“Sir, Please Stop Pushing. Ugh. Is That Smell Coming From You? — The Unexpected Story of Margaret and Yuri: New Beginnings, A Bathroom Renovation, and Finding Love at Fifty-Three Despite Family Opposition”

– Sir, please, do stop pushing. Goodness. Is that smell coming from you?
– Sorry, – muttered the man, shuffling aside.
And he mumbled something else under his breath, something disgruntled and sad-sounding. He was standing there, counting out bits of loose change onto his palm. Probably not enough for a bottle, I thought. I couldnt help myselfI glanced at the mans face. Odd… he didnt look like a drunk.
– Sir Im sorry, I didnt mean to be rude, I said. For some reason, I couldnt just turn away and leave.
– Thats all right.
He looked up at mehis eyes were piercingly blue, not faded at all, incredible really. He must have been about my age, I reckoned. Id never even seen such blue eyes in my younger days.
I gently took his arm at the elbow and drew him out from the small queue by the till.
– Has something happened? Do you need a hand? I tried not to wrinkle my nose.
And then it hit me, what the smell wasjust the old, stale scent of sweat. He was silent, slipping his change into his pocket, clearly uneasy about talking with a strangera well-dressed woman at thatabout whatever had landed him here.
– Im Margaret, by the way. And you?
– John.
– Do you need help? I realised I was practically insisting.
Insisting to help a homeless man, of all things. He darted a glance at me with those ridiculous blue eyes, then fixed them away from me. Well, fine. I turned to go when he suddenly forced the words out.
– I need work. You wouldnt know anywhere I could do a bit of odd jobs, would you? Bit of handiwork, gardeninganything like that. Its a big village youve got here, but I dont know a soul. Sorry
I listened as he trailed off, embarrassed. I started wondering whether you could really let just anyone into your home. Id been meaning to get the bathroom retiledmy son had promised hed do it, and asked me not to bring in any dodgy workmen. But he was always so busy at the office, and goodness knows how long Id have to wait
– Do you know how to lay tiles? I asked John.
– I do.
– How much would you charge for a ten square metre bathroom?
He made a funny noise, clearly surprised at the size.
– Id have to have a look, but reallywhatever you think is fair.
John did the bathroom marvellously, with real care and skill. He even asked if he could have a shower firstI was glad he thought of it himself. I hoped he wasn’t leaving me any kind of bugs, that’s all. I gave him my late husbands old clothes while his own washed and dried. He finished the work over the weekend: removed the old tiles, tidied up, wiped down every tool and put them back just so. By Sunday night, the walls and floor gleamed with the new tiles.
I felt strangely uneasy as John was finishing up. He seemed to have nowhere to go. Was I really going to let him stay another night? But shooing him out at midnight seemed heartless.
I hardly slept Saturday nightI locked myself in my room, straining my ears. But John, by the sounds of it, was fast asleep on the sofa, worn out from work.
– Ready for inspection, Margaret! he called out.
What can I say? The work was perfect.
– John, what did you use to do? I asked, admiring the result.
– Physics teacher. Graduated from University College London.
– Oh, UCL?
– Yes, that’s right. As for the tiling well, I reckon every decent man should know how to do these things. At least thats what I think.
I nodded, fished the money out of my pocket. I didnt scrimp. I paid him the same as Id have paid a contractor. John tucked the cash away, didnt even count it, and started to put his shoes on. His clothes had dried, and he changed back.
– Hang onyoure just going to leave, just like that? I said, almost indignant.
– What is it? he asked, raising those extraordinary blue eyes at me.
– At least have something to eat! Youve worked all day, and hardly stopped for tea.
John shuffled his feet, uncertain, then shrugged.
– All right then. Thanks, I wont say no.
I joined him for a bit of fish, though normally Id never eat after six. He was good companycharming, clever, even, though there was a constant shadow about him. Lost, somehow. Nothing could quite banish it, not a hot shower, not a warm meal, not even good conversation. I supposed that takes time.
– John, what happened to you, if you dont mind me asking?
He paused.
– You know, if I tell you, itll sound either heroic or foolish, or made up. Ive heard so many stories over the last eight years. Only, well, my story happens to be real. Whats the point in telling it?
– I just… its strange, to meet a man like you, in this sort of position…
John looked at me very seriously, and then we both stood up at exactly the same time. There was an awkward shuffle, he headed to the door and I stepped in his path. We bumped into each other, and somehowwell, it just happened. I never imagined, at fifty-three, Id feel that sudden flare of passion. That sort of thing, I thought, was for the youngriotous and unstoppable.
Later, he told meeight years ago, hed tried to help one of his pupils. A bright boy, from a troubled home, mixed up with a bad crowd. The boy wanted out but couldn’t manage it alone. John, as his form tutor, had gone to have it out with the gang leadera young man, barely twenty-two, with no scruples at all. There was no talkingthey attacked John instead. But he’d practiced judo all his life. He defended himself, but one lad, the ringleader, landed badly against a concrete wall. Broken spine; he didnt survive. John called both ambulance and police himself, certain that, at most, hed be charged with excessive self-defence. If you could even call it excessive, facing a group.
He served time. Got twelve years, but was let out early for good behaviour. People even live in prison, he said simply.
But there was no one waiting for him. His mother had died, after selling her flat to live with his uncle. His uncles wife had said, Were not having any ex-con here, thanks. His own wife had long since divorced him and remarried. He left London for Manchester, but luck was nowhere to be found. No one was keen to hire an ex-prisoner. He tried to get odd jobs around the village, but met suspicion and sometimes outright hostility. Eventually, he was sleeping rough; the friend whod put him up for a fortnight politely let him know it was time to go.
– How long have you been? I asked, noticing his cigarette glowing in the night.
– Oh about a fortnight now.
He was smoking my cigarettesthe ones I keep for rare occasions, maybe once every five years. He wanted to buy his own, but Id not let him. I found myself wondering what its like, living nowhere for two weeks straight.
In the dark, with the ember of a cigarette, it was somehow easier for him to open up. Id let him into my bed, after allno point pretending otherwise.
– So, do you have any ID?
– Yes. He gave a dry laugh. But Ive got no address. Thats most of the trouble.
John stayed with me. Things went well. I gave him a temporary address; he found a jobnot as a teacher, but it was something to start with. Shop assistant at the local hardware store would do. On his days offhis rota was two on, two offhe tutored physics, gradually picking up more students. Two and a half months rolled by in harmony and contentment, and then my son arrived. He appraised the situation and promptly dragged me outside for a word.
– Mum, you need to get rid of him.
– Excuse me? I was stunned.
Weve not meddled in each others lives for ages.
– I said, get rid of him. You dont need some hanger-on. Why do you think hes with you? Hes got nowhere else to go. And youwell, youre just being daft.
I slapped Edward.
– Dont you dare! Stay out of my affairs.
– Mum, youre forgetting something. Im your heir. I dont want to have to share with some random man. If you marry him and something happens, hell have a claim.
– Are you already planning my funeral? I snapped back, hurt and angry. And what is there to even inherit? Ill outlive you yet!
– Mum, dont make me do something drastic. Ill make life hell for you both. Im only looking after my interests. You cant blame me. If youd chosen a respectable, well-off man, I wouldnt say a word. But this…
– Oh, so respectability is measured in money now? What on earth happened to you? Did I raise you to think like that?
– Mum thats all I have to say. Ill come back in a week, and hed better be gone. Dont say I didnt warn you.
I walked back in, trying to hold back tears.
– Is he a copper? John asked softly.
– Sorry I didnt tell you
– You didnt need to. Dont worry.
– Hes an investigator at the Crown Prosecution Service. Hes a good man, John. Just a bit too careful. Always worried about me.
– What do you think youll do? he looked at me intently.
I sat at the kitchen table. What would I do? Edward would make our lives hell if he wanted. He could probably even find a way to land John back in prison, if I didn’t end things myself. I didnt want to believe my son could do that, but who knows. He seemed scarily determined.
– Springtime… John said gently. Havent decided? Let me say something then.
I nodded, tears in my eyes, feeling utterly stuck. I didnt want to lose John. But to put both of us through drama with Edward? I didnt want that either.
– Ive managed to save some money. You never asked me about it. Its not enough for a plot in this village, but twenty miles further out, it should be. Ill put up a portable cabin for now, and well start building. Ill keep tutoring; I can get by without the shop job. Ill build our house with my own hands. What do you say?
I stared in amazement. He grew anxious.
– I know youre used to comfort. But its only temporary. I promise, Ill make us a real home.
– John I have savings, too. I could help with the building costs, I said thoughtfully.
– I cant ask you to do that.
– Youre not asking. Im offering. Its for both of us.
John came over, put his arms around me, kissed the top of my head. I felt safe and lovedwhod have thought it was possible even at our age?
We sorted things quicklysorted out the paperwork for the land. John wanted it in my name, but I refused.
– Ive got property already. Just because we were pushed out doesnt mean I lost everything. You dont have anything. Dont fight me on this. I have an heir, after all! I said, an edge of sarcasm as Edwards words came to mind.
We put up a cabin, installed electricity, and John rolled up his sleeves and started work on the house. Turns out my nest egg wasnt quite enough, so John worked even harder at tutoring. He made himself a corner that looked just like a home study online, so no student would guess he was calling from a cabin. All the money went into bricks and timber. In the warm summer evenings, wed spread a blanket out on our plot and lie side by side, staring up at the stars.
– What do you feel? John would ask, holding me close.
– I feel like Ive been given a second wind, Id say.
– No, thats how I feel, hed laugh. You should just feel my love for you.
And I did. Of course I did.
I popped home for a few thingsit was turning to autumn, and I needed warmer blankets, some plates. At home, I found Edward sat in the kitchen, smoking.
– Oh, hello, love. Just here to grab a few things. How are you?
He glanced at me, taking in my tanned, slimmer, happier self.
– Mum, whats going on? You never call.
– Well thats our way, isnt it? Youre always busy at work. You call when you want.
– Why is it I can never catch you at home?
– I dont live here. Im just grabbing a few bits. Thats allowed, I hope?
Edward stared silently. I wasnt just different on the outside. I was lighter, happier.
– Love, when we finish the house, you must come visit. Right now, though, Ive things to do.
I threw a few things into two bags, pecked Edward on the cheek as I bustled by.
– Mum, whats happened to you? he called after me.
I paused at the door, beaming at him.
– Second wind, Eddie. And love. A great deal of love! Bye, darling, I laughed, and dashed out.
We had no time to waste todaythey were putting up the porch.