Harlan Covington

Jack and Mary: A Countryside Love Story with a Twist of Fate Jack had never wanted to leave his village for the city. He loved the open spaces, the river, the fields and woods, and the camaraderie of his neighbours. He decided to become a farmer, raising pigs to sell the meat, and if he got lucky, to expand his business. He dreamed of building a big house; he had a car—old and modest for now—and had invested the money from selling his gran’s house into the business. Jack had one cherished dream: to marry Mary and make her the lady of his new house. They were already seeing each other, and Mary could see Jack’s business hadn’t taken off just yet, nor did he have big money, and the house was only just going up. But Mary was a real beauty. She never planned to chase success on her own. “That’s what beauty’s for—I deserve a husband who’ll provide, I only need to find someone who’ll take care of me. My looks are worth a lot,” she told her girlfriends. “Jack’s building a house, and he’s got a car,” said her friend Lucy, “You just have to wait, he might not take off right away.” “But I want it all, and I want it now,” Mary pouted, “Who knows when Jack will make it? He’s got no money.” Jack loved Mary, but he knew her feelings weren’t as deep as his. Still, he hoped in time she’d grow to love him. Things might have turned out all right, if it weren’t for Tom showing up in their village. Tom and his mate were visiting Tom’s nan for the holidays. He looked down his nose at the local girls, bored at the village dance, until the stunning Mary appeared. At first, Mary ignored the newcomer, but when she learned that Tom came from a wealthy family—his dad was an influential councilman in the city—she shifted her attention quickly. Tom, older than Mary and experienced with women, knew how to charm her, bringing impressive bouquets—flowers never sold in the village, ordered by special delivery. Jack saw the flowers and fumed. “Don’t take bouquets from him, why are you trying to upset me?” But Mary simply laughed. “They’re just flowers! What’s the big deal?” Jack confronted Tom: “Don’t give Mary your flowers, she’s my girl, and I have plans for her!” But Tom just shrugged it off. The two nearly came to blows, and Jack’s friends pulled them apart. After that, things soured between Jack and Mary; she avoided him, and he felt hurt. Mary knew Tom was only in the village for a month, but she began plotting to win him over and head to the city—there was nothing left for her in the village. She moved quickly. Getting Tom alone at her house was easy enough when her parents were away. She timed things perfectly so her folks would find them together. She threw on a dressing gown, and Tom barely managed to get his trousers on before he was caught. “What’s going on here?” her father barked. Mary dropped her gaze. Tom shuffled awkwardly. “Well, Tom, you have to marry our daughter now—otherwise, you’ll answer to me. Get in the next room.” What was said is anyone’s guess, but the next day Tom and Mary went to register their marriage, driven by her dad while her mum helped them pack to move to the city. The news spread through the village at lightning speed. Jack was heartbroken, though he tried not to show it. Tom cursed himself. “Why did I even come out here? She’s clever and calculating, not simple at all.” But Mary dreamed of happiness and a glamorous life in the city. “I’ll love him, give him children—he’ll thank his lucky stars. But what will his parents think of me?” To her surprise, Tom’s parents were delighted. They were tired of the superficial city girls Tom brought home who only wanted money. Mary was different—homely, practical, she’d look after their son. “Come in, Mary, make yourself at home,” said Tom’s mum, Anna. His dad, Michael, smiled. Mary put in real effort to be a good wife. Their big four-bedroom flat was comfortable, and his parents were kind. Tom started to think maybe Mary wasn’t so calculating after all. “She certainly trapped me into marriage, but she seems sincere—even if I still don’t believe we’ll be happy together,” thought Tom. “She asks no awkward questions, probably feels bad, but she has no intention of going back to the village.” Tom started lining up some fun after the wedding—he had plenty of friends in the city. But Mary shocked everyone at dinner one evening: “I’m pregnant. We’re having a baby…” “Congratulations, Mary! We’ve been waiting for grandchildren,” said Anna, while Tom realised that talking about bad timing was pointless now. The wedding followed, and Tom’s parents gave them a furnished flat. Afterward, Mary saw that Tom wasn’t thrilled about becoming a dad. “He’ll change once the baby’s here,” she told herself. She didn’t understand that Tom’s heart wasn’t in it. Tom started staying out late, telling Mary he was away on business trips. She believed him, not dreaming what he was really up to. She never told his parents that her husband was never home. She cooked, cleaned, and waited. She missed the village, her friends, her parents—more and more she thought of Jack. Was this really the right choice? When asked if he loved her, Tom dodged the question. Anna saw her daughter-in-law was unhappy and knew her son wasn’t the best husband. The birth of their son brought joy to the family. Tom was touched at first, but soon the crying, nappies, and sleepless nights got on his nerves. Mary struggled to keep up, no longer able to cook special meals, while Tom wanted to escape. He noticed most of his girlfriends had no time for him now. “What’s the point of a married man?” He told no one about his wife—she was from the country and had no education. “What job could she possibly get once our son is older? I don’t want my wife working as a cleaner or on a market stall. It’d ruin our family’s reputation. I’ll have to work for us alone. Probably alimony would be cheaper.” Tom had a steady lover, Kate—she had her own flat, money, and no desire for kids. With her, he could let off steam—partying, drinking, trips away. “Kate, if only you knew how fed up I am with the chaos at home. I don’t love my wife, my son irritates me. Sure, Mary’s pretty, but she’s a country girl—how can I take her anywhere with her village ways?” Mary realised her dream of family life with Tom was over. She knew he had someone else—he came home smelling of someone else’s perfume, sometimes with lipstick marks. He barely looked at their son, shouted at her, even raised his hand. She called her mother to complain, but was told: “We never forced you to marry Tom. That was your decision. We thought you’d marry Jack. You made your choice—now live with it. When you’re done, come back for good, but don’t expect to return halfway.” Mary was crushed. She checked Tom’s phone while he slept—and what she read between him and Kate left her speechless. She turned to her mother-in-law who warned: “If you ever think about divorce, remember—we could take your son. You know what connections my husband has. Whatever kind of father Tom is, he’s still the real dad, and he can give your child more than you can with no job or education.” Their son was teething with a fever. Tom was fed up with the crying, desperate to get to Kate. He messaged that he’d leave as soon as the baby was quiet and Mary was asleep. Kate replied: “Just give them a sleeping pill, they’ll be out in no time—the one I gave you.” Terrified, Mary saw the message. Would he really drug them? While Tom showered, she phoned Jack and explained. “I’ll come pick you up,” he said. “Tom’s parents threaten to take my son.” “They’re just scaring you,” Jack reassured her. “Try to stay calm. Let your son sleep, and when Tom leaves, call me. I’ll wait nearby.” Mary rocked her son to sleep, then lay down next to him, pretending to doze. She heard Tom peek in, then leave. As soon as he was gone, she packed a bag and called Jack. He was there swiftly and took her and the baby home with him. When Tom returned the next evening, his wife and son were gone. He phoned his parents. “No, son, Mary’s not here. Has she run off? I’ll call the police,” Anna worried. “Mum, don’t—don’t call them. I’m glad she left. I’m sick of both of them. Please, Mum,” he begged until finally she agreed. Time passed. Jack and Mary married after her divorce. They lived in a big house and were expecting another child. At last, Mary realised Jack was her true happiness.

Jack and Emily Jack never wanted to leave his village for the city. He loved the countrysidethe rolling

La vida

01

Still Living in the Shadows of the Past

Put your hat on, its freezing out there. Youll catch a cold. Claire held out the woolly hat that same

La vida

01

I Learned That Someone Had Left This Baby at the Baby Hatch Next to the Hospital Maternity Ward—Three Months After My Husband’s Death, I Chose to Adopt the Abandoned Child and Named Him After My Husband

I learned that someone had left a baby at the Baby Box next to the maternity unit of the hospital.

La vida

03

Everyone for Themselves “Mum, you have no idea what’s happening in the housing market right now,” Mark nervously shuffled through a stack of printouts, arranging them neatly only to spread them like a deck of cards across the kitchen table. “Prices are going up every week. If we don’t put down the deposit now, we’ll lose this flat to someone else.” Lydia slid a mug of cooling tea towards her son and sat opposite. Photoshop floor plans, figures, mortgage repayment graphs all flashed up on the paper. A three-bedroom new build, room for Timothy and Sophie to each finally have their own space. “How much are you short?” “Eighty-two thousand.” Mark rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I know it’s a lot. Ann’s coming apart at the seams, the kids are growing, and we’re still stuck in rentals…” Lydia watched her son and saw the same boy who used to pick dandelion bouquets for her. Thirty-two, two children of his own, but that little frown between his eyebrows was just the same as when he’d worried about unfinished homework. “I’ve got savings. They’re in my account.” “Mum, I’ll pay you back, promise. As soon as everything settles down, I’ll start returning it.” She covered his hand with her own, worn tough by a lifetime of cooking and cleaning. “Mark, it’s for the grandkids. What’s money compared to family?” At the bank, Lydia filled out the forms in the neat script honed by thirty years as an accountant. Eighty-two thousand. Almost everything she’d set aside through the years. For emergencies. Just in case. For “you never know.” Mark gave her a tight hug right at the cashier’s window, ignoring the waiting queue. “You’re the best. Honestly. I won’t forget.” Lydia patted his back. “Off you go now. Ann’s probably waiting.” …The first months in the new flat blurred together in a carousel of crosstown trips. Lydia arrived with Sainsbury’s bags—chicken, oats, butter, kids’ yoghurts. She helped Ann hang curtains, build IKEA furniture, scrub builder’s dust off the window ledges. “Timothy! Careful with those tools!” she shouted, balancing curtain hooks and explaining to her daughter-in-law the finer points of cottage pie. Ann nodded, phone in hand. Mark appeared in the evenings, worn out, ate his mum’s dinners in minutes, vanished to his room. “Thanks, Mum,” he called on his way out. “What would we do without you?” …Half a year later, her phone lit up with his number. “Hi, Mum… there’s a thing. The mortgage is due and the car needs repairs—missing by about three and a half grand.” Lydia transferred the money without hesitating. It’s hard for young families, after all—new expenses, little children, stressful jobs. They’ll get on their feet—return it. Or not. What does it matter when it’s family? The years slipped faster than water through fingers. Timothy turned seven—Lydia bought him that Lego set he’d begged his parents for. Sophie twirled in a pink sparkling dress, just like the one she’d seen on a Disney princess. “Nana, you’re the best!” Sophie hugged her, smelling of shampoo and sweets. Every weekend Lydia took the grandkids, or took them to the theatre, theme park, skating rink. Ice cream, toys, books. Her old coat pockets were stuffed with sweets and wet wipes. Five years passed in this cheerful, willing servitude. Money for the mortgage—“Mum, it’s a tight month.” Sick days—“Mum, we can’t take off work.” Food—“Mum, you’re going to the shops anyway…” Thank-yous became less frequent. …That morning she stared at the stained ceiling. Rusty streaks creeping across the plaster—her flat had flooded, and it was uninhabitable. She called her son. “Mark, I need help with repairs. I don’t know when I’ll get the insurance—” “Mum,” he interrupted, “I just can’t right now. The kids have clubs and classes. Ann’s just started a course…” “I’m not asking for much, just to help find someone to do the work. Or maybe—” “I really haven’t got time, Mum, especially not for something like that,” Mark repeated like he hadn’t heard her. “Let’s talk about it later, okay?” The dial tone. Lydia put down the phone. The screensaver flickered—a photo from last Christmas. Herself, Timothy, Sophie. All smiling. That money he’d borrowed without a thought. Those weekends she’d given to his children. The time, energy, love—all that was “before.” Now there were “other priorities.” A drop from the ceiling landed cold on her hand. The next day Ann rang herself—a rare occurrence that put Lydia on edge before her daughter-in-law even spoke. “Mrs Parker, Mark told me about your call,” Ann sounded irritated. “You do understand, everyone needs to look after their own problems, right? We’ve got to handle our own mortgage…” Lydia almost laughed. The mortgage she’d been topping up every third month. The deposit made almost entirely from her own pocket. “Of course, Ann,” she replied calmly, “Everyone for themselves.” “Glad we agree. Mark’s just worried you’re upset. You’re not upset, are you?” “No. Not at all.” The dial tone. Lydia set the phone on the table and stared at it as if it were a strange insect. Then she went to the window, but found nothing outside to comfort her. Nights became endless hours with the ceiling pressing down, memories spinning through her mind. She revisited the last five years like counting prayer beads. She had created this herself. Raised her son to believe his mother was a never-ending resource. That morning Lydia called the estate agent. “I’d like to put my cottage on the market. Six plots, just outside London, all mains services connected.” The cottage she and her husband had built over twenty years. The apple trees she’d planted when pregnant with Mark. The veranda where countless summer evenings were spent. A buyer came in a month. Lydia signed the paperwork with no time for nostalgia. The money hit her account, and she coolly split it up: home repairs, a new savings account, a rainy-day fund. The builders moved in the next week. Lydia chose the tiles, wallpaper, taps herself. For the first time in years, she spent on herself—without saving for “bad days” or worrying who’d need help next. Mark didn’t call. Two weeks, three, a month. Lydia didn’t call either. The first phone call came after the renovations were complete. The new kitchen gleamed, windows no longer rattled, the pipes no longer leaked. “Mum, why haven’t you come over? Sophie’s been asking.” “I’ve been busy.” “With what?” “Living, Mark. My own life.” She visited the next week. Brought books for the grandchildren—nice gifts, but not extravagant. Spent a couple of hours over tea, chatting about weather and school. Declined dinner. “Mum, can you babysit the kids Saturday?” Mark waylaid her in the hall. “We’re—” “Can’t. I have plans.” She saw his face fall. He didn’t understand. Not yet. In time, he might. Months went by, and the truth dawned: without Mum’s transfers, the mortgage ate a third of their income. Without a free babysitter, there was no one to watch the kids. Lydia, meanwhile, opened a new high-interest savings account. Bought herself a proper winter coat—new, warm, not from a charity shop. Spent two weeks at a spa hotel. Took up Nordic walking. She remembered how Ann’s parents always kept their distance. Polite greetings at holidays, obligatory visits every couple of months. No money, no help, no sacrifices. No complaints from their daughter either. Maybe they’d been right all along? Rare visits with the grandchildren became formal. Lydia came, gave modest presents, chatted about school and mates. Left after a couple of hours, never stayed over, never took the kids away for the weekend. Timothy asked her once: “Nana, why don’t you take us to the park anymore?” “Nana’s busy now, Timmy.” He didn’t understand. But Mark, standing in the doorway, maybe started to get it. Lydia went back to her freshly renovated flat that smelled of new paint and new furniture. She brewed herself a good cup of tea and settled into a comfy chair, bought with the cottage money. Guilt crept up at night, sometimes. But less and less. Because Lydia had finally learned: love isn’t martyrdom. Especially when no one notices—or cares—about your sacrifice. This time, she chose herself. For the first time in thirty-two years of motherhood.

Every Man for Himself Mum, you honestly wouldnt believe what the housing markets like right now, Matthew

La vida

04

“Baldy, Wake Up!” – How My Husband Became My Morning Alarm and the Surprising Story Behind My Shaved Head Last year, I decided to do something I’d never thought of before. Not long ago, I started noticing itchy bumps all over my scalp—they looked like a rash, my head was constantly itchy, and my hair began falling out. Visits to the dermatologist and trichologist were fruitless. The doctor even advised against vitamins, believing they wouldn’t help anyone. Then I read an article claiming that shaving your head smooth can dramatically strengthen hair follicles. I hesitated for a long time before taking the plunge. Even when my son said he’d be scared of bald me, I still went through with it… I told my husband to first trim my hair with clippers, then use a razor to shave it all off. He got the clippers, though he didn’t really believe I’d go through with it. Once it was done, I looked in the mirror and was amazed—I had a perfectly shaped head. The main problem was the cold; going out with a bare scalp was freezing. And as my hair began to grow back, it stuck to the pillow in the most uncomfortable way. After my husband shaved my head, he started waking me up every morning with, “Baldy, wake up!”—which cracked me up, since I had become the baldest person in the family. At first, my kids were surprised, but then my son decided he’d like to match me. My mum told me not to visit her until my hair grew back, as she couldn’t bear the sight. My daughter begged me not to go to her school meeting without a hat, and my husband nonchalantly said that if I did, people would forget why they were there, and her classmates would envy her stylish mum. After shaving, the bumps disappeared on their own. My daughter still laughs and says she never knows what I’ll do next. One day, I even overheard her telling her brother she thought I might get a tattoo on my bald head.

Oi, Baldy, wake up! That was how my husband took to rousing me from sleep in those days. It was the previous

La vida

03

My Husband Has an Intense Email Friendship with His Former Colleague – and She’s Still Part of Our Lives Even Though She Lives Abroad

I can honestly say Im incredibly fortunate to have my husband. Hes almost the perfect man for me!

La vida

03

I’m 60 Years Old and No Longer Expect Friends or Family in My Home – Why I’ve Stopped Entertaining Guests, Embraced My Own Company, and Prefer Meeting Loved Ones Out in Cafés Instead of Hosting at Home

Im sixty years old. I no longer expect friends or relatives to come calling at my home. Quite a few people

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03

Mum, Your Son Is a Grown Man! How I Finally Stood Up to My Mother-in-Law’s Overbearing Control—From Choosing His Underwear at 30 to Decorating Our Home Without Asking, and Why I Packed My Bags and Left with My Mum When She Tried to Keep Us Apart

Mum, your son is a grown man! Thats exactly what I said to my mother-in-law while she, for the umpteenth

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05

How My Son’s Mother-in-Law Stole Him Away from Us Ever since our son got married, he refuses to visit us—he’s always at his mother-in-law’s house. She always needs urgent help. I can’t even imagine how she managed before her daughter married our son. Our son has been married for over two years. After the wedding, the newlyweds moved into the flat we bought for him when he started university. He’s always had our support and understanding. Even before the wedding, he lived on his own since his flat was close to his work. I won’t say I didn’t like my daughter-in-law—she just never seemed mature enough for married life, despite being only two years younger than our son. She often acted like a child and was quite moody at times. Our son is such a kind soul, and I always wondered how he’d manage life with someone so childish. After meeting her and her mother, I realised what kind of people they are. Despite being my age, my son’s mother-in-law acts like a child herself. Maybe you’ve met people who behave like children even when they’re older? They’re very immature and helpless. When her daughter got married, she was already on her sixth divorce. We never had much to say to each other—she was in her own world, though she didn’t try to invade ours. Our communication rarely went beyond the polite congratulations at the wedding. The warning signs started even before the wedding—the daughter-in-law would constantly drag our son over to her mum’s: a leaking tap, a socket to fix, a kitchen shelf that had fallen down. The first time, I let it go—there wasn’t a man in the house, so of course, an extra pair of hands would help. But the issues at her house never seemed to end. Our son started ignoring us, always saying he and his wife were off to her mother’s. Soon after, they began spending every holiday at his mother-in-law’s, leaving only me, my father, and my mother-in-law alone here. It was bad enough when our son stopped coming to all family celebrations, but it hurt even more when he started ignoring our requests for help. When we bought a new fridge and asked our son for help moving it, he agreed at first, but later he called to say he couldn’t because he and his wife were going to her mum’s again—this time about a leaking washing machine. When my husband rang him, we overheard my daughter-in-law saying, “Couldn’t your parents just hire movers?” Our son did turn up, but he was in a vile mood. “Dad, couldn’t you have just booked a removals team? Now I have to lug this thing myself!” That’s when I lost my patience. Why couldn’t his mother-in-law just call a specialist herself? Is she living in a parallel universe where those don’t exist? My son said the poor woman needed help because everyone tries to cheat her nowadays—they’ll take her money and not fix a thing. At that point, my husband snapped and said, “Maybe your mother-in-law doesn’t know much about appliances, but she’s certainly a skilled shepherd—she’s managed to lead one sheep perfectly.” Our son stormed out, furious with his dad. I didn’t interfere—as much as I agreed with my husband that our new in-laws had made themselves very comfortable on our son’s back, he could have put it more gently, and now our son refuses to see him and is upset with me too. After that row, our son hasn’t spoken to his dad for more than two weeks. His father won’t be the first to make amends. I feel torn—caught between a rock and a hard place. Of course, my husband is right, but he could have put it more kindly. Now my son is offended, and I risk losing him altogether over something so petty. Neither will give way—they both say the other should apologise first. Meanwhile, his mother-in-law seems to be having the time of her life! — **How My Son’s Mother-in-Law Took Him Away from Our Family: Ever Since He Got Married, He’s Always at Her House—Now There’s Always an Emergency Needing His Help, and He Hardly Sees Us Anymore**

How My Son Was Drawn Away by His Mother-in-Law It feels like it was just yesterday, though many years

La vida

010

How My Son’s Mother-in-Law Stole Him Away from Us Ever since our son got married, he refuses to visit us—he’s always at his mother-in-law’s house. She always needs urgent help. I can’t even imagine how she managed before her daughter married our son. Our son has been married for over two years. After the wedding, the newlyweds moved into the flat we bought for him when he started university. He’s always had our support and understanding. Even before the wedding, he lived on his own since his flat was close to his work. I won’t say I didn’t like my daughter-in-law—she just never seemed mature enough for married life, despite being only two years younger than our son. She often acted like a child and was quite moody at times. Our son is such a kind soul, and I always wondered how he’d manage life with someone so childish. After meeting her and her mother, I realised what kind of people they are. Despite being my age, my son’s mother-in-law acts like a child herself. Maybe you’ve met people who behave like children even when they’re older? They’re very immature and helpless. When her daughter got married, she was already on her sixth divorce. We never had much to say to each other—she was in her own world, though she didn’t try to invade ours. Our communication rarely went beyond the polite congratulations at the wedding. The warning signs started even before the wedding—the daughter-in-law would constantly drag our son over to her mum’s: a leaking tap, a socket to fix, a kitchen shelf that had fallen down. The first time, I let it go—there wasn’t a man in the house, so of course, an extra pair of hands would help. But the issues at her house never seemed to end. Our son started ignoring us, always saying he and his wife were off to her mother’s. Soon after, they began spending every holiday at his mother-in-law’s, leaving only me, my father, and my mother-in-law alone here. It was bad enough when our son stopped coming to all family celebrations, but it hurt even more when he started ignoring our requests for help. When we bought a new fridge and asked our son for help moving it, he agreed at first, but later he called to say he couldn’t because he and his wife were going to her mum’s again—this time about a leaking washing machine. When my husband rang him, we overheard my daughter-in-law saying, “Couldn’t your parents just hire movers?” Our son did turn up, but he was in a vile mood. “Dad, couldn’t you have just booked a removals team? Now I have to lug this thing myself!” That’s when I lost my patience. Why couldn’t his mother-in-law just call a specialist herself? Is she living in a parallel universe where those don’t exist? My son said the poor woman needed help because everyone tries to cheat her nowadays—they’ll take her money and not fix a thing. At that point, my husband snapped and said, “Maybe your mother-in-law doesn’t know much about appliances, but she’s certainly a skilled shepherd—she’s managed to lead one sheep perfectly.” Our son stormed out, furious with his dad. I didn’t interfere—as much as I agreed with my husband that our new in-laws had made themselves very comfortable on our son’s back, he could have put it more gently, and now our son refuses to see him and is upset with me too. After that row, our son hasn’t spoken to his dad for more than two weeks. His father won’t be the first to make amends. I feel torn—caught between a rock and a hard place. Of course, my husband is right, but he could have put it more kindly. Now my son is offended, and I risk losing him altogether over something so petty. Neither will give way—they both say the other should apologise first. Meanwhile, his mother-in-law seems to be having the time of her life! — **How My Son’s Mother-in-Law Took Him Away from Our Family: Ever Since He Got Married, He’s Always at Her House—Now There’s Always an Emergency Needing His Help, and He Hardly Sees Us Anymore**

How My Son Was Drawn Away by His Mother-in-Law It feels like it was just yesterday, though many years