Life never asks whether were ready for its blows; it lands without warning, and we have only two choices: break or learn to draw breath through the ache.
At fourteen, Marigold finds herself alone in the cottage. Her father has walked out, and her mother has promptly married a man in the next village and moved in with him.
Marigold, youll stay here and look after the house, her mother tells her. Sam doesnt want you living in his place. Youre almost an adult; you can manage on your own.
Mama, its terrifying to be alone at night, Marigold whines, tears brimming, but her mother smiles and brushes the sorrow aside.
No one will bite you, and Im not to blame for what your father did.
A year later her mother gives birth to a little girl, Lily, and summons Marigold back:
After school youll look after Lily, then youll go home in the evening. Make sure Sam never sees you here.
Marigold fetches water, washes the floor, watches Lily, and at six oclock she darts home because her stepfather returns from the mill at half past six. In the evenings she does her homework, and in the mornings she gets herself ready for the village school.
At sixteen Marigold blossoms into a pretty young woman, though her clothes are modest. Her mother buys her new things only when the old ones are too small. Marigold treats every garment with care, washing and ironing it gently. Teachers whisper in the staff room:
She lives alone, no mother, yet her clothes are always spotless. Good girl.
Neighbour Mrs. Thatcher, the elderly widow down the lane, offers her homemade jam and pickles. Marigold helps her with errands, runs to the shop, and so on. When she finishes Year9, she tells her mother:
Mum, I want to train as a hairdresser in the nearby town, but I need money for the bus fare. Ill have to travel each day.
Her mother agrees, hopeful that a qualification will free her from dependence. Sam mutters about the expense, but the town centre is only twelve miles away, so Marigold rides the bus every weekday, skipping weekends.
One afternoon a local lad, Ethan, spots her. He studies at the college in the city but only returns on weekends and holidays. Tall and goodlooking, Ethan has long liked Marigold, though she remains shy and plaindressed, convinced no boy will notice her.
Ethan asks her to dance at the village pub, walks her home, and soon spends the night on her sofa. Marigold is now eighteen; no one objects when Ethan visits the village. Soon she realises she is pregnant.
Ethan, what do we do? Were going to have a baby.
Ill talk to my parents, well marry. Youll be twenty soon, he replies, calming her.
Her mother, stern as ever, says, We wont accept this. We need to be sure the child is yours; maybe someone else was with you while you were at college.
Her parents press the issue, and Ethan backs away. He stops coming to the village; when he does, he walks past Marigolds cottage without a glance.
By early summer Marigold gives birth to a sturdy boy, Oliver, with the help of a community health nurse. No one assists her; she raises him alone. Ethan never looks her way again, and his mother spreads nasty rumours around the village.
Marigold pushes a pram to the shop, when gossipqueen Vera hisses, Did you hear? Ethans getting married tomorrow. You should take your child as a wedding gift.
Marigold, hurt, pulls Oliver from the pram and hurries inside. Calm down, Vera, says Aunt Annie, stepping up and embracing her. Listen, love, I had a child at your ageAndrew. His father left too. Look how he turned out. Oliver will grow up fine, youll have a good life.
That very day Ethans wedding takes place in the city; he marries a city girl he met at college, and Marigold learns of it only later.
Years pass, Oliver grows, and old Mrs. Thatcher looks after him while Marigold works at the post office. On weekends village women line up for haircuts, as theres no salon in the hamlet. Marigold cuts hair in her kitchen, sometimes in the garden during summer, charging a modest fee and earning enough to keep going.
She becomes strikingly beautiful, and Ethans younger brother, Daniel, falls for her. He follows her at work, meets her in the village square, and eventually wins her over. Daniel repairs farm machinery in the local workshops and becomes a regular presence in Marigolds life.
Rumours swirl: When darkness falls, Daniel sneaks into Marigolds cottage, thinking nobody sees. Marigold hears the chatter but shrugs it off, telling Daniel, Everyone knows us, but were not hiding.
Daniel is cheerful, treats Oliver kindly, even buying him toys. Their life seems settled until Marigold discovers shes pregnant again. Fear grips herhow will Daniel react? She gathers the courage and says, Daniel, Im pregnant. Well have another child.
Daniel lights up. Thats wonderful. Lets tell my parents together.
Marigold, remembering how her own mother once barred her from marrying Daniels brother, refuses: No, I wont go to your parents. They never approved us.
When Daniel informs his mother, she shrieks, Youve gone mad! I warned you. Maybe this isnt even your child. When I die, youll finally marry hernever! His father adds, If you marry her, youre out of this house.
Trapped between love and family, Daniel leaves for the city, staying with his brother. Marigold weeps, confiding in Mrs. Thatcher.
What am I to do, dear? I cant rid myself of this child, and I fell for another brother knowing his parents would object.
Mrs. Thatcher, seventyeight and still spry, strokes Marigolds hair. Dont worry, love. Ill help you. Ive got years left, and being with you and your children gives me purpose. Im not alone either.
Maternal love becomes Marigolds salvation. She bears a second son, Nathan, with Mrs. Thatchers constant aid. The two boys grow, Marigold and the elderly neighbour sharing chores, laughter, and quiet evenings.
Motherhood envelops Marigold; sleepless nights and worries mix with fierce love for her sons. Why does fate give me only heartache? she asks Mrs. Thatcher.
Its not heartbreak, dear. Its a blessingtwo wonderful boys who will support you. Children are wealth and joy, the old woman replies.
Time rolls on. One day a city engineer named Andrew arrives for a shortterm project fixing the farms irrigation. He notices Marigold, admires her strength, and eventually declares, I want to give you my heart.
I cant, she says, I have two boys; my life revolves around them.
I love children, though I cant have my own. Ill love yours as if they were mine, Andrew promises. Believe me, Marigold, I mean it.
She trusts him, and they move to the town together. With Andrews help she opens a proper hairdressing salon, later expanding to a fullservice beauty parlour. He embraces Oliver and Nathan as his own; the younger calls him Dad.
Marigold flourishes, becoming radiant and prosperous, buying a modest car and enjoying a comfortable life. Her eldest son, Oliver, meets a lovely partner, and they plan a wedding. Marigold smiles, saying to the couple, May happiness follow you always.
Occasionally, she and Andrew visit the village to lay flowers on Mrs. Thatchers grave. Her own mother never reconciles; she has erased Marigold from her life completely.
