Ah, turns out Fred is well and truly married Molly sighed, sitting on a park bench, fingers nervously fidgeting with the slip of paper from the clinic in her pocket.
Her flatmates in the halls used to envy her when she strode arm-in-arm with that smooth-talking, blue-eyed, dark-haired chapconvinced shed landed a proper gentleman. Nothing to envy in the end, though.
Molly shivered as she remembered her one and only encounter with Freds wife, who had intercepted her outside the factory gates, determined to set the record straight.
Well, hello! You must be Molly, the woman began.
And you are? Molly stammered, feeling sharply scrutinised by the tall, willowy blonde before her.
Elaine. Elaine Williamson. Freds wife.
What?
You heard me, Elaine replied coolly. Yet another plain girl. Really, how many of you are out there, chasing after another womans happiness? It never ends.
How dare you? Molly tried to push back.
Listen, Elaine went on, gripping Mollys elbow gently but firmly. Just what do you think youre doing? Im his wife. I saw you with my husband, and rather than apologise or disappear out of embarrassmentas any decent person wouldyou stand here indignant. I suppose decency isnt your thing. Her gaze swept Molly up and down. There have been plenty like you, you know. I couldnt count them all even if I used my fingers and toes. And youwith a married man. No shame at all! She shrugged. Fred? Hes just a hunter. Youre nothing more than a passing flingyoull be history before you know it. Best stay away.
Oh, and by the way, weve got two daughters. Elaine whipped out a family photo and held it up for the bewildered Molly to see. See? There you go. Proof of his happy family. This was taken in Bournemouth two months ago.
Molly said nothing, utterly floored.
So what is it you want from me? Sort things out with your own husband, she finally managed.
Oh, I will, dont worry, Elaine replied briskly. He only just started at this factory. The pays good and then along you comecaught our lives at the worst moment. Just leave it be. Dont fall for his promises. Freds not about to get a divorce. Dont waste your time. How old are you anywaythirty?
Twenty-five! Molly shot back, cheeks aflame.
Well then, youve got time. Youll find a nice man someday, get married, have a family. Just let Fred go, will you?
Molly didnt stick around to listen to any more. Legs like jelly, she shuffled away from the park, her dreams shattered by the reality crashing down around her.
Traitor she whispered, a lump in her throat, but she couldnt let herself break down out in public. She didnt want to be the talk of the shop floornot about this.
That evening, Fred turned up as if nothing had happened, clutching flowers. Molly, eyes swollen and heart sore, sent him packing regardless of his heartfelt promises and declarations that he and his wife were basically strangers. Claimed hed leave her soon. Molly had heard enough.
Two weeks she took to recover. Fred didnt bother her againacted like a stranger when they crossed paths.
But troubles never come alone. Morning nausea and dizziness shed chalked up to stress, but soon it became very clear the whirlwind affair with Fred had left its mark.
Six weeks. The doctors words stayed with her like a sentence. Molly was terrified at the thought of being a single mum. She thought everyone must know, all judging her for trusting a man she never really understood.
Fred had kept his marriage from her. What was she supposed to do, demand his passport at the pub? He didnt wear a ringplenty of married men dont.
Why hadnt alarm bells rung when he insisted their relationship be a secret at work?
Hed duped her, and knowing shed been tricked didnt make it sting any less. The rumour mill had already churned out the story of Elaine confronting her.
Im pregnant, Molly finally confessed to Fred during a lunch break, desperation in her voice.
Ill give you moneyjust sort it out, was all he muttered.
The very next day, Fred quit and vanished for good.
Molly knew she couldnt put things off and, despite her doctors warnings, she took the referral for the procedure.
There she was, sitting on a park bench, clutching the paper as if it was a lifeline.
In a hurry? said a young man in a smart suit, plonking himself down beside her with a massive bunch of crimson chrysanthemums.
Sorry? she answered, her eyes dull and empty.
Your watch is running fast, he nodded at her gold wristwatch.
Oh, these? Theyre always ten minutes ahead. No matter how often I reset them, theres no point, she replied with a weary shrug, turning away.
Lovely weather today, eh? Proper Indian summer. My mum loves this time of year. Says she made her best life decisions on warm autumn days like thisnever regretted it.
You know, he went on, undeterred, my mums truly brilliant. He gave a thumbs up. I owe her everything.
What about your dad? Molly asked, surprising herself.
Mum never talks about him, and I dont ask. Clearly, shed rather forget. He smiled wistfully. Anyway, Im just coming from an interviewcan you believe out of all ten candidates, they picked me! I have zero experience! I wouldnt have even tried if Mum hadnt boosted my confidence
Already know how Ill spend my first pay cheque toogoing to get a holiday for Mum to the seaside. Shes never seen the sea in her life. You ever been?
No, Molly said quietly, gazing at his maroon tie for no reason she could quite place.
He beamed, Mum bought me this tie. Im pretty proud of it.
He paused, then said, Ive probably bored you with my nattering, but I just got this urge to share. You looked so sad, I thought maybe you needed someone to talk to. Have I been a nuisance?
Molly shook her head. This stranger wasnt annoying at allhed somehow managed to push back the storm cloud of her thoughts. She admired how he spoke of his mumit spoke of real love.
What devotion, she thought, watching him with a new sense of curiosity. His mums so luckywish Id have a son like that someday.
Well then, Id best be off. Mums waiting and will worry if Im late. Dont rush yourself.
Pardon? she asked, puzzled.
I meant your watch, he grinned.
Oh A small smile finally crossed Mollys lips.
A minute later, hed disappeared into the distance. Molly pulled out the clinic referral shed been holding tight for so long and tore it to bits.
She sat there a good long while, just breathing in the golden autumn air. Her heart, which had felt cold and heavy, was suddenly lighter, gently warmed by a fleeting encounter with a stranger who felt oddly close.
She realised she wasnt alone. That young mans mother had raised him all by herselfwhat a wonderful son shed had in the end. Molly didnt even know the chaps name, and it didnt matter.
Her decision was made.
***
Twenty-three years later
Mum, Im going to be late! Stan called from the hallway mirror as his mum neatly tied the maroon tie shed bought him for his big job interview.
Bit nervous? she chuckled.
Its just to give me confidence. Honestly Mum, Ill be fine. Theyll hire me for sure She tidied his collar, stepping back to admire her lad.
Its all yours, love. Dont worry. Just be yourself, answer clearly, and dont forget to smile. Youre irresistible.
Stan grinned, gave his mum a quick peck on the cheek, and dashed out the door.
Molly stood at the window, watching her dearest lad stride off towards the bus stop with purpose and pride.
Suddenly she jolted, struck by a wave of déjà vu.
Where had she seen this before?
That young man on the bench, all those years ago
Stan now, in his sharp suithe looked so much like him.
Shed completely forgotten about that afternoon for years, but now it returned to her like a dream.
Was it really fate giving her a glimpse of the life she nearly left behind, giving her a nudge towards the right path?
Why didnt she ask his name then? Why didnt she ask him about his mum? They must have been about the same age.
But it didnt matter anymore.
Everything had turned out beautifully.
That afternoon, Stan arrived home with a huge bunch of deep red chrysanthemums, matching his tie, to tell his mum that hed landed the job.
He promised to take her to see the seashed never been, after all.
Now, the time had come for him to look after his cherished mum. Hed move mountains for her, turn rivers backwards. Thats the kind of son Molly had raised.
Whatever hardships theyd faced, hed be the one to lend her his shoulder, and all her worries seemed that bit lighter.
Theyd weathered so much together and never lost heart.
Molly never once regretted her choice to keep her son. She had made the right decision.
And thats simply how life was meant to be.
