Natalie cannot believe what is happening to her. Her husband, the only man shes ever truly trusted and leaned on, has just told her, I dont love you anymore. The shock has left her frozen in a ridiculous pose, unmoving, even as he bustles around the house, tossing clothes into suitcases and jingling his keys with far too much drama. This is the last thing she needs right now. Only recently her father died so suddenly, and even through the crushing grief she was left to care for her grey-haired mum and younger sister her poor sister, disabled at eighteen after that horrible head injury. Her family live in a nearby village. Her little boy, Oliver, has just started Year 1. In June, the company she worked for closed its doors. Shes out of work. And now even her husband has left.
Natalie grips her head in her hands and slumps at the kitchen table, sobbing bitterly.
Oh God, what can I do? How am I supposed to live? Oh, Oliver! Ive got to run and pick him up from school!
The necessity of daily routine pushes her to her feet and out the front door.
Mum, have you been crying? Oliver asks as she takes his hand.
No, darling, not at all.
Is it about granddad? Mum, I really miss him!
I do too, sweetheart. But weve got to be strong, okay? Granddad always was. Hes with God now, and hes fine finally having a rest, since he never rested while he was with us.
And wheres Daddy?
Daddy? I think hes gone away for work again. Hows school?
Theres no choice; they have to keep living. He doesnt love her? Well, theres no forcing the heart. Amid all the chaos, Natalie must have missed something.
While Oliver picks at his lunch and sets up his little toy soldiers on the table, Natalie logs in to the computer her husband left behind. Shed never snooped before, but this time its easy the emails just in the corner. He hadnt even deleted his latest messages. Hes in love and not with her. Shes not wanted anymore. Ten years she was his sunshine, and after eight hard years trying to have a child, shed become our lovely mum.
But now everythings changed, and she must learn to live with it.
The first thing is to find a job. No one cares that she has a top degree. The tiny unemployment benefit she gets from the Jobcentre is not solving anything.
What happened? Why did her responsible, kind, and caring husband suddenly become someone else? Her thoughts only give her one answer: hes lost his mind. The little house theyd built together, brick by brick, is unfinished. At least the roof is over their heads and one room is comfortable enough for living.
Oh job, how much I need you! Natalie nearly starts crying again, but theres no time. She desperately needs work.
Days pass. The search gets nowhere. Olivers being in Year 1, and her new single parent status, makes vacancies even harder to get. Then, after another disappointing evening, she gets a call from her godfather, Ron:
Natalie, is he back yet?
No, Ron.
Would you take a job as a stockroom lady?
Youre not joking?
No, love, I know its been rough after Martin. Theres a break in the day so you can pick Oliver up or book him into after-school club. The wage is twenty-five pounds a day. Not much, of course, but better than nothing. Well bring you a bag of spuds, onions and a chicken tomorrow.
Ron, Ive got my own hens. They feed us, lay our eggs.
Well, stick with the hens, then. Dont eat them for meat.
Thank you. Hows Gail?
Shes managing. Brave as ever, my Gail.
Hes always been like that, Natalie thinks. Gail, his wife, has been through a tough operation and gets chemo, but Ron never complains he just handles it, and somehow everythings fine. She sighs. Maybe shell manage. Thank God, He sees all, never lets her down. Thank you for godfather Ron.
The stockroom job is easy to understand and she finds quiet moments to herself, to discreetly cry, to think about it all.
Days, weeks, and months fly past. A year later, Natalie feels herself becoming hungry, able to sleep, to laugh, and smile at Olivers successes. The pain of betrayal still stings when her ex comes to take Oliver for weekends. But she lets it happen; she wants her child to be happy. She still wonders what went wrong, what she wasnt, though in her heart she knows the true reason he simply fell, hard, for another woman. She thinks of that line from some movie: Love ends at the first turn then life begins. For her, love and life had always been one. For him?
This year, autumn is an extension of summer: warm, the trees still lush and green, childrens voices ringing out in the street, the flower beds vivid with asters and chrysanthemums. The day Natalie first notices Michael looking at her stands out only because the sun is extra bright, the music from the neighbours window is cheerier, or maybe simply because fate had chosen it as the moment two lonely souls would meet.
Miss, let me help you. You really shouldnt be carrying all that.
Im used to it, she replies.
Its a shame when a lovely lady like you gets in the habit of hauling sacks about.
Do you help all the pretty girls you see? Do you patrol outside the grocers?
Yeah, Ive been on patrol, scanning all day. Finally found a proper beauty.
She cant help laughing, and so do they both real, belly laughs, until tears spring to their eyes.
Michael, he says, shaking her hand, the laughter still sparkling in his gaze.
Natalie.
Natalie, Natalie, not mine really, ever heard that song? he teases.
No. But Im not a wife.
Really? Now isnt that luck! I finally meet a woman to dream of, and shes single. Is the world mad, or just blind?
I see youve got no trouble with humour. What about seriousness?
Plenty. Natalie, how about a film tonight? We could chat, get to know each other?
Impossible, sorry. I have to collect my son from after-school club.
My ears cant believe it. Youve got a son? You cant be old enough! What after-school club?
Im thirty-five.
So am I. Coincidence! Honestly, I thought you were much younger.
And now?
Now Im thinking hard. All men want a son. And here you tell me youre single? What about his father?
I dont want to talk about it just now.
Fair enough, we wont. How about the weekend? We could meet take your son to a kids film.
On weekends, he sees his dad.
Natalie, I dont want to push. If you get a spare moment, ring me. Heres my card; numbers on it. Actually, Im a doctor a childrens haematologist.
Work doesnt get more serious.
And it leaves little time to hunt for beauties.
All right, Michael. Ill call you, Natalie replies, sincerely.
Ill wait for it.
How beautiful that autumn is! Surely it was made for them. The gentle sun turns the leaves into a crazy palette. The warm, fine days open up every park in town. And their tenderness, piercing through all pain, starts to swirl around them in an autumnal dance beneath the fantastic rain of leaves. They move closer so carefully that Natalie herself is surprised how much shes drawn to this remarkable man. A month and a half after their first meeting, she shyly suggests they have a cup of tea together.
Natalie, please dont be upset, but I wont come by. Whats happening now is too precious to rush. Do you trust me?
On the next weekend, they escape to the nature reserve, where Michael has rented a cottage shaped like a little castle. Its spotless and cosy inside, but Natalie only sees his deep hazel eyes and loses herself in their embrace. Natalie didnt know that this, the most private thing between a man and woman, could feel so wonderful.
Michael, where am I? Whats happening to me? I feel like Im dying! I love you so much. How did I live without you?
Youre incredible! How lucky am I!
After a couple months, they find it harder and harder to part.
Natalie, will you marry me?
Michael, my divorce comes through at the end of the month.
Then marry me right after before anyone else tries to steal my girl!
Im not for just anyone. But I do have my love now. Michael, lets skip the fuss. Lets just sign the papers and you can whisk me away to that castle, where I became your wife the moment I walked in.
Anything you want, darling.
Ron and Gail are their only wedding witnesses. Her mum and sister send a wildly enthusiastic congratulatory telegram. Soon after, they move into the two-bedroom flat that Michael rented, fixing it up together, building a comfy nest. Michael pays very close attention when it comes to Olivers room. He and Oliver have already met, but for Oliver, his two halves of the apple are always mum and dad, so hes slow to warm to Michael.
Natalie, dont be alarmed, but lets get Olivers blood tested. Hes dreadfully pale lately.
Oh, leave off, Michael! Hes just upset. Divorce is difficult for him to accept; he always hoped things would stay the same. I read that divorce to a child feels worse than the death of a parent.
Youre right, wise woman. I know I felt the divorce of my parents as if the world ended. Still, the blood test is important, okay, buddy?
The day the results come, Michael enters their flat, head bowed. Natalie understands instantly something is wrong.
Natalie, dont panic. Olivers blood results have changed. My instincts sadly werent wrong. Ill take him for further tests tomorrow.
Its hard to bear. Some happiness must always pay its price and this time, what a price. Leukaemia. The word alone is terrifying.
Now a new life begins. Natalie takes unpaid leave because she cant imagine leaving Oliver to endure endless jabs and drips and tests by himself. She holds his hand and whispers, Hang in there, my boy! Youre so strong! Youve always been my greatest friend! Weve never been apart and never will be.
When Natalie is at her very weakest, Michael sends her off for a nap and stays with Oliver. Sleep is rare. Mostly she lies staring at the ceiling.
Her ex-husband calls and demands the deeds to the unfinished house.
Ill look after my son. Hell visit me at my home.
You ought to come see him.
Cant. Ive got work out of town.
Afterward, Michael strokes her shoulder gently:
Natalie, well make it on our own. Dont cling to the past.
It just hurts. I earned decent money. Everything I had went into that house. Michael, why talk about being written off now?
Dont. Put every bit of thought into Oliver. Ill get us through. I always wanted a family. God knows that. He wont take you away from me.
Michael, any news on the tests?
Were doing all we can. Still not good.
Silently, Natalie weeps. Oliver mustnt see how scared she is.
Uncle Michael, whats wrong with my blood?
Well, see, in your blood are red and white ships. Right now, the whites are fighting.
Which ones are winning?
For now, the whites.
What happens next?
You help the reds.
Mum, take me far away. Im so tired.
Natalie, I was thinking the same. Lets take Oliver off to our castle. The weathers lovely. Well walk in the woods let him rest.
Spring decorates their hideaway with blooming shrubs and trees. They roam the woods, enjoying every new flower and blade of grass. Sometimes, Oliver gets very quiet and focused.
Whats wrong, darling? Are you feeling bad?
Shh, Mum. Im having a sea battle.
Their little holiday is over quickly. Oliver looks fresher, even a bit of pink has come back to his cheeks.
Mum, wheres Dad?
Still away working, love.
Again? Oh well.
Back at the hospital, more tests. This time, the head of the lab comes herself.
Dr. Michael Lewis, where did you take Oliver?
Oh, just nearby, to the nature reserve. Why?
His blood is brilliant. Hes in remission.
Michael races up to the hospital room.
Oliver, what did you do? Youre better, son! Dont cry, Natalie. Hes recovering. What did you do, son?
Dad, remember those ships? I won every battle for the red ones.Natalie gathers Oliver in her arms, tears of gratitude streaming down her cheeks. Michael wraps them both in a quiet embrace, his voice trembling with joy. There are no words, only the soft sound of Olivers breath and the golden afternoon sunlight warming the sterile hospital room.
Days pass. Oliver grows stronger, coloring pictures of red ships winning and building paper castles on the windowsill. Natalie sits beside him, feeling light for the first time in years. She whispers thanksto Ron and Gail, to her steadfast mum and sister, to Michael, and, especially, to the frail yet brave boy leading his fleets across distant seas.
Life outside still brings worries: unpaid bills, uncertain jobs, memories that bite at night. But within their little family, hope runs stronger than ever. Natalie finds herself laughing easily, cooking for Oliver and Michael, planting flowers on their new windowsill, listening to Olivers dreamsspaceships, battles, pack-lunch mysteries, and promises never to lose.
At the castle on weekends, the three of them walk under canopies of emerald green, crushed gold, and burning red. Oliver runs ahead, fearless, his laughter spilling out through the trees. Natalie and Michael amble slowly, hands entwined, the cool breeze carrying echoes of a pain now changeddeepened into gratitude and love.
Some days, life feels fragile as glass. But when Oliver falls asleep in Natalies lap, and Michael kisses her forehead, she knows that all her heartbreaks, all the tangled years of loss and longing, have somehow led her hereto this small, extraordinary peace.
And when spring returns, it finds Natalie standing in the sunlight, watching Oliver and Michael sword-fight with sticks among the wildflowers, her heart brave and whole again in the gentle warmth of their laughter.
She closes her eyes and lets the moment settle, promising herself she will always remember: even after love ends, life beginsand some battles, with faith, family, and fierce tenderness, are magnificently won.
