Everyone in the village had known for ages that Oliver was coming back. The girls were prepping for weeks, curling and arranging their hair as if the Queen herself were dropping by. But Alice, our local orphan, hadnt the foggiest reason for all that girlish trickery. She was simply herself. And, naturally, Oliver fell for her the moment he set eyes on her.
The whole village envied Alicejust imagine, snagging a man like Oliver. When he first strolled into Applethorpe, every girl from the post office to the church choir lost their head over him. Broad-shouldered, tall, dashingly handsome and, just to add insult to injury, a proper city boy with fancy degrees from somewhere abroad. His parents were rolling in pounds, of course.
His granddad, old Mr. William, had been the parish head in his day, every child in the village owed him a favour. Now he mostly boasted about his grandchildrens successes and polished his walking stick while waiting for news.
So, yes, everyone knew Oliver was due. The girls preened; Alice didnt. She hadnt had much practice, really. Perhaps thats what drew him in right away.
All the girls tried their bestpouting, giggling, paradingbut it was as useful as a chocolate teapot. When his holidays ended, Oliver swept Alice off to the city. Granddad William offered some sage advice: Shes had a rough go of it, our Alice. Look after her, promise me that. Oliver swore he would.
Life in the city was a right muddle, always on the go. Alice hoped Oliver would remain the same thoughtful chap whod turned her world upside down. At first, during the wedding prep and honeymoon, things were busy but tender.
But then, after the honeymoon, something changed. It was as if Oliver had suddenly become bashful about his pretty new wife. His mother, Mrs. Pauline, barely spoke to Alice and, when she did, every word was like lemon juice in a paper cut. Everything Alice did was wrong: soup too watery, shirts too creased, floors mopped at the wrong angle. Still, you cant just magic away your mother-in-law when you share a flat, can you?
Finding a job went nowhere fastOliver put his foot down. How much could you possibly bring in with your education? Best stay home.
So home she stayed. When Alice got pregnant, Oliver was chuffed to bits. For a while it looked like things were on the up. Even Mrs. Pauline stopped complaining, and scolded Oliver to treat Alice like spun gold. But then disaster struck: Alice lost the baby. And things only got worse.
Good for nothing, you are, Mrs. Pauline sighed. Pretty face, empty head and a weak constitution. What use is that? Oliver just grinned smugly, as if it wasnt his own wife she was tearing apart.
When Alice fell pregnant again, it didnt spark any joy in Oliver. There was no tenderness, no excitementjust annoyance that her figure was changing. His mother nagged him to be nicer. That baby should be born in love.
But what love? Alice could feel itOliver was stone cold. They started sleeping in separate rooms, he left for work before she woke, and tiptoed in after shed nodded off.
Night after night, Alice cried herself to sleep. With no parents and no one else to turn to, she held herself and tried her best to keep the family afloat, pretending nothing was wrong.
By the time the baby was due, Oliver hadnt been seen for a week. No one to drive her to the hospital, so Alice rang a cab herself. When the baby arrived, she didnt even ring to tell him; honestly, she didnt know where shed even go. But outside the hospital, there was a car decked out with balloons. Alice perked up, thinking perhaps Oliver had developed a spine. No such luck. Waiting in their Sunday finery were Mrs. Pauline and Granddad William, arms full of flowers.
Thank you for this gift, my dear grandchild is the best in the world, Granddad beamed. Mrs. Pauline, who always kept her emotions locked up, couldnt take her eyes off baby Grace.
Back home, the table was set and Mrs. Pauline had baked Alices favourite pie. I never thought Oliver would turn out such a rotter, she burst out. Hes buggered off and left you with a child, but well manage. Lets see how far he gets without us. Ill have him struck from the flathell have to live as he pleases, but this place is full up. He might bring another wife next, you never know.
What shall we name her? Granddad William asked. Perhaps Anna, after your mum?
Alice broke down in tears shed held in for too long. Mrs. Pauline stroked her hair. Dont fret, youll find happiness yet. Look how motherhood suits you. That scoundrel simply didnt notice.
Ill move back to the village, Alice sniffed. Well be better off there.
Quite right, Granddad nodded. Well raise my great-grandchild together.
***
Two years after Alice returned to Applethorpe, Andya decent local ladproposed. Before all this, Alice wouldnt have looked at him twice. Now her criteria for a husband had been knocked into shape: he must love her and stand up for her, no matter what.
Say yes, youll not find another like me, Andy said, You know Im a good sort and youve known me since you wore pigtails. Anyway, what if Oliver comes crawling back?
Alice cut him off, He wont. And I dont love him any more.
Splendid, said Granddad, practically rubbing his hands together. Lets get planning the wedding.
***
Even Mrs. Pauline arrived for the big day. How do you treat Alice? she quizzed Andy, never quite able to keep the edge out of her voice. She WALKED home from work today, and theres no order at all in the houseGraces tights are unironed.
And who might you be? Andy asked, arching a brow.
Im the mother-in-law, she declared.
Former, corrected Andy.
Oh stop bickering, the pair of you, Alice laughed. Mother-in-laws are never truly former.
Its just my nerves, Pauline fussed. Worried you two wont let me see Grace.
Pop in whenever you like, Andy replied, Just remember, well arrange our family ourselves, all right?
Alice looked at Andy, heart swelling. This one will never let anyone push us around, she thought, smiling at the happy chaos around her.
