The Husband Left in the Will
A tall, boisterous woman burst out of the train compartment and immediately scattered all the rowdy passengers who had been making a racket. To give credit where its due, even the burliest blokes cowered and obeyed her with military efficiency.
She had thick, golden plaits wound around her head, bright blue eyes, and cheeks as rosy as a pair of Cox apples. She glanced towards the loo, just as a petite, slender man darted out, his hair wispy and white as cotton wool, with a face as endearingly innocent as a mischievous schoolboy.
George! I thought Id lost you! Theres such a commotion, the ticket inspectors scared to intervene, and I wondered how you were managing! Those oiks could give you a rough time for nothing! she declared in a booming voice.
Oh, Evelyn! Id have sorted them! But why did you come out, dear? Youre a lady! George flashed a nervous smile and slunk back into the compartment.
Evelyn scanned the remaining passengers, giving me and a couple of other bored souls the once-over. Satisfied there were no more threats to her or her precious other half, she followed George inside.
Later, fate placed us together in the buffet car. There were no free tables, so I perched at hers. George was nowhere to be seen. After demolishing a hearty meal of roast and spuds, Evelyn announced robustly:
Im Evelyn Andrews. Call me Eve if you like.
Are you travelling alone? Will your husband join us? I inquired politely.
Oh, hes resting. Wont be coming. I wrapped his neck with a scarf and gave him a steaming mug of cranberry juice. Imagine falling ill just as were going on a trip! Typical! He dashed out to beat a rug wearing just a jumperhonestly, I shouldve kept a better eye on him!
Its awfully clear you care for him a lot. You came looking for him earlier, worried about hooligans. And now you talk of him with such tenderness! I said dreamily.
Hah! George came to me by way of a will. Hes not really my husbandwell, we live together, but hes still mourning. His late wife only just passed awaydecent soul, bless her. Kind as you like! Evelyn sighed.
What do you meanby way of a will? I gasped.
And Evelyn gave her account.
Turns out, George used to live with Lydia. Theyd been thick as thieves since school, studied together at university, then tied the knot. An inventive soul, was Georgecould conjure up any gadget or gizmo, always had some firm or other throwing jobs his way, so they never wanted for money. But when it came to daily life, the man was a lost cause. Would forget his change in shops, cross the street wherever he fancied, hadnt a clue what to buy or where; muddled as ever. Sweet but hopelessly naïvehed give a stranger a fiver if they asked.
George isnt so much absent-minded as positively misplaced in this world, like he arrived on Earth by clerical error, their friends would say. How is it the rest of us cant scrape together two pennies, while money simply flows to him?
Lydia never complained. She had enough practical energy for two lives. Saw him off to work bundled up, checked his gloves and scarf, eventually bought a car just to chauffeur him about, after he once gave a taxi the wrong address while daydreaming. They complemented each other perfectly.
But once, Lydia landed in hospital for a week and came home to find that George had survived solely on dry ramen and water, didnt even boil the kettle, and everything shed left for him was untouched in the freezer.
Didnt feel hungry without you, George grinned sheepishly.
Their son took after him completelyAndrew, just as bright, but shy and scattered. At least Andrews brains were appreciated, and he found himself a suitably quiet wife, Alice, from a tiny Cotswold village. Lydia, of course, was the lynchpin for the family, especially with little grandson James toddling about. Until she fell ill. And took to her bed.
The house sank into gloom. George ran about in a state, unsure how to cope. Of course, he called on the best doctors and would have paid any amount, but there are things that money cant patch up.
Lydia wasnt worried for herself but for George and their sonleft alone, she feared, theyd never cope. Like planting an orchid outside in Yorkshire autumn and expecting it to bloom. She prayednot for herself, but for their sakesdesperate for a miracle.
And thats when Evelyn walked in, brought over by a cousin-doctor to help as a carer. Evelyn found a near-waif of a man, polite as a vicar, mumbling so softly she could barely hear him. The house was a disaster: Everest of dirty clothes, piles of dishes (dishwasher untouched), general air of despair.
Lydia herself lay skeletal in bed, great eyes shining. She smiled at Evelyn, who rolled up her sleeves and marched into battle.
By evening, the transformation was miraculous. The place sparkled, the air was crisp, and the kitchen filled with the heavenly aromas of shepherds pie and proper roast chicken. Lydia snoozed, clean and content, while George tried to sneak out in a windbreakerEvelyn boomed:
Oi, you! Where dyou think youre going like that? Its freezing! Your wife needs you healthy, not bedridden. Hereput this coat on, scarf round your neckand dont go catching a chill! Right, off you trot!
In Lydias room, tears pricked her eyes. There was life in the house again. Evelyn may stomp about and speak like a foghorn, but she got things done and, best of all, was decent folk.
Thank you, Lordtheyll be all right now, Lydia whispered.
As Lydia weakened, she spoke to Evelyn one evening. Casually at first, about her life, her small, cramped shared flat in Croydon, lived in with her mum and her sisters familypacked to the rafters. She was forty-five and single. Lifes romances hadnt quite led down the aisle, but she hardly minded.
And Lydia confided, Evelyn, will you keep an eye on George when Im gone? Not literally a will, but thats what I wish. He catches colds, trusts everyone!
Evelyn was speechless. As she opened her mouth to object, Lydia gave all her reasons. At last, Dont say no, just help him for a while. Id kneel if I could.
Evelyn promised.
And soon after, Lydia was gone. Evelyn dismissed the whole thing as nonsense. People would talkthat she moved in for the house. Besides, it wasnt as if either of them fancied the otherGeorge was about as intimidating as a ladybird.
But a promise is a promise. She went to check in. No answer. The door wasnt locked. There was George in Lydias old room, clutching her dressing gown, howling like a lost dogso broken it made your heart ache. When Evelyn entered, he clung to her hand, sobbed, and she bustled about making tea.
You poor sod. Lydia was right. Well get you sorted, all in good time, she soothed.
She was a softie, really. Kind as a cup of tea on a cold day.
The house woke up; George started looking forward to her visits. He actually met her at the door, beaming.
Eventually, I moved in, Evelyn said. Why leave him by himself? My lot at home were thrilledthey gained a bit of space! Honestly, I inherited a grown child rather than a husband. But clever with it! Hes got more than enough money, made me quit all my care jobs. Some folk had a pop at me for moving in but I soon shut them up. People rescue stray dogs and cats, right? So why not a stray person? Helpless, abandoned. Like a tortoise flipped on its shell: Go on, get a move on! Hows he to manage? Ill do my best, thats what matters. Hes lovely, is Georgegentle as you like. We both needed each other! Now were off to see his son. Asked me to help with the grandson! And Im happy tocould nanny ten if they wanted!
Just then, the buffet car door swung open. In shuffled George, clutching a bunch of wildflowers and swaddled in an epic scarf.
Youre up! Youre still poorly! Left alone for a minute and youre up to mischieflook at you, sweating, youll catch your death! she fussed, whisking him towards the exit, ever her living legacy in tow.
He whispered as they went, Eve, I bought you some flowers from the old ladies at the station! Dyou like them?
Evelyns cheeks deepened an extra shade of pink, and she rested a fond hand on his shoulder.
They left the train a stop before mine: she pulled a trunk the size of a small car, he toted a modest bag. She clutched the back of his jacket, guiding him through the throngone suspects so he wouldnt be swept away. The whole carriage could see, grinning as they were, that Eve was well on the path to being his second wifeby will or not.
