The day the storm came, Evelyn stood frozen as though the world had crumbled around her. Her husbands nephew, the boys breath still ragged from running. She knew something was wronghad sensed it for months. Thomas had grown distant, lodging with his brother, muttering about pig farms and fresh starts. With trembling fingers, she unfolded the note. “Evelyn, I’m leaving. Forgive me. I wont take the children, nor live as your husband any longer. Ive sold the houseyour share is enclosed. Go to your mother.” Coins clattered to the floor as she swayed, the wind howling outside as though it had snatched her life away.
Granny Margaret shuffled in, her voice thin with worry. “Evelyn, love, whats happened?” Evelyn swallowed the lump in her throat. “Nothing, Mum. Go have your teathe biscuits are burning.” The scent of vanilla mixed with the tang of charred shortbread. Shed expected thisrumours from Victoria, her brother-in-laws wife, had hummed in the background, but Evelyn had brushed them aside. Now the truth lay at her feet, cold and jagged as a broken blade.
Young William burst in from the garden. “Mum, Uncle George is asking for you.” She straightened her coat and stepped outside. The neighbour shifted uncomfortably. “Evelyn Weve bought the housefor our Cynthia. But take your time moving out.” She squared her shoulders. “Three days. Ill be gone.” The door slammed behind her, muffling his sputtered “where will you go?” William dashed up, cheeks flushed. “Mum, wheres Dad?” She pulled him close, breathing in the scent of sweat and grass from his scuffed cap, and wept silently. “Hes gone, love.””Ill kill him!””Hush. Were strong. Well manage.”
Little Sophie wailed as Evelyn settled the children at the table, then slipped away to Granny Margaret. The old woman sat by the window, her shoulders trembling. “Evelyn, put me in a home.””Dont talk nonsense. Were leaving together.””Where to?””I dont know yet.” A call to her mother rang hollow. “Go to that wretch, throw his money in his face!””No.” Her mother couldnt helpshe had a new family, a stepfather whod barred Evelyn long ago. And Granny Margaret, her aunt by blood, stood alone after the village disbanded. Daughters had abandoned her, and Evelyn had taken her in six years prior. Now they were a family of their own.
The phone buzzed again. Her mother: “Where will you take Margaret?””Not to you.” Evelyn tossed the receiver aside, flipped through an old address book, dialled. “Evelyn. Thomas left. May I bring Granny to stay with you?””No, my nerves!” The line went dead. Evelyn looked at the children, at Margareta crowded train carriage, a woman with sorrowful eyes, a solemn boy, a lively girl, and an old woman dabbing tears. They were bound for hope.
“Hello, Father,” Evelyn said at his doorstep. He blinked. “The children? Margaret?””Give me the keys to the flat Granny Agnes left me in her will.” He brightened. “Come in, Louise, what a joy!” Her stepmother smiled tightly. “Guests? Nonsense, youre family.” But three days later, Evelyn overheard her hissing: “When are they leaving?””Father, wheres the flat?” Louise slammed a spoon down. “There is no flat! We sold it with your mothers share!” Her father looked away. Evelyn clenched her fists. “Three days.”
House-hunting was hell. “No children,” “Without a husband? Really?” “Pay three months upfront.” Work was scarcer. “No experience?” “Young children? Sorry.” Then came Barnaby. “Quick learner. Three days training, then youre offletting flats.” Evelyn exhaled. They crammed into a tiny bedsit with a shared bath. The children chirped, “Our own rooms?” Granny Margaret wept. “Im a burden.””Youre family. My right hand.”
Barnaby offered more. “Firms expandingneed someone sharp.” Evelyn whispered to Granny: “Should I?””Go, love.” Years passed. William grew tall; Sophie finished school. They bought a flattheir own. “Mum, is this really ours?””The spare rooms for guests.” Then Aunt Evelyn called. “My birthday. Did you hide them from me?””You hid first.””What savings?””Youd know best.” Hanging up, Evelyn smiled. At Granny Margarets grave, she whispered, “Remember Barnaby? He gave me three days to decide. Ill answer now.”
Sunlight broke through the clouds, warm as an embrace. Evelyn felt itas though Margaret stood beside her. “We made it, Mum.” Home waited: her children, a new life, a man who loved her. Somewhere far off, Thomas had his money, but no family. Whod lost more? She tilted her face to the sky. “Thank you for those three days.” Perhaps the darkness had been worth itjust to find the light.
