Lucy Brought Her Fiancé to the Countryside, but He Gave Her an Ultimatum…

Brought My Beloved to the Village, but He Set a Condition for Me…

I spotted the bus coming down the gravel lane just past the hedgerows and, dropping my football mid-game, pelted it towards the stop as quickly as my legs would carry me. My checkered shirt flapped open, messy blond hair whipped back by the Somerset wind.

Mum. Mums come home, was all I could think as I ran, heart hammering. But when the bus hissed to a halt and the door swung open, Mum wasnt alone. Beside her stood a rather stout man in a pale grey suit. He walked by her side, swinging his briefcase grandly, and seemed every inch the important town official.

I charged up to Mum, gripping her hand and gazing up at her with shameless delight.

Hello, love, she said, stooping to land a kiss on my head, her voice warm and sure.

Alright, lad! boomed the man, immediately ruffling my hair with a heavy hand. The greeting nearly knocked me off balance.

Come through to the table, invited Grandma Edith, my mums mother, her tone thick with hospitality.

Thank you, thank you, Mum, said the manwho Mum introduced as Arthur Perkinswith a nod, eyeing the table weighed down with roasted meats, home-baked bread, and fresh pies.

This is what a real country spread looks like, Arthur declared, pointing to the feast. Back in Bristol its all ration cards and tight trousers, isnt it? You lot here get to grow your own and eat well.

Milks ours as well, and proper cream, Grandma Edith chimed in, and everything from the plotveg, berries, even the apples.

As long as we can, we stick to whats ours, said Grandad Albertmums dad, a man of few words whod driven combine harvesters around these parts his whole life.

We dont do too badly out in the city, mind, Arthur boasted, smoothing back his thinning hair. Bit of give-and-take at my sisters on the depotget the good stuff when you know the right folks. Thats how I treat Lucy here to a bit of luxury now and again.

I watched Arthur, curious about how to worm my way over to him. In Bristol, where I lived with Mum, Id always watched other boys with their dads, replaying in my mind what it might be like to have my own. I imagined zoo trips or kicking a ball at the park. Maybe my dad would be like Vics or Sams, or maybe not at all.

Now, with this plump, balding man beside Mum, I wonderedsince hed come to the village with usif he might end up as my dad.

I picked up the wooden aeroplane Grandad Albert had carved for me, every edge sanded smooth, propeller whittled to spin just right. I walked over to Arthur, cheeks burning. Look at my plane! I said, holding it out.

Blimey, Arthur grinned, grabbing the toy and giving the propeller a good, hard flick. It promptly snapped off and skittered across the floor. Bit flimsy, innit? he said, handing the body back to me.

I scooped up the propeller, glancing at Grandad.

Dont worry, well fix it up, said Grandad quietly.

Arthurs a bit of a bossman, Mum put in, trying to lighten things as she cut him another slice of pie. Manages the works vehicles down at the factory.

Thats right, I do, Arthur puffed, holding court.

Mum, thirty and quieter than Arthur, a machinist at the same place, was marrying for the first time, chuffed to have a steady man with a titleeven if he was a good few years older than her. She kept nudging dishes closer to Arthur, tempting him with everything from fried fish to pancakes thick with clotted cream.

Out on the porch later, Arthur stretched out his arms and called, Just look at this! Isnt it something? And you, feel that air!

Do you like it, Arthur? Mum asked, hope flickering in her voice.

You bet. Could stay for weeks.

Lets just enjoy a bit of country air, rest up, and tomorrow head back to Bristol, she said quietly. Well take Andy alonghe needs new school trousers and blazer.

Hang on, Lucy, why haul the boy back with us? Doesnt the village have a school?

Only for the little ones

So there you go then, let him stay a year at Grannys, grow up on good food and clear air. Hell put on a stone in no time. He can come join us once things are sorted in Bristolget the flat fixed up, proper furniture in. Not much for him with all your old bits.

When Grandma Edith heard this, she shot a nervous look at Grandad. Grandad, as Id noticed before, bristled his moustache, looking none too pleased about the proposal.

Thats hardly a suggestion, Arthur, he grumbled, moustache twitching. Thats a condition, plain as day.

The next morning, Mum tried to explain why she wasnt taking me back home. I nodded solemnly, never saying a word. But once Mum and Arthur headed out for the bus, no one could find me. Grandma checked the attic and Grandads shed, but I was nowhere.

Hell turn up. Cant have got far, his bikes still here, Arthur said, waving off the worry.

Mum scanned the yard, biting her lip, then stepped outside. All the while, I kept hidden in the coal shed, peeking through a crack. I wanted nothing more than to run out and grab Mums hand, but I stayed put, certain in my gut that I wasnt wanted now this bald stranger had turned up.

Clutching my broken aeroplane, tears ran hot down my cheeks. I wasnt the crying sortnot even when Grandad Albert gave me a telling-off with the switch for untying the boat and taking it out on the river. That had been fair, I knew. But this was different. No one touched me, yet I was in pieces, rubbing my face dry on my fists.

Hes turned up! Grandma gasped once Mum and Arthur were long gone. Dont fret, love, your mum will be back in a month as promised, and well go to the county town for your uniform. You like it here with us, dont you?

I hung my head, hair dropping over my brow. I thought of my city mates and ached to be with them. Yes, I loved Grandma and Grandad, but it was always for the summerscome September I belonged in Bristol.

The days blurred past. Playing with the local kids, I let the pain slip away bit by bit.

Then, two weeks on, Grandma nearly dropped her pail in shock seeing Mum at the gate. Back so soon, love!

Mum slumped onto the bench, tired lines on her face. Said a month, but I only managed a fortnight. Ive come for Andy.

Whats happened? Thought hed stay? Has Arthur changed his mind?

No, Mum. I changed mine. No use parceling off my son. Arthurs sniffing round Simone the bookkeeper now, bringing her food parcels from his sister. Says its better for himshes got no kids. Mine, apparently, is a proper baggage. He made me promise to leave Andy here.

Grandmas heart went out to her. Maybe thats for the best, sweetheart.

It is. Ill take Andy, get him sorted for school, buy him that new bag. Were better off as we were. We managed fine, just him and me. Didnt need Arthurs tins and treatswhat I wanted was a family. Someone Andy could call Dad, and I could call husband.

When I saw Mum, all other feelings vanished. I rushed over, flinging my arms round her.

Mum!

Oh, love, I missed you, she said, hugging me close. Well go home, start the new term together. Ill help with your homework, sign you up for club and football, just like you wanted.

I tried to stuff as much as I could in my own bag to lighten hers.

Stop now, love, thats enough; itll be too heavy for you.

Dont worry. Im strong! I declared.

Grandad and Grandma walked us to the bus stop. The bus came up, headlights glinting, and pulled in, scattering dust over the verge. I got the window seat and waved them off till they were out of sight.

In my hands, I clutched the mended wooden aeroplane Grandad had fixed, peeking sideways at Mum. I was on my way back homea feeling that made my heart swell, and I realised as long as Mum was by my side, I had everything I needed.

If I learned anything from all this, its never to let anyone else decide whats best for the ones you lovesometimes, familys best kept simple, just the two of you against the world.