William frowned at the cottage hed just taken over. She married me, they say, yet she cant even boil a proper roast or wash a shirt without turning it into a mess, he muttered, sitting on a log outside his neighbours house, his eyes wandering back to the empty room where his young wife had once slept.
His neighbour, Nicholas, was tinkering with a wrench on his motorcycle.
Come now, Will, the wedding was only yesterday. Let your missus have a bit of time to recover, Nicholas said.
What? I cant stand thinking about that day. She wore me out completely, William replied.
Wore you out? How so? Nicholas asked with genuine concern.
William spat out the husk of a sunflower seed and snarled, From the moment I brought her home with a wedding gift, she started making a fuss. She spent half the day in the yard puzzling over riddles, then forced me to join a silly folk dance. By the end of it my trousers had torn from the strain.
I married her because my father gave me the pants, William continued, but when I finally got her to my room, I went through a maze of troubles and sheshe vanished. She leapt through the window and fled. The whole village searched for half a day, only to find her laughing, saying shed changed her mind. When I crushed her bouquet, she broke down in tears. She pretended it was a joke, but at the reception she acted like a frightened pigeon, as if Id forced her into marriage. At the banquet she wouldnt let anyone touch her, fearing Id soil her dress. Youre a filthy fisherman, she snorted, my dress is expensive, its not a napkin for you.
So, William, dont even bring up the wedding, Nicholas said, wiping his hands under his cap.
Honestly, Im stuck with a lazy partner. I get up early, do all the chores, and she just lies in bed! She cant even put the kettle on, William complained.
Does she want work? Nicholas asked, surprised.
She refuses to look for a job. She says she needs a break after school. Meanwhile her mother and grandmother sneak money to her for trinkets and hairpins, so Im left with nothing, William grumbled.
Nicholas stared at his friend, his expression turning thoughtful. Youre in a bad spot, Will. Youve got a lazy wife; send her away until she bears children. Keep trying
Didnt anyone tell me the Thompsons raised a lazy daughter? They always bragged that Lily was gold. Turns out they fooled us. Now they act as if theyve tossed her aside like ballast, and Im the fool left holding the rope, William muttered.
The village lay quiet by the river, crickets chirping in the grass, cows lowing now and then, a dog barking, and a rooster crowing at dawn. Occasionally a tractor or a motorcycle rattled down the dusty lane, the metal clanking.
Colin! shouted Katherine from her cottage, opening the window. Lunch is ready, come in.
Im on my way, Nicholas called back, leaning on his bike, listening intently to the sounds drifting from the newlyweds house across the lane.
Will, could you peel the potatoes? Ill get the onions, sang Lily, her voice as soft as a kittens purr.
Why am I the one peeling? Thats a womans job, William retorted, hearing Nicholass voice from next door. Im already slicing the chicken.
Ha, Nicholas laughed. Theyre just cooking lunch, but my stews already bubbling.
Im busy, Lily cooed. Im fixing my hair curls.
Patience, love! Nicholas teased. Youre trying to look like a movie star, like Sophia Loren. You even have videos and CDs of your beauty tutorials.
Nicholas shook his head, peeking through the neighbours window. Whats she up to now?
He set his bike down, slipped into the yard, and glanced through the curtains. Inside, Williams young wife twirled in the centre of the room, her hair gathered in an elaborate bun. Nicholas scanned for William, who stood by the table, head bowed over a bowl.
Later, Nicholas ate his soup halfheartedly, glancing at his wifes contented face. Can you believe they fobbed William off? he asked.
What happened? Katherine asked, surprised.
He married Lily, who just moved here from the city. She claimed shed been a kindergarten teacher, but never finished her training, Nicholas explained.
I remember her, Katherine said. She was always a bit of a daydreamer, thinking only of parties and fashions. And William? He never thought to ask his sister, Margaret, for advice. He could have married someone more sensible.
Katherine turned her round face away. Her younger sister, Mabel, was not someone she liked to talk to. Mabel was plump and clumsy, much like Katherine herself used to be before she stayed thin as a reed. Over the years both sisters had filled out, now looking alikelittle, round, like dumplings.
The neighbours house blared music and womens laughter. Nicholas raised his eyebrows and went to the window to watch. He shook his head.
William, whats this ruckus in your home? Its midday and the whole village can hear, he called.
Its just my friend Lucy visiting from the city. Shes a lively sort, turned the gramophone on as soon as she arrived, William answered.
Nicholas, with a reproachful tone, said, How long will you tolerate this nonsense, Will? You labour in the fields, and your wife spends the day giggling and playing dressup. Its disgraceful!
Williams face hardened. What can I do if she enjoys it? Let her have her fun.
Its not a game any more! Shes married, shes supposed to be the keeper of the hearth. You need to set her straight, send her friend away, and throw that gramophone out the window. My wife has no friends; she knits socks in her spare time!
William grew sullen, glancing angrily at his friend. Mind your own business, Nicholas. Ill sort it out myself.
The next day rain poured relentlessly, the sky a dull grey. Katherine stayed in the kitchen making jam, while Nicholas drifted listlessly about. Bored, Kate? he asked.
Go pick mushrooms. Put on your raincoat; fresh ones will appear after the rain, Katherine suggested.
No, I dont want to go alone, Nicholas replied.
Then invite William, she said.
Nicholas sighed. Hell probably be angry with me.
He stared out the window and saw William walking toward his house, a bag in his hand.
Good afternoon, neighbours, William called as he entered, the door creaking.
Colin, Ive brought you some smoked fish I prepared myself. Have a taste, Nicholas said, his frown softening.
Great, I love fish. Shall we have tea? William asked.
They sat in silence for a while, then Nicholas asked, Hows married life? Did your guest leave?
She left, William replied, crumpling a newspaper in his hands.
Whats your wife up to? Nicholas pressed.
Lily went to the shop, William answered.
What did she buy? A bag of dumplings and lipstick? Nicholas scoffed. My wife, Margaret, saw your wife at the shop ordering all sorts of cosmetics. I wish shed bring home a proper pie or something useful instead of all that makeup.
Katherine, standing by the stove, fell silent, her eyes dropping to the floor. Let her buy what she likes, William muttered. Shes always painting herself up.
Why? Nicholas asked, staring at his friend. We thought wed have our wives support each other. My Margaret could teach yours to keep a tidy house and cook properly, instead of fussing over frivolities.
William announced, I need to talk to Lily.
Lily turned, her eyes flashing. Whats that, honey?
She had dyed her thick chestnut hair white, extended her lashes, and accentuated her eyebrows. Do you like it? she cooed.
Its different, William admitted. You were pretty, now youre a beauty.
Its Tanya, my friend from the salon, who did my makeover, Lily explained.
Later, Lilys neighbour, Lucy, cheered, Why not? Im just a sweetheart. Ill pop over right now.
Lily applied perfume, slipped into a lovely dress, painted her lips, and left.
When she returned, she was solemn, changed into a housecoat, washed her face, and tied her luxurious hair into a bun.
William, she said, sitting on the edge of the sofa where he rested, are you complaining to the neighbours about me?
What? he asked, bewildered.
Youve been hearing all sorts of things about me If youre unhappy, say it! Stop blaming others, Will.
She broke down, tears streaming down her cheeks. From that day she stopped staring at herself in the mirror, stopped admiring her looks, and began scrubbing the floors, baking pies, and running errands for the neighbours. Her laughter faded, the music in Williams house fell silent, and the house felt empty.
Eventually she fled. William rose early, but she was not in the bed, nor in the yard; only a note hung on the door:
Will, Ive thought it over. Im a terrible wife. You keep complaining to the neighbours, saying life with me is hard. I cant take it any longer. Lets part ways. Dont look for me; you wont find me. Goodbye.
What the? William shouted, his voice cracking. Lucy, my Lucy!
Nicholas was the first to rush over. She ran off, what a shame. Shell find a new road, perhaps in the town. I told you shed make a poor wife. Dont worry, Will, well find you a proper, hardworking woman.
Just then, his own wife, Margaret, stormed in with her younger sister, roundfaced Mabel, brandishing a kettle.
Is Mabel not enough for you? Nicholas joked, but William turned away, angry.
Nicholas gazed out of his window at Williams house, frowning. Why cant I stay home? No one to fish with me. Margaret!
Why are you shouting? Margaret snapped from the kitchen.
Lately the marriage in Nicholass house had become strained. After the neighbours runaway, Katherine too had changed; she longed for perfume, makeup, and a day out in the town, not endless chores.
Whats wrong, Kate? Nicholas asked, his tone sharp. Youve dumped all household work on me. I cant breathe.
What, am I not a person to you? Katherine retorted, eyes shining. Im not a workhorse. I want a perfume, a dress, a night out.
Nicholas finally understood. Its Lucys influence, isnt it?
Its not Lucy, Kate sighed. I cant see a future with you, Kol. Im stuck at the stove and the yard. When was the last time I danced? At our school prom, with you. Oh, Kol
William returned to the village, eager to finish repairing windows and doors. Nicholas heard the hammer and rushed over.
What are you doing, Will? he asked.
Im leaving, neighbour, William said.
Where to? Nicholas asked, startled.
Im moving to the town centre, where theres a club and a café, something to take a wife to, William replied.
What about Lucy? She ran off.
Shes found a job, a little flat, William grinned. Im going to join her.
Nicholas shouted, Youve gone mad, Will! You trusted a reckless woman! How will you live with her nonsense? You married in haste, tired of her whims Youll end up with no trousers, no wife! Listen to metake my sister Mabel. Shell cook, bake, wash shirts.
Will laughed, shaking his head. Happiness isnt in pies, Nicholas. Its in a loving partner. We may eat readymade meals, but shes my beauty, and thats enough.
Nicholas kept shouting, but Will only laughed and walked away.
Foolish man, Nicholas muttered, married a foolish woman and became the same. Like two mismatched shoes.
Nicholas returned home, sighing, and found his wife, Margaret, sitting on the step with a suitcase.
What are you doing here? he asked.
Its over, Kol. Im leaving you. Ill go to the town, find work. Im tired of toiling for you. I want freedom, like Lily did, she sobbed.
Nicholas gently lifted the suitcase, embracing her. You should have said so earlier. I would have listened, Kate.
The old stereotypes in his mind finally cracked.
The village learned that a marriage built on mutual respect, not on demanding obedience or endless complaints, stands stronger than any grand celebration. In the end, both neighbours discovered that love thrives when both partners share the load, listen, and cherish each other’s dreams.
