Oh, my grandmother really caused a stir when she remarried and upset the family!
On weekends, Alice, as usual, visited her mother Elsie. Mum was 78 and had lived alone for quite some time.
Over two days, Alice managed to clean the house and wash the linens. There was no washing machine nor running water. In summer, there was even the allotment to look after.
Mum, why dont you move in with me? It would be much easier for you; you never get any proper rest, Elsie would say.
Mum, my works there, my daughter, my granddaughters, Alice replied with a sigh.
Stephens come back. Took the boards off the windows at his place. The house stood empty for nearly five years after Valerie died. He says hes seen enough of the world and wants to settle here for the rest of his days. Asked after you. Hell probably pop round, her mother announced.
Stephen, Steph he was Alices first love at school. She adored him, but he never paid her any attention. In their final year, Alice did something rash she dropped a bucket into the old well, then ran to Steph to beg him to retrieve it. If he didnt, her mother would have her hide.
Steph grabbed a pole and headed to the well. He spent half an hour fussing with the icy water, but managed to pull the bucket up.
Do you really think the village legend will work? he joked.
If you retrieve a bucket for someone, youre destined to marry them, the girls believed.
Steph was right; the legend didnt work.
He moved to the city. Graduated from university, flitted from place to place, crossed almost the whole country. Married and divorced and now he had come back.
Alice, after school, attended a technical college nearby. She still worked as an accountant. Married, had a single daughter Victoria. Eight years ago, Alice became a widow.
Stephen appeared in the evening. Hed changed, naturally older, greyer.
You havent changed still a beauty, he said, pulling Alice into a hug.
Youve learnt how to fib, I see. Neither of us are young weve both aged like everyone else, Alice interrupted.
Later, they sat in the garden. They sipped a little homemade sloe gin to mark the reunion, and talked and talked
Stephen shared that he parted ways with both of his wives on good terms. He never wronged either woman. Left each wife with a flat and everything theyd built together.
He had an adult son from his first marriage. Both mother and son moved to Germany. His wife had German roots, displaced during the war.
His second wife was the one to file for divorce she fell for another, younger man. Stephen didnt try to stop her. They had no children together.
Stephen was already retired, thanks to hazardous work up north. He planned to put together a team of local lads and start building houses, garden sheds, extensions, and domestic repairs. There was demand, and he had enough savings to get started.
How about you? I heard youre alone these days, Stephen asked.
Alice, perhaps after a little gin, opened up to him.
Im not alone, Steph. My family is so big, but really, Im more like the housekeeper, Alice began.
My daughter never wanted to study after school, so she married straight away. Brought her husband home. Weve a three-bedroom flat, plenty of space. Along came granddaughter Daisy.
Somehow, all the housework fell to me. My daughter claimed depression, and the baby needed care.
My husband he was a golden soul helped as much as possible, never complained about his health, but one day he simply did not wake up. It was a blow. I didnt get a chance to grieve.
I worked and kept the household going. Expenses soared. My son-in-law earns little. All my money goes into the family pot. I hoped Daisy would grow up, my daughter would send her to nursery, get a job, things would ease up. But when Daisy turned four, my daughter had another girl, Maisie.
Now Daisy is at school; Maisie is five. My daughter is home all the time.
Every morning, I cook breakfast for son-in-law and the girls, help Daisy get ready for school. Maisie stays home with her mother well, sort of. She plays quietly on her own or watches cartoons. Shes a calm child; her mother sleeps until noon.
I take Daisy to school and go to work myself. Evenings are for meal prep, doing homework with the girls, laundry, tidying.
I tried to tell my daughter that Im no longer young; its her turn to help with the housework. Useless. She says shes exhausted with the children.
Son-in-law is content. His mother-in-law works, pays all the bills, so he doesnt worry. Plus, we have vegetables from the village.
Hed help with the allotment, but there’s a catch he wants me to fund him for a car. They know I’ve savings, but Im afraid to let them dwindle to nothing. Not that my savings would actually cover a car.
Im tired. I know its my fault I raised a lazy, entitled daughter. I understand everything but cant figure out how to break free.”
Well, what a story… Dont be down, Alice, well come up with something. Lets head home, it’s nearly dawn, Stephen said his goodbyes.
That Sunday, Stephen drove her back to town in his car. Alice was pleased with all the food shed managed to bring from the village. Stephen helped carry sacks and boxes into her flat.
After he left, her daughter asked, Where did you find this old gent?
Alice explained he was an old schoolmate, and set about sorting the vegetables.
Two weeks later, her old classmate came midday, and started carrying out bags Alice had packed in advance. Her sleepy daughter and son-in-law peered out from their room.
Whats going on? Whats all this? they asked.
Im leaving you getting married. Heading back to the village. Ill spend the rest of my days with Stephen, Alice replied.
Youve completely lost your marbles at your age! Married? The bride with nowhere to live! Mum, did you make lunch? Your granddaughters will be hungry any moment, her daughter exclaimed.
Oh, youll feed your daughters my granddaughters and your husband yourself from now on. Ive spent ten years living for you all; now I want to live for myself. Youll have to lift a finger at last, darling, Alice said.
Traitor! I forbid you to see the girls, Victoria screeched.
I wasnt planning to, not at the moment; Ill be busy for a while. Besides, over the years Ive seen them far more often than you have, Alice replied and walked out.
She cried in the car, of course.
I should have warned them sooner I was leaving, she said to Stephen.
Youd have heard the same words, just louder and longer. Theyd have thrown even harsher insults your way. Sometimes you have to cut ties quickly and firmly. They stuck to you too much; no other way would have worked, Stephen answered.
Alice made Stephens house cosy. He built a proper indoor loo and put in a shower. Water still had to be hauled in, and the septic tank emptied twice a month, but those were minor issues.
Alice was offered a job as caretaker at the local school. She agreed. The pay was less, but life was calmer. Stephen and his crew worked in building. Orders came all year round. They were happy, living quietly and peacefully.
About a month later, her son-in-law brought the girls for the weekend. Daisy told her grandma that her parents argued a lot. Dad made soup himself, but couldnt manage much else. Mum wanted to work, but wasnt sure where to start.
On Sunday, son-in-law wanted to leave Maisie with Alice in the village, but Alice refused, I work, and Stephen does too. Children belong with their parents. Theyre welcome to visit, but you two must care for the girls yourselves. You had them for your own sake, not mine.
Her daughter and son-in-law were upset, but the next week the granddaughters were back at grandmas.
Were just here for the weekend, son-in-law explained and stayed as well he missed Alices cooking.
Thats how things went.
Some might think mother acted harshly toward her daughter. Some will say she was just. As many people as there are, so many opinions.
