THE ONE-HEARTED
On the day of his wifes funeral, Frank didnt shed a single tear.
See? What did I tell you, whispered Doris in her neighbours ear. He never loved Edith, did he.
Hush up. What does it matter nowchildren left without a mum and a father like that, muttered Maureen.
You mark my words, hell marry Cathy next, Doris assured her.
And why on earth Cathy? Whats she to him? Glorias his true love. Or have you forgotten the way those two used to sneak off behind the barn? Cathy would never go near him. Shes got a family, and I dare say, shes long forgotten Frank.
Oh, and you know all their business, do you?
Of course. Cathys husbands the best builder in town; why would she want Frank and his lot? Shes sharp as a tack. Now, Glorias miserable as sin with Mick. Just you wait, theyll rekindle their flame, Maureen finished with confidence.
Edith was buried. The children clung tightly to each others hands.
Timmy and Polly had only just turned eight. Edith married Frank for lovebut whether he ever loved her back, she never really knew, and neither did the rest of the village.
The talk was, Edith had got in the family way, and Frank was all but driven into marriage by his mothers sharp command and a bit of side-eye from the vicar. Their first child, little Clara, came early and didnt last long. After that, there were no children for years. Frank kept to himself, always looking as though hed just missed his train or lost his wallet. Folks around called him The Lone Wolfbit of a loner, stingy with words, stingier still with affection. Edith knew it more than anyone.
Still, God smiled on her eventuallyonly He knew how many prayers she sent his way. Then, right as rain, she was blessed with twins.
Polly took after her fathertight-lipped and as mysterious as the Queens handbag. Timmy, on the other hand, was just like Edithsoft-hearted and sweet, always helping his mum, sweeping the parlour, fetching water in the little pink bucket, small but earnest.
Edith loved both children dearly, but she simply couldnt figure Polly out. Timmy, thoughher heart was bound to him, plain as day.
When Edith was on her deathbed, she pulled Timmy close.
Son, she whispered, I havent long. Youre the man of the house now. Dont let anything happen to your sister. Its your job to mind her, and youre her big brother. Shell need you now more than evershes a girl, and girls need protecting.
What about Dad? asked Timmy, small voice wavering.
Hmm? Ediths mind wandered.
Will Dad look after us?
I dont know, darling. Well have to wait and see.
Please, dont go. How can we live without you? Timmy cried.
Oh, my love, if only I could choose, she replied, eyes glossy. And by morning, she was gone.
Frank sat beside her, holding her hand. Not a word, not a tearjust smaller, greyer, shrunken by the weight of it all. And that, as they say, was that.
Life went on as it does. Polly stepped up to keep the household ticking. She tried her hand at cooking, tidying, but she was far too little for such big shoes. Franks sister, Aunt Natalie, came round to helpchivvied Polly along, showed her how things were done.
Aunt Natalie, Polly asked one day, is Dad going to get married again?
Ive no idea, love. Your dad tells me nothing.
Natalie had her own brood and a solid marriage to Bill. Lovely family, really.
If he does, will you take us in? Polly said, eyes wide.
Dont be daft. Your father loves you and wont let any harm come. Thats a promise, Natalie replied.
Meanwhile, the village was buzzing as usualFrank and Glorias old love affair, it seemed, was back in circulation.
Has Gloria lost her mind? murmured Doris, caught gossiping again near the Co-op. Cavorting with Frank and forgot all about her own family.
What a daft woman, that Gloria, said the ladies in unison.
All right, thats enough! Clear off, the lot of you! barked Councillor Max Leonard, chasing the hens off the lawn. You never know what really goes on behind closed doors, and you certainly dont know Frank.
Now, its true that, once upon a time, Frank and Gloria had a romance worthy of the telly. But Frank was carted off to the next county for harvest work, gone for months, helping the farmers out in Yorkshire. While he was gone, Gloria found comfort in Mick Reynolds.
When Frank came back and learned the news, he gave Mick a black eye and cut Gloria off entirely.
Gloria married Mick, wayward and half-soaked as he wasalways in the pub, never home, while Gloria wept for the man she couldnt keep. Frank, meanwhile, hardworking and dry as a cream cracker, was quiethed never say more than three words if he could help it.
Then people started noticing Frank eyeing up Edith. Edith, usually so pale, lit up like a meadow in July. Folks agreed: Well, love does funny things to people.
Edith had been sweet on Frank for years, but kept it to herselfhow could she compete with Gloria, after all?
But as life proves, things got upended. She and Frank began seeing each other, took walks in the fieldsand before long, they made it official at the town hall.
It was a modest affairFranks only kin was Natalie, and Ediths old mum. Edith was born late to her mother, and there were quiet whispers about who the father wasthough no one said a peep aloud. The village council was headed by Bill Proctor, and there were rumours about him and Ediths mum, Sandrawho never married but lived her life with gusto. Edith, though, was nothing like her motherquiet and gentle, not wild nor rowdy.
People pitied Edith, especially when she wed Frank. Oh, its a sorry mess, sighed Nancy Partridge. He doesnt love her. Shell never be happy.
Yet, odd as it seemed, Frank was true to his wife. The whole village could vouchwhat secrets can the English countryside keep, after all?
They spent fifteen years together. Not a single row. People got used to their not-quite-romantic householduntil Edith was struck by illness last winter. It was the sort of thing no one comes back from.
That day, Frank was trudging home from work.
Frankie, fancy a cuppa? Gloria caught up to him, clutching a tin of homemade scones.
No, thanks, Gloria. Natalie already baked scones yesterday.
I only meant well, Frank.
So did my sister.
Frank, lets meet by the old windmill after darkjust one cuppa between old friends? Gloria pressed.
And what for?
Well, surely you havent forgotten everything we had together? Glorias eyes widened.
All thats ancient history. My childrenI love them, and I loved Edith.
You cant bring her back, Frank, Gloria said gently.
Love doesnt die, Frank responded.
You never loved her. You married her to spite me.
Go home, Gloria, Frank said quietly.
He quickened his step and didnt look back, heading for the little house where his children waited.
Gloria stayed in the middle of the road, alone and awkwardly sentimental.
Years rolled by. The children grew tall. Aunt Natalie still popped in with casseroles and good advice, but she was quite sure now: her brother was a one-heart man.
Polly, heard youre havin a bit of a thing with Gary from the bakery? Aunt Natalie said one day, barely through the door.
Yep, and what of it? Polly, now all grown up, repliedstriking, thoughtful, the image of her mother.
Just checking. Be careful is all.
Why?
You know whynot a child anymore, warned Natalie with her best stern aunt voice.
Auntie Natalie, I love him. I mean, really love himand I always will.
Oh, you say that now, love.
Its not just in my head. Its for real.
You might be sure, but is Gary?
If Gary ever lets me down, Ill never love anyone else, Polly declared.
That, I believe, said Natalie with a sigh.
That evening, Timmy and Polly waited for Frank to get home from his shift.
Dads late again, said Timmy.
Its Friday. Of course he is, Polly replied, as if Timmy had asked why custards yellow.
So?
He always visits Mums grave on Wednesday, Friday, and weekends.
How do you know? asked Timmy, raising an eyebrow.
Daft thingyou really dont feel your own fathers heart, do you?
Quietly, they slipped through the back gardens to the cemetery. Polly knew the shortcut.
There he is, she whispered, pointing to their fathers hunched figure.
Timmy listened. He heard Frank talking quietly, as if to someone unseen.
Well, Edith, thats the latest. Pollys getting married soon. Ive put her dowry togetherNatalie helped. Were getting by. If only Id said more kind things to you while you were here. My heart said it all, just not my mouth. Words arent easy for me. But I loved you all the same.
His voice was gravelly and soft, as he shuffled to the gate.
Polly looked at Timmyand saw his tears shining in the evening light.
