Didnt Want To, But Did
Lydia never really learned how to smoke, but she convinced herself it calmed her nerves. She stood outside her cottage in the little village, watching the quiet street wind away into the dusk, lost in heavy, gloomy thoughts. Lately, her life had become burdened with real troubles.
She lived on her own in the house that used to belong to her late grandmother her parents were over in the next town, about four miles away. Shed wanted her own space; she craved independence, after all, she was twenty-three. She worked at the post office.
She stubbed out her cigarette early and tossed it aside, wrinkling her nose.
I cant stand smoking, not like Tina who chains away all day. Shes the one who told me it helps with nerves, but I cant see how, Lydia muttered to herself.
Just then, a car went by the new village constable, Daniel, transferred in from a nearby county. Lydia knew about him from her work at the post office. She watched the car disappear, then slipped inside; night was coming on, and she had a dangerous task ahead…
The day before, things had been fairly quiet at the post office. Villagers drifted in and out now and then.
Tomorrowll be packed in here, said Anne Richardson, her senior colleague, What you see right now is just the calm before the pension rush.
Anne had worked at the post office her whole life; most people didnt even remember when shed started. Shed always say:
Its been thirty years Ive stuck with the post, everyone knows me, and frankly I cant imagine working anywhere else.
You know, Anne, smiled young Lucy, My mum says the post cant run without you. You hold it all together here.
Oh, dont be daft. No ones irreplaceable. Someday Ill retire and theyll find someone, Anne protested with a little laugh.
Just then, Marina a plump woman of forty-two came in. Hello, oh, its hot today! Anyway, Im here for my neighbour, Mrs Gladys, you know she cant get out much. She wants a magazine subscription sorted. She really likes her reading, and were off to Spain first thing tomorrow. Shes worried her subscription will run out, bless her.
Going to Spain, are you? Thats brave, said Anne, Youll get some proper sunshine there.
No nerves here! Ill put all the photos online day one got myself a new swimsuit, so keep an eye out, Marina grinned, then left.
How much must a trip to Spain cost! Family holiday…, Lucy raised her eyebrows.
Well, her husbands a farmer moneys no trouble, Anne replied knowingly.
Lydia kept quiet, sitting near the old wall, eyes on her computer, listening to every word. Her thoughts whirred.
Soon after, Constable Daniel walked in with a cheerful hello.
Afternoon! Theres supposed to be a notice for me. Could you check? he asked Lucy, but suddenly caught sight of Lydia and stared.
Didnt realise the post here employed such pretty girls… though you seem a bit sad.
Anne followed his gaze.
Oh, thats Lydia. Not long since she buried her fiancé.
I see, Daniel nodded, and Lucy told him, Nothing here for you yet.
Three weeks ago, Lydias fiancé David was murdered. They found him in the market town, alone in an abandoned lot. The word was that David had a habit he gambled, and sometimes snuck off to some illegal club. Lydia hadnt known a thing. The police never caught anyone, but one night, two young men came from the city and knocked at Lydias door. Shed seen them around David before.
Your fiancé owed us a lot, said the first, Jason.
But… hes gone, Lydia said, her voice trembling.
Yeah, but debts dont die, darling. Youll have to cover him, Jason sneered, naming a huge sum, nearly £3,000.
But where on earth would I find that?
Thats your problem. Rich folks in the village, arent there? Figure it out.
I dont know any wealthy people…
Dont lie. You work at the post, you keep track of everyone, Jason snapped, We want the money. Well be back in two weeks. Tell the police, and you wont live to regret it. Here lock picks. Any door in the village, youll manage.
As soon as they left, Lydia bolted the door, blood pounding in her ears. Dead silent in the small house, the dark pressing at the windows. That next day, she made up her mind: she would sneak into Marinas house after their holiday. She knew they hadnt a dog, just a locked gate. She jumped the fence easily.
She didnt know how it would go, but Jasons lock picks worked perfectly. Her heart thumped: she was going against the law, just as the thugs had wanted. That made her just like them.
She rummaged for ages, nervous hands shaking, as the streetlamp outside threw light across the carpet.
God, what am I doing? Lydias mind raced. I want to live, but now Ive got to pay for Davids mess ending up in some crime.
Terrified out of her wits of Jasons threats, she never dared call the police. She found only £150, plus a gold ring and bracelet in the dressing-table drawer. Marinas laptop sat on the table; she slipped it into her bag.
She left as quiet as shed come, glancing nervously at the dark windows. No movement, just the occasional bark in the distance. Nobody saw her leave.
At home, she hid the bag deep in her grandmothers old trunk in the storeroom, under all the relics. She barely slept that night; her head ached something awful. She dragged herself to work next morning.
Around midday, Lydia left the post office and went to the café down the lane.
Afternoon, Daniel appeared beside her, making her jump. He smiled. Dont worry, just heading to lunch myself.
Hello, Lydia replied quietly, mind racing. Did he know? Had he guessed what shed done?
Yes, I was waiting for you, he joked.
She saw the gleam in his eye and relaxed he was teasing. From that day, they often ate lunch together, and sometimes after work hed wait to walk her home, even staying over.
Gossip spread quickly through the village:
Lydias bagged the policeman just in time, Martha grumbled. Daniels just the sort my daughter Sophie likes. She wasted no time, and now Lydias got him…
Oh come on, its obvious he likes Lydia. Hes smitten, others countered.
Their feelings were true; very soon, love blossomed. Some villagers tutted.
She only just buried her fiancé and now shes caught herself another!
Whats she meant to do, mourn forever? Give the girl a break, others defended her.
Lydia was beside herself as the day approached Jason and his mate would be here for their money. She was frightened, worried Daniel might stumble into them. She wanted to confess, but time was running out. At last, with just two days left, she couldnt hold it in:
Daniel, I have to tell you something, Lydia began, and he grinned.
I know, love you too…
No this isnt about that.
He turned serious, listening carefully, shocked to hear what Lydia had done. But he understood; shed been threatened.
Oh Lydia. Youll have to face this, but wheres what you took? Youre too naive you should have come to me straight away.
She handed him the bag. He reassured her for ages. Two nights later, banging sounded at her front door. Lydia opened it in fear; Jason and his mate stood there, demanding money.
I couldnt find enough, she stammered. Just give me more time.
Jason grabbed her roughly.
Times up, princess. Money, or its trouble, he snarled, tugging at her shirt and tearing it.
Suddenly, Lydia saw Jasons friend crumple behind him, then Jason himself collapsed. Both were sprawled on the floor; Daniel quickly handcuffed Jason as another policeman dealt with the other man.
Its over now, Daniel said quietly. Theyll get whats coming. Come to the station in the morning, well sort it out.
Lydia was questioned and told the whole truth to the detective. Marinas family returned from Spain, and their things were handed back after an inventory. Daniel asked the detective to keep Lydias part quiet. However it was handled, things calmed down. No one could believe Lydia always so quiet had been caught up in such trouble. Most blamed Jason and his mate, who also turned out to have killed David. They were sent away for a long stretch.
Daniel proposed to Lydia; they married. Daniels love washed away Lydias guilt and healed her wounds. Now theyre raising their little daughter, Emily.
