BITTERSWEET HAPPINESS
So, whats wrong with this young lady, then? Shes a good girl. Polite, tidy, clever. You know shes fond of you, Margaret Fletcher looked at her son with a sigh.
Mum, let me handle it James cut her off, like that was the end of the pointless conversation.
Margaret left the room, shaking her head. Hell sort it out Hes been through so many women… Nearly forty and still complains about them all. One day hell be too old to care, and then what? For him, theres always something missing. She heaved a big sigh.
Son, lunch is ready, she called from the kitchen.
James appeared promptly. He happily tucked into her homemade beef stew.
Mum, this is brilliant. Absolutely delicious as always.
You should be saying that to your wife, not me, Margaret muttered, still fussing.
Mum James finished his cup of tea and made to leave.
Wait, love. You know, I just remembered something. Ages ago, I went to see a fortune teller. First thing she told me: Your son will have bittersweet happiness.
Oh, Mum, dont put stock in that, James grinned.
Over the years, women had drifted in and out of Jamess lifesome loved, some not quite.
There was Ruthsharp as anything, well-read and oddly wise for her age. She gave advice as if she was years his senior, even though James was nine years older. At first, he liked that. But later, he only saw Ruth as an older mate, nothing more. It was all so dullso they split.
Rebecca had an eight-year-old son. James never found a way to connect with the lad, no matter how hard he tried. He did love Becky, in his own wayshe was striking, but stubborn as they come. Every time there was a row, hed try and make up for it with gifts. The arguments always seemed so pointless. Something was always missingpeace, maybe, or just a bit of certainty.
Then there was Alice. She seemed perfect, the kind you dont see every day. James almost proposed. She was sensible, sensitive, and honest. You had to be careful and proper around Alice. James even moved in with her, thinking about starting a familymaybe two kids. But
He once came home from a work trip and found Alice in bed with an old friend from school. Classic.
James moved back in with his mum. Hed had enough of romance for a while.
Ill just be on my own, Mum. Not such a bad life, really. Strongest familys made of one, he joked to Margaret.
She just shrugged and tutted. Surely youll find the right one eventually…
And wouldnt you know, fate had other ideasunexpected, really.
James headed off for yet another work trip. On the train, he took the lower bunk in his sleeper carriage. In walked a woman.
Excuse me, would you mind swapping places with me? Could I have your bunk, please?
Of course, no trouble, James replied.
He looked her up and down. Nothing extraordinary, but something about her made his heart skip. Could she be the one? he wondered.
James clambered onto the upper bunk and dozed off.
When he woke, she smiled warmly: Glad youre awake. Come and join me for a bite to eat.
He came down, and they got to talking.
Claire, she introduced herself.
James. Lovely to meet you, Claire.
They spent the whole evening chatting. James felt completely at easehe wasnt even trying to charm her. It felt like hed known Claire forever.
They swapped phone numbers, just in case.
A couple of weeks later, James couldnt resist calling her. That was itone date led to another, kisses, promises.
James couldnt fathom how hed lived forty years without her. All the women before, he could leave behind no botherbut not Claire. With her, all boundaries and defences vanished.
He wanted to throw himself into her world completely. She wrapped him up in love, care, and true understanding.
Three months in, James offered her his heart, plain as anything.
James, Im seven years older than you. Ive got three children. Were living in a council flat, Claire admitted. Shed never been one to lie.
A widow, too. I know all that, Claire. Ive met the kids. Youll all move in with methats settled. I love every bit of you. Youre my once-in-a-lifetime, my last, James said, kissing her.
All right, James, lets give it a go, Claire said, blushing.
No, Claire. Its not give it a go. Its forever, James squeezed her hand. Hear me? Forever.
When Margaret heard her sons plans, she just muttered, Of all the women, he picks the plainest
Nine months later, the couple had a babya little girl, a pure ray of sunshine.
James was over the moon, though he worried about Claire. He wanted her to stay strong.
Having a child with special needs is never easy.
Now, their little girl is eight years old, adored by the whole family.
James absolutely worships Claire.
Bittersweet, but happy, all the same.
