Mary was sat by her friend Helens grave, quietly crying. It had been forty days since the funeral and still, not a single flower on the headstone. She wiped her eyes and headed home, feeling the emptiness settle in. As she walked out of the cemetery, a man caught up with her.
Do you need a lift? he asked kindly. Its quite a walk to the bus stop. No trouble for me at all. Who have you got here?
My friend Mary managed.
Ive just lost my mum myself, the man said softly. So, where are you going?
The bus stops fine. I dont want to put you out.
But Ive got no plans today, its not a problem. Ill take you.
He drove her right up to her flat. On the way, Mary found herself telling him her story. Two days later, Paul was waiting outside her block, ready for a surprising conversation.
Mary and Helen had been inseparable since nursery. Growing up, theyd dress alike, swap clothes, and kept their friendship blooming all through school. They ended up going off to university in the same city Mary training to be a doctor, Helen to be a teacher.
They saw each other often and, as fate would have it, both fell in love at the same time. Marys chap was from a village, Helens from the city.
Helen got married quickly, almost as if she was afraid hed slip away. Within a year, she had a little girl. But her husbands parents never did take to her. Not the sort of daughter-in-law they wanted for their son.
From time to time, Mary would look after Helens little one so the young couple could have a night out. Shed wish she was out, too, but shed promised, and she kept her word.
Then one evening, the young couple didnt come back. It was only in the morning that Mary found out what happened a car crash, and they were gone.
Mary barely remembered the wake she was holding the baby the whole time, wondering what would become of her now. The fathers parents had never accepted Helen, and with their son gone, they flat-out refused to take on their granddaughter. Too much pain, and, to them, the child wasnt truly theirs.
Helens mum was on her own now, but with three younger siblings to care for, she simply couldnt take in another child. There was only the childrens home left, and the little girl had just turned one.
Mary was heartbroken. She truly loved that little girl. Every first word, every shaky step shed seen it all.
Mary had started working and was renting a room from a kindly old lady. Still, who would give her a child to raise? Unmarried, on her own, just getting by.
In the end, the little girl was taken into care. Thats how it had to be; she was healthy and would soon be found a family.
Mary worried constantly about her Annie, as she was called.
Michael, I need to ask you something, she said to her boyfriend one day. Would you consider marrying me? They wont give me Annie as I am
What? He recoiled. Im not signing up for that!
I just want to be able to take her home. Afterwards we could split up if you want, but just help me.
Absolutely not. Im not messing about with my records! You dont let me in close but you want me to marry you for a kid? No. Goodbye, Mary! Go find some other fool!
Mary went back to Helens grave, tears streaming down her face. Forty days, not a single flower. Yet Helens husbands grave next to hers was overflowing with them.
Oh, Helen, Ill make it beautiful for you too. Just help me find a way
As she left the cemetery, the same man caught up to her again.
Need a lift? Its a fair way to the bus stop. No hassle at all. If youd rather not chat, thats fine too
My friend
Im here for my mum So, shall I drop you off at the stop?
I dont want to put you out.
Honestly, Im on my own. My mums gone, my wife left Are you crying? Is it something serious? I remember you, actually. Couple buried together, right? Boy and girl. Forty days today?
Thats right.
Its forty for my mum, too Having a rough time?
Mary poured everything out in the car. When they arrived, she thanked him for both the ride and the company.
Two days later, Paul showed up outside her flat, ready to talk.
Eventually she came down to see what he wanted.
Mary, Ive been thinking. I can help you. Im free as a bird, and Im up for getting married any time you like.
Mary froze.
Arent you worried? she asked quietly.
No. Why would I be?
My last fiancé ran a mile when I asked for help with Annie.
I want to help. So, where will you live with her?
If my landlady doesnt chuck us out, here, I suppose. Or Ill find something else.
Youre coming to live with me. Tomorrow well start sorting everything out. No arguments. My place is huge, plenty of room.
You have a house? Mary was surprised.
Of course. Mum always wanted a house hated being stuck in a flat.
I never got used to city flats either. Helen and I came from the countryside
Paul got everything sorted quickly. They quietly got married, adopted Annie, and moved into his house.
Thank you. I can handle things from here on, Mary said.
From now on? Its your home. Ill be around, but I wont get in your way, Paul replied.
Maybe its best we live separately. I can rent a place.
Wife living on her own? Come off it.
Paul never pressured Mary, but he was always there for her. Mary did her best to manage things herself: cooking sometimes for Paul, cleaning, looking after Annie. She fell for him but was too scared to admit it.
Mum, why do you love me? Annie asked one day.
Because youre you, my darling girl.
Mary was so grateful to Paul. He cared for them as if they were his very own, even doting on Annie like a real dad.
Paul saw his ideal wife in Mary, only their marriage had started out as something make-believe. Thinking it over, he decided to change that. On Annies third birthday, he proposed to Mary for real.
Were already married
I want us to be a proper family.
So do I she whispered.
And at last, thats what they became not just on paper, but in truth.
They now have two wedding anniversaries, two years apart. Annies got a brother and a sister.
This all started long ago. The children are grown now. Annie knows exactly where her birth parents are laid to rest.
Their graves are always tended with the same care. For Annie, Paul and Mary will always be just as much her parents as anyone could be.
Now Annie has a granddaughter herself and Mary and Paul have a great-grandchild. The family just keeps growing, and nothing could be happier.
