All Sorts of People
Alice was never an easy childSimeon and Mary knew perfectly well it was their own fault. They absolutely spoiled her rotten. But how could they not? She was beautiful, delicate, and getting her into their lives had been a challenge of Olympic proportions. Mary simply could not get pregnant. They tried just about everything. Every doctor within fifty miles got a visit, they even made the trek to London. All the experts collectively shrugged: Everythings fine, no medical reason at all.
But if everything was so perfectly fine, where was their baby? One old GP suggested a little folk remedy. And why not, desperate times and all that. They found an elderly lady who brewed up something that could best be described as a fragrant concoction. Mary dutifully knocked back the noxious tincture every day, grimacing the whole time. Miraculouslyshe fell pregnant! Their joy was so loud, the next-door neighbours sent a card.
Marys pregnancy was not a walk in Hyde Park. Simeon frequently worried she wouldnt carry their child to termshe was sick as a dog, couldnt eat, was allergic to even the faintest whiff of toast, and her limbs puffed up like wellies left out in the rain. She barely slept, never left the flat. The day the contractions started, Simeon actually sighed in reliefa little too early as it turned out. Labour was so drawn out and dramatic, the doctors threw in the towel after ten hours and booked her straight in for a caesarean. Alice arrived into the world tired and fragile, and Mary lost so much blood that she spent two days hovering at deaths door. But, God bless the NHS, they both pulled through. After a month in the childrens ward, Mary finally brought her and the baby home to Simeon, who was so thrilled to dote on his daughter that he practically skipped down the street.
Now, at last, they had a proper familya future, a dream come true.
When Alice was five, Simeon came home, plonked himself in front of Mary and declared, Mary, we need to build a house. Living in this poky one-bedroom isnt on. Alice needs her own room. Its just not British otherwise!
Mary supported her husband, but wonderedwhere on earth would they find the money? Simeon, ever the man with a plan, had worked it all out: If we dont try to build the whole thing in one go, but just keep chipping away at it slowly, well get there. Mary listened and, to her surprise, agreed: a family needs space and a place to call its own.
Fate, however, had a different blueprint. Within half a year, Alice fell seriously ill. What started as a simple cold spiralled: ear infection, endless complications, hospital visits up and down the county. The family racked up debts that would make a banker blush, but at lastafter three long yearsAlice got better.
The house dream was shelved. Simeons only ambition now was to stop the bailiffs at the door. Yet Mary knew Simeon hadnt given up entirelyhe just didnt mention it.
By now Alice was quite self-sufficient and Mary took a job at the local factory, where the pay was better. If they both worked their socks off, one day Simeon might still see his dream house take shape.
The debts were finally cleared when Alice turned fourteen. But now Alice had Opinions. She wanted a new dress, then a coat, then another coat like Jessicas. Whats a girl to do? Then came the looming anxiety of the school prom. Mary and Simeon squirreled away every spare pound; they consoled themselves, thinking once Alice left for college, they could finally get started.
But life enjoys a twist. Sure enough, Alice got into university and left to study elsewhere. Proud parents, check. The next two years, Simeon managed to raise some walls on the house-in-progress. There were still makeshift boards standing in for windows and doors, but it was recognisably a home now. And then
It was a Saturday. Mary and Simeon had just got back from a long slog at the building site, more exhausted than the coffee at the bottom of the pot, but buzzing from putting in two real windows. The bell rang. Mary opened the door and gasped. There stood Aliceheavily pregnant, with a scruffy long-haired lad fidgeting behind her.
Alice, whats all this? Mary stared pointedly at the bump.
Oh, Mother, dont be dafttheres a baby in here, obviously. This is Russmy partner now. Were moving in and getting married.
Russ gave a solemn nod, chewing gum like it might provide vitamins.
Simeon drew up a chair at the kitchen table. Alice, why didnt you tell us anything?
What for? To get ten years of lectures?
And your degree?
Oh, Ill be fine. Russ dropped out in his first year and hes doing all right.
Russ nodded with more enthusiasm, gum going at a furious pace.
And what, pray tell, does our Russ do for a living?
Dad, do we have to start this? At the moment, nowhere. Hes waiting for the right opportunity.
Another thoughtful nod from Russ.
Simeon could barely restrain himself: And how, exactly, do you imagine supporting your family with no one working?
Alice blinked in that marvellously innocent way of hers. Well, I do have parents, dont I?
Simeon excused himself to the kitchen, not trusting himself to speak. Soon Mary joined him. That night, they let the young couple have the sofa while they made up beds for themselves on the floor.
Morning brought resolution.
Mary, I think its time we moved into the house. Well sort one room for living. Let the kids have the flat as a wedding present, Simeon said.
Mary mulled it over, shrugged, and agreed. Naturally, Alice and Russ were delighted to be gifted the flat. Mary and Simeon took only the bare essentials, leaving the rest for the happy couple. As they prepared to depart, Simeon gave Alice the keys. Its all yours now. Take care of it.
So, off went Mary and Simeon to their half-built home. There was no bath, no central heating, and water had to be lugged from a standpipe down the lane, but Mary found contentment in hard work. Shed come home from work, cook up some dinner, bang the washing about in a basin, then help Simeon mix cement or heave bricks until sundown. Simeon always tried to shield her from the worst jobs, but Mary wouldnt have itshed married a grafter and she wasnt about to have him soldiering on alone.
Now and then, Alice would pop by to requestwhat else?money. Of course, the parents helped, for all their own cash was being swallowed by the house. Finally, one day, Simeon snapped and paid Alice and Russ a visit.
So, is Russ still between careers?
Dad, hes just waiting for the right fit. Hes not breaking his back on a building site for peanuts!
Simeon wanted to hear from Russ himself. Well? Russ just frowned: Never really saw myself mixing mortar and hefting bricks. Figured Id get married, have a kid, and things would just you know, work out.
Simeon was unconvinced. Youve got a family nowits your job to provide, not just lounge about. Mary and I arent going to be here forever.
On the way out, Alice complained that she didnt see why Russ should help build their house, since he never wanted to live in the countryside anyway.
Simeon said nothing. In the car, Mary slipped Alice a few notes. Simeon pretended not to notice.
A week later, Russ finally got a jobas an office junior, not a builder. The pay was even less, but at least he had a reason to leave the flat.
Back in their half-finished house, Mary and Simeon were often watched by a local boy, Tom, about eleven, who lived with his grandmother in a little cottage swallowed by apple trees next door. He was so shy hed never come over uninvited, but one evening Simeon called him across for tea and biscuits.
Tom, it turned out, was an orphan; his granny was ailing, but he was utterly devoted to her. As he drained his tea, Tom asked, May I come and help you sometimes? I get terribly bored with no school in the summer.
Simeon and Mary exchanged a glance. Only if your gran wont mind?
Of course not. Shed rather I was doing something useful than lazing about like next doors dog.
From then on, Tom was a daily fixture, working cheerfully and learning fast. Simeon, delighted with his new apprentice, soon sent Mary inside with a wink: I finally have a real worker now, not someone who mixes up bricks with rocks. Well have this place shipshape in no time.
Mary meanwhile made friends with Toms grandmother, Mrs. Jenkinsa sharp, kindly old souland invited her for a proper British cuppa in the garden (one must always befriend the neighbours, after all).
Not long after, Alice gave birth. Simeon and Mary dashed to the hospital with gifts and baby thingsRuss even managed to bring flowers. Back at home, the family threw a little celebration, inviting Mrs. Jenkins and Tom. Alice brought the new baby home, and to everyones surprise, Russ seemed to buck up slightly. He even managed to assemble a cot on his own. Mary lent a hand for the first few weeks, until she overheard Russ telling Alice, Why does your mum keep coming round? Cant you look after your own baby? Mary was hurt, but Simeon told her to let it goif they wanted help, theyd ask for it.
The years passed. Tom became even more of a son than Alice was; Mary often forgot how it felt to carry heavy shopping home, as Tom insisted he handle it. By now, Simeon and Mary were pensioners. They agreed Tom should have the chance to studytheyd help him however they could, but Tom surprised them by finding a part-time job the moment he started college. Every weekend he turned up with groceries and a hug for his mum and dad.
Then everything changed again. Mary fell illlosing weight, always tired. Simeon was frantic. Finally, she went into hospital, and the doctor sat him down: Its advanced. She may have only six months. Simeon felt his world collapse; all Marys life had been given to raising Alice and building their home. He rang Alice.
Mums very ill, Alice.
Thats unfortunate, Dad, but what am I supposed to do?
Shes got cancer; its terminal
Fine, Dad, Ill come tomorrow if I can.
Alice visited once. When Mary came home, the doctor warned shed soon need full-time care, unable to wash or feed herself. Simeon braced himself. Surely Alice would step up?
A month later, when Mary needed help with basic care, Simeon rang, voice breaking. Alice, can you come help wash Mum?
Oh for heavens sake, what, every day now? I’ll try, but I cant promise anything.
Simeon sat waiting all day, not calling againhe didnt want to know for sure that Alice wouldnt come. As night fell, he realised hed have to manage alone. He did, somehow; Mary wept with guilt. What did we do to deserve this? Im just a burden.
Nonsense, love. Were in this together.
Mary died a month later. Tom sobbed openly; at twenty-two, just finishing university, he had lost his second mum. Alice, meanwhile, moved further away from her fathera rare visit, mostly to borrow money or pick something up.
With time, Tom found work back in his home town and rented a flat, though Simeon constantly invited him to move in: Why pay rent when Im rattling around this place? Tom always said, Thanks, but I need to stand on my own two feet. Alice visited rarely, usually when she needed something, always muttering about how nice the house would be if only they could move in, but her husband Russ and her father clashed, so she never pushed it.
Simeons health declined. His heart began acting up; he grazed through whatever pills the neighbours recommended. Tom admonished him: You ought to see a doctor properly! Simeon just shrugged it off.
One bad evening, the chest pains were so fierce he could barely breathe. He rang Alice.
Hearts playing up, love
Oh, Dad, take your pill or ring 999, dont expect me to run across town after work for every little thing!
Alice hung up. Desperate, Simeon rang Tom instead. Sorry Tom, not feeling too clever
Ill be over right awayjust hold on.
Tom arrived with his fiancée, Ellen, a first-responder and all-round marvel. She insisted on calling an ambulance. They stayed the night, and Ellen cooked for him the next day, leaving several meals in the fridge because, as she put it, Its no trouble, and you need your rest.
Alice finally came by, stalked around the house and asked how he was. Simeon couldnt help himself.
You never visited me in hospital, you know.
Oh Dad, you had doctors tripping over themselves for you! Would it really have made any difference?
It would. Youre my daughter.
Oh stop it. Must you always play the martyr?
Raise your voice again and Ill raise mine. Your own mother lay there and you never visited once. Sometimes I wonder if youre even our child
That did it. Alice exploded: God, Im sick of your moaning! I wish youd just drop dead, so I can finally get this house. Its wasted on youlook at us, five crammed into a flat, and you lording it up like the Queen. Selfish old coot.
Finally, Simeon saw things plain. Hed always wondered, but now he understood exactly where he stood. No use getting upset nowhe just hoped he could talk to Mary about it, if only in a dream.
The next morning, feeling oddly at peace, he called Tom.
Tom, my ladId like to get a solicitor round today, if you can suggest anyone. Just a few things I need to sort.
Of course! Ill ring you with the details in an hour.
By that afternoon, the solicitor had come and gone. Simeon felt monstrously relieved. He wrote a letter.
Tom, if youre reading this, it means Im gone, but Im with Mary now. Ellen is wonderful, and I love you as my own son. Please, get marrieddont wait. I leave you this house as a wedding gift: its yours, all yours. Dont argue; Ive made up my mind and Mary agrees with me. You cared for this houseand for me as a real son would. You deserve it.
He slid it into an envelope with a photograph of himself and Mary, and lay on the settee, stroking the photo and remembering their life together.
Tom and Ellen came the next day, basket of groceries in hand, wondering why the house was so quiet. Tom found Simeon on the sofa, still clutching Marys picture, at rest. Tom knelt by him and wept while Ellen stood silently by.
When Alice arrived later, she and Russ began measuring up the rooms. Tom found the letter, read it, and handed it to Ellenwho beckoned Alice over.
Alice, your father wrote you a letter before he died. Its addressed to me but you should probably read it.
Alice snatched it, scanned it, went purple, and shrieked, Senile old fool! He should have died ages ago, back when his brain still worked! Well, well see about this!
She stormed out, slamming the door so hard the neighbours cats took cover. Goodness knows what will become of her, but at least now the right person will keep the kettle boiling, the roses pruned, and the house filled with laughter and love.
