Im writing this in the quiet of my little kitchen in Bramley, the tiny market town that finally shook off the earlymorning fog. The world outside the window rushes past in a blur of red doubledecker buses, cyclists, and the odd jogger with their headphones in. The towns just waking up, the shop signs flickering on, the scent of fresh coffee drifting from the bakery.
Its a strange thing, indifference. I overheard a snippet of a womans voice earlier, Sometimes you have to turn a blind eye and pretend nothings happening, that it doesnt affect you. Another voice chimed, And sometimes thats a crime. I watched Victoria turn her gaze to the street, her eyes lingering on the rows of terraced houses and the occasional vintage car. She seemed lost in thought.
Shed been annoyed about having to take the bus to work. Her husband, Mark, had called the night before, saying hed be stuck at the office until the early hours, so there was no point in sulking; works work. Shed turned down a ride from a young male colleague whod looked at her a little too keenlyunseemly for a married woman, shed said. She dialed Marks number again, let the endless ring tone echo, sighed, and put her phone back in her handbag. Hes probably busy again, she muttered, glancing at the window. He always seems to be busy at the worst possible moments.
Her early pregnancy was making her a little queasy; a dip in the road had set her stomach churning again.
At the shop, the manager, Mr. Whitaker, never got a quiet minute. The head office was due to inspect any minute, and Victoria, pale and hurrying, tugged at the sleeve of Sarah, the cheeky shop assistant with a cascade of curls.
Sarah, could you help Annie with the fridge? Were swamped! Victoria shouted, sprinting off to finish the sales report.
Sarah, after confirming Victoria had disappeared into the back office, leaned over to Annie, who was arranging milk bottles in a neat line, and whispered, Did you hear Marks been cheating on Victoria?
Annies eyes widened. Are you serious? Is it true?
Sarah nodded. I saw him leaving my old school friends houseLucysthis morning. She kissed him goodbye. Can you imagine?
Annie asked, Why tell me? Should we tell Victoria?
Sarah laughed, twirling a finger at her temple. Youre a soft heart, love. Hes just a naughty man; everyone does a bit of wandering. Let them split up, theyll be fine.
Annie thought it over. Divorce or not, thats up to them. But Victoria deserves the truth maybe its better if they part; a marriage built on betrayal cant stand.
Sarah laughed again, a hint of scorn in her tone. Its not our business. Good folk like you end up blamed anyway.
Annie sighed, not arguing further. Shed grown close to Victoria over the years; they were practically friends. Shed always been taught that a bitter truth beats a sweet lie, that honest blame is kinder than comforting illusion.
The stores administrator, Thomas, watched Victoria slump into the office, his coffee steaming in one hand, a spreadsheet open on his laptop.
Dont worry, Victoria, youll be fine, he said with a reassuring smile.
She waved a hand, sighing, Mark isnt picking up; Im just nervous.
Thomas stayed silent. Hed liked Victoria from the moment he started here as a clerk, quickly rising to manager thanks to his diligence.
Maybe hes just busy, Thomas guessed, trying not to pry. Hed noticed Marks coldness toward his wife but knew better than to interfere.
Soon the inspectors arrived, and the shop buzzed with activity.
The following week, Annie couldnt keep quiet. From the whispers shed heard, she knew Mark was staying late at work, that Victoria was forced to take the unreliable bus despite Marks ability to drive her, and that the towns infrequent service left her stranded. She decided to test her hunch.
She called in late, saying shed be late, and found herself at the house of the alleged other woman.
Her mother had always warned, Your heart can ache for those you love. That warning proved true when Annie saw Mark hugging a brightblonde, kissing her passionately, promising to return that evening. The sight stabbed her chest. How Victoria could live with such a scoundrelalways kind, everready to helpbaffled Annie.
That night, she resolved to act. When Victoria left for home, Annie slipped into the back office where Thomas was about to head out.
Tom, we need to talk, she whispered, eyes narrowed.
Thomas stared, puzzled. Whats it about?
Its about Victorias husband, she said. I saw him with her.
He frowned, looking down. Thats their private life. Is it proper to meddle?
Proper or not, she deserves the truth, Annie replied with a halfsmile. Shes pregnant; if something happens maybe its fate.
Thomas hesitated, then, swayed by Annies earnestness, agreed to accompany her to his mothers cottage in the countryside, where an old woman, Grandma Eleanor, was known for her folk remedies.
Grandma Eleanor welcomed them with a warm smile, a silvergrey bun, a faded cardigan, and a long, knotted skirt. She was nothing like a witchjust a kindly old lady with sharp, penetrating eyes that seemed to look straight into ones soul.
Annie showed her a photo of Victoria. Eleanor lit a candle, waved it over the phone screen, and said, I see the husband is not meant for her. Their paths will part, though not today. Hes a liar, a trickster. Shes a good-hearted woman.
Annie whispered, Can we speed it up?
Eleanor shook her head. I cannot hasten fate, but I can help her see the truth. The rest is hers to decide.
She fetched a small burlap sack and a pot, scooping a pinch of dried herbschamomile, yarrow, a few secret blendsinto the sack, chanting softly, May the fields aid her, may the wind reveal truth. She assured Thomas the mixture was harmless, even for a pregnant woman.
Thomas asked, Shes expectingwont this hurt her?
Eleanor smiled knowingly. These herbs are gentle. And you, lad, would you take a child not your own if she drives her deceiver away?
Thomas swallowed, nodding. Id do anything for her.
The hardest part was slipping the herbs into Victorias food. Near closing time, Victoria craved instant noodles. Annie whisked away, grabbed a packet, slipped the herb sack from her pocket, and mixed it into the broth.
Thomas sat at a table, silent, hoping Victoria would break free from her cheater, yet uneasy about their meddling. He wondered whether theyd done right or wrong.
Victoria, as always, took a seat by the window on the bus, watching the countryside roll by. The driver announced over the intercom, Ladies and gentlemen, well be taking a detour due to a traffic jam at the railway crossing. As the bus crawled, the scene unfolded like a bad dreama man emerging from a house, embracing the blond woman, sharing a farewell kiss no longer friendly. Victorias head spun, a sharp pain struck her belly, and everything faded.
She awoke in the hospital, the first face she saw was Annies, eyes wide with worry.
Victoria Im sorry, this is my fault, Annie stammered.
What do you mean? Victoria whispered. I saw Mark with Lucy. Is this…?
Mark shuffled in, guilt written across his face. He tried to apologize, but the words caught in his throat.
Did you work nights with Lucy? Victoria asked sharply.
Mark attempted a weak plea, Victoria, the doctor said the babys fine. Im sorry
Get out! Victoria shouted. When Im discharged Ill file for divorce!
Mark fled, not even trying to beg for forgiveness.
What about the baby? Victoria asked.
Annie, now a nurse, reassured her, The doctor said everythings okay. There was a risk of miscarriage, but it passed.
Thomas entered with a basket of fruit, the doctor hurriedly warning, Too many visitors at once. Victoria asked him to stay, and he took a seat, his hand trembling slightly.
Ive been worried about you, about you and the baby, Thomas began, his voice trembling.
Unlike some, Victoria replied with a faint smile. Forget it, Thomas said, smiling weakly.
Annie reappeared, her face earnest. Victoria, I need to tell youI set this whole thing up so youd learn about Marks betrayal. I couldnt stand watching him lie to you. Please dont hold a grudge.
Victoria laughed, then thought a moment. Id be angry if you knew and said nothing. I hate lies. Funny, I dreamed of an old lady saying the cheating husband isnt meant for me. She said someone will bring a gift when I wake.
She glanced at Thomas, who stared at her, his gaze gentle. Annie sat beside her, took Victorias hand, and squeezed it. It feels right, she said. You have to cut out the bad people while you can, before its too late. The important thing is having loyal friends and loving people around you. The little things will work themselves out.
I close this entry with a thought that has settled deep in my mind: sometimes we think were merely observers, but life tends to pull us into the stories of those we care about. Interference may feel like a trespass, yet when truth is the only thing that can liberate a loved one, perhaps the right thing is to act, even if it means stepping over a line we once swore to keep. The lesson I carry forward is that honesty, however painful, is a gift we owe to the people we love.
