Making it to the Golden Wedding
Twenty-five years side by sideMargaret and John had stuck together through thick and thin. Shed turned fifty just last week, and he had her beat by two years. Their married life was nothing out of the ordinary by village standards: a cottage, a decent veg patch, plenty of endless chores, and their son, Oliver, whod escaped to the city ages ago, earning his keep in a steelworks.
One weekend, Oliver breezed in, arm-in-arm with a striking young woman.
Meet Emily, Mum and Dad. Were getting marriedjust need to pop down to the registry office and sort it.
Hello, Emily managed, looking like a startled deer with cheeks the colour of beetroot.
Hello, Emily, dont be shy, come in and make yourself at home. Were very down-to-earth here, Margaret chirped as she covered the table with plates.
Emily made a smashing first impression on the parents, then off they both went, vanishing back to the city. Later, Oliver would ring and let his mum know theyd be married by summer. Margaret was chuffed to bits and wasted no time telling John, who beamed just as widely.
All seemed calm on the surface, but Margaret nursed a secret worrywhod have ever guessed shed fall head over heels, at the age of fifty, for the next-door neighbour, and not just any neighbourJohns best mate, Michael.
Michael started dropping round for a quick one with a bottle of brandy. His wife, Maureen, worked as a train conductor, often away for weeks at a time. She didnt bat an eyelid about leaving Michael home alone; perhaps she trusted him, or perhaps she simply didnt notice that he could quite easily wander into someone elses garden.
Their daughter, Faith, lived in the city and would pop down from time to time with provisions for Michaelparticularly when Maureen was on her epic train journeys. Maureen and Michael mostly kept in touch by phone, and then shed breeze back in for a handful of days before setting off again.
Mike, let me show you the cracking cordless drill I picked up in town at the market. Should have bought one years agoabsolutely brilliant bit of kit, John announced, leaping up to fetch it from the shed.
No sooner had John disappeared than Michael slipped a firm arm around Margarets waist and pressed a kiss to her neck. Shivers ran up and down her spine. She heard the creak of the back door and leapt away, grabbing a cloth and scrubbing the table, head down, not daring to glance at John. Her eyes, however, sparkled like Christmas.
John didnt spot Margarets flushed cheeks or Michaels faint twitch of guilt, passing over the box with a grin.
Lovely tool, that. Ought to christen it with a drink, said John, pouring out generous shots of brandy. Margaret, are you joining us?
No, lads, Im a bit worn outoff for a lie down, she muttered and slipped into the bedroom, peering at herself in the mirror. For heavens sake, Maggie, youre acting like youre eighteenlook at those eyes! she giggled at her reflection, feeling deliciously wicked.
At fifty, Margaret had found herself on the plumper side, with a generous bust and a now-round face, but there was still a certain charm to her features, and her eyes had always been her strong suit. Shed become a proper country mum, but if she put on her best dress and a bit of lippy, with a nice pair of heels, she was still very much the belle of the ball. Michael had caught her eye ages ago, tall and rugged as he was; shed recently found out hed had a thing for her all along.
Michael was fifty-four, many years married to Maureen, and all the neighbours enjoyed their company. The other day, when Margaret nipped out to the corner shop, Michael called after her.
Mags, fancy popping in and helping me boil some dumplings?
Oh, Mike, Im in a hurry, she replied, glancing back at her house, cursing her unbrushed hair and bare face.
But before she knew it, she darted into his garden and up the steps. The door closed, and she found herself wrapped in Michaels arms, barely a moment to protest. His kisses made Margaret weak at the knees, and neither even considered stopping their reckless nonsense.
The shopll still be there in half an hour, Michael whispered. But I havent the foggiest how long to cook these dumplings… Come inside, will you?
About ten minutes is plenty, Margaret said. Surely youve done this before?
Oh, loads of first times for me lately, Michael smirked. Without Maureen about, Im hopeless.
Maybe I should help you cook
No need, Maggie, weve got other things to boil, he joked, pulling her closer than hed managed in the kitchen the other day.
Her coat hit the floor, and he promptly buried his face against her. Mike! Im a married woman!
So what? Im a married man… but I fancy you rotten, and youve been giving me those eyes, clearly John isnt keeping you amused at home anymore.
Margaret wasnt about to arguethe compliments had dried up years ago, and John hadnt said a tender word in ages. Did she not deserve some excitement? One thing led to another, and what followed was a grand act of betrayalher first ever. She found herself in Maureens place and, strangely, her conscience felt no sting. She even convinced herself she was in the right.
Oh, youre a dream, Maggie. I could live with you, Michael murmured, Maureen and I just talk on the phone, and when shes off to the other end of the country, Im left to my own devices. Youre a stunnerright under my nose. Wouldnt be surprised if Maureens also found herself someone during her travelsa train driver, maybe, or another conductor?
Michaels heated kisses made her dizzy, but she remembered the groceries and sprang up, dressing faster than a teenager sneaking out. She was halfway to the door when she heard Faiths voice.
Oh, Auntie Mags! Morning! Margaret turned beetroot but managed to recover.
Hello, Faith. Just showed your dad how to boil dumplingshopeless without Maureen.
Dad, Ive told you before, Faith huffed, heading to the kitchen with bags in hand. I know you cant feed yourself when Mums gone, so Ive stocked you up.
Better dash, Margaret said quickly. Faith will explain everything.
Her blood was bubbling; her cheeks burned. Shed tumbled for the neighbour shed always found intriguing, and now the most rugged bloke in the village was, for a time, hers.
She found herself returning, again and again, barely noticing that the village rumour mill had started to grind.
You do take ages at the shop, John said dryly one day, with a look. What kept you at Mikes?
Oh, hes hopeless on his ownwanted help with the dumplings, thats all Faith was there, tooshes engaged herself, apparently.
Now Michael was getting bolder. If anyone catches us, well just tell themloves to blame. Let Maureen chase after her own admirer if she has one. John…well, he trailed off, then kissed Margaret instead of finishing the thought.
Oh, Mike, what are we doing? Im nearly fifty, falling in love as if Im fifteen.
Love knows no age, Mags, Michael replied, wrapping her in a hug.
The last bit of embarrassment vanished, dissolved for good. Margaret knew she deserved this love.
The silly sessions carried on into the second week. One day, John nearly caught his wife sneaking out of Michaels, forcing her to hide in his tool shed while the two men chatted in the garden, clueless.
That very evening, John decided it was time to talk.
I know everything. Geoff told mesaw you slipping into Mikes. In three days, our anniversarys at the village hall, the whole neighbourhoods invited, everythings paid for… and you
John, Im sorry, she said, eyes down. I dont know what came over me Mid-life crisisits not just men who get that, you know, but he swore at her, not holding back.
Call me what you like. I honestly cant say why, but Im sorry, John.
Finewell see out the anniversary, pretend alls well, then go our separate ways. You can explain it to Oliver yourself. His weddings soon, and his mothers making a fool of herself.
Come the big day, everyone packed into the village hall. Margaret sat beside John, stunning in a new dress and a shiny necklace, glancing over at Michael, who attended aloneMaureen was on the rails somewhere as usual.
Margaret tried not to mind the whispers and sideways looks. Let them gossip, she thought, they havent a clue what real love is. And whose business is it anyway?
There were speeches, and even Michael raised a glass: Heres to another twenty-five, twice more round, good health, and lets hope were all here again then! He knocked back a shot, earning applause all round.
After the festivities, John called Margaret for a proper talk. Enough was enoughhe couldnt have his wife parading about the village with his mate. He even stopped speaking to Michael entirely.
Ill deal with this tonight, John resolved, tidying up in the garden.
Meanwhile, Margaret made a beeline for the shopand, for moral support, Michaels house.
She barely made it into the garden before Michael stepped out of the shed, hand held up as if to say, Dont come any closer.
Maureens home, he said quietly.
And you havent said anything?
What was I supposed to say?
That were togetherwhat else?
Hush! Michael glanced anxiously at the front door. Look, Mags, youre a grown woman. Its been a bit of fun, but Maureens my missusshes only just come back and jumped straight in my armsI can tell, she hasnt got anyone else but me. She loves me, you know, he finished, half-apologetically.
But what about me? John knowswere the talk of the village. Ive tarted myself up for you.
Well, at least John appreciates you. Youre great, Mags, you really are, but youre not mine. Ive got Maureenqueen of roast dinners, heart of the home, and all that…
Margaret didnt stick around for more. She spun on her heel and marched out. That night, John sat her down for their big talk.
Im divorcing you. Youve made me a laughing stock.
Margaret burst into tears, feeling utterly dreadful. John was familyso many years togetherand yes, maybe the passion had fizzled, but habits and comfort meant something, too.
Forgive me, Johnyou were right to call me a daft cow the other day, she wept. Maybe my brain actually is as woolly as a sheeps sometimes. But Ive learned my lesson. Please, lets try again. How could I tell Oliver? His weddings in two monthsId die of shame. Lets wait for the grandkids together, eh?
She knew Johns heart was tender beneath it all. He loved her in his own wayshed always known. Time passed, and John forgave her. Things turned out all right in the endtheyve now two adorable grandkids who brighten their days each time Oliver and Emily visit.
As for Michael, well, he kept flirting around the village whenever Maureen caught a train, chasing after every not-quite-widow he could find. He never set foot in Johns house againthe friendship was well and truly over. Eventually Maureen retired, and now the two of them squabble day in, day out, their rows echoing down the lane for all to hear. Still, every home has its own rattling cupboards…
Thanks for tuning inmay your days be full of joy and your family reunions less dramatic than ours!
