Shes a good woman. What would we do without her?
And you only pay her sixteen hundred pounds a month.
Margaret, weve left her the flat in our will.
Arthur rose from the bed, his movements slow and deliberate, and shuffled into the next room. In the dim glow of his bedside lamp, his tired eyes settled on his wife.
He sat beside her, listening for the gentle rhythm of her breath. Seems all right.
He stood up again, plodded to the kitchen, poured himself some milk, then drifted into the bathroom before returning to his own room.
He settled onto the mattress, but sleep would not come.
Were both ninety, Margaret and I. How long have we really lived? Our times nearly up, and now, theres no one left beside us.
Their daughter, Emily, gone before sixty. Their son, Peter, as welllost to his wild ways. A granddaughter, Sophie, but shes lived in Australia for over twenty years. Never rings, never writes. She must have children of her own by now, all grown up, no thought for her old grandparents.
Somehow, sleep finally claimed him.
He awoke to the touch of a hand.
Arthur, are you all right? came the faint, quivering voice.
He opened his eyes and saw his wife leaning over him.
Whats got into you, Margaret?
You were just lying so still I thoughtwell, never mind.
Im alive, for now! Go back to bed!
Her soft footsteps retreated; the kitchen switch clicked.
Margaret poured herself a glass of water, visited the loo, then made her way back to her tiny bedroom and collapsed onto her bed.
One day, Ill wake up, and hell be gone. Or maybe Ill go first, she thought. Arthurs even arranged our funerals. I never would have imagined you could organise such things ahead of time. But perhaps its for the best. Who else would see to it?
Sophies forgotten all about us. Only Lucy, our neighbour, comes by. She has a key, bless her. Arthur gives her thirty pounds from his pension each week. She brings our shopping, sorts what needs sorting. What would we do with money, anyway? We can barely get down from the fourth floor now.
Morning sunlight nudged at the curtains. Arthur opened his eyes and saw the green crown of the cherry tree from the balcony. He smiled.
We made it to another summer.
He went to check on Margaret, who sat silent, pensive on her bed.
Come on, Maggie, enough moping. I want to show you something.
Oh, Arthur, Im too tired, she sighed, struggling upright. What are you plotting now?
Come on, come on!
He helped her to the balcony, careful and attentive.
Look, the cherry trees in full flush! And you said wed never see another summer. Well, here it is!
Oh, youre right! And the suns out for once.
They settled together on the old bench.
Dyou remember when I took you to the pictures? That time back in schoolcherry tree was just blooming, same as now.
How could I ever forget? How many years has it been?
Seventy-odd… seventy-five, give or take.
They sat there together, lost in memories. Age had taken so muchthe little details from yesterday, sometimes even breakfast forgotten before lunchbut youth and love lingered, sharp and clear.
Oh, goodness, are we still nattering on? Margaret stood. I havent even made us breakfast.
Put the kettle on and make proper tea for once, love! Im tired of all this herbal nonsense.
Its not good for us, you know.
Just a weak one. A little milk, one sugar.
Arthur sipped the watered-down tea and nibbled a tiny sandwich with a thin slice of cheddar, his mind drifting back to the days when breakfast meant strong, sweet tea and warm scones or fried eggs.
Lucy let herself in just then, smiling with approval.
How are you two keeping?
At ninety? What do you expectskipping about the place? Arthur joshed, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth.
As long as youre joking, youre well enough. Anything I can pick up for you?
Lucy, would you get us some chicken? Arthur asked.
You can have chicken, but not sausages or beef. Doctors orders.
Chicken will do.
Ill make you a noodle soup for lunch, then!
Lucy tidied, washed up, and left.
Shall we have another sit on the balcony, my dear? Arthur asked, eager for the suns gentle warmth.
Yes, lets!
A short while later, Lucy popped her head out again. Missing the sunshine, are you?
Its lovely here, Lucy, Margaret replied, smiling thinly.
Ill bring you some porridge and get lunch started.
Shes such a good woman, Arthur said as Lucy vanished back into the flat. What on earth would we do without her?
And you only pay her sixteen hundred a month?
Weve left her this flat, Margaret.
She doesnt know that.
They spent the rest of the morning on the balcony. Lunch was a steaming chicken noodle souprich, fragrant, with tender bits of meat and potatoes.
I always made this for Emily and Peter when they were little ones, Margaret recalled, spoon hovering over the bowl.
And now, strangers cook for us, Arthur replied, his voice weighted with sorrow.
Maybe its just our fate, Arthur. When were both gone, no one will shed a tear.
No more gloom, Margaret. Lets go have a nap.
Arthur darted her a look full of warmth. They say, Old men are just children grown long in years. Everythings back to childhood: soup for lunch, a nap, afternoon tea.
Arthur napped briefly, but his mind refused to settle. He wandered to the kitchen. Two glasses of orange juice stood ready, Lucys quiet care evident.
He picked them up, careful not to spill, and went to Margarets room. She was perched on the bed, lost in thought at the window.
Why so mopey, Maggie? Arthur smiled. Try some of this.
She sipped it quietly, then sighed, You cant sleep, either?
Its this weather, must be.
I havent felt right since morning, she said softly. Its like theres not much left of me nowbut, Arthur, promise youll lay me to rest properly.
Dont talk like that, Margaret! Whatll I do without you?
One of us will go first, you know that.
Enough of that! Come, lets go to the balcony.
They sat, letting the day slip by. Later, Lucy brought cheese fritters. They ate, then sat down to watch the tellyold comedies and cartoons, nothing too complicated.
Tonight, just one cartoon. Then Margaret shuffled to her feet.
Im off to bed. Im exhausted.
Ill turn in as well.
Let me have a proper look at you, she said suddenly, reaching for his cheek.
Whatever for?
I just want to see you, thats all.
They gazed at each other for a long while, perhaps recalling those far-back days when the future stretched out ahead.
Come, Ill see you to your bed.
Margaret took his arm and they shuffled onwards together. Arthur tucked her in, smoothing the blanket with trembling hands, then retreated to his own bed.
A deep heaviness pressed down on his chest. Sleep wouldnt come.
Arthur felt as if he was awake the whole night. The illuminated clock showed two in the morning. He went to Margarets room.
She lay there, eyes wide open.
Margaret!
He clasped her hand.
Margaret, love, whats going on? Mar-ga-ret!
Suddenly, his own chest tightened. Gasping, he staggered back to his room, took the folder with their documents and will, and placed it on the table where it could be found.
He returned to her side, gazing at her face for a long time. At last, he lay beside her and closed his eyes.
In the darkness, he saw his Margaret young againradiant as shed been seventy-five years earlier, walking towards the distant, beckoning light. He rushed to her, caught her by the hand.
Morning came. Lucy entered quietly. She found them lying side by side, matching expressions of peace and gentle happiness on their faces.
She rang for the ambulance.
The doctor, upon seeing them, shook his head with rare tenderness.
They went together. Must have loved each other a great deal
After they were taken away, Lucy slumped in a kitchen chair. She noticed the folder and the will addressed to her.
Head in her hands, Lucy began to weep.
