Sarah could scarcely believe what was happening to her. Her husband, her dearest, her onlywhom she had trusted as her pillarhad that very morning declared, I dont love you anymore. Stunned beyond words, Sarah remained rooted in place as he bustled about, tossing his clothes into a bag and jangling his keys. As if she needed such turmoil now. Only recently, her father had passed away quite suddenly, and she, despite her own heartache, was forced to care for her greying mother and younger sisterpoor Emily, left disabled after a grave head injury at just eighteen. They lived in the neighbouring town. Her only child, William, had just started in the first year at primary school. In June, the factory she worked at had closed down. Without wages, shed lost her job. And now her husband was leaving her too.
Sarah clasped her head in her hands, sat at the kitchen table, and sobbed bitterly.
Oh, Lord, what am I to do? How do I go on? She gasped, wiping her tears. William! I must fetch him from school, poor child!
The weight of her daily obligations spurred her to movement.
Mum, have you been crying? William asked that afternoon.
No, Will, I havent, darling.
Are you sad about Granddad? I miss him so much, Mum.
I miss him too, sweetheart. But we have to be strong. Granddad was always brave. Hes with God now, resting. He never did rest while alive, you know.
Mum, wheres Dad?
Dad? Perhaps hes gone on another business trip. Sarah forced a smile. How was school?
Life must go on. He doesnt love her? So be it. No one can force affection. Looking back, she realised she must have missed the signs amidst lifes tumult.
While William ate his lunch and played with his toy soldiers, Sarah sat down at the computer her husband had left behindshe hadnt ever bothered before. Logging into his email was all too easy. He hadnt managed to delete the last messages. Clearly, hed found love elsewhere. She was no longer darling Sarah, as she had been for ten yearsnor even Mummy, after their long struggle to have a child.
Everything had changed. Shed have to get used to it.
First things first, she needed to find work. No one much cared about her degree. The meagre dole from the Job Centre was barely enough to buy bread, let alone solve problems.
What had happened to her steady, dependable, moderately caring husband that he could turn so suddenly into a stranger? Every thought led her to conclude he must simply have lost his wits. Their home, built brick by brick together, stood unfinishedbut at least the roof was on, and one room was fit for living.
Work, where are you? Sarah murmured, close to tears again, but there was no time.
She searched for jobs for days, but her prospects were dimshe had a young son and no help. That evening, as disappointment pressed down yet again, the phone rang. It was her old family friend, Tom.
Sarah, any news? Still not come back, has he? Tom asked gently.
No, Tom.
How about a job in the store as storekeeper?
Youre not joking, are you?
Serious as can be. Its only part time, so youll have the afternoons free to fetch Will, or you could put him in aftercare, if needed. The pay is twenty-five pounds a week. Not much, but its better than nothing. Well bring you some potatoes, onions, and a chicken tomorrow.
Bless you, but weve hens in the garden. Their eggs keep us going.
Well, keep those thentheyre too good for the pot!
Hows Mary? Sarah asked, thinking of Toms wife.
Shes getting by. Shes a fighter. Tom was steadfast. His wife had gone through a major operation and chemotherapy, yet Tom never complained about the burden on his shoulders. Alls well, hed always say.
Sarah exhaled in reliefperhaps survival was possible after all. Thank heaven for Tom, and for God, who sees and knows all and never forsakes.
The work was simple, and she found moments of solitude, time to cry quietly and puzzle over what had gone so wrong.
Days became weeks, weeks slipped into months. Within a year, Sarah found herself eating with appetite again, sleeping deeply, laughing, even rejoicing in Williams small victories. The pain of betrayal resurfaced when her ex-husband visited to collect Will for the weekends. She didnt interfere; their child shouldnt be made unhappy by adult failings. There were so many questions she longed to askhad she not measured up?though, in truth, she knew it was the fleeting passion of her husband for another woman. Sarah remembered a line from an old film: Love lasts till the first bend in the road, and then life begins. For her, love and life were inseparable. And for him?
That autumn was as glorious as any Indian summertrees were green, children shouted on the streets, and the garden glowed with asters and chrysanthemums. The day Sarah met Michael, nothing seemed out of the ordinary; perhaps the sun shone a shade brighter, perhaps the music wafting through the neighbours window was a touch more cheerful, or perhaps two lonely souls were simply meant to collide then and there.
Miss, let me help you with those bags. You shouldnt carry so much, Michael said, appearing at her side outside the grocers.
Im used to it, she answered.
Its a poor thing when a beauty is accustomed to hard labour.
Do you offer help to all the ladies? Do you just patrol this street waiting for them to appear?
Indeed! Ive watched and watched, awaiting the loveliestat last, here you are!
She couldnt help but laughit sprang out of her, bright and genuine. They laughed together until their eyes watered.
Michael, he said, extending his hand, his eyes dancing with mirth.
Sarah, she replied, accepting it.
Do you know the song Sarah, Sarah, another mans wife? Michael teased.
Never heard it. But Im not a wife.
So much the better for me! At last Ive met the girl of my dreams, and shes single. Has the world gone mad or blind?
Well, youre certainly never short on humour. Thats something. What about seriousness?
Im well-endowed there, too. Sarah, lets go to the cinema, have a chat, get to know each other?
Im sorry. I have to fetch my son from afterschool.
I dont believe it! You have a son? But you look twenty! How can that be?
Im thirty-five.
So am Ifancy that! But honestly, I took you for a young girl.
And now?
Im adjusting. All men want a son. And you let slip that youre unmarried. Wheres the father?
Thats something I dont want to discuss right now.
I understand. Another time, then. How about the weekend? We could take your boy to a matinee.
On weekends, Will is with his father.
Sarah, I hope Im not imposing. But if you ever find a few free hours, please ring me. Heres my card. By the way, Im a doctor, a paediatric haematologist.
No job is more serious than that.
Or leaves less time for chasing beauties.
Thank you, Michael. Ill call you, she said, honesty in every word.
Ill be waiting.
What a splendid autumn that wasit felt a gift meant for them. Sunbeams turned the leaves to a painters riot, each day warm and golden, the city parks wide open for their wanderings. Their growing tenderness broke through the scars of the past, whirling them in a gentle autumnal waltz. Carefully, oh so gently, they grew closer, until, astonishing herself, Sarah shyly asked if hed care to come for tea.
My dear Sarah, I know youll understand if I dont come round. What we have now is preciousIll be responsible for what happens next. Trust me?
The following weekend, they drove to a nature reserve where Michael had hired a little cottage that looked for all the world like a miniature castle. It was neat and cosy inside, but Sarah noticed nothing save for Michaels deep brown eyes, which seemed to enfold her. She hadnt known that such intimacy could be so sweet.
Michael, where am I, whats happened to me? I feel as though Im dying. Oh, I love you so muchhow did I live without you? Im so happy!
You are wonderful! Im the luckiest man alive.
As winter turned, it became harder and harder for them to part.
Marry me, Sarah, he asked at last.
My divorce is final at the end of the month, Michael.
Straight aftermarry me, then. Id not risk someone else taking my girl.
This girl belongs to herself, not just anyone who comes along. But she does have a sweetheart. Lets skip the fussno big wedding, just sign the register and take me to that castle, where I became your wife from the start.
As you wish, love. As you wish.
Tom and Mary were their only witnesses. Sarahs mother and Emily sent a delighted telegram of congratulations. Soon after, Sarah and Michael settled into a two-bedroom flat hed rented, fixing it up together into a snug little nest. Michael took special care preparing a room for William. By now, he and Will had met, though Willwho saw his family as just him and mum and dadwas cool towards Michael at first.
Sarah, my love, forgive me, but lets have Wills blood checked. He seems terribly pale.
Oh, Michaelhes just stressed, thats all. The divorce was terribly hard on him. I read somewhere its worse for a child than a parent dying.
Youre spot on, my wise woman. I remember my own parents divorce as a sort of personal armageddon. But lets do the test, eh, young man?
That night Michael returned home head bowed. Sarah understood at once.
Sarah, dont be alarmed. There are troubling changes in Wills blood. I had a feeling, and I was right, unfortunately. Ill bring him to the hospital with me tomorrow.
It felt cruelas though happiness always demanded its price. And what a priceleukaemia. A terrible word.
A new life began. Sarah took an unpaid leave, unable to imagine leaving Will alone through all the endless jabs, the drips, the tests. She held his hand and only pleaded: Be brave, Will! Youre my strong boy, always my best friend. Weve always been together, and we always will be.
When she was thoroughly spent, Michael insisted she get some sleep while he sat with Will. She rarely managed more than lying awake, gazing at the ceiling.
Her ex-husband rang, insisting she sign away her share in their half-built house. Ill see the boy myself, he said. He can visit me at my place.
Youd do better to come and see him.
Im off on a business trip now. I cant come.
Afterwards, Michael stroked her shoulder reassuringly.
Well manage, Sarah. Let the past go.
I know, but it stings. I poured every penny I earned into that house. Does it even matter now? Does any of it?
Dont waste your thoughts. Pour your heart into Will. Ill provide. Ive always only wanted a familyGod knows it. He wont take you from me.
Michael, what about the test results?
Were throwing all we have at it. But so farthe news isnt good.
Sarah wept, silently, so Will wouldnt know.
Uncle Michael, whats wrong with my blood? Will asked one day.
You see, we all have little red and white boats in our blood. Yours are at war.
Whos winning?
The white ones, at the moment.
What happens next?
Help the red ones.
Mum, could we go away somewhere? Im so tired.
Sarah, I was just thinking the same. Lets take Will to our little castlethe weather is still fine. Well wander the woods; he could rest.
Spring adorned their retreat with blossoming shrubs and trees. The three of them wandered through the woods, delighting in every flower and blade of grass. Sometimes Will fell quiet, concentrating so hard he seemed to freeze.
What is it, darling, does it hurt?
Dont interrupt, Mum. Im fighting a sea battle.
The short holiday passed quickly. Will blossomed, his cheeks finally showing a touch of colour.
Mum, wheres Dad?
Still on business, love.
Again? Well, all right.
Back at the hospital, new tests were run. The head of the lab came down herself.
Dr. Michael, where have you had the boy?
Just to the reserve, nearby. Is something wrong? What are his results?
Theyre perfect. Hes in remission. His bloods good.
Michael practically danced into the ward.
Will, what have you been up to? Youre getting better, son. Dont cry, Sarahhes healing. What did you do, Will?
Dad, do you remember the little boats? I won every one of those sea battles for the red team.Michael grinned, scooping Will into his arms. I believe you did, captain. Your red boats are the bravest in the fleet.
Sarah squeezed Wills hand as tears of joy ran down her cheeks. Months and months of dread, shattered hope, and whispered prayers had led them to this moment, to the simple sweetness of a childs faith and a doctors love.
That evening, as dusk stole gently through their flat, the three of them gathered at the little kitchen tableSarah, Michael, and Will, whose laughter rang like music. The old hurts and hollow places melted quietly into the hush of shared gratitude. Sarah looked from Michael to her son, feeling the battered walls of her heart at last dissolve, making room for new light.
She understood, then: lifes storms would always come, some fierce and unexpected. Yet here, in the soft golden glow, she realized happiness wasnt a distant promise; it lived in resilience, in love rebuilt after ruin, in the courage to believe the red boats might just win.
Im hungry! Will declared, brandishing his fork, grinning up at her. Mum, whats for tea?
Whatever my captain commands, Sarah replied, laughter bright in her voice.
Outside, night deepened and the city lights flickered on. Within their little home, hope shone stronger, undefeated, ready to carry them all through every next battletogether.
