A Reunion of Friends
In Year 2, Mikey switched schools, moving to a village far from home. One evening, he overheard his dad talking to his mum.
“Vera, my old army mate, John, sent a letter,” his father said. “Remember how he carried me when I broke my leg during training?”
“And?” his wife, Helen, pressed.
“Well, he’s suggesting we move near them. Says they’re doing well. They need a mechanic like me, and you’re a vet—there’ll be work for you too. Our farm’s falling apart anyway, and the chairman couldn’t care less.”
“Maybe it’s for the best,” Helen sighed. “I’m tired of arguing with him.”
So they moved. On his first day, Mikey was seated next to Tom, a sturdy, freckled lad with endless energy. They became fast friends. In front of them sat Lily, a fair-haired girl with curls framing her face and a long braid down her back. She was Tom’s neighbour, so they walked to school together every day. Tom made sure no one picked on her, often boasting to Mikey, “Lily’s gonna be my wife one day.” Mikey would laugh—it seemed so far off.
Life in the village suited Mikey. He made friends quickly, finished his homework fast, and spent evenings running wild with the other kids.
Three years passed, but then tragedy struck. Mikey’s mother fell ill and, before long, passed away. The boy was inconsolable, retreating into himself. “How do I go on without Mum?” he’d wonder, heartbroken.
After the funeral, Mikey and his dad, Gregory, struggled. Gregory couldn’t cook well, and there was no one to check Mikey’s homework. He worked long hours, coming home exhausted.
Six months later, Gregory brought home a new wife—Zoe, from a nearby village. “Son, this is Zoe. She’ll live with us now. You’ll mind her, alright?”
Mikey disliked her instantly. Even Tom and Lily pitied him. “Mum says your stepmum’s awful,” Lily whispered one day. “No one in her village would marry her, but your dad didn’t know better.”
Tom tried to defend her, but Mikey knew he’d never love her like he had his mum.
Villagers gossiped, then moved on. Zoe ignored Mikey, and he sensed her disdain. Things worsened when she gave birth to a son, Paul. Now, all attention went to the baby—Mikey was forgotten.
One evening, he overheard Zoe complaining to Gregory. “Mikey’s lazy and cheeky. I can’t manage two. Send him to his gran’s.”
Gregory listened. Heartbroken, Mikey said goodbye to Tom and Lily, promising to write. They exchanged a few letters, then nothing.
His gran, Anne, loved him dearly—he was all she had left of Helen. Next door lived Tony, his wife Mary, and their daughter, Katie. Though younger, Katie adored Mikey. Mary had been close to Helen, so she treated him like family.
Tony, a skilled craftsman, took Mikey under his wing. “Here, lad, give me a hand,” he’d say, teaching him woodwork and mechanics. Mikey thrived.
Years passed. Mikey went to university, coming home on holidays. After graduating, he returned and bumped into Katie—now a stunning young woman.
“Katie! Look at you!” He swung her around, laughing.
“Careful!” Mary called. “Don’t drop our girl!”
That evening, they strolled for hours. Mikey realised—he couldn’t live without her.
Gran Anne grew frailer each visit. One day, she handed him a letter. His father was inviting him to Paul’s wedding.
“Finally remembered me,” Mikey muttered.
“You should go,” Anne urged.
The bus dropped him in the village square. Before he could head home, a little girl approached.
“Who’re you here for?”
“My dad, Gregory.”
“Oh! You’re here for the wedding! I’m Polly. My dad’s Tom.”
“Tom?” Mikey blinked. Polly led him inside—and there stood Lily.
“Mikey!” She flung her arms around him.
Tom came in, scowled—then broke into a grin. “Mikey! You daft sod!” They embraced, laughing through tears.
Over dinner, they reminisced. “You two actually got married!” Mikey grinned.
“And you?” Lily teased.
“Found my Katie. Can’t live without her.”
The next morning, Mikey visited his father. Zoe barely glanced at him. Gregory, now frail, took his hands. “I wrote… to see you. Think this’ll be our last time.”
Mikey’s anger melted. Two months later, his father passed. Tom broke the news—Zoe hadn’t even bothered.
Six months later, Mikey proposed. The wedding was joyous. A week later, Gran Anne slipped away quietly—her final act of love, not spoiling their happiness.
