John and Mary
It was not so long ago, though it feels like an age has passed, that John lived in the little English village where hed been born. He had never yearned for the bustle of the city; the rolling fields, the winding river, the woods alive with birdsong, and the familiar faces of his neighbours were all he wished for. After his grandmother passed away, John took the money from selling her cottage and poured it into his own small farming businessraising pigs with the hope that one day, selling the meat would allow him to expand. He dreamed of building a grand house of his own. His motorcar was modest and rather worn, but it did well enough for now.
There was, as well, another cherished wish in his heart: to marry Mary and make her the lady of his home. They had been courting for a while, though John knew she could see that his farming ventures hadnt yet brought him enough savings, and the big house remained little more than timbers and bricks.
Mary was a true village beauty. She had never planned on striving for success herself.
What is beauty for, shed say to her friends, if not to ensure a comfortable life? I just need a man wholl take care of everything for me. My looks are valuable, you know.
Johns at least building a house, her friend Lucy would reply. Hes got his car, too. He just needs some timebuilding a life takes more than a day.
But I want everything now! Mary would pout. Who knows when John will manage all that? He hasnt a penny to spare.
John adored Mary, though he couldnt ignore the feeling that her affections were not as deep as he hoped. Yet he clung to the hope that, in time, shed truly love him. Life might have always chugged along thusly, but then Thomas arrived from London for a summer stay with his grandmother. At the local pub, Thomas, with city airs and greater means, barely hid his boredomuntil Mary caught his eye.
At first, Mary didnt look twice at Thomas. But learning he was well-heeled, his father a respected politician, she soon turned her attention to him. Thomas was older, smooth-talking, clearly practiced in winning over women. He often brought Mary bouquetsflowers she knew were not sold in their village, which meant he ordered special deliveries. She appreciated the gesture.
John noticed Mary accepting Thomass flowers and felt a surge of jealousy. Dont take gifts from him, John told her, his voice tight. Why do you rile me like this?
She only laughed. Whats the fuss? Theyre just flowers! Whats the harm?
John even confronted Thomas, telling him, Dont give my Mary any more flowers. Shes my intended.
Thomas just shrugged, uninterested, and the confrontation swiftly turned into a scuffle, only settled by their friends hauling them apart. After that, things changed. Something cold slipped in between John and Mary. She began to avoid him, and John, hurt, kept his distance. Mary well knew Thomas would only be in the village a month before returning to London.
I need a plan, she thought, to entrap Thomas and leave for the city. Theres no future for me here. But I must be quick.
It wasnt difficult to invite Thomas to her home while her parents were off to the market in town. She arranged it all so her parents would catch them together. Her father was a stern man, and things played out exactly as she planned: they were caught in a compromising state, Mary hastily wrapping a dressing gown round herself, Thomas barely pulling on his trousers as her parents entered.
Whats going on here? her father barked, looking straight at them.
Mary cast her eyes down, and Thomas shifted uncomfortably.
I see, said her father sharply. Well, Thomas, youll have to marry our girl now, or youll answer to me. Come in here, we need a word.
No one knew what was said behind closed doors, but the next day, the young couple were off to the registrar to give notice of their marriage. Marys mother bustled about preparing them for their move to London. The news raced down the village lanes faster than a horse and cart. John was heartbroken, though he kept a stiff upper lip in public.
Thomas cursed his own choices. Why did I ever come here? Allured by a pretty face, and shes played me for a fool, he thought. Shes no simple farm girl but cunning and quick.
Mary, meanwhile, dreamt only of city life and happiness. No matter, she told herself. Ill love him enough, bear his childrenhell be grateful for how things have turned out. I only hope his parents accept me.
Surprisingly, Thomass parents were delighted hed brought home a pretty, wholesome wife from the countryside. Theyd grown tired of London socialites only interested in their wealth. In Mary, they saw a caring, capable young womana proper housekeeper whod look after their son.
Come in, Mary, dont be shy. Make yourself at home, dear, cooed Thomass mother, Margaret, while his father, Charles, gave her a warm smile.
Mary truly tried to be a good wife. They had a large, comfortable flatfour roomsand his parents treated her kindly. Thomas came to regard Mary more fondly, thinking maybe she wasnt so calculating after all.
Well, she certainly ensnared me into marriage, but perhaps she does believe well be happy. At least she doesnt interrogate meperhaps shes ashamed about how things happened, but its clear she has no wish to return to the village.
Thomas, however, plotted plenty of amusements for himself after the weddinghe had many female friends in London. But one evening, Mary announced, over dinner with his parents, Im expectinga baby is on the way
Wonderful news! exclaimed Margaret. Weve long hoped for grandchildren. And Thomas realised, with resignation, that arguing the baby was ill-timed would now be futile.
Soon came the wedding. Thomass parents gifted them a furnished flat. Yet afterwards, it was stark that Thomas wasnt thrilled about impending fatherhood.
Its all right; when our baby comes, Thomas will changehell see his good fortune, Mary told herself, unaware of the waywardness in her husbands heart.
Thomas began to spend nights away, always with the same excuse: My job sends me on endless business trips. Mary believed him. She never complained to his parents when he didnt come home, sometimes not for days. She simply waited, cooked his favourite meals, tidied, and pined. How she missed her village, her friends, her parentsand, oddly, she now often thought of John.
Mary began to wonder if her choice had been the right one. When she asked Thomas if he loved her, his answers grew ever more evasive. Margaret saw the sadness in her daughter-in-law, and understood her son was not the ideal husband.
The birth of their son was, at least, a joyous day for alleven Thomas, for a moment, was moved. But the newborns crying, the sleepless nights, the mess, soon wore his patience thin. Mary, harried and exhausted, could no longer prepare elaborate meals. Thomas longed to flee the chaos at home.
Worse, Thomas found that many of his former girlfriends had no interest in a married man. Whats the use in a husband taken? theyd scoff.
He never spoke of his wife. Shes just a villager with no education, hed grumble to himself. When our boy grows up, what shall I do with her? I dont want my wife working at the greengrocer or sweeping the streets. It would look bad. Ill have to support them alone. Alimony would have been cheaper, I suppose.
Thomas kept a steady mistress, Catherineshe had her own flat, was well-off, and wanted no children. Thomas found respite there. Theyd drink, laugh, go out of town together.
Oh, Catherine, youve no idea how stifling it is at home. My wifes pretty but a country girl through and through. The baby cries, shes always tired. I can hardly take her anywhereshes never been anywhere but the village and a cow pasture.
Mary, by now, knew that her dream of family life with Thomas had soured. She suspected his affair: the strange perfume, lipstick stains on his cuffs, his short temper and disregard for their son. Once, he nearly struck her while shouting.
She phoned her mother in tears, but was told bluntly, No one forced you to marry Thomas. We thought youd marry John. You made your bed, so lie in it. When youve had enough and its truly over, you can come backbut only if you mean it for good.
Mary felt beaten down. One night, while Thomas slept, she rummaged through his phone and saw messages from Catherineso raw and revealing, she could scarcely breathe. She appealed to Margaret, her mother-in-law, but Margaret warned, If you divorce Thomas, rememberwell fight for custody of your son. My husband has friends in high places, and Thomas can give much the boy needs: a good home, a sound future. What can you, with no career nor trade, provide?
Their son soon took ill, teething and feverish. Thomas tired of the childs wails; Catherine repeatedly messaged, waiting for him. He messaged back, Ill come as soon as the babys settled and Marys asleep. Catherine replied, Slip them some sleeping pills, the ones I gave youtheyll doze off quickly.
While her husband showered, Mary saw his phone and read the message. Panic gripped her heart.
What if he truly drugs us? What if it goes awry?
Once hed left the house, she rang John at once and told him everything.
Shall I come fetch you? John asked gently. Ill take you home.
His parents threaten to take my boy away
Theyre just trying to frighten you. Do your best to calm yourself and the childlet Thomas go out, then call me. Ill be waiting nearby.
Mary soothed her son until he finally slept, then lay beside him, pretending herself to have fallen asleep. She heard Thomas check the room, then collect his coat and leave. She sprang up, packed what she needed, and rang John. He came swiftly and brought her to his cottage.
Thomas only realised Mary and the boy were gone by the next evening. He rang his parents.
No, son, Mary and the boy havent been here. Has she run off? Ill call the police, Margaret fretted.
Dont, Mum, dont call them. Really, Im relieved shes gone. Im sick to death of her and the boy. Let her live how she likes. Please, Mum After much pleading, Margaret agreed.
Time passed. At last, Mary and John wed, now she was free of Thomas. Together in Johns big house, with another child soon on the way, Mary finally understood where her happiness lay.
