I’ll Get Married—Just Not to That Hunk. He’s a Perfect Lad in Every Way, Yet He’s Not My One.

Again that night my mother and her lodger arrived together with another man. Already a few drinks in, I slipped into the corner behind the nightstand.

Where can I hide? Snow has already blanketed the lane. Im weary of everything. By summer Ill have finished my ninthform exams and go to town. Ill enrol at the teachertraining college and become a schoolmistress. The town is only ten kilometres away about six miles yet Ill live in the hostel, I muttered to the empty walls.

Mother and her guests settled at the kitchen table. The clink of glasses and the smell of pork sausages filled the air. I swallowed hard.

Hold on, you! my mothers voice snapped.

Whats the matter? one of them asked.

You two

Its the first time weve had two, said Michael, the lodger, his tone halfjoking.

A crash of falling crockery rang out, followed by a rustle and a hiss. I pressed deeper into the corner; the din suddenly died.

Mike, shes asleep, whispered the lodger.

Shes a good girl, but Ive got my eye on her Michael muttered.

Remember, she has a daughter

Which one?

Ethel, shes grown now. Shes probably hidden in her room.

Bring her here, called a cheerful voice.

Ethel, where are you? the lodger entered, spotting me and giving a sour smile. Come sit with us!

Im fine here, I replied.

Why the shame? Michael tried to hug me.

Instinctively I grabbed the vase on the nightstand and hurled it at his head. Glass shattered, and I bolted from the room.

Hold her! Michael shouted, but I was already at the front door. With no time for shoes, I fled in my socks, old shorts and a threadbare shirt.

The men followed. The village lane was deserted; where could I run in the snowed night? Behind us cries rose. From the huge manor Id sprinted past, a dog barked, then a voice shouted at the animal.

I slammed at the gate and pounded. A man of about forty years opened it.

Help! I whispered, eyes pleading.

Come in! he snatched my arm and shut the door.

Oliver? Whos there? a woman called from the porch.

The lad, the host nodded toward me. There are men after her.

Quick, inside! she seized my arm. You can tell us everything there.

Ethel, behave! Michael called from outside.

Oliver, dont interfere! the lady shouted. Get inside!

From the street the shouts continued, the dogs yelp echoing from the garden.

We should call the police, the lady said, pulling out her mobile.

Polly, no. Ill deal with it myself. Theyre locals, I reckon.

How will you handle them?

Properly. Calm her down. She fetched a packet, put a bottle and a slice of sausage in the fridge, then stroked the dog and stepped back out. Michael lunged at me.

Give me Ethel back!

Take it and go!

He opened the packet, smiled, and nodded at his mate. Off you go, Mike!

***

Goodness, Im Mrs. Polly Henderson, the lady announced, setting a kettle on the stove. Sit, sit! Tell me who you are and what happened.

My name is Ethel, I began, teeth chattering. Ive lived on this lane all my life, right at the edge.

Youre Kiras daughter?

Yes.

Weve only been here a short while, but weve heard of your mother.

I lowered my head and wept.

Enough, dont cry. She drew me close, a gesture that felt strange to me. I clung to her, sobbing even harder.

Right, right, thats that. Lets have some tea. The houses master entered.

Everything sorted, he said.

And the pretty girlwhat shall we do with her? Polly glanced at me, then smiled.

Well discuss that tomorrow. For now, tea and a bath.

Want something to eat? Polly placed a cup of tea before me, smiling again. I see youre hungry.

Sandwiches appeared on the table, along with the remnants of a cake.

Eat, eat! the master encouraged, watching my eyes flick over the food.

No more questions were pressed on me; they seemed to sense my shame.

When dinner ended, Polly led me to the bathroom.

Wash up, and put this robe on.

***

All I wanted was not to be cast out onto the cold street. The warm bath soothed me, but soon the hosts called for me to leave.

I stepped out. The husband and wife lounged on a settee. I gave a guilty smile.

Thank you, I said.

Ethel dear, the lady began, I gather no ones looking for you. You dont want to go home, do you?

I bowed my head low.

Tomorrow morning we have to set off early

I understand, I whispered, my chin dropping further.

Youll stay here alone. Dont open the door to anyone! Our dog Jack wont let anyone in. Got that?

Yes! I shouted, unable to hold back my feelings.

You could even make a stew for us while were away, Oliver Romilly said with a wry grin. Can you?

I can, I replied hastily, still fearing eviction. I cook well and I can tidy the house.

Then tidy it, if you dont mind, downstairs, Polly agreed.

***

We awoke together with the owners. I lay still in the bed, terrified of being thrown out again. A car rumbled in the courtyard; after a while the noise faded.

I rose, washed, and found a kettle whistling on the stove, bread, sausage and cheese on the table, and a tray of pork ribs on the worktop.

I ate, cleared the table, wiped the surfaces, and mopped the floor. In the hallway a vacuum lay waiting; I switched it on and began cleaning.

Just as I turned it off

What does all this mean? a voice asked from behind.

I spun around. A handsome young man, about eighteen, with hazel eyes, stared curiously.

Im cleaning, I muttered. And who are you?

Actually he shook his head, pulling a phone from his pocket.

Mom, Im at home. Whos this?

Son, let the girl stay a while.

Its none of my business. He slipped the phone back, appraising me from head to toe before heading to the kitchen.

Would you like tea? I asked.

Ill manage myself.

***

I finished vacuuming, then dusted, listening to each creak from the kitchen. The lad had breakfast, then disappeared into the bathroom, emerging shirtless, scented with aftershave.

Hey, landlord, fetch another bottle! a shout came from outside.

What now? the boy went to the window.

Dont open for them! I cried, frightened.

He looked at me, smiled, and walked toward the door. I raced to the window. Outside the fence, the lodger and his friend shouted something. Fear tightened around me.

The landlords son burst out; they rushed toward him, only to slip on the snow, landing hard. It seemed both men fell together.

The boy leaned over them, said something, and they rose, heads lowered, shuffling toward the mothers house.

***

He returned, his gaze fixed on me, frozen in place.

Scared? he asked.

Unable to control myself, I threw myself into his arms and wept.

Whats your name? he asked suddenly.

Ethel.

Im Ruslan. Dont cry. They wont be coming back.

***

Ruslan retreated to his room and stayed there until nightfall. I prepared a pot of stew, sat at the kitchen table and stared out the window.

Of course I wanted to remain there with these kind people, but I knew I was overstepping the bounds of propriety.

The owners returned. Polly shook her head in amazement at how tidy everything was. Oliver gave the stew a respectable nod.

I think Ill head home, I said, resigned. Thank you for everything.

Ethel, stay a few more days! Polly urged.

Thank you, Mrs. Henderson! Ill go home soon, I repeated.

I stepped toward the door and froze. Since the night before Id been wandering the house in a strangers dressing gown and boots.

Come on! the lady grabbed my shoulder and led me to the sittingroom.

She opened the wardrobe, examined its contents, and pulled out a pair of jeans, a sweater and a warm sports coat.

Put those on! Were almost the same height, she said.

No, I

You cant go home naked. Dress, dress! I wont be left short of money.

I dressed, sneaked a glance at the mirrornever before had I owned such neat clothes. In the hallway she made me put on a woolly cap and sturdy boots.

Ethel, wear this for healths sake!

Thank you, Mrs. Henderson, I said.

***

Life settled into an old, familiar rhythm. My mother found work on a nearby farm; her lodger disappeared with his friend.

Spring arrived. I was at home, studying, when a knock came at the gate. I looked out and could hardly believe my eyesRuslan stood by the fence, nodding as if to say, Come out!

I didnt walk; I bolted.

Hello! Ruslan grinned.

Greetings!

My mother called for you.

***

And so I entered the house where I had spent that happy day.

Welcome, Ethel! the lady greeted me at the doorway, embracing me.

Good day, Mrs. Henderson!

Come in! Lets have tea. She seated me, poured tea, and took her place at the table.

I have a favour to ask. My husband and I are flying to Turkey for a month, she said, a wistful smile playing on her lips. Our son is rarely at home. Could you look after the house? Feed Jack, tend the cat, water the flowers. There are many of them.

Of course, Mrs. Henderson! I replied.

Very well, she produced a packet of notes. Twenty thousand pounds.

Mrs. Henderson, why so much?

Take it! We wont be left in want. Come, Ill show you everything.

I memorised the locations of all the flower pots, the cats bowl, the dogs kibble, and the meat for Jack. Then Polly called out:

Ruslan! her son burst from his room. Introduce Ethel to Jack!

Come on, he said, laying a gentle hand on my shoulder.

They stepped out into the garden, released Jack, and went for a walk. Ruslan talked about his university, karate, and the family business.

I thought of something else entirely. I realised the gulf between Ruslan and me was as wide as that between my mother and his parents. They were good people, but this was no Cinderella tale; it was life.

Two months till college exams. Ill pass them, work, turn my life around. Ill marry, but not this handsome fellow. Hes wonderful, yet not my match, I thought. Im grateful to Mrs. Henderson for the clothes and the £20,000. At least Ill manage the first weeks in town.

A quiet intuition told me that my harsh childhood had finally ended. Adulthood lay aheadno less arduous, but wholly my own.

We reached the cottage. I patted Jack on the neck, smiled at Ruslan, and headed home. Tomorrow my work at the cottage would begin. Work, and that was all.

—And with a steady breath she crossed the threshold, ready to forge her own destiny.