Listen, love, Ive got to tell you the whole tangled mess of the Whitfield family, just so you know how crazy it got.
It all started with old Arthur Whitfield, a stubborn bloke whod always say, My word is final. You can stay mad at me as long as you like, my dear, but I wont hand you over to anyone else. He was sure his daughter, Ethel, would never go against his wishes. Dont argue, love. If you go with Simon, thats it. Youll spend your life with him, locked away like behind a solid brick wallyou wont hear a single kind word from him. He tried to convince himself he was a decent man, but deep down his soul was rotten.
Ethel knew she couldnt just walk away from her fathers will, so she clenched her fists, burst into tears and shouted, I cant keep putting up with this! Arthur stared into his daughters bright blue eyesshe was headstrong and fiercebut he swore hed never let her be unhappy. He snapped, Youll do as I say, sweetheart! Off you go, Ethel!
By the riverbank, Simon was waiting for her, his heart pounding like a drum. He was handsome, the sort youd want to spend every waking moment with. In those seconds, Ethel loathed her dad more than shed ever imaginedhed always been her rock, her example. Yet nothing she said or begged could change his mind.
Simon, running his hand through her dark curls, asked gently, Whats the matter, love? Is he a devil or just lost? Ethel sobbed, Hes said we cant be together. Its hopeless you cant convince him.
Simon, irritated, threw his foot and knocked a duckling that was waddling along the bank. Watch out, you silly duck! Ethel shrieked. He laughed, Ah, good thing weve got something to think about. Lets go for a walk in the woods, and he led her away.
On the way back home, Ethel ran into Tom, a shy lad from the village. He was short, freckled, with strawblond hair and clear blue eyes that Ethel used to tease as blonde as a summer sky. He wasnt as flashy as Simon, but there was something earnest about him. Ethel wanted to snap at him, but Tom was holding a tiny duckling in his hands.
Where did you get that? she asked, trying to hide her irritation.
Just found it by the river, thought it was hurt. Ill show Father; he knows how to treat animals. Tom looked into Ethels eyes, and she realized the duckling had actually been Simons little pet that hed accidentally stepped on. She felt a flush of shame and hurried off.
From then on, that duckling stuck to Tom like a shadow, following him around the village, even sleeping in the hay loft. It was a comic sight, waddling behind him, always making sure his master didnt wander off.
Simon tried to tease Tom, Theres a swineherd, and now a duckherd, you fool. Theyre only good for a roast! Tom just rolled his eyes and kept his head down.
Soon enough, the wedding day was setTom and Ethel. Ethel was weeping nonstop. Simon tried to coax her to run away with him, but she, still in love with Tom, refused, even as her fathers angry face loomed. Arthur was determined not to let her step over the threshold without his blessing. Mother had long since passed, and Ethel was his only child, after two brothers died in childhood. Shed grown up as the sole heiress of the Whitfield name.
On the wedding morning, Ethel stared at herself in the mirror. Arthur, softening for the first time, admired her white dress and golden hair. Youre the most beautiful bride, he whispered, planting a kiss on her cheek. Are you still angry at me, love? I wish you all the happiness, my golden girl. Thank me later!
Ethel replied, Never, Dad. I did as you wanted, but I wont be thanking you. She turned toward the window, trying to hide her frustration.
At the reception, Simon was dancing with Katie, a local girl who always made Ethel jealous. What a mess, Ethel thought, watching them. She caught a glimpse of Tom, who sat quietly, the duckling pecking at his boots. What a fool, she muttered.
Her mothers ghostwell, the memory of herhelped her get dressed, and she kept glancing at the door, afraid the unwanted guest would appear. When a stranger stepped in, paused, and stared at her tightly closed lips before turning to leave, Ethel burst out, What are you doing? Who am I supposed to tell people? Do you even like me? She leapt from the bed and rushed toward him. He just stood there, placed a scarf over his shoulder and said, Youre lovely, truly. Im a bit of a scoundrel, I know, but well manage. Until you come to me, I cant and he walked away.
Never! she shouted, her voice shaking.
The next day, Simon tried to lure her into the woods with a kiss, breath smelling of whisky. What are you, crazy? Who do you think you are? Ethel snapped. What? Youve got a husband now. Cant you leave me alone? Simon sneered, then she walked away.
Months passed. The newlyweds set up their own little cottage, and Tom was always busy with something. One afternoon they went mushroompicking in the forest; Ethel twisted her ankle, and Tom carried her home on his back. In the evenings theyd swing on a little wooden swing over the pond, the duckling following them, its tiny quacks fading as Simons bitterness slowly melted away.
Ethel knew Simon was still seeing Katie, heading toward his own wedding, but she no longer felt jealous. She didnt even understand why her heart still fluttered. Tom never tried to force anything; he just stayed close.
One terrible night a fire broke out next door. Ethel ran out, the whole village already gathered. The neighbour, Mrs. Hargreaves, with three kids, thanked her, Youre a hero, dear. You saved everyone. She asked, Wheres Tom?
Inside, dear. Our dog, Bessie, got tangled up somewhere. I told her to fetch him, but shes gone missing. Kids are crying, you know.
A roof collapsed, Ethel screamed and fainted. She came to a little later, a pair of hands rubbing her cheek. A mans eyes looked down at her, Are you alright? The roof fell, you made it through the window. He said hed barely rescued Bessie, a scruffy mutt that had squeezed under the bed. Tom smiled at his wife, I was scared for you. I love you, he whispered, tears spilling.
Nine months later their son, Michael, was born. Tom, having learned his fathers trade, could mend cows, horses, even the most hopeless of beasts. Folks came from all over the countryside to see him.
Ethel loved her husband deeply. She finally understood why shed once been drawn to Simon, whod since married Katie, drowned his sorrows in drink, and turned violent. She shivered at the thought of ending up like Katie if it werent for her fathers iron will.
One sunny afternoon, Arthur was out playing with little Michael. Ethel walked over, Dad I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for not letting me marry Simon. You saw what was best for me. Forgive me. She kissed his cheek.
Arthur chuckled, Ah, youth. All right then. Weve lived long enough to know whos a decent person and whos not. I couldnt hand my only beloved daughter to that monster. You were angry with me, but its all water under the bridge now. Listen to us elders; weve seen enough. May God give you all happiness.
Ethel grew old with Tom by her side, working the fields together, raising five children and countless grandchildren. Their family was happy, and the old saying, No point in crying over spilled milk, finally took on a new, brighter meaning for them.
Take care, love, and let me know what you think!
