Sweet Wrappers

Wrappers

Youre a right wrapper, George! If I were up to it, Id give you a good hiding, like Tom Sidders old goat, but theres no one about and its much too late for all that! All these years and you still havent grown a shred of sense!

Granny Sybil spat at the ground by her neighbours feet, then hobbled off, favouring her bad leg. Shed had her say; the rest was for his conscience to sort out. Folks hadnt managed to talk some sense into him, so maybe fate would set him straight?

Fancy, thinking of putting his own mother into a care home! Wheres that ever been right? Yes, Claudias bedridden now but hes her son, not some distant uncle! It beggars belief. If she had the strength, Sybil wouldnt have hesitated a minute. Shed have taken her old friend in. But

And poor Annie. Such a kindly girl, but she cant do it all not a dray horse, after all. She stayed here in the village, never did go off to study when her mother fell ill. Well, not right away. She left at first, but came straight back. Couldnt leave her mum and her gran. Helped out, knowing full well Sybil herself could barely look after herself let alone her daughter. Since breaking her leg two years ago, it had all gone downhill. Shed struggled before, but now barely managed at all.

Her youngest wanted Sybil to move to the city, but shed refused. Where would she fit? The flat was tiny hardly space for them all as it was. The son-in-law was a good enough man, but not exactly forceful. Works hard with nothing to show for it; two kids and a struggle to keep up. Sybil wasnt much help anymore. Used to have hens, a veg patch, always able to lend a hand but now? Ruins, thats all. Annie hated when she called herself that, but whats the use being upset when its true? No health and always less energy. In the morning, even getting out of bed was a battle: open your eyes, lie a while, gather yourself up like cinders on a dustpan into a heap, a heap! Up! Go!

Thank heavens Annies daughter, her darling granddaughter, is as light-footed as a fawn. While Sybil is still pulling herself together, shes already sorted the house, tended her mother, and dashed off to work. Nimble! Always was, from childhood.

Sybil had her eldest, Annies mother, very late never thought it would happen. Never believed it.

Her first husband never forgave her infertility. Left. Sybil grieved, but not overly saw he never really loved her. She burned for him but he

She was a beauty in her day brightest Dawn herself. No girl in the district fairer. The lads chased her all through school, but Sybil kept her heart guarded, waiting for real love. Thought itd come any day now. It never did. Time passed; she stopped even glancing around, head bowed under her mothers constant remarks:

What are you waiting for? Youll be left on the shelf!

How do you explain you dont even want to glance at one you dont love

And then there was this young man, fresh from service, from the next village. Sybil hadnt known him; his parents lived elsewhere, but he returned from the army to his grandparents house, not his parents, for reasons no one knew for ages. And certainly didnt tell Sybil.

She was instantly lost the moment she saw Alex. Fell utterly in love.

He didnt wait long either. As soon as he saw her, he sent a formal proposal. Sybils mother was delighted whats there to ponder? Times up for the girl, and shes still at home!

The wedding was grand and merry. Sybil glowed with happiness, never guessed at the whispers among the guests, until her mother-in-law came over and took her hand then Sybil realised something was wrong.

Shed spotted the woman in a dark scarf out in the yard, and when her new mother-in-law gently pushed her towards the pram next to the woman, she felt her heart pound. What was there to think? It was obvious.

Later, Alex told her hed left his fiancée for the army, but doubted the timing of the child; his family insisted the dates didnt add up. Only later, pressured by gossipy neighbours, did Alexs mum visit the jilted fiancée and there, little Alec slept in his cot, obvious as daylight, a true image of Alex. But what could be done? Another match was made

The girl, the mother, wanted nothing to do with Alex wouldnt forgive the betrayal. She never knew her own mother had gone off to the wedding with the child in tow was told she was visiting her sister.

Why? asked Sybil, touching the pram, raising her eyes to the tired, tight-lipped lady.

So you know whom youre marrying.

Sybil never fully grasped what good it did her, this knowledge. She loved her husband; what mattered what came before? No one on earth is a saint. He was far from perfect, but human who doesnt err?

She never stopped her husband visiting his son not that he was eager. Sybil soon understood: Alex could really only love himself. The rest of them were just a frame for his painting, necessary for appearances.

He couldnt be faulted good husbandry, the house always full, but somehow, no happiness.

Fifteen years together, and she never felt warmth from him. He was there, but as if he werent. The house echoed with emptiness.

She told herself, while still hoping for children, that it was all temporary a heart not yet awakened. It happens.

Then one day, offhand, he told her she wasnt a woman at all, just a barren log, since she couldnt bear children. Sybil understood then her life was walking an empty road walk it or stand still, nothing would change.

They parted quickly, so quietly that not everyone in the village realised the Kruglovs were no more. Only Sybil remained.

Alex left barely after the paperwork was done. Gave Sybil the house, apologising at the end.

Dont be bitter. Were both to blame, but the burdens mine to bear.

She didnt truly forgive him, but her heart eased a little. What can you do? God had given her beauty, but not happiness.

For two years Sybil lived alone. Worked, walked the village with her head held high, ignoring gossip. Times had changed! Husband left? So what? Could have been the other way round!

Still, her heart ached. She wanted to come home to a living voice, not an empty house.

Ned, the next one, she took her time getting used to. They were no longer young, after all. He was a newcomer who knew his story? He lived alone, kept himself to himself, mended up the old cottage, got a few animals would help anyone, but never asked for help himself.

He was all right calm, polite, started courting.

Sybil had all but forgotten what that was like truth be told, never really knew. Alex brought her wildflowers just once and never saw the point in anything more. While she was besotted, she never questioned it; afterwards, there was no room for sentiment.

Ned was thoughtful, never came empty-handed, always offered a hand; if he called in, hed fix something or fetch something. So Sybil figured, It cant possibly be worse than before. Let the gossips wag! Ill go mad from loneliness if I stay as I am. At least well share our old age.

She expected nothing from her new marriage, but fate threw her a step or two that left her astonished at her luck.

She had no idea she was pregnant with her first daughter until nearly five months along things never ran regular for her, and she walked easy, no sickness or troubles.

It was Claudia who first suspected, seeing Sybil stagger and shade her eyes from the sun.

Dont tell me, Sybil youre expecting! Claudia exclaimed.

Dont you start! How could I? Im barren

My gran always said its not always the womans fault. Doctors say so too. Sometimes its the man, or the match just isnt right. Maybe you werent meant to have children with Alex? Who knows. You should get checked in town you never know, there might be joy yet!

Sybil came back from the city a changed woman. Walked the village aglow, all smiles, so everyone could plainly see things were good and going to get better.

One daughter, then another, and she stopped skulking, no longer ashamed. She was a mother now.

Sybil doted on her girls; everyone marvelled at it. Those were hard days, but her daughters were always neat, dressed up with huge bows in their hair. Still, they climbed trees, splashed in puddles, swam in the river all summer. Sybil never shouted or smacked. Shed draw them a washbasin, hand over a bar of soap, teach them how to scrub socks properly. If an outfit tore, shed give them a needle: Stitch it. What you dont know, Ill teach you.

She lost Ned when her youngest married and moved away. He went to visit her in the city and never came home died in a crash on the way back.

Sybil went all to pieces. If not for the girls, shed have followed him quickly. But she fought through, and a year later, when her eldest had Annie, life came blooming back. All grew green again.

She lived for her grandchildren. The younger daughter lived far, in the city only came down in the holidays. But Annie was right there.

The girl grew up Sybils image same looks, same bearing, but stronger-willed. If Annie set her mind to something, nothing would sway her.

Sybil was pleased when Annies determination was about education, but when she grew older, it caused tears.

Because Annie fell head over heels, no caution at all, for her neighbour. George. He was five years older, practically grown; Annie was still only sixteen. She insisted she loved him, no matter what anyone said.

George had no interest in Annie she was just the neighbours kid to him. He had his own ideas of love.

Lucy was the one he fancied not a great beauty but carried herself well, dressed better than anyone else in the village. Her father doted on her; his only child, spoiled rotten.

But it didnt do Lucy much good she was haughty. If the world wasnt at her feet, the day was ruined.

At first she kept George at arms length, summing him up.

Then a strange story happened. Lucy had a sweetheart from the next village as spoilt as she was. He courted her for lack of anything better to do, and she happily accepted invitations to dances and such. Then the two of them went for a ride on his motorbike and didnt return. No one knew what happened, but Lucy came home nearly at dawn, battered, dress torn.

No one knew except Sybil; shed been restless that night and headed to the allotment early, while it was still cool. She saw Lucy sneaking along the edge of the village.

Lucy didnt even glance at Sybil walked right on by, treading on the carrots, as if Sybil wasnt there.

A week later, the village was abuzz Lucys parents had arranged a quick wedding.

George was over the moon, but Claudia, his mother, was more cautious.

Somethings not right, Sybil but how do I talk to my son? He wont listen. Not my business, but George loves her, hes in bits.

Sybil listened, nodding but saying nothing. No one ever found out what shed seen. And she had enough at home to worry over, without joining the local gossip.

Annie was beside herself crying for days, staring out the window at the busy neighbours preparing for their sons wedding, or lying silent, face to the wall.

Sybil tried everything to persuade her to go to her aunt in the city just one hope. Get away, study, marry someone else, and never have to see George again, who never even noticed her. She knew even if she told Annie all shed seen, it wouldnt help. George was in love with Lucy

But Annie wouldnt listen, not to Gran, not to her mother. Her father was gone, and nobody else had a say over her.

What was she waiting for? No one knew.

But Annie lasted all the way to the wedding day; she came with Sybil and her mother, her eyes dry for the first time in ages. She stayed to one side, never sat, ignoring her friends questions, then turned and went home.

Her mother noticed Annies absence and followed, afraid of what shed do.

But Annie surprised her again shed already packed. Said her farewells and took the first train to the city. Sybil and her daughter cried, but saw her off, praying shed recover.

Time, they knew, heals all things.

But Annie wasnt given much time. Shed barely settled in before disaster struck her mother was hospitalised and never came home.

Again Annie packed her suitcase. What could she do? Sybil was alone and couldnt care for an invalid.

Annies only fear was having to live next door to George and his new wife, but fate spared her: They were gone, left right after the wedding.

Annie unpacked, cleaned the house, made her mother comfortable, and set off for work at the dairy farm. No other choice she had no qualifications, not in a small village. Jobs were scarce, but there was always work at the farm.

Annie never minded hard work always loved animals. Realising her wages wouldnt be enough, she got a few chickens and a goat. Needs must.

Life went on. Annie helped Claudia as best she could after Claudias husband died, she nearly lost her mind. Her son, George, far away, rarely wrote, told them little. Just sent money orders and asked after his mum, but nothing more. Lucy, meanwhile, had two children by George a boy and a girl but Claudia never saw them. Maybe Lucy refused to come home, or George was always on the road, lorry-driving, never able to make ends meet. Claudia read his struggle between the lines, though he never outright complained.

Whether it was worry over her son or just fate, Claudia fell ill. Annie arranged to get her into the county hospital, visited when she could, and sobbed quietly on the way back; the doctors were not optimistic.

Sybil wrote George at once when Claudia was taken to hospital, but either the letter was lost or he didnt come. Not a word. Sybil wrote again, then told Annie:

Hes given up on her, looks like Oh, you wrapper! And I took him for a decent soul!

Gran! Wait now! Didnt you always tell me not to spread tar on anyone til youre sure? Even then, best leave judgment; it keeps your own soul clean. Hell sort himself. For now, what do we do?

I dont know, love. I never thought hed treat his mum like this. Always so gentle, and loved her deeply What happens to boys?

And why do you call him wrapper?

Theres a story. Thats why I never thought George would turn out bad.

Tell me!

Not much to tell. He was about six or seven all kids collected wrappers then, they were like treasure. Sweets were rare, only on holidays usually, and good ones even rarer. If it was shoes or sweets, shoes had to win. So wrappers were nearly as precious as coins. People kept their collections safe, and if they traded, it was serious business. Well Claudia kept hens then. Not just any pure white, top breed, like royal snowflakes with feathered crowns. She adored them. Maybe her husband brought them from the city, no one knows. But then disaster Georges best mate had a dog, wild as anything, supposedly a pedigree gun dog, brought from town. You couldnt let it off the lead itd go for any animal. Georges mate brought his dog, and white feathers went flying round Claudias yard

Gran, you dont mean?

Yes, Annie, the dog killed both hens. Claudia wept; didnt scold her son but wouldnt speak to anyone for days. And do you know what George did?

What?

Gave away all his precious wrappers to another friend. That lads dad went to London a lot, so George begged him to take him too, and when he went, George shook out his money box the one for his new bike and brought his mum a hen just like before.

Good for him!

Yes, Claudia was over the moon not just for the hen, but her son proved himself a man. But now whats happened to him? How do people lose the best parts of themselves, Annie? Sybil sighed, not listening to her granddaughters protests.

What kind of son is that, with his mother ill and not a visit?

But Sybil was left speechless a week after Claudia was back from hospital. Annie had spoken to the local nurse, arranged transport into town.

What else could she do? She couldnt admit Claudia to a home without family consent.

George came back unexpectedly. By then Annie had the routine of caring for two bedridden patients down to an art first her mother, then Claudia. It wasnt easy, but she managed somehow. Gran grumbled Annie was working herself to the bone, but how could you leave someone, especially Claudia, Georges mum?

Annie was mopping the floor in Claudias house when the door banged a little boy came running, leaving muddy footprints, stared at Annie and asked:

Are you my mummy?

It was such a straightforward question, Annie was lost for words, frozen with the mop.

Neighbour George put a hand on his daughters shoulder and greeted Annie. Sorry Ive come so late. My fault. Max was in hospital, I couldnt leave him, and Millie well, nowhere to take her.

And Lucy? the question was out of Annies mouth before she could stop it. Did it matter to her now?

Lucys gone. Left us for someone else. Im on my own now.

On your own? What about the kids? Suddenly Annie relaxed, no longer shy with the tall, sturdy man who stood before her, holding his bright-eyed little girl.

True. Guess I ought to say were on our own. Is she sleeping? nodding towards the bed.

Yes, worn out. Needs rest. Doctors agree its best. But she always was active, your mum, never could sit a second. Being stuck in bed drives her mad.

She aches all over! Claudia called out, so Annie made herself scarce. George was back and it was time for her to go home.

She quickly finished cleaning, set the pot of noodles and milk for the children, then left, forgetting to say goodbye. She had no energy for talk.

Annie had thought, after all that time apart, her heart would be calm. It wasnt and suddenly, she was scared. George wasnt the boy whod teased her over the fence, and she wasnt the blushing girl anymore. Theyd changed, grown older. Wiser perhaps, but certainly different.

A day later, Claudia told Sybil, who had hobbled over for a visit, that she wanted to ask her son to send her into a care home.

Sybil was so outraged she didnt listen further stormed onto the porch, called George, spat at his feet, then left. Didnt want to see or hear of him, wouldnt even let Annie question her.

Dont defend him! Hes not a child! What kind of person puts their own mother on the scrapheap And Sybil, overwhelmed, finally burst into tears.

Annie, still in her old house-coat, dashed to the neighbours.

George! Where are you? she called, standing in the doorway, wild, angry, but radiant as spring herself. What are you thinking? I wont let you send Aunt Claudia away! Dont even think it! Off back to where you came from. Well manage! One or two to look after, its all the same! Well move another bed in with Mum and thats that! Oh, George! I

Annie trailed off, noticing both Claudia laughing through tears and George smiling.

Put your weapons down, Annie! Claudia dabbed her eyes. Hes not sending me away! It was my idea. I didnt want to burden my son, told Sybil but she didnt listen.

Im staying, Annie. Im not leaving my mum.

Really? Annie, confused, looked about and spotted Georges packed bag. Whats that then? Leaving, are you?

I need to go back, sort out things at home, settle up at work, pack up. Not sure how long itll take. The kids are with me, and Ive asked the nurse to check in on mum while Im gone.

And Annie showed her true spirit.

She went up to George, looked him in the eye and said,

No point dragging kids back and forth! Leave them here. Ill look after them. Ill wait for you. Understood?

Understood George stared at her as if hed never seen her before. How did I miss you? How didnt I notice?

Get yourself a good pair of glasses in town. You might miss something else Annie picked up the little girl who hugged her legs. Come, lets visit Gran Sybil? Shes just set dough for sweet rolls. You like sweet rolls? Good!

Years later, George would lead Claudia and his mother-in-law out to the porch.

Here we are, ladies! Gently does it see what chairs Ive brought from the city? Sit, lounge, and all in the fresh air. Lovely, isnt it?

Supporting Claudia, George would help her settle, then listen.

The little ones are awake. Annies not home yet. Ill check on the noise.

Is Annie coming home soon?

Shes sitting her last exam today. She said shed be back early, in the first top five. Should be home any minute.

A car would pull up by the gate, and the kids, perched like starlings in the big cherry tree, filling baskets for grannys jam, would tumble down, shouting:

Mums home! Mums home!

And Annie, no longer that shy girl, would open her arms, catching her little whirlwind, and wink at her husband:

Top marks!

Whod have thought otherwise? George would nod and go inside.

The twins all their mother, sensible, but with their fathers impatience, never waiting long.

Bit of a handful, those wriggly wrappers!