A good woman. What would we do without her?
And you only pay her two thousand pounds a month.
Margaret, havent we left her the flat in our will?
She doesnt know that.
Comedy
Henry shuffled out of bed, his joints protesting, then made his way slowly into the next room. In the soft yellow glow of the bedside lamp, he peered at his wife with tired, watery eyes.
He knelt next to her quietly, listening for the subtle rise and fall of her chest. Seems all right, he muttered to himself.
Rising, he ambled into the kitchen, opened a bottle of milk, then visited the bathroom before retiring to his little room.
He lay in the dark, unable to sleep.
Were both ninety, Margaret and I, he thought, staring up at the ceiling, How much longer will we be? Soon enough, well be on our way to the pearly gates, and theres no one left beside us.
The daughters were goneJane had passed away before she even reached sixty.
David, their son, too, was long gone. Too fond of the drink There was their granddaughter, Emily, but shed been living in France for the past twenty years. She rarely remembered her grandparents. She must have grown-up children by now
He drifted off, thoughts swirling.
A gentle hand woke him.
Henry, are you all right? came a faint whisper.
He blinked awake. His wife was leaning over him.
Whats wrong, Margaret?
I just saw you lying there, so still.
Im still alive! Off you go now, get some rest.
He listened to Margarets slippers shuffling down the hall. The click of the kitchen switch echoed distantly.
She sipped some water, took her time in the bathroom, and then headed back to her own room. Lying on her bed, she stared at the ceiling.
One of these days Ill wake and hell be gone. What then? Or maybe Ill go first.
Henrys already arranged our wakes. Never thought you could sort something like that in advance. Then again, maybe its for the best. Who else would do it?
Emilys completely forgotten about us. Only the neighbour, Ivy, pops in. Shes the only one with a key. Henry gives her a thousand pounds from our pension. She shops for us, helps where needed. Not much we can spend it on nowcant even manage the stairs from the fourth floor.
Henry opened his eyessunlight streamed through the window. He stepped on the balcony to find the top of the cherry tree lush and green. A small smile appeared on his lips.
We made it to summer, then.
He went to see Margaret, who was sitting lost in thought on her bed.
Come on, love, enough of this brooding. I want to show you something.
Oh, I havent got the strength, Henry! she protested, struggling to her feet. What are you scheming now?
Just come along!
He guided her, arm around her shoulders, out onto the balcony.
Lookthe cherry trees all in leaf! You said wed never see another summer. But here we are!
My word, so it is! And the suns out too.
They sat together on the little bench.
Do you remember when I asked you to the pictures? Back in school. The cherry tree had just turned green that day too.
How could I forget that? All these years
Seventyno, seventy-five years
They lingered there, enveloped by memories of youth. Strange, all that slips away with ageeven what you did yesterdayyet youth, you never forget.
Oh, were nattering away! Margaret said, standing. We havent even had breakfast.
Brew us some good tea, eh Margaret? Im so tired of this herbal rubbish.
Were not supposed to, you know.
Just make it weak, and go easy on the sugar.
Henry sipped the pale tea, nibbling a small cheese sandwich as he remembered the days when breakfast meant strong, sweet tea and freshly baked scones or crumpets.
Their neighbour Ivy knocked and peeked in, smiling broadly.
How are we doing, then?
What sort of business can ninety-year-olds possibly have? Henry quipped.
Youre joking, so youre all right. Anything you want?
Ivy, get some chicken, will you? Henry asked.
Youre not supposed to have that.
Chickens all right.
Right. Ill pick some up and make noodle soup for your lunch.
She cleared the table, did the washing up, and vanished with a cheery wave.
Margaret, join me on the balcony, Henry suggested. Lets soak up some sun.
All right, Im coming!
Soon Ivy appeared again and popped her head out.
Cant get enough of this sunshine, can you?
Its lovely out here, Ivy! Margaret beamed.
Ill bring you some porridge and get started on your soup in a tick.
Shes a good woman, Henry said, watching Ivy go. What would we do without her?
And yet we only pay her two thousand pounds a month.
Margaret, weve left her the flat.
She doesnt even know.
They remained on the balcony until lunchtime. Lunch was rich chicken soup, broth more flavourful than theyd tasted in ages, with parcels of chicken and buttery-soft potatoes.
I used to make this for Jane and David when they were little, Margaret reminisced.
And now, in our old age, its someone else who cooks for us, Henry sighed.
Perhaps, Henry, thats just how life is. When were gone, therell be no one left to cry for us.
Enough, Margaretno more gloom. Lets rest a bit.
Henry, they say it best: Old and young come full circle. Its just like being children again: mashed soup, afternoon naps, teatime.
Henry dozed for a while, but found himself awake before long. The weather must be changing, he thought. He slipped into the kitchen where two glasses of juice, carefully poured by Ivy, waited on the table.
With both hands, he carried them to Margaret, who sat by the window, lost in thought.
Whats wrong, love? he smiled, Have some juice.
She took the glass, sipped.
You cant sleep either?
Its this weather.
Ive felt odd since morning, Henry, Margaret said, shaking her head sadly. I can sense theres not much time left. Bury me well, will you?
Margaret, dont say such things. How will I manage without you?
One of us will go first, thats just how things are.
Thats enough now. Come out on the balcony with me.
They stayed outside until twilight. Ivy brought in cottage cheese cakes dusted with sugar. They ate, then settled in to watch the telly. The newer films were impossible to follow, so they watched old comedies and cartoons.
Tonight, only one cartoon before Margaret rose from the sofa.
Im off to bed. Im so very tired.
Ill turn in too.
Waitlet me have a good look at you, she asked suddenly.
Whatever for?
Just for a moment.
They exchanged long, searching glancesa silent testament to seventy-five years love.
Come on, Ill see you to your bed.
Margaret took Henrys arm and they walked slowly together.
He tucked her in gently before heading off to his own room.
A heaviness weighed on his chest, making sleep impossible.
He barely noticed when night crept in. Yet, the digital clock glowed 2am. He rose and shuffled to Margarets room.
She lay staring at the ceiling.
Margaret! he called and took her hand.
Margaret, whats wrong? Mar-garet!
Suddenly, breath tightened in his own chest. He staggered to his room, retrieved a folder of arranged papers, and placed them on the table.
He returned to his wifes side, watched her face for a long time, then lay beside her and closed his eyes.
He saw Margaret as shed been, young and radiant, seventy-five years ago. She walked towards a bright light in the distance. He ran to catch up, took her hand.
At dawn, Ivy stepped into the bedroom. They lay side by side, peaceful smiles frozen on their faces.
At last, Ivy called for the doctor.
When he arrived, he looked at the couple, shook his head with awe.
They passed together. Must have loved each other deeply
They were taken away. Ivy slumped onto the kitchen chair and suddenly noticed the stack of papers and the will made out in her name.
She buried her face in her arms and wept.
