THE BRIDE FOR HIRE
The wedding’s off! I startled my parents with those words one evening over supper.
My mother nearly choked on her bite, so unexpected was the announcement from her only daughter.
Polly! Are you quite alright in the head? The dress is bought, the rings are ready, the receptions all arranged… Your Davids been counting down the days like a child waiting for bonfire night Tell me youre joking, Polly! my mother pleaded, panic in her eyes.
No, Mum, Im not joking. Floyd and I are leaving for London soon. I mean it, I replied, trying to sound decisive.
London, of all places! Everything there is unfamiliar and strange other people, other ways Youll lose yourself, I swear! That Floyds turned your head! Hes probably married already, or got a whole crew of children tucked away! Hes nearly twice your age! And your David adores you! Hes like a son to us, you know that Dont hurt a good mans heart. Every action has its consequence, love, Mum went on, her voice trembling.
Ill face them, Mum. Im not afraid, I said quietly but firmly.
A fortnight later Floyd and I were bound for England.
Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of seeing for myself how people lived in other countries. Id mastered French, was fluent in English, and had even started Spanish you never know where life might sweep you. After university, I worked as a translator at a travel agency, which is where I met Floyd. I was tasked with escorting this foreign guest on various events. Floyd set his sights on me from the start.
I was lively and smiled often approachable and not hard on the eyes. Best of all, I was young. I was just twenty-three, Floyd nearly forty-six. At first, I humoured Floyds attention, never expecting hed proposeafter just one week! I never told him I was set to marry David in just a few months.
I found myself at a crossroads. Marrying a foreigner is a rare opportunity I couldnt let it slip past! Even if there wasnt love, thered be newness, adventure, a life utterly different. I imagined I’d be forever grateful to this older gentleman. Wouldnt that be enough for him, having a pretty young wife? David would suffer, I supposed, but time heals all wounds. He was young and would find his path.
So I set my mind for the unknown, thrilling journey ahead.
I phoned David to break the news. He barely comprehended what was happening, but managed a wish for my happiness before disappearing into a long, self-punishing stretch of drink and gloom.
Floyd and I landed in London.
I could barely contain my joy! Was I really living my dream? I felt as if I could embrace the whole world.
Floyd took me to a sprawling house in the London suburbs, where his family received us: two grown sonsHarold and Evan. (In time, I would become Evans wife and discover happiness such as Id never imagined before.)
It wasnt long before Floyds former wife appeared from her roomsLeonora, a striking woman still in her prime.
She was furious.
Are you out of your mind, Floyd? (She always called him Flo at home, quite informally.) Whos this young woman? Where have you plucked her from? And you think shes staying here with us? she demanded, her voice rising.
Shell be living here, yes. Remind you, its my house too. Polly will be my wife. Please dont threaten her, Leonora, he responded, almost pleading.
I felt uneasy and shy in this peculiar arrangement. Though divorced, the family still lived together in this great house, and it was clear Leonora ruled the roost.
My mind and heart, though, had already been struck by Evan. He was nothing like David, with his tears and apologies and bottle in hand. No, Evan roused a love deep and fierce, as vast as the universeclean and everlasting.
Evan, the younger son, was twenty-four, handsome with his mothers features. He noticed me at once, this stranger his father had brought from another country. Something electric passed between us. Our spirits trembled and longed to fall headlong together into the unknown.
After things settled, Floyd told me wed need to postpone the wedding, though he never explained why. I agreed without protest. I had no intention of returning home.
They gave me a comfortable little room. Floyd treated me with a quiet kindness, never overstepping bounds. Leonora, meanwhile, ignored me entirely.
Three months slipped by, and I grew better acquainted with Evan, who finally revealed the family secret. Floyd, it turned out, still dearly loved Leonora, as she did him, despite their divorce. Yet neither would admit fault or seek reconciliation. One day, a terrible row led to their split. Time passed, but neither budged. So Floyd, hoping to provoke Leonoras jealousy, decided to bring home a bride me. If Leonora softened, hed end the charade, send me off with gifts and a ticket home.
When Evan finished his tale, I burst out laughing almost hysterical.
Serves me right! Turns out Im just a fiancée-for-hire. I ran out on my groom, and now Im only a pawn Evan, what am I supposed to do?
I cant be without you, Polly, Evan said suddenly, the truth tumbling forth.
Nor I you. At last youve admitted it! I thought you never would, I sighed, relieved.
How could I, when you were betrothed to my father? Until Harold told me what was really going on I was thrilled! The girl I loved was finally free.
And would you have married your father? Evan asked cautiously.
Heavens, Evan! The moment I saw you for the first time, my plans changed forever. Of course Id have refused your father, I said, smiling.
We embraced, as if we belonged together all along.
I forgave Floyd and Leonora their foolishness what wont people do for love? Even the noblest stumble now and then. Lovers quarrels are rarely as grave as they seem. Perhaps, in this tangled story, there was a bright side: Id found Evan. Who would have thought fate had tucked my soulmate across the sea?
We chase after happiness, only to find it lying at our feet.
Evan and I soon married. Evan feared Id slip away back to my homeland, so we didnt delay starting a family. Our son arrived; two years later, a daughter.
Evan poured his devotion into our life together. Our house brimmed with joy, and warmth, and laughter.
As for Floyd and Leonora, they eventually came to their senses and reconciled, both wary now of using such painful tricks to win each others hearts. Instead, they doted on their grandchildren with delight.
One day I received a troubled letter from Mother, asking me to visit. I prepared for the long journey, leaving the little ones in Leonoras carethey were too young for such travel.
My mother met me at the door, eyes red from weeping.
Oh, Polly! Your David… hes gone! she wailed. And he took his poor wife along with him. Motorbike crash. Their little girl is orphaned. Only three years old, bless her.
You know, Polly, he never stopped loving you. Tried to replace you, just so he wouldnt suffer Found a woman from some out-of-the-way cornera sad creature, but she loved him and did as told. Gave him a daughterPolly, as well, clever as anything, though I cant say who she takes after. So much sorrow for a child! Shell end up in a home, I supposewhere else?
The night before he died, David said to me, I want to give your Polly a gift, so she always remembers me. Who could have guessed death was so close? Hed help us with the house now and then, despite drinking…
Ah, life is strange, and there you are in England
He never managed that gift Mothers tears spotted her apron.
I listened quietly, took a moment, then said, my voice sure:
He did, Mum. Evan and I will take his little Polly as our own. Thats the sort of gift David meant, I think.
Evan will understandI know he will. You see, we must always account for our actions, Mum, you know that.
Now, will you feed me, please? Im worn out and hungry from the journey. Id love a sharp apple, or a salted gherkin. A mother-to-bes cravings, you knowwe have to eat for two! I winked mysteriously at my mother as she reached for the fruit bowl.
