Juliets Revenge
I opened my dream to find myself lingering in a misted English autumn, the rain seemed uncertain, tentative, as if afraid to truly soak the world. Juliet watched raindrops wandering like lost souls down the muddied window of the minibus that ferried her out of the city. Homeit tasted strange in her mindwas now a glossy studio perched within Londons fevered heights, where she danced through the days to the clocks teeth. The other home, the one of her upbringing, of Sunday roasts and garden bees, that was only where her parents waited in their old semi, the lanes as overgrown as her childhood memories.
Juliether family always called her Juleshad constructed a quiet pride at twenty-seven, with a scroll from St Barts Medical, her name pencilled in flourish. Shed drifted into a coveted spot at Pearl & Ivy, a rather well-to-do beauty parlour where the lights always seemed too white and the walls too clean. Seminars and courses crowded her calendar, the sort that cost in pounds, always more pounds, never enough.
Were it not for the odd new distance in her mothers voice, she might not have returned at all. Juliet had rungMum, are you alright?but her mother only sighed, Were all ticking along, love. Nothing to fret over. Her father, ever somewhere else.
The journey from Heathrow to her county town glided past in two hours, long enough to blur reality; the minibus trembled as it rattled onto the High Street, past shops with surnames for signs and ancient trees that had dared another year. Sunlight bit through the cloudsobscenely hopeful. She had texted, but not promised a time; arrival, like all dreams, was uncertain.
A local cabbie, wrapped in a wool blazer, meandered over. Where to, miss? he asked, rolling her case over the cracked tarmac.
St Edmunds Lane, number fifty-two, please, replied Juliet.
Her parents brick house, blue shutters wide like astonished eyes, awaited her. In the front patch, that old laurel bush still divided the world, and the three birches her father planted when she finished school reached for the dusk. Her mother, Judith, thundered out, keening with joy. Jules! My love, thank goodness youve come!
Dont weep, Mum, youll have me at it! said Juliet, grinning as her mother smothered her in a tearful hug.
Cant help it, darlingthree years apart, you know. I cant just swallow it down.
Her suitcase slumped by the door. She kicked off her Chelsea boots, collapsed into the sagging sofa, Judith perched beside her, two islands adrift in the passage of time.
Finally, Juliet pressed the question shed been turning over in her mind: Wheres Dad? Out and about, is he?
Judith fussed with the plates. Lets get some proper food in you, then Ill explain.
Everything seemed both familiar and strange: the new floral tablecloth, an unfamiliar tea set. Her own world smelled of lemon and bleach, all sharp edges. The table was soon freighted with her childhood favourites: fluffy fishcakes, garden salad sharp with vinegar, scones and strawberry preserve. Comfort and worry mingled over the ceramics.
Juliet took a breath. Sois Dad away for work? Mum, you keep dodging the truth.
Judiths lips tightened. She tried to smile. Hes away for a few days with old Tom Cartwright. Wanted to speak in person, not over the phoneits all a muddle, isnt it? Her voice wobbled. Its recent love, butwell, your father and I have separated.
The world tiltedJuliets hands fumbled her cooling tea. She opened the wardrobe in their bedroomhis jackets had vanished.
Wheres he gone? she whispered.
Judiths eyes glimmered. Back to his parents old villa, where else? Its his now.
Juliet surged to her feet. I need to see himnow!
Wait, darling, please. Hes in Sunderland on business with Tomhell be back tomorrow.
Juliet pressed again, voice rising, Was it another woman? Tell me.
A wind battered at the window; Judiths voice dropped low. Yes, hes seeing someone from Great Budworth. Ten years younger or so, but what of it? This kind of thing it just happens.
Juliet snorted, A traitors a traitor, whether its ten or twenty years. She stalked to the door, heart a wasps nest, mind whirring with lists and old entitlements. An only child, shed learned early the power of I want; the bicycle, that Christmas stereo, all won by pleading gazes and her fathers overtime. The rhythm carried through university: shed never had to scrimp on textbooks or dresses, Mums wage feeding the bills while Dads went right into Juliets hands. Yet, she knew the value of a quid, and after her degree she hadnt started from scratch.
She felt the rising heat of injustice. You two split, and Im told nothing.
Judith shuddered. We thought you had enough onyour job, the city, always flying about. We didnt want to cloud your life, darling. But know thisyoure our heart, always. Your father loves you as much as he ever did.
Juliet growled her verdict, righteous as a queen: If hes betrayed us, you cant just let it lie. I dont want to see him.
Judith said nothing, shoulders trembling. Juliet, restless, left the house in her tracksuit and trainers, shrugging into a hoodie against the drizzle. The dampness tasted of distant memoriesshe remembered how quickly shed left this place behind, how the rhythm and scurry of urban life had hardened her.
Mum, Im walking to the canal, she said.
Itll pour soon, Judith called.
I wont melt.
The old house, silvery now with age but sturdy, appeared behind the sweep of the hedges. Juliet drifted through the gate and up the steps. A woman near fortyperhaps younger, grey streaks sugared in her hairstood over a steaming pot at the stove.
Are you the new mistress here? Juliet asked, voice cool as February.
You must be Juliet, then, the woman stammered, looking startled. Vernonyour fathershowed me your photo. Come in, if you like.
Juliets jaw tensed. Dont flatter yourself. This is my grandparents house, and I go where I please.
The woman withered. Im Ireneyour father brought me here. I cant just leave without him. And truly, I meant no harm.
Juliets tone sharpened. You wrecked a marriage that lasted more than a quarter-century. If not for you
Thats not fair, Irene pleaded. You dont know the half of it
At that moment, a boy of about twelve peered in, all awkward elbows and wide blue eyes.
Back to your room, Danny, Irene said gently.
Was just heading out, he mumbled, eyeing Juliet with open curiosity.
When the boy had gone, Juliet declared, You wont last here. My father will see sense.
She strode into the gathering dusk, thoughts screeching. My fathers gift: our family home, now crawling with strangers
Back home, Judith was waiting, worry lines deep as crow tracks. Whereve you been? Not as far as the canal, surely?
Juliet snapped, I met her. Shes nothing special. And Dads playing stepfather to her boy now.
Judith bit her lip until it turned white. Why did you do it, Juliet? I never asked for this.
Juliets eyes flashed with feverish anger. How can you just accept this? Doesnt it make you want to get even? Its all so unjust!
Judiths voice withered. No use inflaming things now. Your dad loved me in his way, but mostly he loves you. When I found out about Irene, I couldnt stop himit hurt, but Id rather be alone than force someone to stay. Tears trembled on her lashes.
Juliet tried to pierce through it. Mum, since when did you just lie down? Werent you that stubborn girl who chased her man, who got what she wanted?
Judiths laugh was brittle. Im tired, Jules. Tired of making peace, tired of the fight. I want someone to choose me, for once, of their own will. Is that so wrong?
Juliet threw her arms around her mother as the tears finally fell. Dont say youre oldyoure beautiful! I wont let you grow lonely. Not as long as Im alive.
Judith wiped her cheeks. I shouldnt have gone to Irenes. Your father met her after things went pear-shaped for us. Irenes running from something, tooa nasty husband, her boy always bruised.
Juliet scowled, but softer now. Still, its hard for me, Mum. I always thought of us as a trious against the world. Now the worlds cracked open, and Im not sure whats true anymore.
Jules, dont lose heart. Some stories finish and others begin. And, wellI might have met someone.
Juliet snorted. Really? Old Mr Henderson from down the road with the crooked allotment?
Judiths eyes danced. Actually do you remember Molly Richmond from your year at school?
A faint warmthsurprising, pleasantstirred in Juliets chest at childhoods echo. Of course I remember Molly! Always wore her socks inside out
Her mum passed a few years back. Mollys got a family now, but her dad, Andrew, helps me in the garden sometimesmore than a neighbour
Juliet smiled sadly. I wont judge you, Mum. But dont ask me to forgive Dad. Not yet. Its too soon. Maybe never. She began making up her old bed, already shrouded by the shadows of so many lost years.
In the days that followed, her father Vernon was delayed again, business stretching like a rubber band. He called, texted, but Juliets pride refracted every attempt. She knew her anger was a shieldand maybe a wound.
When Vernon finally returned, she saw how much hed aged: hair thinning, eyes raw from sleepless nights.
He tried, Juliet, arent you going to talk to your old man? Let your da have a hug, will you?
She turned from him. Youve a new family now, havent you?
Thats not fair. Irenes boy has nothing to do with this. Youll always be my darling girl.
She left him standing in the hallway, Judith offering a thin, sad smile. The silence had grown wider than the house.
On her last day, Juliet did wander back to the canal as the wind fretted at the water. Bikes rattled by, a scramble of laughter. Someone squealed, then two more voices joined in fright; she turned to see a boy sprawled amongst planks, blood blooming through his jeans. It was Danny.
Juliets training kicked inshe cradled his head with her coat and calmed his tears, calling Vernon to come. Within moments, the old Land Rover grumbled to a halt, Irene already wild-eyed and breathless.
What have you done to my boy? Irene wailed.
Juliet just told her father, Get him in the car. He needs the hospital.
At A&E the lights buzzed in the hush; Juliet raised the alarm and helped them get Danny attended to, explaining about the wounds, the likely sprain. Irene waited, staring at the floor. Vernon offered Juliet the briefest, grateful nod. When Danny was safe, Juliet left without a word, her face no longer furious, only tired.
The next morning, she and Judith huddled on the station platform as gunmetal clouds gathered overhead, the air wet with impending rain. It was such a thin, uncertain way to leavethe way people leave houses, families, even parts of themselves.
A battered Ford rolled up, and out spilled Molly, more solid than Juliet recalled, a baby on her hip and her father with her. Judith brightened, Molly, love! You made it!
Juliet and Molly grinned, hands catching for a momentold, happy collisions of youth.
Andrew, Mollys father, set down the baby and beamed. Remember me, Jules? Took you and Molly to school, we did. Molly gripping my palm so tight
Juliet scribbled her number, pressing it into Mollys hand as the minibus shuddered up the lane. Then came Vernon, Irene, and Danny, limping but grinning.
He called, Juliet, see? I can nearly stand! Pride, hurt and hope swirled like leaves.
Juliet smiled, softening. Brave lad. And none of this Miss businessjust Juliet, please.
Irene gathered herself. Thank youfor yesterday. I know Ive made things hard and Im sorry, but parents, well your father and I, we just want you to know we love you.
Juliet looked at the gathered faces: new, old, fractured, and familiar. She realised, with a funny aching fondness, that here, in the small and sodden countryside, everyone sort of belonged, even if you werent sure how.
As the minibus pulled away, Judith wept and Vernon tried not to. Youll come back, wont you, Jules?
Through fogged glass, Juliet watched themeveryone who still held some piece of her. The sun at last broke from behind the clouds, gold as hope, tracing the people waving her off, warming the world she was so desperate not to lose.
In that wavering border between sleep and waking, Juliet promised herself: Ill return. I must. And as the minibus faded into the sunlined countryside, the dream ended, but hope lingered, bright and strange as a dream-coin in her pocket.
