What a wonderful woman. What would we have done without her?
And you only give her two thousand pounds a month.
Margaret, weve left her the flat in our will.
Many years ago, Harold slowly climbed out of bed, his joints protesting with every movement, and shuffled into the adjoining room. In the gentle glow of the bedside lamp, he blinked at his wife.
He quietly sat down beside her and listened to her breathing. Seems shes alright.
Harold stood again, making his way towards the kitchen. He opened a bottle of milk, popped into the bathroom, then retired back to his own room.
He lay in bed, sleep eluding him.
Margaret and Ininety years old now. How long have we been together? Wont be long before we meet our maker, and theres no one left by our side.
Their daughters were goneHelen had passed before she even reached sixty. David was gone as well, led astray by his vices. Their granddaughter, Amy, had moved to Australia some twenty years prior and scarcely remembered her grandparents. Likely, she had children of her own by now…
Somehow, he slipped off to sleep.
A gentle touch woke him.
Harold, are you alright? came Margarets faint whisper.
He opened his eyes to see her leaning over him.
What is it, Margaret?
You were lying so still. I worried
Im alright. Go back to sleep.
He heard the slow shuffling of her feet and the click of the kitchen light. Margaret poured herself a glass of water, visited the bathroom, and then returned to her own room.
She settled onto her bed, pondering, One day, Ill awake and hell be gone. What will I do? Or perhaps Ill be first
Harold has even arranged our memorial, she reflected. It never occurred to me such a thing could be prepared in advance. But its a blessing reallywho else would do it for us?
Their granddaughter had forgotten them entirely. Only their neighbour, Jane, came to check in, with a spare key in her pocket. Harold would hand her a thousand pounds from their pension; shed use it for groceries or whatever odds and ends they needed. They rarely had anywhere else to spend the money, and neither went down from the fourth floor on their own anymore.
The first rays of sunlight peeked in as Harold opened his eyes. He wandered onto the balcony and saw the green tips of the elderflower tree outside. A smile crept onto his lips.
Weve made it to another summer.
He went to visit Margaret, who sat pensively on her bed.
Come on, Margaret, enough moping! Ive something to show you.
Oh, I barely have the strength, she protested, gradually rising. What now?
Come along, come along!
Supporting her carefully, Harold helped his wife onto the balcony.
Look, the elderflowers all green! You told me we wouldnt make it to summer. But here we are.
Oh, so it is! And the sun is shining, too.
They sat side by side on the old garden bench.
Do you remember when I took you to the pictures? Back in school, wasnt it? The elderflower had just come into leaf on that day too.
How could I ever forget? How many years has it been now?
Seventy-odd seventy-five.
They sat a long while, journeying through memories. So much disappears with ageeven yesterday can be a blurbut youth, that never leaves you.
Oh, weve chatted on! Margaret exclaimed, rising with effort. Weve not even had breakfast.
Margaret, brew a proper cup of tea, will you? Im tired of this herbal stuff.
You know we mustnt
Just a weak one, with a spoonful of sugar.
Harold sipped that gentle brew and nibbled at his small cheese sandwich, thinking back on those hearty breakfasts of years paststrong, sweet tea, freshly baked scones, jam-laden crumpets.
The neighbour Jane arrived, beaming.
How are you two getting on?
What do you expect, Jane, for a couple in their nineties? Harold joked.
If youre joking, all must be well. What do you need from the shops?
Jane, would you get us some meat? Harold asked.
You know you shouldnt have it
Just a bit of chicken.
Alright, Ill make you a noodle soup as well.
Jane tidied up the kitchen and set off on her errands.
Come on, Margaret, lets bask on the balcony, Harold suggested.
Lets.
Later, Jane joined them.
Need a bit of sunshine, do you? she grinned.
Its wonderful out here, Jane, replied Margaret.
Ill bring you some porridge, then Ill start on that chicken soup for lunch.
Shes a good soul, Harold watched her go. What would we do without her?
And yet you only give her two thousand a month.
Margaret, weve left her the flat.
She doesnt know that.
They sat on the balcony till midday, and for lunch enjoyed chicken souprich broth, soft potatoes, hand-shredded meat.
I used to make this all the time for Helen and David, when they were little, Margaret mused.
And now, in our old age, someone else cooks for us, Harold sighed.
Perhaps thats just our lot, Harold. When were gone, there wont be anyone left to shed a tear.
Enough now, Margaret. Lets have a nap. No gloom!
They say: When youre old, youre like a child again. Isnt that true? Pureed soup, afternoon naps, a bit of tea time.
Harold dozed a while and rose againrestless. The weather was ever-changing. In the kitchen, two glasses of juice stood, placed there by Jane.
Carrying them carefully, Harold brought a glass to Margarets room. She was gazing silently out the window.
What are you thinking, Margaret? he smiled. Heres some juice.
She sipped it quietly. You cant sleep either?
Its the weather.
Ive felt unwell since morning, Margaret shook her head. I sense theres little left of me. Make sure you see Im buried properly.
Dont talk that way, Margaret. How will I manage without you?
One of us must go first, Harold.
Oh, come on! Lets get some air.
They stayed on the balcony until evening. Jane made cottage cheese fritters for supper, then they sat down in front of the telly. As the years passed, new films became harder to follow, so they watched old comedies and cartoons instead.
That night, only one cartoon. Margaret rose from the sofa.
Im off to bed. Tired tonight.
Ill turn in too.
Let me have a good look at you, she said suddenly.
Whatever for?
Just let me.
They sat, gazing at one another for a long whileclearly remembering those days when their future lay ahead.
Come, Ill see you to your bed.
Margaret took his arm, and together they walked slowly to her room.
He tucked her in carefully, then returned to his own bed.
His heart felt heavy; he struggled to find sleep.
It seemed he hadnt slept at all when the digital clock blinked 2 a.m. He rose and went to Margarets room.
She lay with her eyes open.
Margaret!
He took her hand.
Margaret, my love! Mar-ga-ret!
Suddenly, he found himself breathless. He reached his own room, gathered the prepared documents, and left them out on the table.
He returned to Margaret, gazed at her face for a long, long while. Then he lay down beside her and closed his eyes.
He saw his Margaret, young and beautiful, as shed been seventy-five years before, walking towards a shining light. He hurried after her, caught her hand.
In the morning, Jane entered the bedroom. The couple lay side by side. Their faces wore the same contented smiles.
At last, Jane rang for the doctor.
The physician, upon seeing them, shook his head with gentle wonder.
They went together. They must have truly loved one another.
They were taken away. Jane slumped wearily onto a chair by the table, only then spotting the documents and will made out to her name.
She rested her head on her arms and finally, the tears came.
