CANT WAIT TO BE MARRIED
Alice is quite eager to marry well. Shes already tried her luck at an imperfect marriage once before.
Her son, Arthur, is now twenty.
Years ago, her husband was caught in an outrageous act of infidelity. Alice returned a day early from a work trip and found her husband, half-dressed, making the bed in their bedroom. Her closest friend was in the kitchen, brewing coffee in Alices dressing gown.
It was straight out of a soap opera. Divorce followed immediately. The treacherous friend was erased from every contact list. Alice didnt dig into the sordid details. Guilt warrants punishment, she reasoned. She packed her husbands things and sent him out, forbidding her son from having any contact. Alice was not yet thirty then.
More than a decade has rolled by. Alice has since earned her Masters, followed by a PhD. At forty, she is now a Doctor of Philology and heads the English department at the local teacher training university. Shes well respected in her field. Throughout her ten years of solitude, Alice never abandoned the hope of finding a proper companion. She thought it too early to retire into knitting and embroidery.
Suitors werent in short supply, yet none ever truly anchored in the harbour of her heart. One man, after their first date, proposed straightaway, borrowed some money (We’re practically family now), and vanished. Another was a widower looking for a mother for his broodinvited Alice over and requested she cook a hearty dinner for his whole family. There were three young children, each smaller than the next. Alice cooked the meal and fed the children before heading home in tears. Pity moved her, but she realised she could never carry such a burden. Perhaps I am selfish, Alice consoled herself.
With each passing year, her chances seemed to dwindle. Just as she prepared to lay these hopeless efforts to rest with a final, resounding full stop, He appeared on the horizon.
He was a former studentWesley, twenty-eight. Hed once been in Alices class, and she remembered his diligence well. After finishing university, Wesley remained in Manchester and started a small business.
One day, Alice stopped for petrol and was surprised to discover that Wesley owned the service station. They chatted, reminisced about university days, and shared a laugh. Wesley offered her his business cardjust in case. Soon, Alice found herself there once a week to fill up her car and visit Wesley. He began to show an interest, inviting her to dinner and to classical concerts. Alice, bashful, doubted the sincerity behind his intentions and declined his invitations.
Yet Wesley persisted. Alice remembered how exceptional hed been at universityso driven, so attentive. He spoke impeccable English and stood out with striking good looks; girls across the faculty used to sigh whenever he passed by. Once, during his student days, he gave Alice an ornate trinket box containing a note.
Reading it, Alice blushed, then turned pale. Furious, she tore up Wesleys declaration: Dr Alice, I love you! She felt sure it was some childish jokethrust the box back into his hands and hurried off.
The next day, Wesley knocked on her office door. Dr Alice, Im sorry. I didnt mean to offend you. I just very much admire you. She accepted his apology, Alright, Wesley, back to class please. Lessons are about to begin.
He kept his distance for the rest of his studies, only stealing the occasional glance her way. And now, the situation repeated itself. Alice felt tornshould she accept Wesleys attentions or brush them off? Now, Im just a woman, hes just a man. Lifes too short, isnt it? she mused.
At last, she left it to fate.
They began a whirlwind romance. Their first date was utterly unforgettableWesley was tender, cheerful, romantic. Alice had never met a man quite like him. The age gap melted away; she could be playful, hegrown-up and dependable.
Alice gave him a typically English nicknameWill. He didnt object. He, in turn, called her Ally. For the first time, Alice felt truly desired, and she was elated beyond measure. Where such a love ignites, it is hard to put out.
But Wesley never proposed. He planned to return to his family in London, hesitant to go against their wishes. His mother wrote that a suitable bride, Jessica, aged 17 from a respectable family, awaited him. Alice knew she could never leave behind her own home, son and mother for a land far away. Wesleys family would hardly welcome a middle-aged Englishwoman as their daughter-in-law. Shed be an odd fit, no doubt about it.
Better to make do with bread of your own than beg for anothers cake.
So, Alice decided to pour all her pent-up affection and love into Wesley, for as long as fate would permit. Who knows how much happiness I have left? shed confess to her mother. Im going to love this man with everything I have until theres nothing left!
Her mother was firmly against her daughters choice.
Alice, dear! Why chase after a foreigner? Are there not enough Wills in England for you? Youll never have my blessing! Your ex-husbands always hanging aboutcant you see it? Forgive him, wont you? Carry on as a family againArthur would love that! her mother would wail.
Mum, David betrayed me! Have you forgotten? Alice retorted.
Hes repented a hundred times! And if you ask me, you partly have yourself to blame. Buried yourself in your academic work, no wonder your husband felt neglected! If a mans left on his own, any woman will chase him. And he wont exactly refuse!
Mum, why didnt you forgive my father? He repented too, Alice rebutted.
My circumstances were different! He ran off before you were born, had three children elsewhere, and only came back for a visit. How could I take him back, with three children trailing behind him? I couldnt steal their father. But your Davidalone these ten years, just waiting for your word. Arthur loves him, you know.
Oh, Mum, Im not planning to marry Wesley. Im older than he is. Ill just wait for him to leave first, because I couldnt bear to end it myself. Well see how things turn out… Alice answered softly.
Oh, Alice! Even old nags love a touch of salt her mother sighed.
Three years later, Wesley said goodbye. Ill stay in touch, dear Alice, was all he told her. Alice had prepared herself for this. Still, handing Wesley over to young Jessica was painfully bittersweet. As farewell, Wesley gifted Alice the same intricate trinket box where it all began. This time, it held a unique ringtwo little angels clasping a diamond heart.
My heart remains with you, Ally, Wesley said, kissing her passionately.
Then he left for London.
A year on, Wesley sent a wedding photo captioned, My wife Jessica. Another year, another photo: My second wife, Mary. Wesley explained that his community permitted plural marriage.
Yet when Alice looked upon these progress reports in Wesleys new life, she didnt feel a twinge of jealousy. What could those young lasses know about a love so sharp and sweet? Only the grooms melancholic expression offered any solaceperhaps he missed her, maybe still loved her. Then again, old love rusts when a fresh wind blows.
So the fairy-tale ended, and the chapter closed. In the meantime, Arthur married and brought home a daughter-in-law. When their little girl arrived, Alice asked them to name her Ally, wishing to preserve the story of fervent love in memory forever.
In time, Alice forgavemaybe just pitiedher ex-husband. David made his approach through her mother, who at last persuaded Alice to be reconciled, saying, Hes long since understood his mistake. After all, which of us is without sin? Temptation and folly arent choosy. Not everyone can resist them.
Now, Alice and David share a home once again, careful not to drift apart. Alice has also finished a knitting course and now knits little socks with Arabic patterns for her granddaughter, AllySome evenings, as twilight filtered through lace curtains, Alice would watch little Ally, curls bouncing, fingers smeared with blackberry jam, chasing sunbeams in the sitting room. David sat across from her, newspaper trembling in his hands, eyes softer now, the brittle pride of long ago worn smooth by years and regret.
Sometimes, Alice caught herself tracing the angel-rings outline hidden in her jewelry boxa secret kept for herself. It was a reminder that hearts could break and heal, that love, in all its seasons, left something of itself behind. Perhaps it was foolish to believe happiness always wore a white dress and a golden band. She smiled, realizing that the richest life was pieced together from many lovessome blazing, some gentle as a hand held in old age.
Arthur called from the kitchen, Mum, do you want tea? and her granddaughters laughter spilled into the hallway like a carol.
Yes, please! Alice called back.
Her heart was neither bitter nor restless now. Some stories ended not with a wedding march, but with laughter echoing through an ordinary home, washed in a quiet kind of grace. And in this symphony of everyday moments, Alice discovered the kind of happy ending she never thought to ask forone that was hers alone.
