Linda, have you finally lost your marbles in your old age? Your grandkids are already at schoolwhat are you doing getting married? This was the very first thing my sister blurted out when I told her I was tying the knot.
Honestly, what was the point in delaying any longer? Next week, Tony and I are popping down to the registry office, so I had to let my sister know. She lives miles away, the complete opposite end of the country, so of course she wasnt going to make the journey for our little event. Besides, at sixty, Im hardly up for a raucous knees-up with Uncle Bob bellowing, Kiss! Kiss! We were planning to have a quiet ceremony, just the two of us and perhaps the legal witnesseswhoever they might be.
We could have skipped the formalities altogether, but Tony was insistent. Hes an old-school gent to his very bones: always holds the door open, offers his hand when Im getting out the car, helps with my coat. He simply would not tolerate living in sin, as my gran used to say. Im no youngster, he told me, Im after proper commitment. For me, he might as well be a cheeky schoolboy with a shock of silver hair. At work, he commands respectthey call him Anthony and add Sir for good measure. But as soon as he sets eyes on me, he seems to shed forty years. Hell sweep me up in his arms and twirl me around in broad daylight, right on the high street! I always blush and say, Tony, behavepeople are staring. But he just laughs and says, Who cares? I only see you anyway! Whenever were together, it really does feel like its just the two of us in the world.
Still, I had to tell my sister. I worried shed be just like everyone elseready to judge. What I truly needed was her support. Eventually, after far too much hand-wringing, I picked up the phone.
Linda-aaah, she groaned, clearly floored when I confessed I was heading down the aisle. Its only been a year since Victors funeralyouve already found his replacement?
I knew Id shock her, but I hadnt expected my dearly departed to be the main outrage.
Tanya, I interrupted before she could ramp up. Who exactly makes these rules? Can you give me a number? How long am I supposed to wait before Im allowed to be happy, risk-free from wagging tongues?
She paused. Well, a decent interval is, you know, five years, give or take.
So you want me to say to Tony, Sorry, come back in half a decade, but Ill just sit in black and sulk till then?
She said nothing.
And what would that achieve? I pressed on. Do you really think five years from now everyone will be blessing our romance with solemn nods? Someones always looking for a reason to have a good gossip. I honestly couldnt care less. But your opinion matters, so if you demand it, Ill call the whole thing off.
She hesitated. Look, I dont want to be the villain here. Get married if you like! Just know I cant understand it or support you. Youve always been a bit batty, but I didnt expect you to go properly bonkers in your twilight. Have a little dignity, Linda, and wait another year, at least.
But I wasnt about to fold. You keep saying, wait another year. What if Tony and I only have a year left? Then what?
She blew her nose loudly. Oh, do as you please. I get it, everyone wants a dash of happiness, but you did have a good life
I couldnt help but laugh. Tanya, are you being serious? You think I was happy all those years? So did I, I suppose. But you know what I really was? A workhorse! The thought that life could be different didnt even cross my mindit could be fun.
Victor was a good man. We raised two daughters, and now Ive five grandchildren running wild. Victor always said that family is everything, and I never argued. First, we ran ourselves ragged for the kids, then for their partners, then for the grandkids. Looking back, my whole life feels like one big marathonno time for a breather, let alone a lunch break. By the time our eldest got married, we already had a cottage in the countryside. Did we relax? Nope, Victor decided we absolutely had to expandto raise our own food for the childrens children.
We rented a field, and saddled ourselves with more than just livestock. Long story short, we were up before sparrows and never in bed much before midnight, shovelling, feeding, and fixing. The cottage might as well have been a second address in witness protectionbarely visited the city, and only for absolutely essential things. Occasionally, Id manage a call with the girls: Oned be bragging she just got back from the seaside with her granddaughter, another boasted about the theatre with her husband. And me? I was lucky if I made it to the shops before closing.
Some weeks we went without bread because the animals simply tied us down. The only comfort was feeding the children and grandkids. The eldest managed to trade up her car thanks to our country estate, the youngest renovated her flat. So, maybe the hard graft paid off. One day, a friendex-colleaguecame to visit and sized me up with concern.
Linda, I didnt recognise you! I thought youd be here, soaking up country air, looking radiant. You look half dead! Why do you keep doing this to yourself?
How could I not? The children need help, I replied, as if it was obvious.
Theyre adults. Theyll manage. Why not live for yourself, for once?
Back then, I didnt even know what living for myself meant. Now I do: staying in bed as long as I fancy, browsing the shops, going to the cinema, swimming, even a bit of gentle hiking. Lo and behold, the world didnt end! The children arent destitute, and the grandkids arent gnawing on air. More importantly, I started to notice all the things Id missed.
Raking up leaves at the cottage used to wind me upso much mess! Now, a stroll through the park, kicking autumn leaves, fills me with glee. I can enjoy the rain now too, from inside a warm café, not out chasing goats into the shed. Its only recently Ive noticed just how beautiful our little town isbright skies, dramatic clouds, all the quirky old corners. And it was Tony who opened my eyes to all of it.
After Victor passed, my mind was a fog. It happened out of the bluea heart attack, emergency services too late. The family promptly sold the livestock, the cottage, and packed me off back to town. For weeks, I wandered around the flat at dawn, not quite knowing what to do with myself.
Then Tony came into my life, quite literally the boy-next-doorI never realised he was my son-in-laws mate, and he volunteered during our moving day. He later confessed he didnt see any romance at first, only a wilted, lost neighbour to look after. It was obvious you used to be full of life, he said, just needed shaking out the gloom. He took me to the park, we sat on a bench (with an ice cream, no less!) and then he insisted we walk to the pond to feed the ducks. Despite having ducks for years at the cottage, Id never actually watched them. Who knew they were so hilarious, tumbling after breadcrumbs?
Cant believe I can just stand here and watch ducks, I admitted. My own ducks, I barely sawalways too busy cooking mash and cleaning coops.
Tony grinned, grabbed my hand and said, Just you wait, Linda. Ive so much more to show you. Itll feel like youre being born again.
He wasnt wrong. Day by day, I rediscovered everythingparks, shops, fresh air. My old life became a distant, blurry dream. Im not sure when it happened, but at some point I realised I needed Tony, and everything he brought to my days.
My daughters were more than sceptical about Tony. Betraying their fathers memory, they said. I practically felt criminal! Meanwhile, Tonys kids were thrilledAbout time Dad found someone to keep him out of mischief! Only the final hurdle remained: telling Tanya. And didnt I drag my feet about that.
So, whens the big day, then? Tanya asked after calmed chatter.
This Friday.
Well, what can I say? All I can offer is my best wishes for a happy retirement romance, she signed off, just a hint of a grin.
Friday rolled around; Tony and I bought ourselves some nice groceries, put on our Sunday best, called a taxi and set off for the ceremony. And who should be standing at the registry office doorsalong with my daughters, their husbands, grandkids, all of Tonys brood and their little onesbut my sister Tanya herself, clutching an enormous armful of white roses, beaming at me through happy tears.
Tanya! You flew across the country for me? I spluttered, genuinely stunned.
Well, someone ought to check what youre getting yourself into! she laughed.
Turns out, everyone had been plotting behind my back and booked out a lovely corner at the village café.
The other day, Tony and I celebrated our first anniversary. Hes one of the family now. And frankly, I can hardly believe my luckits almost indecent, how happy I am. I just hope I havent jinxed it!
