Paper Wrappers
“You’re a right rascal, George! Deserve a good hiding, you do. But whos to do it now, and whats the point at your age? Grown so old and yet none the wiser!”
Old Maud spat on the pebbles by her neighbours feet, then hobbled off homewards, her bad hip catching with every step. She had said her piece, and now let his conscience take care of the rest. God knows, if folk couldnt teach him better, perhaps fate would have to intervene.
Fancy that! Going to stick his own mother in a care home! Where in heavens name is that sort of thing seen? Yes, Claudias laid up now, but is he her son or just a stranger? Its enough to make you spit! If Maud were younger and sprightlier, she wouldnt think a minute shed take her friend in herself. But as things are
She felt for young Alice. That girls got a heart of gold, but she isn’t a shire horse to haul the world about. Shed stayed behind in the village, given up college when her mother fell ill. Well, she set out at first, but shed not the heart to leave Mum and Granny on their own. She understood Maud wasnt up to chasing after her daughter any more. Barely managing herself, truth be told. Ever since she broke her hip two years ago, shed been as slow as molasses. Could barely shuffle about before, now almost no good at all.
Her youngest had offered to take Maud in to the city, but what for? Their flats not big enough to swing a cat in. The son-in-laws a good soul, but not exactly a go-getter. Works all hours, but youd wonder what for. Two children, both a handful. And as for Maud being any help now those days were past. She used to have her own little lot, gave the children a hand, but now now shes nothing but a creaking old ruin. Alice gets cross when she talks like that, but why deny whats true? Her health is shot, her strength trickles away. Some days, just getting out of bed is a battle. Shell lie there, gathering herself together crumb by crumb, and finally shes up and off she goes.
At least young Alice, her granddaughter, is nimble as a fawn. While Mauds fussing about, Alice has the house straight, her mother sorted out, and is already off to work. Sprightly, that one! Always was, even as a tot.
Maud had her eldest, Alices mum, late in life. Thought that chapter was closed. Never thought shed be a mother.
Her first husband could never forgive her the emptiness. Left her. Maud grieved, but not too hard. She always knew he didnt love her all that much. She was truly aflame, but he
Maud had been a pretty girl in her youth, bright as morning. The prettiest for miles around, so the lads said. But she carried herself strictly. Waited for love the real kind. She thought, any day now, the right one would appear, her heart would show the way. But the days slipped past. She stopped bothering to look. Bowed her head under the neighbours whispers.
“You’re too fussy, youll end up a spinster!”
But, how can you pretend to fancy someone you dont care for…
Then a fellow came back from service in a neighbouring village. Maud never knew him his family lived elsewhere till then. After his time in the army, rather than return home, he moved in with his old grandparents. No one quite knew why, and he certainly didnt tell Maud.
But the first time she saw Alexander, she lost all sense. Fell in love, head over heels.
And he was smitten too within weeks had sent his people over to arrange the match. Mauds mum was delighted, no question there. The neighbours only gossiped that Maud had let her chance slip too long.
They had a merry, grand English wedding. Maud could barely stifle her joy, eyes lowered. She didnt even notice at first the neighbours whispering behind their hands. It was only when her new mother-in-law came to her and gently took her by the hand, Maud sensed something was not right.
She saw the lady in mourning as soon as she stepped out to the yard. And when her mother-in-law nudged her forward, toward the pram by the womans side, Mauds heart leapt, breath catching. It was all too clear.
Alexander later told her hed left for service after breaking with his fiancée, but the timing hed always doubted the child could be his. Yet, when his mother, prodded by neighbours, visited the girl, there in the cradle was little Alex, his spitting image. Yet what could be undone? He had already been promised to Maud…
The girl who bore Alexanders son refused to forgive his betrayal. She never told her daughter that the boys granny had come to the wedding with him in tow she only knew shed gone off to visit her sister, taking the babe along.
“Why?” Maud asked, touching the pram, her eyes meeting the tired woman’s.
“So you know what sort of husband youve chosen.”
What good did it do her? Maud could never be sure. She loved her husband, and as for what he carried with him from before who walks this earth without blemish? All have their follies. Isnt he human, with a right to stumble?
She never stopped Alexander from seeing his son, but he scarcely sought him out. Too soon, Maud realised her Alexander could only love himself. Everyone else was just a frame to his picture necessary, but less than vital.
He provided well enough, and the house was never wanting. But warmth warmth she never found in fifteen years of marriage. He was there and yet not. The rooms echoed with emptiness.
She hoped with all her heart for children, telling herself it was only a matter of time, the frost would break. But then, offhandedly, Alexander told her she was barely a woman to him, not being able to give him a child. Thats when Maud saw the road she walked led nowhere, and nothing would change whether she pressed on or stood still.
They parted quick enough neighbourly folk didnt even notice the divorce for a while. Maud remained in the old house, alone.
Alexander moved off soon after, left the house for her. Apologised as he went.
“Dont bear me grudges. We both made mistakes, but I was the one should have taken responsibility.”
Maud never truly forgave him, but the burden eased a touch. What can you do if fate deals you such a hand? Shed had her share of beauty, but happiness well, there simply wasnt enough to go around.
For two years, Maud lived alone. She worked, walked through the village with head held high, ignoring the old biddies whispers. Not the old days! So what if her man left get on with it, she thought.
But her heart ached. She wanted to come home to more than an empty house, to a real hearth.
It wasnt straight away she took up with Nicholas. She watched a good while neither of them was in their first flush. Besides, he was an outsider, nobody really knew him. Lived on his own, didnt go visiting or welcome many callers. Fixed up an old house, kept a bit of land. Was always ready to lend a hand, but never asked for help himself.
He was a decent sort. Steady, polite. Started calling round.
Maud had all but forgotten what it was to be courted. Not that shed really known before Alexander only ever brought her one bunch of daisies, and made a show of thinking everything else was nonsense. She didnt mind then, so mad for him as she was, but after well, then there were more urgent worries.
Nicholas always brought something, never empty-handed. If he called, first thing hed fix a chair or mend a gate. Maud thought, It cant be any worse than before. Let people talk; she was sick to the teeth of loneliness. At least this way, she wouldnt have to pass her dotage alone.
From the new marriage, Maud expected nothing. But fate, all of a sudden, had a dance up its sleeve. Her world turned over, and she was only left to marvel and accept what came.
With her first daughter, Maud didnt even tumble to the truth for five months. Shed never been regular, things always higgledy-piggledy. She felt well, had none of the usual troubles.
It was Claudia, her neighbour, who cottoned on.
“Maud, youre looking heavy!” she cried one sunny day, watching Maud sway and squint.
“Now dont be daft! Theres nothing in me just bones and wishes.”
“My old gran used to say its not always the womans fault. And the doctors say the same, sometimes its the man. Or just luck. Maybe it was never meant to be with Alexander. Why not get seen in the city? Could be youll get your joy after all!”
Maud came back from the city a changed woman. She practically glowed on her way home, smiling like a summers dawn so no one could deny this time, life would be kind.
One daughter, then another, and Maud stood tall again, no need to duck her eyes. She was a mother now.
She doted on her daughters, dressed them in tidy frocks with ribbons and sashes. Always neat, always clean, yet spirited girls climbing trees, splashing in puddles, swimming in the river during summer. And Maud never scolded them or hit them. Shed fill a bowl for washing, hand out soap, and teach them how to wash their socks. If they tore a dress, she handed them a needle. What you dont know, Ill teach.
Nicholas died soon after the younger daughter married, off visiting her in the city, never to return died in a car crash on the way home.
Maud was inconsolable. If not for her girls, she would have gladly followed him to the grave. But Alice, the eldest, had a baby, and with that, Mauds world brightened again.
She lived for her grandchildren. Her younger daughter was far off in the city, only visiting for Christmas or summer. But Alice was always nearby. Bright as copper, just like Maud herself had been, and willful as anything. Once she set her mind, that was it.
So long as Alice was studying, Maud was content. But then, as she grew older, came tears instead.
Alice fell hopelessly in love with the neighbour, no less. George. He was five years older, nearly a man grown, and Alice, just turned sixteen. Barely understood her own heart, but no, she insisted she loved him you may as well talk to a stone wall.
For his part, George paid Alice no mind. She was just the girl next door. He already had his own sweetheart.
Lucy, the one he fancied, she was no great beauty, but she knew how to carry herself and dressed finer than any girl in the village, thanks to her doting father. Only child, so he spoiled her.
It did Lucy no favours. She grew haughty unless she had everyone eating out of her hand, the day was lost.
George had to court her with effort, but then, something happened.
Lucy had a beau from the next village. Another pampered darling. He chased after Lucy out of boredom, and she was always glad enough for a dance or an outing. But then they rode his motorbike out one evening, and on the road, something happened. No one knew quite what. Lucy came home at dawn, battered and in a torn frock.
Only Maud saw her, being up with the lark and out in the vegetable plot before dawn. She spotted Lucy slinking past, head down, across her cabbages.
Lucy didnt look at Maud, just stalked by as if she were invisible.
A week later, the village was abuzz. Lucys parents had planned a rushed wedding for her no time wasted.
George was thrilled, but Claudia, his mother, wasnt pleased.
“Maud, love, you mark my words, something’s up. What can I say to my son? Hes besotted. Me, I see its none of my business. If something happened to Lucy, shes not to blame for what drove her to another lad. Who am I to judge? But I pity George, lovesick, wasting away for her.”
Maud listened and nodded, but kept silent. No one but her knew what shed seen that night, and she had troubles enough at home.
Alice was beside herself. Would sit for days, weeping, or staring out the window at the neighbours, where the wedding was soon to be. Or shed lie in bed by the wall, weeping like for a lost soul.
Maud tried everything to coax her. Offered to send her off to her aunt in London at least there she might find herself, get her diploma, and move on, never to set eyes again on George who spurned her. Maud knew even if she told Alice the truth about Lucy, it would do no good. Georges heart was cast elsewhere
But Alice wouldnt listen to her mother, or to Maud. Her father gone, no one else had any hold over her.
What was she waiting for? No one knew hope, or just habit.
She stuck it out to the very day of the wedding. Attended with Maud and her mother, even surprised them with dry eyes. Stayed at the back, didnt eat or speak, then quietly slipped away home.
Her mother worried and rushed after her, terrified what might befall Alice left alone like that.
But Alice only surprised her again. Shed packed her bag, gave each of them a fierce hug, and left for London. They sobbed and crossed themselves, but let her go.
Time, they say, is a healer.
Perhaps it would have healed all, but fate had different ideas. No sooner had Alice settled, when disaster struck her mother was taken to hospital. She never walked out again.
Once more, Alice packed her luggage. What else, with Maud alone at home and in poor health? Who would manage with a bedridden woman?
Her only fear was that George and his new wife would be living next door. But fate took mercy they had moved away after the wedding and were not seen again.
Alice unpacked, tidied up the house, made her mother comfortable, and set herself to work down at the farm. What else could she do? With no proper training, there was scarce work about, and those who stayed from school usually ended up on the farm.
At least Alice never shirked a job, nor minded hard work. She loved animals, and to make ends meet, kept some small stock in her yard. What else was there?
So they got by. Alice nursed Claudia as best she could. Claudia, after burying her husband, nearly lost her wits. Her son was far off, sending rare notes and a bit of money, but not much news. She only knew Lucy had borne him first a boy, then a girl. But Claudia had never seen her grandchildren. Whether Lucy refused to come back, or Georges lorry-driving work kept them moving no one really said. Claudia read between the lines in his letters, saw his struggles. He never complained openly, but a mother knows.
Maybe her worry for her son broke her, maybe something else but Claudia took to her bed. Alice arranged a stay at the county hospital, visited as often as she could, but sobbed quietly on the road home. The doctors were not hopeful.
Maud wrote to George as soon as Claudia was taken away. Whether the letter was lost or not, he didn’t come. There was no word. She wrote again, and then said to Alice:
“Seems hes turned his back on his own mother. A night bird will always sing the loudest A fine paper wrapper! And I thought he was a decent sort!”
“Grandma, just wait a bit! Werent you the one who always said not to blacken someones name until youre sure? And even then, best not it keeps your own soul cleaner. Hell have to answer for himself. Now what?”
“I dont know, my dear, I just cant believe it. He was always a gentle boy, doted on Claudia. Wheres it gone?”
“Why dyou call him a paper wrapper?”
“Now thats an old story. To think, thats why I never believed hed go this far. Shall I tell it?”
“Go on!”
“He was only a boy then, about six or seven. Back in those days, all the children collected sweet wrappers. Whole books full, if they could manage. It was hard to come by times were tight, wages never stretched, sweets came only at holidays, and even then the simple sort, hardly ever fancy chocolates. Kids would treasure a good wrapper like it was actual coin. Would swap them only for something real. Well Claudia kept chickens in those days, not just any hens but pure white ones with tufts on top, fancy sorts. Only two, but they were her pride. No idea where her husband found them, but Claudia thought the world of them. Then trouble Georges best friend had a dog, a wild thing brought from the city, supposed to be a pedigree retriever, but God knows. Anyway, couldnt be trusted, would chase anything that moved. One day George invited his mate over, and he brought the dog along. And there went Claudias dear hens, white feathers everywhere
“Grandma, you dont mean”
“Yes, Alice, the dog tore them both to pieces. Poor Claudia wept for days. Didnt scold George, but went silent and wouldnt speak to anyone. Now, can you guess what George did?”
“What?”
“He gathered up all his precious wrappers, gave them to another lad whose father often went to the city. Then asked him, please, take me along to the city next time. Broke open his money tin, the coins he was saving for a new bicycle, and used the lot to bring home a hen just like Claudias.”
“That was kind!”
“Wasnt it just? Claudia was over the moon, and not because she got her hens back, but because her son showed honour. And now? Where does it go, Alice? What happens to folk?”
Maud would not hear any argument. What sort of son ignores his ailing mother? Is that right?
But all her words faded the week after Claudia came back from hospital. Alice, having arranged things with the village nurse, managed to get her home by ambulance.
What else could she do? There was no time to wait, but she couldnt get Claudia into a home without kins consent.
George arrived unexpectedly. By then Alice had managed both patients herself set up her mother, then attended to Claudia. It was hard work, but she managed. Maud clucked at her, told her not to overdo it, but who could leave someone in need? Especially not Claudia Georges own mother!
Alice was scrubbing the floors at Claudias when the front door opened and a little boy darted over her fresh boards, leaving muddy prints. He stopped in front of her, looked up and asked:
“Are you my Mum?”
So earnest and direct, Alice was taken aback, standing there with the mop in hand.
“Shes the neighbour,” Georges voice came from the hall. He placed a hand on the toddlers shoulder, then nodded to Alice. “Sorry, turning up so late. Its my fault. Max was in hospital, I couldnt leave him, and nowhere for Milly to go.”
“And what about Lucy?” Alice asked, then wished she hadnt.
What was it to her, now?
“No more Lucy. She left ran off with another man. Its just me now.”
“Not really alone, though, are you. You have the children.” Alice surprised herself, speaking without fuss. Something in her felt steadier now, facing George, so changed from the young man shed once blushed for.
“True. Whats got into me?” George shook his head, managing a smile. “Is she asleep?” He pointed to Claudia in her bed, kneeling to pull off Millys boots.
“Sleeping. She gets tired easily now, needs lots of rest. The doctors say its for the best. Suppose Id like her to be up and about more, she was always so active, never sat still a minute.”
“Hasnt got any sides left, from lying down so long!” piped Claudia, and Alice made ready to leave. George was here, time to go.
She mopped up, set a pot of fresh soup and milk for the children on the table, and hurried out, forgetting to say goodbye. She had no more strength for small talk.
Alice thought with the years and distance her heart had calmed, but now not so. She worried. George wasnt the boy whod pulled her pigtails over the fence, nor was she that girl who blushed at his hello. Theyd both grown so very different.
Next day, Claudia told Maud, who hobbled over on her stick to visit, that she wished to ask her son to take her to a home.
Maud was so scandalised, she refused to listen, stormed out to the stoop, called for George, spat at his feet and hobbled home. She wanted nothing to do with him. Not a word to Alice either.
“No need to make excuses for him! Hes plenty old enough to know better. What sort of man puts his own mother out on the rubbish heap?” Maud burst into tears.
Still in her battered housecoat, Alice dashed over to Claudias.
“George! Where are you?” she cried, storming into the room, wild and fierce as spring itself. “You can forget it! I won’t let you put Aunt Claudia in a home! Try it and see! Take yourself off! Ill manage, one patient or two, it’s all the same. Ill move another bed into Mums room, and thats settled! Good grief and I used to”
She stopped short as she saw Claudia laughing, dabbing her eyes, and George grinning sheepishly.
“Settle yourself, Alice! Calm down,” Claudia mopped her tears. “He never meant to send me away, it was my idea. Told Maud so, said I didnt want to be a burden, and she jumped to the wrong end of the stick!”
“Im not leaving, Alice. Where else would I go but here with Mum?”
“Really?” Alices anger melted, eyes darting around, catching sight of Georges packed bag. “And whats this then?”
“Ive to nip back up to Manchester, fix things at work, hand in my notice, fetch my clothes. No idea how long itll take, and the children are with me. But the nurse will look after Mum in the meantime.”
Alice made her mind up then and there.
“No sense in dragging the children back and forth! Leave them here, Ill mind them. And Ill be waiting for you. Got that?”
“Got it,” George stared at her as if seeing her for the first time. “How did I not see you before?”
“Maybe get your eyes checked in Manchester,” Alice grinned, scooping up little Milly who clung to her legs. “Come on, lets see Granny Maud. Shes making pies. You like pies? Good!”
And so, years later, youd see George leading first Claudia and then Maud out onto the porch, steadying them into new chairs hed brought from the city.
“There now, Mothers! Take it easy. You can sit or even lie down, isnt it grand? Fresh air, comforts all around!”
Hed listen for the little ones waking. “The youngsters are up, but Alice isnt home yet. Ill see whats keeping them.”
“Will Alice be home soon?”
“Last exams today. She said shed be in the first five to finish, so probably not long now.”
A car would crunch at the gate, and the children, picking cherries for jam at Granny Mauds request, would tumble down shouting:
“Mum! Mums home!”
And Alice, now a woman grown and nothing left of that timid girl who once stood blushing before George, would open her arms, gathering her whirlwind of happiness, winking at her husband:
“Top marks!”
“Wouldnt have doubted it,” George nods, leading the way inside.
The twins, as bright as their mum, rarely patient thats George in them. More little wrappers!
Some folk, you see, never lose their shine.
