AUNT EDITH
Aunt Edith was brought from the countryside. The older lady had grown weary trying to manage the farm on her own. So her niece, Margaret, collected Edith and brought her to live in the city.
Her husband, Richard, was content with the arrangement. He was a reserved, slender man, always in spectacles, and he listened to Margarets every word, never questioning her. She was the louder, broader sortfull of energy and kindness.
Shes family, after all. Aunt Edith has no children of her own, and my dear mums gone nowshe was thirty years younger than Edith, born in Dads second marriage. Strange, isnt it, how Mum was taken so soon. Poor Aunt Edith! Well take her in! Margaret had declared.
Her childrenMichael and Lucydidnt know Aunt Edith at all. Truth be told, Margaret herself had only seen Edith a handful of times. They hadnt spoken by telephone, only through letters, as Edith had never came around to modern gadgets. She didnt even own a radio, let alone a mobile.
And so Edith arrived, petite and whimsical, almost elfin in statureMichael, barely thirteen, towered above her. Her hair was a wild cloud, reminiscent of a dandelion, and she always wore her pillbox hat perched atop her head. Yet her eyes were startlingly young, and a piercing shade of blue.
In Ediths hands was a tote and an old mesh bagboth relics from years gone byalong with two battered suitcases. Clutched to her chest was a fluffy ginger cat, who lazily surveyed the flat before leaping to the floor and commencing a curious exploration.
This is Tangerine, Edith explained. Hes come with me. A living soulI hope you wont mind.
Then she added, Youre all mine now. My dear ones!
Later, they had a little feastEdith had brought along pickles and homemade jams. Margaret marvelled as her normally picky children gobbled down the preserves, cucumbers, ratatouille and everything else.
Margaret, do you have an allotment? Ill plant everything for you, even if my strength isnt what it used to be. We must always grow our ownyou cant do without! declared Aunt Edith.
Margaret replied that they had no allotment, no garden. Why bother? We can buy everything we need, and besides, theres never any time. I work two jobs, and Richard does too. We only catch glimpses of the children. Weve still years of paying off the mortgage.
You need an allotment. Dont look at me like that, Margaret. No one can thrive without earth. Well find a plot, Edith insisted, before heading to her room.
Find a plot, huh? Margaret muttered as she washed up. She thinks were millionaires or something, the way were stretched these days!
The next day was Sunday. Richard lounged in bed, reading the paper. Margaret shouted for the children to heat up some ready meals, then decided to have a little rest herself. Michael and eight-year-old Lucy buried their noses in their phones, as usual.
Tangerine the cat sat nearby, nodding solemnly. Aunt Edith entered.
What are you doing? she asked.
Both children began explaining, showing her their screens. Edith shook her head slowly. In my village, Ive seen things like thesemaybe a bit simpler. I never got one, didnt need it. Wrote your mother lettersfelt more natural. But I see now: you can find anyone, anywhere. Truly useful. Well, put them aside now and come with me!
Why? Were playing! protested Michael.
Playingwhere? Youre just sitting with your phones. Not calling anyone.
We play inside the phone! piped Lucy.
Edith began telling stories about how children in the village played. Soon, she drew them into the kitchen.
When Margaret came to the doorway, she couldnt believe her eyes. On the table was a plateful of pancakes. Michael was happily drinking tea, while Lucy was wrapping dumplings alongside Edith.
Look, Mum! Theres a lucky oneit might just be yours! Lucy beamed.
Richard followed soon after, sniffing with delight.
From now on, on Sundays, well make dumplings together. And pancakes! We ought to eat what we make ourselves! Aunt Edith announced.
But whats the point? You can buy everything ready-made nowadays! Margaret said, who hated cooking.
She bought mostly frozen and premade foods, and the family had never complaineduntil that day.
No, Mum, lets do it ourselvesIve never tasted dumplings like these! Michael said, smiling.
Then Aunt Edith, holding a ball of elastic, looped it around two chairs and began showing Lucy how to jump elasticsa classic village game.
Dont you play like this anymore? Edith asked.
They do go outside, yes, but phones are always out. Thats the modern sort! Richard grumbled.
Thats not right! You ought to talk face-to-face. Phones are usefuldont get me wrongbut they should be used to call, message, share whats needed. Thats all! Edith replied with certainty.
In the evenings, shed knit in her chair, with Tangerine stretched luxuriously beside her.
Mum, look! Lucy tugged Margaret towards the hallway, then peeked into the bathroom.
Aunt Edith was caressing the side of the washing machine, murmuring, Happy holiday, washing machine! Serve us well, may you last for years, dear friend!
Aunt Edith, what are you doing? whispered Margaret, fearing Edith had lost her wits.
What? Its the eighth of March, after all. The washing machine is a ladyso I thought Id wish her well! Edith laughed.
But its not alive, Aunt Edith. Thats silly! Margaret scoffed.
Youd be surprised how much machines understand. Dont say such things. Once, in our village, Vasilys tractor almost got stuckhe coaxed it gently, and got it out. And Kuzma always gives his car a pep talk before a journey, calling her Petronella. You dont realise how lucky you are! We used to scrub clothes by hand, heaps of them. Took them to the river to rinse. Now look, everythings easier for you, yet you walk about with gloomy faces! Youve got phones to call your children wherever; a clever machine to do the laundry; the microwave heats your foodremarkable! Edith said, gazing around like a child in awe.
She even started meeting the children after school.
One day, Michael faced trouble in his class. He never told his parents. Crying in his corner at home, Aunt Edith marched in. Michael spilled everything, hardly knowing how. The next morning, he didnt go to school for the first two lessons. The house felt oddly silenteven Edith was gone.
Perhaps shes gone for a walk, Michael thought.
He dressed and headed to school. Near his classroom, he heard a familiar voice! Peeking through the half-open door, he saw the teacher seated, quiet, while Aunt Edith stood by the blackboard, telling stories with enthusiasm.
Oh, whys she here! Theyll only laugh! Michael leaned against the door.
But nobody laughed. When the lesson ended, his classmates clustered round Edith. He slipped inside. Peterthe Chief Troublemaker, always pestering Michaelapproached.
Hi, mate! Youre late today. Hey, your grandmas brilliant! She told us so many amazing things. Shame I dont have a grandmaI do miss her so much. Your aunt said shed take us to the park tomorrow. She knows everything about plants and creatures! She speaks so interestinglythe teacher asked her to share, Peter grinned.
Yeah, shes great! Michael laughed, racing to hug Edith.
That evening, Margaret broke down in tears, utterly exhausted. Again, Edith was at her side.
Dont cry, darling. Why are you upset? Everythings here for you. No need for tears!
Im so tired! I work too much, but feel life slipping by. Richards a gentle soul, quiet as a mouse. Men elsewhere seem tough, proper! And me Im just a nobody. Women like me arent fashionable at all now! sobbed Margaret, her head on Ediths shoulder.
Edith let her cry, then poured her tea, talking about how shed lost three children in infancy, how her healthy, handsome husband had passed far too soon, how shed grappled with illnessstaggering from the pain, barely eating, yet somehow survived.
What is this nonsense about trends for people? The Lord made us all differently. Some are delicate as reeds, others are well-rounded. So tastes differ, Margaret! Once, rounded ladies were prized! Just look at youyoure marvellous! Your hair curls by itself, eyes big and blue as ours. Your figure is lovely. Cherish whats given. Many would envy that. Theres so much loneliness out there! And Richards a gemalways loving, everything for your family. And your childrenwhat joy! Everything else it will sort itself out. Oh, theres something Ive forgotten to dotime for my bed! Edith said, leaving Margaret alone in the kitchen.
Margaret no longer felt the urge to cry. Surely Edith was right. She had everything, yet shed let herself wallow.
That day, Margaret awaited her husband after workthe long-awaited holiday had begun for her. But he was missing.
Children! Has Dad called? Where are you? she asked.
Michael was mixing something in a bowl in the kitchen. Margaret noticed hed become unexpectedly keen on cooking, flipping pancakes effortlessly now.
Lucy was constructing a house out of chairs, draping sheets and organising her toys.
The childrens phones lay unused on the shelves. Margaret had begun to notice they rarely touched them anymore, only picking up for calls.
Again and again, Margaret called Richard. The message was always: This number is temporarily unavailable.
Then she froze. Aunt Edith! Where was she? No sign of her slippers, no calm voice.
She rushed to Ediths room. Tangerine yawned lazily on the bed.
Michael! Lucy! Wheres Aunt Edith? exclaimed Margaret.
The children rushed in.
We came back from school with her, but then she went out somewhere, Lucy replied softly.
When, Lucy, when? Margaret cried. Lucy nodded, tears rolling down.
Oh heavens! We bought her a mobileand she didnt bring it again. Shes terribly old! Oh, how could she? Margaret sank into a chair.
Michael hurried to dress.
Where are you going? Margaret chased after him.
To find her! Mum, we cant manage without her! Michael cried, bounding down the stairs.
Lucy put on her trainers, going after her brother.
Margaret, hastily dressing, raced after them.
Outside the building, there they were, beaming.
Whats happened? Margaret asked.
They pointed to the left.
There, holding Richards arm, was Aunt Edith, her hat adorned with poppies.
Auntie! You startled us! Gone for hourshow could you? And you, where have you been? Margaret hugged Richards shoulder.
We went to finalise your what do you call it leak! Edith announced.
What? But how? Margaret managed.
We wanted to surprise you. Aunt Edith is an absolute legend, saved the day! Richard laughed.
But, Auntie Where did you get the money? You shouldnt have Margaret began.
What do you mean, where from? First, I saved. My pensions quite decentran my own farm, and spent hardly anything. Eggs, milk, breadI baked myself. Second, I sold my house. What good is money to me? You cant take it with you. Id always meant to leave it to you anyway. Better to give it now, when its truly needed, said Edith, in her honest, simple manner.
Margaret was silent. Now she wouldnt have to struggle through two jobs. More time for family awaited. How marvellous!
Yes, tomorrow well head out of town. Weve already chosen a cottage! Edith continued.
Our own home! Hooray! An allotment! And you promised to show us how to watch fireflies properly! And weave baskets! And make secret treasures with glass and flowers we can dig up later! the children cried, hugging Aunt Edith.
Together, arms wrapped round each other, they went home.
For a moment, Margaret paused at the entry.
She gazed skyward, whispering,
Thank you. Thank you for Aunt Edith!As she stepped inside, the hush of the flat seemed to crackle with something newa subtle shift, as if every corner had been swept by a gentle country wind. Tangerine padded after her, weaving between legs, and Aunt Edith set her hat carefully on the stand, its bright poppies nodding.
Margaret felt the weight shed carriedyears of worry, the endless racedrain away. She looked at her family, clustered around Edith, faces shining with anticipation. The promise of the cottage, the possibility of earth between their fingers, and days spent together, sprang up before herclear and bright as a spring morning.
Richard squeezed her hand. Well be alright, wont we? he murmured.
We already are, Margaret said softly, surprised by her own certainty.
Later, as the sun fadeda dusky pink bathing the cityLucy snuggled against Edith in the armchair, Michael sprawled at her feet, and Tangerine settled into the crook of Ediths lap. They listened as she spun tales of night gardens and secret paths, things growing wild and free in places you least expected. Richard nodded in time, and Margaret felt her heart light as air.
I think, Edith said, smiling at them all, the best seeds are planted not in gardens, but in hearts.
That night, before sleep claimed them, the family gathered close, laughter echoing between them. Margaret, gazing at Aunt Edith, saw not an old woman, but a keeper of magica bridge between worlds, the gift she hadnt known she needed.
And so, in the city, with country dreams on the horizon, their home filled with the music of togetherness, quietly blossomingjust as Aunt Edith had promised.
