Simon stubbornly refused to believe that Lily was his daughter. Vera, my wife, worked at the corner shop, and there were often whispers about her closing up in the stockroom with other men. Thats why I never really accepted that delicate little Lily was my own child, and eventually, I found it impossible to treat her warmly. Only her grandfather showed her any real kindness and, in the end, left his house to her.
Only Grandpa truly loved Lily
As a child, Lily was often poorly. She was a frail, tiny thing. “There’s never been anyone so slight in either of our families,” I used to say. “This childs barely two bricks high.” Over time, even her mother caught my coldness toward her.
It was only Grandpa Arthur who truly cherished Lily. He lived in a cottage at the edge of the village near the woods and had spent his life as a forest warden. Even when he retired, Arthur visited the woods almost dailygathering berries and medicinal herbs, and in winter, feeding the wild animals. The villagers found him a little odd and were even wary of him. Sometimes, hed make a prediction, and it would turn out true. Yet, people still came to him for his herbal teas and remedies.
Arthurs wife had passed away long ago, and the woods and granddaughter were his only comforts. When Lily started school, she practically moved in with her grandfather. Arthur taught her all about the uses of the local plants and roots, and Lily took to this knowledge with ease. When people asked what she wanted to be, shed say, I want to help people get well. Her mother, however, told her there was no money set aside for studies. But Grandpa would comfort Lily, promising that he wasnt destituteif he had to, hed even sell the family cow to help.
He left her the house and a wish for a happy fate
Vera rarely visited Arthur, but one day she turned up on his doorstep, desperate. Her son, Andrew, had gambled away his savings and gotten in trouble in the city. Hed been roughed up and told to produce the money, come hell or high water.
So when youre in trouble, now you come to my door? Arthur asked sternly. Youve not set foot here in years. And he refused to cover Andrews debts. Ive no business bailing out your son. My concerns for Lily and her schooling.
Vera was furious. I dont want to see either of you again! Ive no father, no daughter! she screamed, rushing out in a rage. When Lily was accepted to nursing college, her mother and I didnt give her a penny. It was Grandpa Arthur who helped her along, with her grant and hard work doing the rest.
Shortly before her graduation, Arthur fell ill. Sensing the end, he told Lily his will had left her the cottage. He urged her to find work in the city but never forget the houseso long as theres life in a home, it stays warm. She must keep the fire going in the winter. Dont be afraid to stay here alone, Lily. Your fortune will find you here, Arthur said, almost like a prophecy. Youll be happy, my dear. He seemed to know something we didnt.
Arthurs prediction came true
Arthur passed away in the autumn. Lily got a job as a nurse at the district hospital, visiting the old cottage on weekends. Shed light the stove in the cold. Arthur had left enough wood to last for ages. When the forecast predicted bad weather, Lily took advantage of her two days off to visit the house, preferring it over the room she rented from an elderly couple in the city.
She arrived just as dusk settled in. That night, a snowstorm swept the village. In the morning, the wind calmed a bit, but the snow kept falling, covering the road. A knock at the door startled Lily. She opened it to find a young man shed never seen before. Afternoon. My cars stuck just outside your cottage. You wouldnt happen to have a spade? he asked. Theres one by the porch, take it. Need a hand? she replied. But the chaptall and broadlooked Lily up and down and said with a smile, Best not, or Ill end up digging you out, as well!
He made quick work of shifting the snow but got no further than a few yards before sticking fast again. With another try, Lily invited him inside for a cup of hot tea, reckoning the storm would soon passafter all, it wasnt the middle of nowhere and cars came by often enough.
The stranger, after a moments hesitation, shrugged and followed her indoors. Dont you get nervous living alone on the edge of the woods? he asked. She explained she only came on weekends, working in the city, and was a bit anxious herself since the bus service could be unreliable in bad weather. The stranger, who introduced himself as James, offered her a lift to town as soon as the road cleared, as he lived there himself. Lily agreed.
A few days later, as she walked home from work, Lily was surprised to see James waiting for her. Perhaps your herbal teas bewitched me, he joked. I had to see you againand perhaps have another mug of that magical brew?
There was no grand wedding. Lily wasnt keen. James pressed the matter, but in the end, he let it lie. What they did have was a love honest and true. Lily discovered that couples like in the storybooks really did existmen who would move mountains for their wives. When their firstborn arrived, the nurses were astonished at how such a tiny woman could deliver such a strapping baby! When asked what name shed chosen, Lily answered, Arthur, after a truly wonderful man.
Reflecting now, I see how wrong I was. The love we showespecially to childrenmatters more than blood or doubt. If only Id learned that lesson when there was still time to do something about it.
