What is Meant to Be Will Find its Way

Whatever is written in the stars will unfold, even in dreams that wobble like a ship in a fogfilled harbor.
As Arthur Hollis was being sent off to his regiment, Ethel Bennett clung to him, pressing her shy little head against his shoulder. In her clear blue eyes a tear glistened; the thought of parting from her beloved made her heart feel like a wilted rose.

Dont fret, love, Arthur whispered, trying to stare into her gaze. Time will fly; Ill be back and everything will be fine. Nothing will happen to mejust wait for me.

Ill wait, Arthur, Ill wait, Ethel replied, smiling at the thought of occasional phone calls. Her mother had once told her that in her youth there were no mobiles, only letters that sometimes vanished like leaves in the wind.

Then well keep in touch, Arthur said, waving from the window at his parents as the bus doors opened. Beside Ethel stood Lucy Harper, the perpetual meddler who had once clung to his arm in school, smiling sweetly while fixing him with a knowing stare.

Why is she here? Arthur wondered, glancing at Ethel, who was already turning away. Shes probably crying again, he thought, disliking the sight of Ethels tears.

Ethel sensed that Lucy, the eternal rival, had come to escort Arthur. She slipped away early, lest Lucy would once more spin some nasty tale.

Time will pass, she told herself. Im studying, I have little free time, Arthur will finish his service and then well have happiness. Ethel studied at a college in a modest market town; her parents lived in the neighbouring village, so she traveled home each weekend, returning on the last evening bus. Arthur had not gone to college; after leaving school he had taken a job in the village and was now waiting for his callup. Every Sunday he met Ethel at the bus stop and saw her off.

Their love had begun in the tenth year of school, in parallel classes, while Lucy was his classmate. When Arthur and Ethel first started dating, Lucy threw every obstacle in their path, weaving endless rumors about Ethel. Everyone knew Lucys schemes.

Ethel was a striking girl with a radiant smile, sapphire eyes, and light hair that turned heads. She fell for Arthur, a notverytall blond with gentle grey eyes, charming in his own way. At break times they were always side by side, while other girls whispered and ogled with envy. Lucys friends in her class loathed Ethel, and Lucy fanned the flames.

Lucys spinning more lies about you, said her deskmate Irene, a friend. She cant win you over, so shes furious.

Let her gossip, Ethel replied. Arthur knows who I am, and I care little for anyone else.

At the school leavers dinner everyone sipped champagne, Ethel and Arthur included, though only a little. After a few glasses they wandered through the river park, singing with a guitar, shouting that they were grownups. Some lads stumbled so badly they fell asleep on the benches.

The night began with everyone together. Lucy, who might not have drunk at all before, finally took a sip and, in front of the crowd, slipped her arm around Arthurs neck and pressed her lips to his. Everyone froze; Ethel stood nearby as Arthur tried to extricate himself from Lucys clinging embrace. At last he pushed her away.

Lucy, whats happened to you? he snapped. Champagne cant make you behave like this. Lucy laughed wildly, Youll always be mine, Arthur. and slipped away.

Arthur seized Ethels hand and led her toward the river.

Did that crazy champagne make you angry, Ethel? he asked.

No, she answered, her voice soft beneath a long pale blue dress with a huge bow matching her eyes. No one can ever tear us apart; we trust each other.

At dawn Arthur escorted Ethel home and then headed back to his own house. Soon after, Ethel passed her entrance exams, entered college, and Arthur resumed his routine of meeting her after her lessons.

Lucy rejoiced when she heard Ethel would study nearby.

Finally Ill have time to charm Arthur, she muttered, plotting to split them. She even courted his mother, Valerie, who lived two doors down, slipping into her garden when Arthur wasnt home.

Val, have you heard? Our dear Ethel has found a wealthy lad in town and is dazzling him, Lucy whispered to the neighbour.

Lucy, that cant be true. Ethel is honest; she and Arthur are solid, Arthurs mother replied.

Valerie, who had her own tangled past with her husband George, the father of Lucy, was known for keeping her own secrets, but the village whispered about her affairs and the nickname she gave her husband my little sow a term everyone used in hushed tones.

Little sow is always at home while the other one gallivants with his duties, the women at the corner shop snickered.

Arthur and Ethel kept in occasional touch, though the armys strict schedule made it hard. Ethel still sent letters, which Arthur answered when he could. Three months after his conscription, Lucy concocted another plot.

Val, give me Arthurs address; he isnt answering my calls, Lucy begged.

Why do you need it? Valerie asked.

Viktor, his schoolmate, wants to know where he lives. Hes at university and rarely comes back, Lucy replied.

Valerie read the address from a folded envelope and handed it over. That very day Lucy wrote a letter so damning that even she felt uneasy.

Arthur will believe that Ethel is deceiving him. Ill drip poison into his mind with each note, for water wears away stone, she wrote, smirking.

For three months Lucy flooded Arthur with eloquent letters, claiming Ethel was feeding him lies. Arthur even asked his mother whether it was true that Ethel was seeing someone else; his mother dismissed Lucys rumors as fabrications. No one in the village knew that Lucy had slipped into the army camp to meet Arthur herself, hoping her tale would stick.

One evening, Arthurs call found Ethel in her dormitory.

Hello, Ethel, how are you? he said in a tone that sounded cold and unfamiliar.

Im fine, why do you sound like a stranger, Arthur? Why the harsh voice? she replied.

Im a stranger now. You turn left and right, and Im left with no way to speak to you. Dont call or write againyouve betrayed me, I know everything.

Ethel could only gasp, Is this Lucys doing? before the line went dead.

Ethel returned home for the weekend and stayed locked in her room. Arthur never came back from the army; rumors swirled that Lucy had gone to him pregnant.

Soon after, International Womens Day arrived. Ethel spent three days at home, feeling heavyhearted over the split. Her grandmother and mother laid a modest feast, and her younger brother, Stewart, now sixteen and soon to finish school, brought fresh tulips bought early that morning. He entered Ethels room, smiling.

Ethel, may everything turn out for the best! Youll find happiness.

Thanks, brother, she whispered, kissing his cheek.

The whole household worried for her. The day turned bleak as a massive, soggy snowfall began, the flakes thick enough to creak the roofs tiles.

Stewart sprinted to the courtyard, then, seeing the weight of snow on the roof, ran outside to find help. He needed extra hands to brace the ceiling from inside before it gave way. He was the only man left; their father had long ago vanished.

A stranger appeared, a lanky lad named Graham, who claimed hed met his aunt Varvara on the road and was on his way to her house.

Hey Graham, could you help? We need to prop the roof, the snow is crushing it, and its my sisters day, Stewart shouted.

Sure, Graham replied, My mother sent me with flowers, but Im happy to lend a hand.

Climbing onto the roof, Graham asked for warm gloves; his fingers were numb. Stewart shouted, Mum, get the gloves for Graham! At that moment Ethel emerged with a pair of knitted mittens, handed them over, and laughed.

Stewart, for a beauty like your sister well do everything right, Graham joked.

Grandma noticed Ethels cheeks flushing as she changed into a fresh coat, and when the boys finished securing the roof, Stewart announced, Thanks, Graham! Come to the table; the feast is ready, lets celebrate the women.

Laughter filled the house, and Grahams eyes never left Ethel; she returned his gaze, cheeks turning a daring pink.

Shall we take a walk? Graham asked.

Lets, Ethel replied, her voice trembling with the heat of the moment and the sparkle in her eyes.

From the window, the family heard her bright giggle.

Thank heavens, our girl is alive again, her mother sighed.

Stewart added, A little mischief drives a big mischief.

Six months later, the village gathered for Ethel and Grahams wedding. Grahams aunt, watching the couple, whispered, I always said whats meant to be will happen.

Ethel finished college, stayed in the town with Graham, and they lived happily, having found each other at last. Fate lingered on Ethels ear, humming, I have bound you together; seek no other gifts, keep what is holy within yourselves.