Husband by Inheritance

The Inherited Husband

You wouldnt believe who I met on the train last week! So, this tall, booming-voiced woman stepped out of our carriage and sent everyone who was making a racket scattering. She was all business, and, honestly, even the cockiest lads went quiet when she asked.

She had the most gorgeous golden plaits wrapped around her head, bright blue eyes, cheeks flushed with colour. She glanced over toward the loo, and just then, out popped this tiny, wiry blokesnow-white hair that looked soft as dandelion fluff, with the sweetest, almost childlike face.

Charlie! There you are! I was starting to think Id lost you, she called out, I could hear the commotion from our carriage and even the train steward looked worried. How are you? Those rowdy types, you know, they could pick on you for no reason!

Charlie gave her a shy little smile: Oh, come on, Vera! I couldve handled them! What about you? You shouldnt be leaving the compartment, darling.

She just rolled her eyes and shepherded him back in, giving us all a quick glance to make sure no one was a threat to her or her other half, and then she disappeared with him.

Later on, I found myself in the buffet carabsolutely packedso I joined Vera at her table. Charlie wasnt with her. Shed just finished her roast and potatoes and then announced, loudly enough for the whole carriage to hear:

Im Vera Andrewsjust Veras fine.

I asked if she was travelling on her own and if Charlie was joining, to which she replied, in this heartfelt, theatrical sort of way, Hes having a lie-down. Ive wrapped his neck up with a scarf and poured him a cranberry drink. Imagine, he decides to go and shake out the rug in just his jumper and catches a chill just as were travelling! I shouldve kept a closer eye!

I smiled and said, You must really love him. You thought there were hooligans and went charging out, and you talk about him with such care.

Love? Oh, goodness, no. Charlies not my husband. Well, hes not, but he is. I inherited him, you could say. His first wife only passed away recentlybless her, she was a saint, so kind… There was this heavy sigh from Vera.

I stared at her, Inherited? What do you mean, inherited?

She gave me that look and then started her story.

So, Charlie was married to Lillian. They were inseparablechildhood sweethearts, went to York Uni together, got married. Hes a clever sortcreative, could invent anything, made a good living from invention commissions. But, in everyday life? Hopeless. Would forget his change at the shops, cross the street without looking, had no idea where to find things, or generally how to manage. So incredibly trusting, he once gave a stranger cash on the spot.

Their friends used to laugh, saying, Charlies living on another planet. We try everything and can barely pay the mortgage, and he just makes money without even trying!

Lillian was practical, organisedkept him together. Shed dress him for work, make sure he had his gloves, his scarf, pack him up for the day. Eventually, she bought a little car and started driving him, because one time he absentmindedly told the taxi the wrong address and ended up on the other side of town. They fit perfectly together.

Then Lillian was admitted to hospital for a week, and when she got home, she was flooredCharlie had eaten nothing but dry instant noodles and tap water that whole time. Not even a cup of tea! The freezer was still stuffed with all the food shed left.

He just smiled and said, Dont fancy eating without you. Lost my appetite.

Their son, Andrew, was just like his dad. Brilliant but absent-minded. At least his braininess was admired, but he ended up with a lovely, quiet wife called Emily from a little village. Lillian was always the familys backbone, and when their grandson, little Archie, was born, she was set on looking after everyone forever.

But then, Lillian fell ill. Terminal.

Charlie panicked, tried everythingbest doctors, any amount of money. But it was no use.

And it broke Lillians heart. Not for herself, but for them. Shed say it was like planting an orchid in the middle of Yorkshire winter, hoping itll take root and bloom. She prayed that, somehow, someone would look after Charlie, and Andy, and the baby.

That was when Vera entered the picturea live-in carer, distant cousin of one of the doctors.

First time Vera walked into their home, Charlie opened the door, a gentle, cultured man practically whispering his words. The house was a disaster: dirty laundry everywhere, stacks of washing up (even though they had a dishwasher), the air thick with misery.

In the bedroom, there was Lillian, desperately thin, weak, and pale, but she managed a smile for Vera. Vera hiked up her sleeves and just got on with it.

By that evening, the place was spotless, fresh air flooding the flat. The smell of homemade shepherds pie, biscuits, and a lovely roast chicken filled the rooms. Lillian slept soundly.

Charlie, meanwhile, almost slipped out for errands in just his windbreakernever thinking what hed put onuntil Vera, in her best teachers bellow, stopped him:

Oi, hang on! Youre not going out like that in this chill, are you? Lillian needs you healthy. Put this coat on, let me wrap your scarf and hat properlythere you are, now off you go!

Lillian teared up, seeing Vera take charge. She was loud, bustling, not tiptoeing around, but good to her bones.

Thank you, Lord, shed whisper. Theyre taken care of now.

When things got particularly bleak, Lillian took Vera aside, starting off with chit chatwhere she lived, family, work. Vera lived in a cramped two-bedroom with her mum and sisters lotnever married, early 40s, always busy, never got around to leaving home but didnt mind.

Thats when Lillian told her, Vera, will you keep an eye on Charlie when Im gone? Im leaving him to youwell, not officially, but please. He catches colds like magnets, trusts everyone!

Vera was speechlessbut Lillian was insistent. Just watch over him at least at first, please. Id beg if I could, she said quietly.

Vera promised.

So, after Lillian passed, Vera hesitated. She thought, this is madnesspeople would say shes after the flat, and besides, neither of them fancied the other in that way. He was so gentle, so oddlike a little lost animal.

But shed given her word. She turned up one day but no answer at the door, so she tried the handleunlocked. There, in the old bedroom, was Charlie, clutching his late wifes dressing gown, sobbing like a lost, broken dog.

She rushed to him. He saw her, clung to her hand, and just cried his heart out.

There, there, love, Vera said. Lillian was right. Youre in a terrible way. Come on, lets have a cup of tea, youll be alright.

Vera was impossibly kind-hearted. The home came to life again. Charlie would always be waiting for her at the door.

Eventually, she moved infigured there was no sense in leaving the old thing alone. Her own family was relieved to have more space. In truth, shed taken on another child, not a husbandjust one with a brilliant mind. Money was never a problem; Charlie talked her into giving up her other care jobs altogether. When people gossiped, shed shut them down quickpeople rescue stray dogs and cats, dont they? Why not people too? Helpless and lost, turned over like a tortoise on its backhows he meant to live? Shed help as long as she could.

Hes lovely, my Charlie. Sweet as anything. And we do need each other. Were actually off to Andrews nowhes asked if I can help with the little one. Delighted to, Id look after ten if needed! Vera grinned.

Just then, the buffet carriage door flung open. There was Charlie, swaddled in his long scarf, clutching a wildflower bouquet.

Thought you were resting! Vera called, Youre still poorlysee, youre all sweaty, need a change of clothes! Cant leave you alone for five minutes.

Charlie just smiled shyly and handed her the flowers, Look, Vera! I bought these from the grannies at the station for you. Dyou like them?

Vera blushed even redder, laid her hand gently on his shoulder.

When their stop came, she hauled an enormous suitcase while Charlie tottered along with a tiny bag. She held tight to the back of his jacket as they were swept along by the crowdprobably to keep him from getting lost. They both smiled like a pair of happy sunbeams, and honestly, it was obviousshed end up being his second wife for certain.