A Promise
I was at the wheel, hands steady, humming along the motorway, my mate Oliver riding shotgun. We were driving back from a nearby town our boss had sent us both off for a business trip that lasted two days.
Ollie, we really pulled it off, didnt we? The contracts signed, and for a great sum. The boss will be chuffed, I said with a broad grin.
Absolutely, we got lucky, mate, he agreed. Wed been sharing an office for years.
Theres something special about heading home when someones waiting for you, I mused. My Alice is expecting, you know, and she moans about morning sickness all the time. Gets to me, honestly, but we wanted this baby so much she swears shell cope, for our little one.
Kids are brilliant, mate. Marjorie and I, though Ollie sighed. Seven years wed, but she just cant carry to term. Were about to try IVF for the second time; first round failed.
Id got married late, at thirty-two. Sure, Id dated, but love never knocked me sideways. Meeting Alice changed that I fell hard, so much so that she was the only woman I could see. When I introduced Oliver to her, and later he was my best man, I saw the envy in his eyes. Alice is beautiful, gentle I didnt blame him. Shes easy to fall for.
Petty autumn rain spat at the windscreen. Wipers flicked every now and then as we chatted away. My phone buzzed Alice.
Hello, love! Yes, on the way. Should be home in about two hours. You alright? Still the same? No lifting anything, I’ll sort things when Im home. Love you, see you soon.
Oliver listened, no doubt picturing Alice waiting anxiously. He thought of Marjorie, who never calls, never fusses, reckons hes firmly hers. Shes not at all like Alice; all order and routine, work and home.
Then, in a flash, a white van came barreling towards us. I yanked the wheel. Collision seemed certain, but at the last second, we crashed into a lamp post on my side and skidded off the road. I came to head throbbing, blood trickling down my arm. The car had landed upright; Olivers door sprang open. He looked over at me. I couldnt move.
People rushed over, cars pulled up on the verge. I lay on the damp grass, dizzy, waiting for the ambulance. They helped Oliver out and settled me on a stretcher. I could only whisper:
Look after Alice
At the hospital, Oliver had a broken arm and a nasty concussion. He kept asking staff:
Hows Dave? Hows my friend?
Then a nurse told him, quietly:
David didnt make it
Oliver was knocked for six. He was too poorly to attend the funeral. Marjorie visited Alice, told Oliver how she cried endlessly at the service, barely able to stand by the coffin. After hospital, Oliver and Marjorie went to the cemetery together; he stood for a long while at my grave. In his heart, he made a promise:
Dont worry, mate. Ill look after your wife, just as you asked
A couple days later, he went to see Alice, knocked on the door. She dissolved into tears.
How am I supposed to live without him? I cant accept that Daves gone.
Alice, I swore to your husband Id help. Well manage together. Call me anytime, Ill pop round as often as you need.
Time went by. Alice started to recover, though she was frightened the stress would jeopardise her pregnancy the doctor warned her, too. Oliver visited her twice a week, brought groceries, grabbed vitamins, drove her to appointments. Alice was careful not to ask too much, only when she genuinely needed help.
Ollie, I feel awkward taking up your time.
Its nothing, Alice. I promised Dave.
Olivers feelings for Alice grew complicated. She was everything he ever wanted in a woman but the situation baffled him. While Alice soldiered through, Oliver and Marjorie endured another round of tests and disappointments. Childlessness was their steady sorrow. Marjorie never knew about Olivers help; he didnt explain, simply saved Alices number under Charity so Marjorie wouldnt notice.
After the second IVF try failed, tension crept into their marriage. Marjorie blamed Oliver, while he simply felt numb. She noticed he was distracted, edgy, often away. Still, she doubted infidelity not their way.
At least work went brilliantly. Oliver threw himself into the project Dave and he had started and ended up closing a huge deal.
Alices pregnancy advanced; she struggled more each day. Her parents lived far up north, no one close by. Headaches plagued her, her feet swelled, but she didnt grumble to Oliver. One day, he turned up with shopping and found her atop a stepladder, trying to hang new curtains.
Just gave the window a good clean! she smiled. Thought I’d put up the new curtains.
Get down at once, Oliver barked, eyeing her bump. If you fell, you’d risk the baby! Thats not funny.
He helped her down, and for a moment, they stood close; Oliver felt a shiver run through him.
Thank you, Ollie, she said, hurrying off as nausea struck once again.
Oliver wiped sweat from his brow, thinking:
Does Dave watch us from wherever he is now? He did ask me to help, after all
Next time, Alice asked,
Would you mind helping me set up the nursery? I wont have time later on. I’ve seen some lovely wallpaper
So, Oliver started the nursery redecorating. He couldnt let pregnant Alice wear herself out. They did it together well, she mostly handed him things and cheered him on. With the nursery finished, Oliver felt pulled in two directions: his wife, sunk in depression about childlessness, and Alice, nearing her due date.
Marjories instincts told her if they were to survive as a couple, she’d need to throw herself into work. She began writing articles for magazines. Then one offered her a regular column she jumped at it, eager for distraction. The pay was grand; she came home delighted, arms full of nice food and some wine.
Well now, whats all this? Oliver asked when he got back.
Were celebrating! I landed a cracking commission, been hoping for this. We deserve a treat.
She laid out snacks and poured wine while their favourite film played on the telly. They tried returning to their old, warm rapport.
Just then, Olivers phone rang. Marjorie glimpsed the contact name: ‘Charity.’ He hurried into the kitchen.
Whats wrong? he whispered.
Ollie, sorry, but I think Im in labour Ive already called the ambulance.
But its early, isnt it?
Well, seven months not unheard of, she said, pain etched between words.
Alright, Ill meet you at the hospital.
He threw on his coat, Marjorie watched him, anxious.
Youre going out?
Yes, he scrambled for a plausible excuse. The boss needs to talk, its urgent business about charity. Ill explain later. Trust me, its important
But Marjorie was sceptical.
Charity, boss, what nonsense are you spinning?
Oliver dashed from the flat, drove quickly to the hospital, which wasnt close. Arriving, he found Alice had already arrived. After two anxious hours, a nurse emerged: Alice had given birth to a son. Oliver breathed out, utterly spent, thinking:
Thank goodness. I was so worried.
Back home, Marjorie eyed him, saw his exhaustion.
Your charity work’s wearing you to the bone, she said dryly.
Oliver collapsed onto the sofa.
Yes, Marjorie. Alice just had a son. I promised Dave I’d help her. Shes all alone, he said, honestly.
I see so the pieces fit together now, Marjorie replied quietly. Next step is looking after Alice and the baby. Isnt that right?
Thats right, Oliver replied earnestly.
Well, I wont stand for it. I wont have you spending your time on someone else’s child, not when we cant have our own. Ill file for divorce you can do as you please. Maybe Ill meet someone else and start a family myself.
Oliver stared at her, realising she blamed him for their childlessness.
Thats your choice, Marjorie. I wont justify myself. I have to keep my promise to Dave.
Time passed. Marjorie filed for divorce. Oliver moved in with Alice, helping raise little Danny. After some time, they married. Two years later, a daughter was born to them.
Thanks for reading, for following along and for your support. Wishing you every happiness.
