Husband By Bequest
A tall, boisterous woman swept out of the compartment, clearing the corridor in an instant of anyone disturbing the peace of proper passengers. It was almost amusing to see how a few brash, strapping chaps fell silent and stepped aside without protest, as if at the command of some general.
Her fair hair was braided neatly around her head, and her eyes were a bright, unmistakable blue. Her cheeks glowed with life. She glanced toward the lavatory, just as a small, slight man with a baby-faced innocence and downy white hair hurried out.
Charlie! There you are! I was about to send a search party, she called out, eyes twinkling. The noise out heregoodness, I thought you might be caught in it! Someone should watch out for youa man could get bowled over in this crowd for nothing!
Oh, Emily! Id have shown them what for. You know me, he replied, offering a shy grin before slipping past her and vanishing into the compartment.
Emily cast a quick glance at me and the only other bored passenger lounging nearby. Satisfied we werent trouble, she ducked inside as well.
Our next encounter was in the dining carriage. There were no free tables, so I asked to join her. Her husband was nowhere to be seen, and as she finished her meat and mashed potatoes, she boomed in her hearty voice:
Im Emily Jane Bennett. Just Emily, though, love.
Are you travelling alone? I asked. Will your husband be joining us?
Hes resting. Poor things under the weather. I wrapped a scarf round his neck, made him a proper cranberry squash, the works. Imagine, getting ill on a train! Went out to clap the rug in a jumper, silly man. And I wasnt lookingmy fault!
You must care for him very much, I mused aloud. You even came running to defend him from commuters! And the way you talk about him now its pure affection.
Oh, Charlies not really my husband! Emily confessed with a soft sigh. We share a home, but hes only with me because of a promise, you see. His first wife only just passed awaya saintly woman. So good, she was.
A promise? I echoed, surprised. How do you mean?
And so Emily told me her story.
Charlie had been married to Grace since schooldays. Their friendship blossomed at university, and soon after, they wed. Charlie was the brilliant sorthe could invent, design, make anything work. The money always seemed to follow his ideas, and they lived comfortably. But in the everyday world, he was lostwould forget his change at the greengrocers, cross roads at the oddest places, always distracted, naïve enough to lend money to strangers.
Not all there, your Charlie, friends would say with affectionate exasperation. How come we knock ourselves out and barely scrape by, and this one just stumbles into gold?
Grace never minded. She had enough energy and sense for them both. She made sure he was dressed for work, scarf on, gloves at the ready. She drove him herself after the time he sent the taxi off to the wrong address, lost in thought. They complemented each other so well.
Then one week, when Grace was in hospital, she returned to find Charlie had survived on nothing but cold instant noodles and tap water. Not even a cup of tea!
Its not the same without you. Cant even fancy a bite, hed said, smiling sheepishly.
Their son, Andrew, was much like Charliebrilliant, but absent-minded and painfully shy. At least his intelligence was appreciated, and he married a quiet girl from a country village, Molly. Grace, as always, held the family together, especially when grandson Jamie arrived. But then she fell ill herself and was bedridden.
The house grew silent and hollow. Charlie was lost, seeking out the best specialists, willing to pay anything. Nothing could be done.
Grace worried for everything but herself. She bravely endured her decline but fretted over her boyshow would they manage without her? She pictured orchids dying in an autumn frost, and prayed for help, not for herself but for them.
It was then that Emily came into their lives, a distant cousin of the family doctor and a carer by profession. On her first day, the house was almost grey with neglectdirty laundry piled up, dishes unwashed despite the dishwasher, the air heavy with loss.
Grace, frail and sharp-eyed, offered a wan smile. Emily rolled up her sleeves. By evening, the flat was barely recognisablefresh and sparkling, dinner scents drifting from the kitchen. Grace drifted off to sleep in crisp sheets, and when Charlie, halfway out the door in just a thin jacket, was intercepted by Emilys commanding voice:
Hold up! You cant step out in this drizzle dressed like that. Not on my watch! Grace needs you wellright, pop this on, scarf too, hat for your ears. Off you pop, and mind the puddles!
Tears glimmered in Graces eyes at the sight. Emily was all thunder and big stepsloud, practical, but utterly kind-hearted.
Thank you, Lord. Theyre safe now, she whispered.
When her time drew near, Grace summoned Emily for a gentle chatwhere do you live, hows family? Emily shared her story: living in a cramped two-bed in south London with her mother and sisters children, never married at 45, not for lack of romance but life simply hadnt gone that way. Money was tight, so she took what work she could. But she managedplenty do.
Then Grace said quietly: Emily, please look after him when Im gone. I leave you my husband in trust, so to speak. He trusts everyone and catches a cold at the first draftyou must mind him.
Emily was stunned, but Grace persisted, pleading for help, at least for a while.
Grace passed soon after. Emily tried to dismiss the promisepeople might talk, suspect her motives. She had no romantic feelings for Charlie; he seemed more like a lost soul than a real man.
Still, a promise is a promise, and she felt obliged to make sure he was alright. When she called at Charlies flat, no one answered, but the door was unlocked. There in the back sat Charlie, clutching Graces dressing gown, sobbing with a grief so raw and desperate it was hard to watch. He seized Emilys hand and shook with tears.
Oh, poor thing. Grace was right. Youre not fit for this, she murmured. Lets get you a nice cup of tea, love. Bear with it, youll see
Emily was, by nature, tender-hearted and practical. Soon the house filled with life again. Charlie began to wait at the door for her every day.
I finally moved in, Emily admitted. What was the point in leaving him on his own? My family was relieved to have more space, and I ended up with a big child for company. The moneys never an issuehe insisted I give up the other care work. People gossiped but I soon put a stop to that. I always saypeople rescue dogs and cats, but sometimes a person needs rescuing too. If fate flips you onto your back, you cant just crawl on. So I do what I can. Charlies a gentle soul, really. And as it turns out, we need each other.
Were off to see his son now. He needs some help with their little one, and Im delighteda dozen grandkids wouldnt scare me a bit! Emily grinned.
Just then, the door of the dining carriage opened, and in walked Charlie, wrapped up in a scarf, clutching a wildflower bouquet.
Why are you up, love? Youre still not well! You cant be left alone for two minutes, Emily fussed, ushering him toward the door.
Charlie held out the flowers shyly. I bought these from the ladies at the station. Do you like them, Emily?
Her cheeks reddened deep as autumn apples. She squeezed his arm fondly.
By the next stop, theyd gathered their thingsEmily shouldered a suitcase the size of Wales, while Charlie, daintily, managed a small bag. She kept a firm hand on his collar, guiding him through the crowd so he wouldnt get lost. They beamed at each othertwo bright suns on the greyest dayand it was perfectly clear. Emily would be his second wife, come what may.
