You just have to carry on, love. He left, didnt he? Good riddance anyway well look after that child ourselves, dont you worry! If hed been any good, hed still be here, but thats the sort of chap he was. Well manage.
So, little Paul was brought up by his mum and his grandad. He barely remembered his nan, just that gentle smell of her home-baked apple pies lingering in the kitchen. She passed away when he was five.
Paul never knew his dad at all. The man legged it before he was even born. Pauls mum, Susan, had arrived in the village with him.
Shed introduced him to her parents, a wedding was planned, everything seemed sorted but then, all of a sudden, the groom vanished. No trace. No one bothered searching for him. Susan was heartbroken, and to make things worse, she was already expecting.
Tears wont fix anything, said grandma back then. Youve got to live, dont you? Hes gone, let him be. Wouldnt have made a good father anyway. You and me, love, well bring up that child together.
So, through his childhood, Paul never lacked for anything, but he grew up far from spoilt. He got on well at school.
His grandad was strict but fair he taught Paul to respect his elders and to value the little he had. If there was a job to be done, Paul would get it finished, no fuss.
By thirty, Paul was considered quite the catch. Good-looking, smashing career, fat paycheque, and a spacious three-bedroom flat in London the lot!
He had girls chasing after him left, right, and centre, but he wasnt in any hurry. Work kept him busy, and every weekend he went back to see his mum in the countryside. Grandad was gone by then, and his mum was getting rather frail.
She still managed the house, but you could see it was getting harder.
Paul kept trying to convince her to move in with him, but she was having none of it.
What would I do there? shed say. And besides, still waiting on those grandkids of yours Id only be in your way. Im better off here in me own little place.
Stay for the summer, Mum. Then well see maybe a little break in a holiday home, then back to mine to rest up. You might get to like city living and you never know, I might come back here with you for a spell.
Youve got your job, Susan would huff. Whats there for you in the countryside?
People work here too, Mum, Paul would say with a grin.
Now, at that time, Paul was talking to two women. He couldnt for the life of him decide who to choose.
First, there was quiet, sweet Emily from the village salt of the earth and handy around the house.
Then there was Lucy. All glamour, fits right into the city scene some might have thought shed never so much as fried an egg in her life, always laughing and up for a giggle.
Paul hadnt invited either of them to his place just met them out and about, kept it neutral. But the time was coming to pick one, and he just couldnt bring himself to let either go.
He decided to introduce them to his mum, just as shed come back from her holiday. The break had done wonders for her.
Emily was the first to come round. Didnt take much persuading she was thrilled, as though her dream was finally coming true. Meeting the mother, she reckoned, meant he was about to propose.
Its lovely and roomy here, Paul, said Emily, eyeing up the flat.
Yeah, its spacious. Mum likes it too shes here with me at the moment, hasnt been feeling great.
Oh. She lives here, not just visiting? Emily asked. Is she unwell?
Bit, yes.
Just so you know, Paul, Im not looking to care for your mother
I’m not asking you to! Paul was baffled. I can manage.
Well I just think its better if we lived separately. I thought you said your mum was in the country. Shes better there, isnt she? And so are we.
Mums staying with me. Thats that.
Emily rolled her eyes. Youre just a mummys boy! Call me if you ever change your mind.
She stormed out, didnt even bother with the tea.
Paul thought, Well, that was quick. If Emilys gone, Lucy will probably scarper even faster. Ill end up with no one
So, when Lucy came round, he decided to be upfront.
However things go, my mums always going to be with me.
Lucy looked surprised and burst out laughing. Why are you telling me that? Is this a proposal or something?
Paul grinned. Maybe. Come on, meet my mum.
Blimey you think shell like me? Do I have to, right now?
Of course shell like you. Dont be daft.
Lucy and Susan hit it off immediately. Soon enough, youd catch them chatting while waiting for Paul to come home. Eventually, the three of them drove out together to the village, and, oddly enough, Lucy loved it there, too. Susan decided shed stay for a bit.
Its summer, and Im feeling much better, she said.
Six months later, they had their wedding.
Now Ill finally have those grandkids! Susan cheered.
And sure enough first a granddaughter, then a grandson!
Lucy and Paul raised the kids in London. The children grew up and were soon prepping for university. Susan had moved in with them, but theyd still spend holidays at the old village cottage. Susan could never quite say goodbye to her house.
One day she turned to Lucy and said, Lucy, I know this is sudden, but Id really like to go back to the village for a bit. Shall we go? Just need to wait for Paul hell be home soon from work.
Of course! Well leave as soon as he gets here.
Right. Just lets go straight away, please, tell him its important
The village was as peaceful as ever. Fewer and fewer neighbours every passing year
Well, Im home for good now, Susan said suddenly. You should probably sell my cottage, though you wont get much. Such a shame; if you leave it, the place will just fall apart
What are you talking about, Mum?! Paul was shocked. Were going straight back home after!
Yeah! said Lucy. Dont say such things now.
Susan smiled and shrugged. Alright, stick the kettle on, will you? I could really murder a cuppa
After tea, Susan went up to her room, just to have a rest only for a moment.
Paul and Lucy sat in the kitchen a while longer.
Mum, time to go! Paul eventually called.
But no answer. When he went in, he stood frozen. His mum had passed away quietly in her sleep
They buried Susan in the village churchyard.
She must have felt it coming. Came home one last time Lucy wept, I loved your mum like she was my own.
I know you did. Ive always seen it. So what do we do with the cottage?
Feels wrong to sell it
Yeah. Lets leave it for now. Its a part of our story. Well bring the kids here, and maybe someday our grandkids too
And thats what they decided. The old family cottage would stay put somewhere full of memories, waiting for the next generation.
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