For a whole year I handed out pounds to the youngsters to clear a mortgageno more pence would ever leave my hand!
David, I need your help with Mums birthday present. Emily placed her phone on the table and turned to
Two years had passed since that day, and now I saw her again. Walking just ahead of me along the High
David, I need your help with Mums birthday present. Emily placed her phone on the table and turned to
I spent two years living in Spain, and when I finally returned to my little cottage in the Yorkshire
7 April I never imagined Id find myself wearing a white dress again. After losing my husband, life became
For my mum, looking after her grandchild feels like an impossible task. All my friends have mothers who
I got married six months ago, and since that day, something hasnt let me rest. Our wedding was held in
Couldn’t Bring Myself to Love Him
— Girls, be honest—who here is Lily? — The woman eyed me and my friend with a cheeky grin.
—I’m Lily. Why? — I replied, perplexed.
—Here’s a letter for you, Lily. It’s from William, — the stranger produced a crumpled envelope from her dressing gown pocket and handed it to me.
—From William? Where is he? — I asked, surprised.
—He’s been moved to the adult care home. He waited for you, Lily, like a miracle from heaven. Wore his eyes out. He asked me to check his spelling before he gave me the letter to read. Didn’t want to embarrass himself before you. Well, lunch is soon. I work here, I’m one of the carers, — she gave me a reproachful glance, sighed, and hurried off.
…One summer, my friend Sally and I strolled onto the grounds of an unknown institution. We were sixteen, enjoying the freedom of the holidays, craving adventure.
Sally and I sat on a welcoming bench, chatting and laughing. We didn’t notice two lads approaching.
—Hello, girls! Bit bored, are you? Shall we get acquainted? — One boy reached out, — William.
I answered,
—I’m Lily, and this is my mate Sally. And your quiet friend?
—Leonard, — the second lad said softly.
The boys struck us as old-fashioned and far too proper. William frowned and remarked,
—Girls, why do you wear such short skirts? And Sally’s neckline is rather revealing.
—Hmm… Boys, don’t look where you shouldn’t. Or you’ll go cross-eyed, — Sally and I teased, laughing.
—Hard not to look. We are men, after all. What, do you smoke too? — William asked, persistent in his prim manner.
—Of course we smoke. But only for show, — we joked.
It was then Sally and I noticed something odd about the lads’ legs.
William could barely walk, Leonard had a noticeable limp.
—Are you being treated here? — I guessed.
—Yes. I had a motorbike accident. Leonard misjudged a dive off the rocks, — William replied, reciting a well-worn story. — We’ll be discharged soon.
Sally and I believed the boys without question. We had no clue William and Leonard were disabled from childhood, consigned to long-term care. To them, we were a taste of freedom.
They lived and learned at a locked-away care home, each child inventing a story about some accident or fall or fight…
William and Leonard turned out to be clever, witty, and mature beyond their years.
Sally and I began visiting regularly—first, because we felt sorry for them and wanted to cheer them up; second, because we could learn so much from them.
It became our weekly habit.
William gifted me flowers picked from the nearest garden, Leonard always brought handmade origami, shyly pressing them into Sally’s hands.
We’d all four squeeze onto the same bench: William at my side, Leonard turning his back, focussing entirely on Sally. My friend blushed, but she liked the attention from such a gentle soul. We chatted about everything and nothing.
The summer slipped away in a haze of laughter and sunshine.
Autumn arrived rainy and cold. School resumed. And, with Molly and I facing our final year, we simply forgot about William and Leonard.
…Exams came and went, then the prom.
Summer once more—full of hopes and new beginnings.
Sally and I returned to the care home, thinking to visit our old friends. We settled on our usual bench, waiting for William and Leonard. William with his bunch of flowers, Leonard with his latest origami. We waited two hours, in vain.
Suddenly a woman darted from the home and handed me William’s letter. I tore open the envelope:
“Beloved Lily! You are my fragrant flower! My unattainable star! You might not have realised that I fell for you at first sight. Our meetings were my breath, my life. For six months, I stared out the window, hoping to see you. You forgot me. How it hurts! Our paths are different now. Still, I’m grateful to you for teaching me real love. I remember your velvet voice, your alluring smile, your gentle touch. Life without you, Lily, is unbearable! I’d give anything to see you one more time! I want to breathe, but I cannot…
Leonard and I both turned eighteen. We’re being transferred this spring. We’re unlikely to meet again. My heart is in shreds! I hope I recover from loving you.
Farewell, my dearest!”
Signed, “Forever yours, William.”
Inside the envelope I found a pressed flower.
Guilt overwhelmed me. My heart ached that nothing could be changed. I remembered the saying: “We are responsible for those we have tamed.”
I never imagined the depth of William’s feelings; I could never return them. I felt only friendly curiosity toward such an intelligent young man. Yes, I’d flirted a bit and teased him—but I had no idea my light-heartedness would fuel a fire that became a raging passion for William.
…Many, many years have passed since then. William’s letter yellowed; the fly became dust. But I remember those innocent meetings, our carefree chats, and William’s infectious laughter.
…And the story had a sequel: my friend Sally was moved by Leonard’s difficult fate. His parents rejected him for his “difference.” His leg was much shorter than the other. Sally finished teacher training and now works with disabled children. Leonard became her beloved husband. They have two grown sons.
William, Leonard says, spent many years alone. When he was forty, his mother visited, saw her forsaken son, broke down in tears, rediscovered her love, and took him home to the countryside. What happened after has faded into mystery… COULDNT LOVE Ladies, come on, fess up, whos Lily? The girl cast a cunning glance our way, her tone conspiratorial.
I keep to myself, I never invite anyone over, I never share my harvest or my toolsfolk in the village
