Ive been thinking a lot about how everyone in the village had been talking for weeks about Toms return. It felt like the whole of Little Mapleton was waiting for him. All the girls were busy getting ready, curling their hair and fussing over their dresses. I never really felt part of their world. Being an orphan, I was always just plain Grace no frills or fancy secrets to share. But it was me Tom fell for, right from the start.
People were jealous, I know they were. How could plain Grace no family, no money, nothing to offer win Toms heart? He was everything the village girls dreamed of: tall, broad-shouldered, good-looking, from the city and proper educated, too! His parents were well-off, and hed studied somewhere abroad, or so everyone said.
And then there was Granddad Henry once the chairman of the parish council, everyone respected him. All his children had turned out well, and now he waited, boasting about his clever grandchildren.
When word spread that Tom was coming, the excitement grew. But I didnt make any special effort. I was as Id always been. And yet, Tom singled me out.
Every other girl tried to catch his eye, but it never worked. When his holiday ended, he asked me to go back to London with him. Granddad Henry sat me down before I left, Lifes not been easy for Grace, Tom. You take care of her. Tom promised he would.
Life in the city felt like another world busy and noisy, people always in a hurry. I hoped Tom would stay the gentle, considerate man Id known, but things didnt turn out that way. At first, while we planned the wedding, he was still attentive. There was a soft sort of happiness between us.
But everything changed after the honeymoon. He started acting as if he was embarrassed by me, his new bride. His mother only spoke to me with a cold formality and that superior edge that cut. With every word, I felt Id never be good enough for her precious son.
Apparently, I made the wrong kind of soup, ironed his shirts the wrong way, even mopped the floor incorrectly. I worried about it all the time, but what could I do? We all lived in that same small flat. I tried to find a job, but Tom refused.
How much could you possibly earn, with your schooling? Just stay home, he said.
So, I did. When I fell pregnant, Tom was over the moon. For a moment, it seemed everything might turn out fine. His mum stopped complaining, even snapped at her son to look after me, but then it all came crashing down when I lost the baby.
Youre no good for anything neither clever nor strong. All you have is that pretty face, and what use is that? muttered my mother-in-law. Tom just smiled, smug as ever, as if those words werent meant for me.
My second pregnancy didnt bring him any joy. The tenderness had vanished, replaced by irritation at how my body was changing. His mother snapped at him, told him to be gentle, that a child should be born in love.
But it didnt matter. Tom had cooled completely. We started sleeping in separate rooms. He left early for work and came home so late I was already in bed.
Most nights I cried myself to sleep, but I had nowhere to go. My parents were gone and I didnt want such a lonely fate for my child. I tried my hardest to hold our family together and never showed how much it hurt.
When it was time to go to hospital, there was no one to take me. Tom hadnt come home in a week. I called the ambulance myself. After giving birth, I didnt even call him; I didnt know where I belonged anymore. But when I stepped outside, there was a car waiting with balloons. For a moment, hope flared. But Tom was nowhere to be seen only my mother-in-law and Granddad Henry, dressed smartly, with a bunch of flowers.
Thank you, my dear, for this precious gift. Theres no greater great-grandchild in the world, Granddad beamed as he took the baby. Even my mother-in-law, though still stiff, couldnt take her eyes off her granddaughter.
At home, the table was set, and my favourite apple crumble was waiting Toms mother had baked it.
I never thought Tom would turn out to be such a let-down, Mrs. Collins (Toms mum) burst out. Hes abandoned you and the baby. Well, never mind him well manage on our own. Ill get him off the lease; let him live how he wants. We certainly dont need him here after all, he might bring home another wife one day.
What shall we call her? Granddad Henry asked, How about Annie, after your mum?
I broke down at that hadnt cried properly in ages. Mrs. Collins stroked my hair, Dont worry, youll be happy again. Just look what a wonderful mother you are. Shame that fool of a son of mine could never see it.
I think Ill take her back to the village. Well be better off there.
Absolutely right, agreed Granddad. Well raise her together.
***
Two years after we moved back, Paul, a simple village lad, proposed to me. A couple of years ago, having known Tom, I never would have looked twice at Paul. But now, what I wanted from a man had changed he had to be kind, and someone whod never let anyone hurt me.
Marry him, Grace, hes a good lad and youve known him since childhood! What if Tom comes back?
I cut her off. He wont. And I dont love him anymore.
Well, thats that! Granddad cheered. Time to start wedding plans.
***
On our wedding day, Mrs. Collins came down from London.
How do you look after Grace? she demanded of Paul, her tone cold. She walked home today from work. And the house theres no order, Annies tights havent even been ironed.
And who are you, exactly? Paul fired back.
Im the mother-in-law.
Ex-mother-in-law, Paul corrected.
Oh, do stop bickering! I laughed, Youre never really an ex-mother-in-law.
I get nervous, thats all, Mrs. Collins confessed. I just worry you wont let me see Annie.
Come whenever you like, Paul said gently, But well build our family ourselves, without outside help.
I looked at Paul with pride. I knew in that moment this one, hed never let anyone hurt me. And finally, I smiled.
