Julie works at a countryside health resort, and she has to catch the commuter train each day. The journey wears her out, but the pay is decent and the schedule lets her fit in a parttime nursery class. In summer the cold isnt a problem, but in winter the walk to the station feels frightening: its dark, there are few people, and the garages are still shuttered. Instead of being dropped off near a garage, a car stops right by the platform. A big black SUV rolls up, the window slides down, and a man with a thick beard asks:
Care for a lift, love?
Julie has never thought of herself as a beauty, and in another circumstance she might have liked the compliment. Her old boots are frozen solid, her nose runs, and she still has seven minutes to catch the train. More than anything she wants to be inside a warm, heated house. She imagines the halfhour ride on the train, the dash to the nursery, a quick shop run, then home to stoke the coal fire and cook dinner. She has enough on her plate and no time for chatter, so she replies:
Fine, Im a sight for sore eyes, arent I?
She steps onto the worn path leading away from the road. The SUV pulls ahead, brakes, and a different mantall, cleanshaven, muscularhops out, grabs her, and helps her into the back seat.
The bearded driver grins and says:
Youve caught my eye. Youll be having dinner with me tonight.
Julie realises the man is heavily drunk and not used to being turned down. Tears start to spill.
Please let me go, my little girl is waiting! Im thirtytwo, not pretty, and I cant hold a conversation. You dont even see the coat Im wearingmy neighbour gave it to me out of kindness. Beneath it Im in an old sweater and trousers. What dinner could you possibly think of?
The burly driver who put her in the car leans over and whispers something to the bearded man. The bearded man shakes his head and says:
Alright, dont cry. Im taking you home from the resort. You think I havent seen your sweater? You look like my mother; she always dreamed of being invited to a restaurant. Come on, dont be stubborn. Want me to buy you a dress?
I just want to go home, Julie sobs. I have to pick up my daughter.
How old is your girl?
Four.
And wheres her father?
He left.
Thats my situation too. Another woman?
No. His mother keeps saying the child isnt real.
What do you mean not real?
We did IVF. He agreed at first, then she claimed children born that way have no souls. Hes a good man, but hes easily swayed, Julie mutters, defending her exhusband out of habit.
Not real, then, the bearded man says. Fine, lets go see where your nursery is. Vinnie, drive.
Julie squeezes into the seat and frantically thinks of her next move. Its clear the bearded man wont let her go without a fight. She hopes the burly driver feels some sympathy for her.
When the whole party arrives at the centre, the nursery staff and the parents, all bundled in warm overalls, fall silent and stare at Julie. Theyve never seen her before. Her daughter, Ivy, isnt scared of strangers; shes bold as ever. She asks whether the bearded man is Santa Claus and if anyone has seen her father. Ivy asks everyone about her dad; Julie has grown accustomed to the question and isnt embarrassed. When they climb back into the car, Ivy gets curious about the steering wheel and declares she can drive too.
The bearded man laughs:
Funny little girl. And you say youre not real. Want some icecream?
I do! Ivy exclaims happily.
They stop at an icecream parlour, then head to a supermarket where the bearded man fills a basket with oddities: salted fish, exotic fruit, mouldy cheese. Julie would have preferred chicken and pasta, but you dont argue with a gift.
The driver drops them at Julies house, and the slightly sober bearded man asks for tea. While Julie warms the fire, he watches her with wide eyes and says:
I always thought my childhood was hard Do you really have an outdoor toilet?
Indeed, Julie smirks.
She no longer fears him; she realises hes harmless, just a bit foolish. His assistant, the burly driver, turned out to be a decent bloke who slipped some milk, bread, proper cheese and childrens curd into the basket. He must have kids of his own.
After finally sending the unwanted guests away, Julie feels a sudden shiver. She breaks down, frightening Ivy, but she cant stop the tears; they flow as if for the first time since the day her husband packed his bags and returned to his mother, leaving her heavily pregnant in the brandnew house theyd just bought. He said, even if the child was not real, the house would stay theirs.
The next morning the same SUV waits outside the resort. The bearded man is gone; only his driver, Vinnie, remains.
Hop in, he says. Ill take you into town.
Why? Julie asks. Do I look like your mother?
Dont be silly, Vinnie snaps. Im heading that way anyway; thought Id give you a lift.
Fine, Julie sighs. Wheres your boss?
Hes napping. Dont be angry; hes a decent chap. Yesterday was his mothers birthday if she were still alive. He doesnt drink.
Julie nods; she doesnt care. She gets in.
They drive in silence; Vinnie isnt much of a conversationalist. Eventually he asks:
So the child really came from a testtube?
Exactly.
Crazy what people dream up, huh?
Do you have kids?
Nope. Ive got three younger siblings; theyve eaten my brain. One child would be easier.
Right, Julie agrees.
Ivy beams at the car and asks if theyll go back to the icecream shop.
No, Julie says, Ivy has no money for that.
Come on, Ill treat, Vinnie offers.
Its not affordable for me, Julie replies.
Ill foot the bill, he says, waving his hand.
On the way back Ivy falls asleep. While Julie worries about getting her out of the seat, Vinnie picks up the little girl and carries her toward the house.
What a light little thing, he mutters, and not at all a nuisance.
A few days pass without seeing Vinnie, then Julie bumps into another car, this time with a bearded man.
Victor, he introduces himself. Sorry about last timeI wasnt myself. Id like to invite you to dinner at a restaurant, whenever it suits you.
Julie first wants to refuse, then thinks, why not? She can find a dress. She just needs someone to watch Ivy.
Vinnie, whos been listening, says:
I can stay with her.
Leaving her daughter with a stranger feels risky, but Vinnies calm reassures her. Julie suggests a playroom so the man isnt alone with Ivy.
The dinner turns out amusing. Victor is chatty and a bit selfabsorbed, yet charming. Julie feels feminine again after so long. When he proposes a gallery visit next week, she agrees.
Ivy loves both the playroom and Vinnie. When he brings a bag of groceries, Julie thinks its too much, but Vinnie says:
Its from Victor Lyle.
The deliveries keep coming every few days. Julie isnt sure whether to thank Victor or politely decline; she earns enough to buy bread and butter, as the saying goes. She cant find the right words. Victor starts behaving like a suitor, taking her to restaurants and cultural events, though his work keeps him busy; it feels like a proper date. Vinnie, by default, becomes Ivys unofficial nanny, and everyone seems content.
One afternoon Vinnie blurts out:
Victor Lyle seems to have fallen for you. Hes even thinking about marriage. The child scares himhe thinks the kids foreign.
Julie flinches. Falling in love? He hasnt even held my hand. And the child isnt his
Im desperate to marry, she says.
And why wouldnt you? Vinnie perks up. Hes rich, youd be safe as a rock.
I dont need wealth, she replies.
What do you need then?
Julie shrugs, recalling her exhusbanddefinitely not the type she wants.
I dont know, she admits honestly.
Vinnie suddenly steps forward, pulls her close, and kisses her. Julie startles, jumps back, and Vinnie turns brightred.
Sorry, I dont know what Im doing sorry, he mutters and darts away. Julie cant tell if she liked the surprise or not. How to act around him now?
The next day Ivy gets a fever. Its a terrible high, and Julie has to take a sick day, which the resort dislikes. Victor, who had tickets for a theatre show, looks disappointed.
Maybe Vinnie can stay with her?
What if she catches something? Julie hesitates.
Come on, whats the worst that could happen? Were going to the performance anyway! Vinnie insists.
Its hard to decidethose expensive tickets might go to waste, and Julie does want to see the play. By evening Ivy feels better, so Julie agrees. Vinnie arrives, eyes the new dress she boughta bit revealingand feels awkward. In the theatre she cant find a seat, worrying about Ivy, while Victor talks about a skiresort holiday. Julie cuts him off:
Listen, you buy me groceries and theatre tickets, thats generous, but I wont go to the resort on your dime.
What groceries? Victor asks, confused.
The ones Vinnie brings.
Ah, hes a good soul. But about the resortmy mother loved skiing, maybe shed like an invitation, Victor replies.
A flash of clarity hits Julie. She takes Victors hands and says:
Your mother would be proud of you, Im sure. But you dont need to chase after me. Find someone you truly love. As for me, Ill always be myself, just like your mother would want. I think I love someone else now.
Victor, hurt, lets a tear fall and complains he cant understand women. He still drives her home, then says hell go on his own, leaving Vinnie to his own devices.
Ivy curls up with a teddy bear that Vinnie gave her. Vinnie dozes in the passenger seat. Julie tiptoes over, leans down and plants a gentle kiss on his lips. He wakes, bewildered, and Ivy says:
You ran off too fast yesterday. I didnt expect it. It scared me, you know?
She kisses him again, and this time neither of them feels fear.
