
How can you sell something you bake yourself? Victoria pressed.
I bake it myself and sell it when my pension doesnt stretch far enough. Some folks stop by and buy it. They say my bread brings happiness to those who eat it.
Happiness? What do you mean by that?
Im not sure. One regular customer always tells me that. He keeps buying my bread and repeats the claim. Maybe today itll work for you too. Would you like a loaf? Its still warm.
Bread for me? Victoria sensed the woman was in need of money and nodded. Yes, Id like a loaf. How much?
One pound each, the old lady said cautiously, watching Victorias reaction. Is that alright?
How many loaves do you have?
Ten. No ones bought any yet; I just arrived. How many do you want?
Ill take them all, Victoria declared, turning to fetch cash from the car.
No! I wont give them all away! the woman cried out, suddenly frightened.
Why not? Victoria asked, bewildered.
Because I think youre buying them not because you need bread, but to help me.
And what of that?
What if someone else needs it later? What if that regular customer comes back and Ive got nothing left?
Victoria was taken aback by the womans naïve reasoning.
Alright then, tell me how many youre willing to sell.
I can give you five loaves, the old lady replied, hesitant.
Five? Could you do more?
No that wouldnt be right. Youre buying out of pity, but the bread is meant for eating, straight from the oven.
Fine, Victoria said with a small smile, fetched a bag, slipped five stillsteaming loaves inside, and returned to the car.
A minute later she was back on the road. The scent of fresh bread filled the cabin, overwhelming her senses. She couldnt resist; she plucked a generous piece, shoved it into her mouth, and realized shed never tasted anything better.
At that moment her mobile rang. Glancing at the caller ID, she grimaced, lifted the phone, and heard Toms irritated voice.
Victoria, he barked, pop into any shop and bring some bread home.
What? she muttered, eyeing the loaf sitting on the passenger seat. Why the sudden demand for bread?
Because were out of it! Not a single slice! And, as if that wasnt enough, your three university friends have turned up at our place unannounced.
What friends? Victoria was taken aback. At this hour?
Youll find out soon enough. Theyve planted themselves in our kitchen, drinking tea, waiting for you.
Hush, she snapped, slamming the accelerator.
She pulled into the driveway about half an hour later, stepped inside, and let the intoxicating aroma of the loaves drift through the house.
Vicky! You smell amazing! shouted her friendsPoppy, Gwen and Maisiewhod studied together at university, rushing to hug her.
Tom, catching the scent, lunged for the bag, snapped off almost half a loaf, pressed it to his nose, and stared at Victoria in amazement.
Where did you get such incredible bread?
Where I bought it, its gone now, she shrugged.
Tom tucked the bite into his mouth and drifted to the bedroom, while Victoria remained in the kitchen surrounded by her friends. They lingered until midnight, sipping wine, nibbling the oddly delicious bread, and venting about their husbands. Each admitted, with a sigh, that the men theyd married werent the ones theyd once dreamed of.
When it was time to leave, Victoria handed each of them a fresh slice of the old womans bread.
After the friends departed, Victoria closed the door behind them, passed the bedroom where Tom was already halfasleep, and made her way to the sofa in the living room to lie down.
Morning brought something odd. As she was just waking, Tom settled beside her on the sofa and, in a halfjoking, halfserious tone, announced:
Victoria, I think I overindulged in your bread yesterday and had a revelation. Weve both been fools.
What? she blinked, still halfasleep.
Were fools, love. Its time we fix this. Im taking you out tonightto that restaurant where I first asked you to marry me.
Why now?
Because I think we can still save what we have. Ill be at work and will meet you at six in the evening. Come.
Tom left, and Victoria felt that the morning light was unusually bright, as if autumn had already given way to early spring. She found herself oddly eager for the promised evening date.
A phone rang shortly after. It was Poppy, breathless with excitement.
Vicky, you wont believe itwe made up with my boyfriend last night! We were on the brink of divorce, and then we stayed up till three eating your bread and suddenly everything fell into place. Thank you, love!
Where do I fit in all this? Victoria stammered.
Later, Gwen called, then Maisie, both reporting that their marriages had taken an unexpected turn for the better after sharing the bread. They confessed theyd felt foolish for the fights theyd had.
Feeling a warm glow, Victoria walked to the kitchen, pulled out the remaining halfeaten loaf from the bread box, inhaled its scent once more, and took a small piece. This time, the taste carried a subtle hint of something beyond flavora delicate whisper of love, not just for her, but for everyone around her.
