We meet the wrong ones, and marry the wrong ones
Getting through life isn’t simple, and you can’t escape your fate. Everyone has their own path, their own truth. Vera grew up in a house of women. It would be wrong to call it a kingdom, but it was their own home. There was the garden, chopping firewood, drawing water from the well, the chickens and never-ending chores.
Grandma Faye had lived alone in the village for years, widowed young. Her daughter Mary was alone tooher husband left when Vera was only two. Thats how it was: three women making their way. From an early age, Vera could milk the cow, weed the veg beds, and soon enough she learned to make simple meals.
Faye was long past fifty when she came home from the farm one evening, tired out, and said,
Mary, love, Im utterly done with this life
Mum, whats wrong? Mary asked, as Vera dashed in, curious.
Oh, nothing, just fed up. My backs bent with shovelling manure. Dont we deserve a different life? She rested her hardworking, veined hands on her lap.
So, what do you suggest, Mum?
Let’s move to the citysell up and start again. Ive managed to save a bit. We could buy a flat.
Gran, Id love that! Vera bounced with excitement. I really, really want to go to the city!
And so they did. Fayes older brother, Nicholas, lived in the city, and they stayed with him for a while.
Well clear out a spare room for you, fussed his wife. Once you find your own place, you can move out.
The family was patient and kind to the visitors. Mary and Nicholas searched for somewhere to live, and finally, they found a flat and settled in.
We ought to do the place up, really, Faye said, but weve spent every penny on buying it. Ah well, well sort it out eventually.
Yes, Mum, Mary agreed. By the way, Ive landed a job at the bakeryI start tomorrow. Vera needs enrolling in school, tooholidays end in six weeks. Theres a school nearby, fortunately on my way to work.
Thats all right, love. Vera and I will goyour new job, youll be busy Faye replied.
Vera got a place in Year Six, and the school was indeed just around the corner. She was thrilled.
Gran, I can’t wait to start at a city school. Ill work really hard! she promised.
When Mary returned from her first shift, her mother shared some news.
Ive got a job as a cleaner at Veras school. Might as well keep working as long as I can. We need the money.
Oh, Mum, you could just be at home now, you get your pension.
No, darling. While Ive strength, Ill put it to useand I can look out for Vera at school, too, while shes still new…
Time went on. Faye worked as a school cleaner; she liked it, though she often felt tired. Mary worked too, and Vera was an average student.
After finishing Year Eight, Vera decided not to go back to schoolshe wanted to help her mum and gran. She understood it was time to work. Passing a restaurant, she saw a sign in the window: Dishwasher needed. She went straight in and was hired on the spot.
Vera worked hard, helping in the kitchen toopeeling potatoes, covering when the cook was busy, and keeping food from burning. She made friends with some of the girls and soon went out dancing with them.
Mum, Im off to the club for a dance, shed call out. Ill be home late.
Careful, Vera, Gran called after her, especially with young men. Dont believe every word, use your head.
Oh Gran, Im not a little girl anymore; I know what Im doing.
She met Tony at one of those dances. He asked her to dance and then barely left her side all evening.
Ill walk you home tonight, he said with such quiet confidence that she could hardly say no.
They started seeing each other, and it wasnt long before Tony said,
Vera, Im off to the army. Will you wait for me? Ill write, and you must reply.
All right, I promise. Vera agreed.
She saw Tony off at the station, wrote faithfully, replying to every letter. He promised to visit in a year on leave. Vera was so happy. The long-awaited visit finally came. They met again.
Hello, Vera! Hows things? Not found yourself a husband yet? Tony teased.
I told you Id wait, and I have.
Right He spoke flatly, wouldnt meet her eyes, kept glancing away.
His leave flew by, and Tony went back. After that, his letters became less frequent, briefer, and then they stopped.
Time passed, Tony was due back from service. He didnt let Vera know hed returned. She waited, but he didnt turn up at the dances, though she knew roughly when he should be back.
Coming home after a dance, Vera said to her friends,
Girls, do you think somethings up with Tony? He should be back from the army by now. I dont know where his parents live, or Id go round.
Why not pop by? a friend said slyly. You could meet his wife at the same time. Naïve, arent you, Vera… Tony got married while still in the army, brought his wife home with himno wonder hes vanished. Put him out of your head.
It cant be, but I waited for him Vera was upset.
You waited. He didnt.
Some weeks later, Vera did run into Tony in the parkjust as she was finishing work.
Hello, Vera! He sprang up when he saw her.
But Vera just kept walking, not stopping. Tony hurried after her.
Wait, Vera, Im sorry I made a mistake. I think of you all the time, dream about you even. I dont love my wifeI had to marry her, shes expecting a baby. I really miss you.
She stopped, looked him squarely in the eye:
And what would you like from me? To carry on behind your wifes back? Absolutely not. You lied to meyou’re unreliable. Live with your choice. Have children, raise them. Just dont involve me. I wish you happiness, Tony! She gave his shoulder a friendly pat and walked away.
Vera stayed at the restaurant. The manager, noticing her skill in the kitchen, suggested:
Vera, youre good in here. You enjoy cooking, dont you? How about attending chefs courses in the county? I could use you as a proper chef.
That sounds wonderfulId love that!
Soon Vera, looking smart and fashionable, stood on the station platform waiting for the train. This was her first trip alone to a big city, so she was a bit nervous. Some lads were nearby, one strumming a guitar, singing as they saw off a mate in his army uniform.
Suddenly, a young man in uniform broke from the group and dashed over.
Miss, could we get acquainted? Im Jackwhats your name?
Vera, she replied automatically.
Waiting for the train? he asked. She nodded.
At that moment, the train appeared, and Jack ran to catch his friends.
Strange chap, that Jack, she thought. Why did he want my name?
Vera got into one of the rear carriages, found a free seat. As the train started, she gazed out the window until she heard a voice overhead:
There you areI found you at last! It was the same young soldier.
I checked loads of carriages. So, heres the thingmy leaves nearly over, but you caught my eye. Couldnt let you go without a word. Shall we swap addresses, keep up a correspondence? What do you say? Oh, and where are you off to? he added.
Chefs training, in the city, Vera replied.
She realised he was trustworthy; he kept his word.
All the way, they chatted about their lives, swapped addresses, then parted ways. Vera didnt really expect to see him againafter all, she knew too well, after Tony, how things could turn out. But Jack was cheerful and kind, never boasting or promising too much. And what harm in writing a few letters?
Gran Faye always says: we meet the wrong ones, marry the wrong ones, Vera reflected, not really believing her luck would change with Jack.
They wrote to each other for nearly a year. When Jack completed his service, he came straight to see her. It was her day off; both were so glad to meet again. Vera realised she could trust this young manhe hadnt let her down.
Time passed. Vera married Jack and worked as a chef. He worked at the factory. Vera loved order and cleanlinesseverything in its place, clothes washed and ironed, food ready. Their twin sons went to nursery, always tidy and well cared for.
But Vera and her husband argued endlessly over his messiness. Jack left his things wherever he used them. She nagged and picked up after himuntil one day, she realised,
I need another approachtime to use charm and wisdom.
So, she sweetened her voice, coaxing him gently towards tidiness. Gradually Jack left his oily work clothes in the porch, kept his tools in the shed, swept the yard himself, even kept the garage neat. Vera was delighted.
In the end, I married the right one, despite Grans words, Vera now thought.
So Vera lived out her days comfortably with Jack. But one evening, he never made it homedied suddenly on the way from work, his heart gave out. No warning, just gone. Vera mourned him deeply.
Now Vera lives alone, much as her grandmother Faye lived out her days, and her mother Mary too. Veras visited by children and grandchildren; fate will not be fooled.
You cant escape whats meant for you.
