Before we went our separate ways, Alex Turner was absolutely smitten with his wife, Molly. He couldnt get enough of her. Yet after six years of marriage they still hadnt managed to have a child.
Molly was seven years younger than Alex. Hed married her right after she turned eighteen, so he always thought there was plenty of time left to start a family. He threw all his energy into building their little nest. First he knocked down the old flats and gave the flat a fresh paint job, then he set about getting a weekend cottage out in the Cotswolds, a sauna, a garden shed the whole lot.
He bought a mountain of saplings, exotic plants, and planted ten varieties of strawberries. The showstopper in the flowerbeds was the chrysanthemum the icing on the cake, because Molly adored that bloom. She kept telling Alex, If you want to be happy forever, grow chrysanthemums. Thats what the old wisdom says. So Alex kept hunting down new varieties, never missing a chance to add another.
In October the chrysanthemums really came into their own. No wonder theyre called the queen of autumn. Purple, pink and white spiky balls dotted the whole garden, so many you could lose count. Neighbours walking past would stare, shaking their heads in awe. What a lovely couple, theyd mutter. Everythings thriving for them.
Alex never gave himself a break. Hed work from dawn till dusk, and Molly was always happy to lend a hand around the house. He didnt want her to have a job elsewhere part jealousy, part genuine wanting to protect her from any trouble. A husband provides, a wife keeps the hearth warm, was his motto.
At first Molly liked having a busy husband. She loved cooking elaborate meals, baking cakes, canning veg and making berry compotes. Once the kitchen was done, she turned to her own hobbies knitting fashionable jumpers for Alex, stitching beadembroidered napkins, even dabbling in painting.
But after a while Molly started wondering what it was all for. She didnt need much just Alex by her side. She could picture a future where Alex would say, Alright, love, Ive got the soil ready for us to start a family. Its your turn now. And shed have to answer, Sorry, Alex, well never have kids. You know my sister cant have any either.
Alex loved Molly, but that hollow kind of love was heading for a dead end. Sooner or later, hed probably walk out and look for someone who could give him grandchildren. Those thoughts began to gnaw at Molly more and more.
Eventually the tension became unbearable. Her heart ached. She decided the knot couldnt be untied it had to be cut cleanly, even if it hurt. Were still young, she told herself, so Id rather let Alex find another wife and build his happiness elsewhere. Ill just do whatever comes next.
By the way, Alex never once blamed Molly, not even a glance.
At work the chat always turned to the baby question. Gossip flies faster than a sparrow. At first Alex laughed it off, saying they hadnt solved the housing issue yet, then later that they needed a country house, and finally hed snap, Were fine as the two of us.
There was also a colleague, Ivy, who was openly infatuated with Alex. She never hid her unrequited love, but she never tried to break up his marriage That would be a sin, shed say. Shed flash a sweet smile, strike up heartfelt conversations, brush his shoulder gently in the mornings. She couldnt take her eyes off him, that was all.
Alex paid her no mind. He was married to the woman he loved, and thank God he didnt feel the need to juggle affairs at work. Molly knew about Ivy Alex would tease about it but she never saw her as a threat.
One evening Alex came home to find Molly missing. The dinner was still warm on the stove, and on the kitchen table lay a note, neatly penned in Mollys hand:
Dearest Alex, Im sorry we never built the family we dreamed of. Go on with your life without me. Always yours, Molly.
Alex was stunned. Hed spent those six years giving his all, carrying Molly like she was his own world, never noticing anyone else. Hed planned to stay with her until his last breath.
What was left of his perfectly polished flat, that cosy cottage, the scented garden? He knew if Molly had left, it was forever. No point in chasing after a dead root. She ran off, slippers flying, he thought, but people manage fine without kids. They get on. He sighed heavily, realizing there was nothing else to do but move on.
He shut himself in, grew quiet and grim, unable to picture another woman beside him. He felt his happiness drained, the colours of life faded.
Ten years later Alex got a sudden work assignment. There were no tickets, so he bought a train ticket to the South West for £45. He was running late; the train was just pulling away when he leapt aboard, breathless, and found his compartment.
Good evening, he said to the woman by the window.
She turned.
Molly? Is that you? Alex blurted, dropping into his seat.
Its you, Alex, Molly replied, a smile spreading slowly.
In an instant they were in each others arms, like two longlost friends reunited, standing there silent, breathless, unable to speak after all those years.
Molly, eyes bright, asked, Tell me everything, Alex! Hows the family? Kids?
Well were married, right? Remember Ivy? My wife. We have two daughters, Alex stammered, blushing.
Ive got a husband and two boys. I jumped into that marriage like I was diving into water, trying to escape myself. Now things are calm and steady for me, Alex.
Im heading home to Manchester. My husbands a senior manager, so we moved there. Im happy, but I still miss you, Molly said, tears glistening. I once stood at your doorstep, wept, and left. Bridges burnt, you cant gather spilled water. Yet I still love you, Alex, to the core. I dream of you often.
Alex sighed, Life scattered us, didnt it? If you ever call, Ill be there in a heartbeat.
Molly shook her head, I cant hurt my husband. Hes a good man, loves our sons, wishes for a daughter, treats me like a queen. Maybe thats more than love Hes my rock.
She paused, then added, But tonight Ill give you a night of memories, a kiss that could tear my soul apart. Itll be a fairytale night Ill cherish forever.
The train pulled into the station. Molly tidied herself, eager to reunite with her family. Alex watched her get ready, feeling a pang of jealousy as if the night theyd shared was still alive.
At the platform, a tall man with two boys waited, clutching a massive bouquet of white chrysanthemums. Molly ran to them, hugged them, then turned, met Alexs gaze and whispered, Goodbye, love.
Alex nodded, stepped out of the carriage and watched the family board the train, his heart heavy but oddly at peace. Well, thats that, he thought. You cant force happiness. Time to get on with life.
Nine months later Molly gave birth to a little girl. Her husband was over the moon at the new addition.
