The House Spirit

House Spirit

William, was that you who tidied up the garden? Jane gently touched her son’s shoulder.

He startled, pulled off his headphones. Monsters kept belting each other on the computer screen, but William wasn’t watching anymore.

What, Mum?

I asked, did you get back from school long ago?

Just now.

So who did the garden, then?

How should I know? Maybe Annie?

Jane chuckled. Her three-year-old daughter was, indeed, a very determined little lady, but still not quite up for feats of domestic heroism.

What a thought!

Well then, must have been the house sprite!

Of course! Him, exactly! You rascal. Off you scoot round to grans and fetch Annie home. Shes stayed too long. Ill get on with tea. You hungry?

Mmm, yeah! Me and the lads had some buns at lunch, but that was after second period. Mum, when are we finally getting an early start at school again?

Not a clue, love. Theyre saying nothing. Schools jam-packed.

Oh well. At least I get to sleep in longer. William, ever the optimist, always tried to see the silver lining.

Jane kissed her sons crown, gave his ear a habitual affectionate tug as he tried to dodge her, and wandered off to the kitchen.

Teenagers

Thirteen already. Thinks himself grown-up, but He still went all shy every time her lips brushed his head of thick, dark hair just like his fathers.

Her children turned out so different. William, tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed, looked just like his dad Peter. In more ways than one. Jane could see traces of him even in Williams budding character. Stubborn, responsible, kind Maybe he hadnt done the garden, but it was definitely her boy whod done the dishes. And the kitchen floor still shone with damp mop streaks. Where else to find such a helper? Perhaps, one day, his little sister.

Annie was Janes miracle. Nearly ten years of hope and waiting. Medical trouble after her first birth had nearly robbed Jane of any chance. But even that sliver was enough and Jane and Peters little girl was born. Fair as a daisy pale blonde curls, blue eyes like Williams. Shed taken after Jane. Gentle as a kitten; shed come up, rest her head against mum or brother, and just stay.

Annie, love, what are you up to?

And her smile would light up the room like sunshine. No one in the world could smile quite like her daughter. Jane knew that for certain. Now no one.

That smile brought Jane joy and in its own way, pain. Peters smile. Her husband was gone

Sometimes she wanted to howl with the ache, but could not. For the childrens sake.

Her husband had been a firefighter and rescue worker. Saved people, put out blazes. Hed rescued a family mum, dad, and three kids from the country lane. Went back for the gran, who wouldnt leave because of her animals. But by then, the fire had trapped them both.

Jane knew Peter was gone before anyone told her. Something twisted in her heart, stabbed with dread, and she shoved a crying baby Annie into her mother-in-laws arms, shouting at her:

Mum, take her! I need to make a call!

And then she was barrelling the car down the A-road to Peters station, barely noticing the sopping breast milk on her shirt, the cramps in her hands.

How did she hold together on the edge? She wasnt sure. The children pulled her through. William didnt leave her side for a minute.

William, lets get you to bed! Jane’s mother-in-law, Margaret, elderly and exhausted but solid as a stone, didnt abandon Jane. She forced her to eat, brought Annie for feeding.

Ill stay with Mum! William would shake his head and press her cold hand to his cheek. Gran, why are her hands like ice?

Jane remembered little from that time. Flashes, odd moments. Packing up, shoving baby clothes into bags, scattering toys.

I cant stay here any longer. Every moment I expect Peter to slam the door and call out, just like always: “Im home!”

Youre right, love. No need. Come and stay with me for a bit. Well sort something out.

No. Not even with you Sorry. Too many memories. It hurts Ill go to Grans old house.

Dont be silly, Jane! Its been years since anyone lived there. You cant take the children!

Ill get it in order. Youll be nearby. I cant manage without you.

Im not going anywhere. You two are all Ive got.

Dont, please. I cant cope If we start crying, therell be no end to it, and so much to do. Look after Annie. Ill finish the packing. And William hardly eats now. Only ever sits down if I do, and Ive no appetite left at all.

That wont do! Margarets voice grew stern. Youre a mother. If youre all right, the children will be. But if you run yourself ragged? I havent the strength anymore to take over, Jane, not at my age. Mind yourself, for all our sakes.

Jane grabbed Margarets hands, kissed them, and got back to packing. She had to get away. The happy life from this small flat couldnt be returned, and to walk through these rooms, full of echoes impossible.

Grans house greeted her coldly. She deserved nothing less. Shed abandoned it for a new life.

Jane wandered from room to room, fingertips tracing the faded wallpaper, brushing dust from her grans chest of drawers still covered by her embroidery, and flung open the windows. The chill autumn air swept in.

Mum, take the children for now. Ill come feed Annie later.

Are you sure youll manage?

Of course.

She wasnt left alone for long. Half an hour later, the porch door rattled, and Emma appeared. Janes old classmate and friend.

Nice of you to announce yourself. Got any cleaning rags?

Emma had always been practical. A born talker, but unwaveringly loyal to her own. Jane rinsed off the soap and hugged her.

Hello

Hi! Where are the kids?

With Mum.

Sorted! Well, dont just stand about. You staying with her tonight or here?

Here.

Brilliant, so lets get on with it.

Emma slipped from the embrace, scanning for the washing-up bowl.

Emma! Jane gasped.

What? Oh you mean this Yes! That happened.

When?

February. Why so shocked? Im pregnant, not ill.

From who?

Oh, come off it! Emma snapped up the wet cloth, wiped the ledge. What a mess!

Graham? But he

Went off, yep. Its just me and the baby now, Jane whether it’s a boy or a girl.

You dont know yet?

Nah, still hiding. And does it matter? Mine, either way! My child!

Jane knew what those words meant for Emma. Her first marriage had collapsed over supposed infertility, with all the husbands family sniping at Emma, pitying Adam, her ex.

Hard luck, Adam. A beauty, but the wrong sort.

Emma, at first, cried herself to sleep, then stopped caring and left. Adam remarried almost at once, only for it to turn out that the issue wasnt Emma at all. The new wife, not one for tears, insisted on getting checked. Adam was the one with the problem. After treatment, she bore him a son and a daughter soon after.

Emma was genuinely glad for him. Shed long since forgiven the past. In truth, she was grateful for it if not for that split, shed never have met Graham, never known the fragile hope now fluttering inside her. Graham had left as soon as he heard the news, but by then it hardly mattered. Emma was no longer the timid girl who shrank from mockery.

They cleaned the old house till dusk, but it was worth it. The place seemed to breathe again, yawning its flaking shutters, mumbling as it woke, and coming alive.

Emma settled at the kitchen table, watching Jane make tea and falling silent.

Time goes so fast

Not so long ago, theyd dash round here, nicking fresh scones and racing for the river as Janes gran bellowed after them:

Ungrateful hussies! Wont you ever sit down to eat properly?

They never slowed, just waved and yelled:

In an hour!

That “hour” would stretch till evening. Catching Gran in the garden after the sun cooled, the girls would silently grab hoes and pitch in. Alone, that woman couldnt run such a place not while she worked as a dairywoman too.

She had to. Had to get her granddaughter raised. Janes father had left for the city with his new family after Janes mum died in childbirth. Her gran had no choice but to take Jane in. When her son had another child, Jane and her gran moved to the city briefly. Little Jane never understood why Gran suddenly decided to go home, or why shed weep silently all the way.

Gran died just as Jane turned eighteen. By then, Jane had started seeing Peter, and, dizzy with love, failed to notice how frail Gran had become. It was only one night, hearing a muffled groan, that she realised.

Gran, you all right?

Three months, thats all they had. Enough only to exchange a lifetime in words. Not enough, of course

Still, Gran managed one last thing Jane would always be grateful for. She summoned Peter’s mum, and, once Jane was out the room, spoke long and earnest to her. Jane never knew what was said, but from then on, she had a second mum.

She started calling Margaret “Mum” before the wedding.

May I? Jane remembered the anxious question, and how Margarets nod had left her relief flooding through.

Shed never told anyone how much shed wanted to say that word. Gran was the only one shed opened up to. It had meant a great deal that someone looked at her with such warmth again.

Jane never argued with her mother-in-law. Why would she? Margaret had given her nothing but kindness. Even her household tips had been gentle. Why quarrel with someone whos become close not just by name, but in spirit? Not many people get such luck Jane knew that for sure.

Jane learnt, too, that you couldnt count on blood ties alone. After Grans funeral, a whole delegation had arrived from the city: her father, his wife, and mother-in-law.

Nice house. Sound build. Could sell well.

A loud matron Jane had never seen paced the garden, shaking her head.

Let things go, havent you! Needs a good tidy. Buyers like it clean.

Buyers? Jane finally surfaced, shaking.

All that week after Grans passing, shed been numb. Ate when Margaret forced her, half-did the chores, would freeze, listening maybe it was all a dream and Gran would soon storm out of the kitchen, waving her tea towel at the wasps and grumbling:

Had a good run round? Help me scrub the jars, its time for jam for winter!

What buyers? sneered her fathers mother-in-law. Her tanned shoulder poking out of a thin strap, a patch of white skin Jane found suddenly nauseating. The buyers for the house, of course!

Jane didnt answer. She bolted behind the shed, clamping her mouth shut. When she came back, Margaret was already there.

Off with you, out now!

Who are you, might I ask? And what gives you the right to throw us about?

This is Janes house. Theres a deed of gift.

A what?

Exactly that. Shes got the savings too. Ive sorted all the paperwork. Time you left. Leave the orphan be!

The row that threatened never reached Jane. Margaret led her inside, laid her on the bed, whipped off her dirty T-shirt.

No tears. I promised your Gran. Here, wear my dressing gown, its clean. Lie down. Ill bring you a cuppa. Rest, calm down, well talk later.

Jane didnt see her father again until her wedding.

She hadnt sent him an invite. He turned up anyway.

The crowd teased Peter, and Jane laughed heartily, watching her new husband wrestle with an enormous baby doll. Suddenly, someone tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned, still smiling.

Hello, daughter

Jane was so stunned, she didnt know what to say. Silently, he pressed some keys into her hand.

Sorry! Margarets got the papers. Shell explain. Be happy, Jane!

And with that, her father turned and walked out of the restaurant.

The flat her father gave her was small but cosy. Two rooms, a bright kitchen. Jane wandered about, unsure why she should leave Grans house.

Jane, love, it will be easier here. More opportunities you need your studies.

Margaret, satisfied after inspecting the flat, made herself comfortable at the kitchen table. She had managed to persuade Jane’s father to do something proper for his daughter, even if hed never raised her. That, at least, his conscience stretched to.

Youre right But when? Jane gave a faint smile, glancing at Margaret.

Oh, really?

Yes, early days yet. I havent even told Peter.

Ill help. You must go youre so bright. Dont let talent lie wasted.

Jane finished her university branch. It was hard, but Margaret pitched in wherever possible watched William, helped with groceries.

Everyone breathed more easily when Jane started work and William went to nursery.

To the seaside! Peter, covering his ears, laughed as Jane and Annie squealed with delight.

It was their first and only trip to the coast. Jane and Peter raced through the waves, glancing back at William building sandcastles under Margarets eye. Evenings, theyd stroll down the pier together under the stars.

On one such night, Peter took William for a carousel ride, and Jane strolled along the long pier with Margaret, making idle chat.

At the end, a couple were having an argument bellowing, pushing, accusing then they stormed off down the pier, still at it.

Margaret watched them go, sighing.

Why do people do that? Waste their lives on rows Theyll make up, but the evening, sometimes days, are lost. Nerves, hurt why?

How do you know theyll make up? Jane wondered aloud.

Anger like that happens when people care deeply. You saw how she ran after him, sobbing? Shell forgive, so will he. He turned back, what, five times? But no one will give them this evening back. Or tomorrow. Nonsense, really. If only the night brings them peace You and Peter havent been together long. But remember that couple when you want to argue. Lifes so short, Jane so very short.

Now, Jane was deeply thankful for Margarets words. Thanks to her, she could say honestly she and Peter had never wasted their time.

Jane lifted the kettle, nearly dropping it when a shadow flashed outside the kitchen window. She gasped it wasnt William. A man was creeping across the garden.

Her first instinct was to bolt the door, hide, call for help. But she snapped to the children and Margaret would be home any minute, and there was a stranger in the garden.

The wooden kettle handle warmed her grip as she stared at the steamy spout, then resolutely stepped out.

The garden was pitch black; shed forgotten to switch on the light.

Whos there?!

The shed door creaked mournfully. Jane flinched, stifled by fear.

What do you want?! Ill call for help!

A shadow stepped onto the porch, and Jane instinctively moved back.

Dont shout, Jane. Its me. Alex.

Relief made her lower the kettle, yelping as the hot base caught her leg through her thin dress. She put it down on the porch table, muttering under her breath.

What are you sneaking about for, Alex? Why not come inside?

The stocky, quietly spoken man looked away, just like William did when guilty the sort of look hed use after a football had gone through a school window.

You see your shed door was hanging off. I thought Id fix it while I had time off to inspect the hives tomorrow, not sure when Im back.

Jane stared at him, then realised the tidy garden, the mended fence, the new planks by the old bath-house all his doing.

So youre my house sprite! Jane smiled.

What?

House spirit! Seems Ive acquired one who tidies up, keeps the place straight. Just never drinks the milk left out. William says we need a cat house sprites get lonely. Isnt that right?

The faint kitchen light was enough for Jane to notice Alexs cheeks flush red.

Sorry. Should have told you sooner.

Thank you! But why, Alex?

He didnt answer just waved and slipped out over the fence, barely acknowledging Margaret and the children who were arriving.

So hes finally appeared, eh! Margaret chuckled, passing Jane a bottle of milk. Pop this in the fridge.

What do you mean “appeared”? Mum, you knew?!

Who did you think, love? Whole village knows! Alex has been keen since you and Peter were courting. Or did you never notice the way he looked at you?

Never

Really?! Margaret was astonished. Pull the other one.

No, honestly I had no idea.

Come on, well talk. Once the children are in bed could be a long chat.

They sat up late into the night. Jane kept refilling Margarets cup as she listened, stunned.

He came to me a year ago. Asked my permission for your hand said I was most like family to you! Of all the nerve. Certainly knew how to get round me.

And you said yes?!

Why not? Jane, youre still young. Your whole life ahead. The children will fly, and youll be left only tending to a cranky old woman like me. Is that right? No! Live, love! I know you loved my Peter dearly, and yes such love happens once in a lifetime, perhaps. But sometimes, just sometimes, the lucky get to love and be loved again, even after pain. Take it as a gift, a blessing, when life gives you a second chance. Maybe youll never love Alex like you did Peter, but if youre at peace together, Ill be happy. William needs a male hand. We’re not enough. Alex is his mate already. Did you know hes teaching him to drive?

No

Didnt say, did he. Fears youll think hes betraying his dad.

What nonsense!

Well, speak to your boy. Reassure him. Hes fond of Alex, too, but worries people will think wrong. Annies too little, remembers nothing. But William well, its trickier for him. And you

And me? Jane flushed and looked away.

Thats all right! Margaret smiled, pulling her cup closer. Top me up, will you. Thirsty as a camel!

A year later, Jane and Alex married. Within another, Jane had a second son.

Look at that hair, Mum! So wild! Jane, fresh home, took off her sons cap, smoothing down the mess of fair hair.

A proper little house elf! Margaret expertly shifted the baby and took him in her arms. Hello there, new grandson! You can call me Gran-Marge.

Mum

Future planning, love! Go on, feed him, Ill make us something to eat.

A great ginger cat a gift from Alex to William would creep into the room, silently leap to the window ledge and sit, staring at sleeping Jane and the swaddled newborn. Stillness would perch beside the cat, wrap around him, basking too. This, it seemed, was happiness fragile, soft and you needed to guard it very carefully.

Somewhere a teaspoon would tinkle, Annies lively giggle would ring, and stillness would slip off the sill, ruffling the cats ear as it left. The cat, mildly indignant, would shake itself and wash at length, getting ready to meet the newest family member.

Off you go! Weve enough keepers here without you!