Once, many years ago, Mary brought her fiancé to her country village, and he laid down a condition…
Little Andrew spotted the bus rumbling along the stony lane toward the village, and, dropping his ball mid-bounce, sprinted to the stop as fast as his legs would carry him. His checked shirt flapped open, and his fair hair fluttered in the breeze.
All I could think was, Mums coming home! Mums here at last! Andrew would later recall. Yet, when the bus doors folded open, Mary stepped out not alone but accompanied by a stout gentleman in a pale grey suit. He strode beside her with an air of self-importance, swinging a leather case and looking very much the part of a city official. Andrew dashed up, clutching his mothers hand and gazing up at her, his eyes brimming with joy.
Hello, darling, Mary said, stooping to kiss her sons crown, her voice warm and a little breathless from the journey.
Well, young chap! bellowed the man, his voice deep and bluff. He ruffled Andrews hair with a heavy hand; the greeting was so hearty Andrew nearly lost his balance.
Come along inside, lets have you all to the table, said Grandma Edith, Marys mother, with all due respect.
Thank you, thank you, Mum, the gentleman replied, casting an appraising eye over the generous spread set out.
Thats the countryside for you! he declared, gesturing broadly. In London, everythings rationedqueues and couponsand here the folk still manage, raising their own stock.
With our own milk, and cream, and all the gardens produce, Edith sang, her pride evident.
So long as were able, we keep things going, added Granddad George, a quiet, lean man whod worked the combine in the fields all his life.
We still manage in town, the manMr. Arthur Prendergastwent on, smoothing a hand over his thinning hair. Coupons are a bother, but Ive got a sister down at the depot. Get a few treats on the sly now and thenkeep Mary and the boy in a bit of comfort.
Andrew studied this stranger, searching for a way to approach him. In the city, where he went to school, played football with mates on the estate, he often found himself watching his friends fathers and imagining what his own might have been like. Sometimes hed picture trips to the zoo or kicking a ball in the park with a father. Perhaps his would have been like Billy Jenkins dad, or Tom Parkers dador perhaps not at all.
Now, with this portly man at his mothers side, Andrew couldnt help but wonder if, since hed come to the village, this was to be his father.
Clinging to the wooden toy plane Granddad George had painstakingly carvedshaping the wings to true proportionsAndrew shyly brought it to the guest.
Look at my aeroplane, he murmured.
Oho! exclaimed Arthur, grabbing the toy and giving the propeller a sharp flick. Granddad had made the propeller spin, but now, whacked so hard, it flew off altogether.
Bit of a shoddy toy, lad, Arthur said, handing the broken plane back without concern.
Andrew stooped, retrieving the small piece from the floor. He shot a look at Granddad.
Well set it right, Granddad George assured him softly.
Arthurs a manager, you know, Mary offered, changing the subject cheerfully. Head mechanic at the factory.
Arthur puffed out his chest with obvious pride.
Mary, thirty years old, had worked as a seamstress at the mill all her life. Now, at last, she was to marrya man of substance, a man with a good position, older and perhaps a touch wiser. She kept Arthurs plate filled, pressing upon him roast fish and pancakes with cream.
Later, stepping out onto the porch, Arthur threw his arms wide. Isnt this something? Fresh airpremium!
Do you like it, Arthur? Mary called.
I should say so! he replied eagerly.
Well breathe it in, have a rest, and tomorrow head back to London. Well take Andrew, toohe needs a proper school uniform.
Listen, Mary why not leave the lad here for now? Theres a school in the village, surely?
Well, theres only the little schoolhed have to finish the year here, and next year he could come.
All the better! Hell thrive heregood air, milk, all the fruit and veg. Your mum and dad can keep an eye. In the city, were both busy, no time at all. Let him school here a bit, and once we get our place fixed and a bit of new furniture in, well have him come up. Sound good?
Granddad Georges moustache bristledAndrew always thought of it as playing his whiskersexpressing his disapproval while pondering Arthurs proposal.
Thats less a suggestion, Arthur, he growled, more of a stipulation.
The next day, while Mary tried to explain to Andrew why he ought to stay behind, he nodded along quietly but did not utter a word. When Arthur and Mary left for the bus, Andrew was nowhere to be found. Grandma Edith searched the loft and Granddads workshop. No sign of him.
He was just here, and his bicycles still by the gate.
Hell turn upprobably off with the lads, Arthur said carelessly.
Outside the fence, Mary cast one last anxious look around. Andrew, hidden in the coal shed, watched through the crack of the door. He longed to run out, to cling to his mothers hand, but steeled himself. A child senses things adults cannot, and he realised hed suddenly become unnecessarynow that this balding man had turned up.
He clutched the broken plane tightly, his tears falling silently. Andrew wasnt a criernot even when Granddad had thrashed him with a switch for taking the boat out, not once did he cry. Granddad always punished fair. Now, though no one had raised so much as a finger to him, the tears came, running down his cheeks, and he scrubbed at them with his fists.
Hes here! Grandma Edith called once Arthur and Mary had departed. Dont fret, loveyour mumll return next month. Well get your uniform in town. You like it here, dont you, with us?
Andrew dropped his head, his fair hair flopping over his forehead. He remembered his city classmates, the games, the nearby friends, and for a moment all he wanted was to be there again. Summer with his grandparents he loved dearly, but autumn always called him back to the citywhich he also loved.
The week swept by. Andrew, in running about with the local boys, almost forgot his sadness at being left behind.
Grandma nearly dropped her bucket the morning she saw Mary at the gate. Mary! We werent expecting you!
Mary collapsed, tired, onto the bench. Supposed to be back in a monthcame in a fortnight. Ive come for Andrew.
Butwhat about the plan? Arthur said
No,” Mary said, Ive changed my mind. I wont be told where my boy belongs. And Arthurwell, hes been off calling on Sally the bookkeeper, carting his sisters groceries to her now. Says shes got no kids of her own. He called Andrew my baggage, really. His big condition was that I leave the boy.
Edith sighed. She wanted happiness for Mary, but not at such a cost. Perhaps its for the best, dear.
For the best, Mum. Ill get a uniform for Andrew, a new satchel, send him into year two, and all will be as it was. We managed before, just us two, and well manage after. It wasnt Arthurs groceries I neededit was a real family. A father for Andrew, a husband for myself.
Andrew appeared in the yard, and, spotting his mother, froze in surprise. The next instant, forgetting every slight, he dashed into her arms. Mum!
Oh, my darling! I missed you so, Mary exclaimed, clutching him tightly and searching his sun-browned face for a few precious seconds. Ive come for you, love. Schools about to start.
Andrew stared at her, hardly able to believe it.
Well live together as before. Ill help you with your homework, sign you up for the art club and the football teamjust as you wanted.
Andrew tried to pack everything he could into his little knapsack, so his mother wouldnt carry such a heavy bag.
Thats enough, pet. Its too much for you.
No, it isnt! Im strong!
Granddad George and Grandma Edith walked them down to the bus stop. The bus snorted as it pulled up to the dusty verge, its headlights shining even in daylight. Andrew found a seat by the window and waved to his grandparents until they disappeared round the bend.
He held in his lap the very same wooden plane, lovingly repaired by his grandfather, and glanced over at Mary.
Homeward bound, Andrews heart swelled with joy too large to hide, for his most beloved person in all the world was sitting right by his side.
