You Mustnt Take What Isnt Yours
Eliza, the only child of her parents, was utterly spoiled. Everything revolved around her. Her mum and dad, both proper intellectuals, worked at a research instituteher dad was a professor. All Eliza could ever remember was a house bustling with guests.
Her mum, Martha, cooked up delightful feasts, always baking enormous pies and laying the table out so elegantly it looked fit for a magazine cover.
Oh, Martha, you do love your stylebeauty and flavour both! Just a look at your table and suddenly youre ravenous, joked their guests, every time they popped round.
Eliza did well at schoolnot quite top marks every time, but solid As and Bs. Her parents never nagged her to revise; she was always responsible and organised, even as a child. Shed tumble home from school, change clothes, grab a bite, and straight into her homework.
Eliza love, did you get to your music lesson? her mum asked.
Yes, Mum, I didonly just got back, Eliza replied, not without pride.
She attended music school for violin lessons. She adored playingthe moment she picked up her violin, shed forget the world and just play and play. Her music teacher constantly held her up as an example to the other kids.
School years whizzed by. Eliza was friendly and kind, so she had plenty of mates. She lived with her parents in London, and longed to go to university there after finishing school.
You havent got anything to worry about, Eliza, declared her friend Ruby. Your parents work at the unitheyll get you in somehow! I barely scrape by at school, so higher education Well, its not for me.
Where are you planning to go then? Eliza asked.
Nowhere. Ill start working. Mums stretching every penny. If I earn something, itll help her out. Ruby explained, as her home really was tightthey scrimped wherever possible.
But Eliza, whose parents were comfortable, couldnt imagine Rubys life. Shed never wanted for anything.
Mum, Dad, Ill need a new dress and shoes for prom, she warned her parents.
Yes, darling, I knowday off tomorrow, well go shopping, Martha promised.
They bought a lovely dress and perfect shoes to match. All that was left was to pass exams, enjoy promand then, onto adult life.
Eliza got into the polytechnic instituteher parents pulled some strings, but she couldve managed herself. Her mum was rather outgoing, knew everyone, always had a just-in-case chat.
Well, thats it, dearest parentsyour daughters now a university student! Eliza announced, gleefully spotting her name in the list of successful candidates.
Congratulations, love! her dad said, and gifted her an expensive mobile phone, which was something of a rarity at the time.
University was a joy to Elizathe studies, the lecturers, friends, the lot. Student parties, assignments, examsit was a whole new world. She rarely saw Ruby now; Eliza had no free time. Ruby worked at the factory, a different life and group of people.
In summer, Eliza joined building crewsexciting, vibrant living! She was quite the catch, chatty and pretty, and loads of boys liked her. But so far, no great romance. Just mates and occasional dates, nothing too serious.
In her final year, Eliza met Matthew. Hed just finished his military service and worked fixing appliances. They bumped into each other at the cinema, when Eliza finally managed a weekend out with Ruby.
Hi, ladiesis this seat free? Matthew asked, as the two girls sipped milkshakes in the cinema café.
Sure, Ruby answered, but Matthews gaze was fixed on Eliza.
Im Matthew. Busy evening, isnt it? he said, glancing around as if apologising for crashing their table.
Im Ruby and this is Eliza, Ruby introduced.
My mate swore the new films good, Matthew explained.
Were together for the first time in ages; she studies, I work, Ruby said. She liked Matthew, but he couldnt take his eyes off Eliza.
After the movie, they arranged to meet againdifferent seats, crowded hall. They strolled late, Matthew saw the girls safely home, Ruby first, then Eliza, and asked for her number.
Matthew was proper handsome and sharp-witted, and Eliza was smitten. They dated, and six months later they married. Elizas parents liked Matthew instantly.
After graduating, Eliza worked briefly, then went on maternity leave and had a son, Oliver. She was blissfully happy with Matthewhe was a caring husband and father, always reliable, helping her in everything.
Mum, I really lucked out with Matthew, Eliza would often say. With him, its like living behind a stone wall!
Im glad, love. Matthews a proper man and dedicated to family, Martha would reply. Her dad adored his son-in-law; they played chess, chatted for hours.
Starting Over
But happiness, it seems, isnt endless. When Oliver was five, Eliza and Matthew had a terrible car accidenta motorbike flew out at full speed… Eliza was thrown from the car (possibly saving her life), but Matthew was killed. Luckily, Oliver was with his grandparents.
Oh God, why? Eliza whispered from her hospital bed, where her mum sat beside her.
Thank goodness, darling, youre awake! Martha cried, tears streaming. Youve got a broken leg and ribs, but youre alive!
Eliza buried Matthew from a wheelchair. It took ages for her to recover, supported by her parents, living with Oliver at their house. Depression loomed, and she missed Matthew terriblyonly Oliver kept her going.
Thank you, Lord, she said, gazing at the icon. What would I have done without my boy? Thanks to Oliver, I found new strength.
Eliza had to begin her life again, alone.
Mum, I want to move to Brighton, to our house by the coast. The sea air will do me good, and Oliver loves it by the water. You can visit us as much as you like. Everything here reminds me of Matthew.
Her parents agreed. In Brighton, Eliza found peace. She got a job as a hotel administrator, started meeting people, and Oliver was in school. Weekends were spent lounging on the beach, relaxing, sometimes just the two of them.
One day, Eliza lost her wedding ring while sunbathingit was dear to her, a precious memory of Matthew. She sobbed and rummaged in the sand.
Why are you crying? a mans voice asked.
My ring Ive lost it, and it means so much.
Who wears rings on the beach? he joked.
I do. Any other questions?
Alright, Ill help, said the man. Im Gavinand you?
Eliza. Together they sifted sand, and found the ring tucked in her clothes.
Thank you, Gavin.
Been here long? Gavin asked. Im here with a mate, but he overindulged last night, so Im alone today.
I actually live here, Eliza replied.
They chatted, and Gavin invited her to a café.
Let’s call it quits on the sunwell roast. Café sounds good.
Cool drinks in an air-conditioned caféthey didn’t rush. Her son was at his grandparents for the month, so she knew he was fine, and would return for school. Gavin was up fronthe was married, had a daughter, worked at the airport in his hometown.
Eliza told him her story, about Matthews death.
So, I decided to start afresh, she said. Moved here with Oliver.
Gavin was easy-going and kind. He walked her home, and that was that. Three days later, he waited outside her house with a huge bouquet as she came back from work.
Hi. Ive missed you, Gavin said, handing her flowers.
Hey, Eliza was pleased to see him. I start my holiday tomorrow, she said brightly.
Brilliant! More time for us, Gavin grinned. Lets celebrateI’ll treat you to dinner, you can meet my mate.
Dinner was lively, and Gavin stayed the night. What happened, happened.
Oh heavens, Ive fallen in love, Eliza admitted to herself.
After Matthews death, she hadnt had anyone. She spent most of her holiday with Gavin. He called work and requested unpaid leave. But Gavin eventually had to leavethey parted painfully. A week later, Gavin rang.
Eliza love, Ill be back soon Realised I cant live without you. Told my wife everything, shes filed for divorce.
Destinys Curve Ball
Eliza was happy. She didnt really dwell on Gavins wife and child, wasnt bothered.
Im a woman tooI want to be happy.
Gavin returned, they married as soon as the divorce came through. A year later, Eliza had a daughter. Both were ecstatic.
But fate seemed determined to test Eliza yet again. After ten years, the idyll ended. Gavin began to stray. A seaside town, temptations everywhere. Arguments erupted; he lied at first but eventually confessed. Shed already caught him on the beach with young women.
Eliza filed for divorce, Gavin went back to his hometown and reconciled with his ex-wife. He never abandoned his daughter, paid generous child support. The children grew up and moved on. Oliver relocated to live with his grandparents for university, and got married. Her daughter married and moved out.
Eliza now had two grandsons and a granddaughter. They visited, as did her aging parents, sometimes together with Oliver. Elizas life was all about her children and grandchildren.
And Gavin? He never appeared in her life again. Eliza decided, once and for all, there would be no more men. She was certain:
I paid the price for loving a married man you mustnt take what isnt yours, especially when it brings misery to others
She never wanted to tempt fate again. She feared the boomerang could swing back and sting. So she lives alone.
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