Everyone in the village had known for ages that Oliver was coming. The girls were getting ready, fixing their hair and making preparations. But Annie, the orphan, saw no reason for such girlish tricks. She simply stayed as she was. And it was her that Oliver fell in love with at first sight.

Everyone in the village had known for weeks that Oliver was coming to visit. The girls fluttered about, curling their hair, fussing over dresses and ribbons. But Alice, the orphan, wasnt one for such girlish tricks. She presented herself as she was. And somehow, he fell in love with her at first sight.

Jealousy rippled through the village; Alice had caught the eye of such a fine lad. The moment Oliver first set foot in the village, the girls were all smittenwith his broad shoulders, height, and charm. He was well-bred, well-educatedhad studied somewhere over in Europe, so they whispered. His parents were well-off, his grandfather once head of the village council, having guided all the familys children into respectable lives. Now, the old man seemed to live for news of grandchildren, boasting of their triumphs as he sipped his tea.

Everyone was abuzz about Olivers arrival. The girls spent days preparing, but Alice kept to herself. She didnt see the point in all the frippery. Somehow, it was her unaffected manner that drew him in straightaway.

No amount of eyelash-batting or laughter from the local lasses could sway his attention. After his holidays, he took Alice back to the city with him. Granddad William gave his blessing, saying tenderly, Life hasnt handed her many sweets. Be gentle with her. Oliver assured him he would.

Life in the city was a whirlwindnoise and bustle, crowds pressing in. Alice hoped Oliver would remain attentive and gentle amid it all. At first, during wedding preparations, they shared worries and kindness, a bit of tenderness.

But after their honeymoon, something shifted. Oliver seemed almost embarrassed by his country wife. His mother, Mrs Dorothy, spoke to Alice with clipped words, always a little cold. Alice sensed the judgment in every syllableshed never be worthy of her dashing London son.

Her soup was never right, shirts not ironed to standard, and she apparently even mopped the floor incorrectly. The criticisms stung, but you cant simply escape your mother-in-law when you all share one modest flat. Alice tried to get work but Oliver protested, What would you earn with your country schooling? Stay at home.

So she did. When Alice became pregnant, Oliver was over the moon. Suddenly, everything seemed better; the household was gentler, his mother stopped complaining and even scolded Oliver to treat Alice well. Then tragedy struck. Alice lost the baby, and the household sank into cold, deeper silence.

Youre good for nothingno brains or health, just a pretty face, Mrs Dorothy would sigh. Meanwhile, Oliver smiled in that irritating, smug way, as if her words werent about his own wife.

Alices second pregnancy brought no joy to Oliver. The anticipation and tenderness had gone, replaced by impatience with her changing figure. Mrs Dorothy scolded her son, Dont be so cruelchildren should be born in love. But what love could Alice feel? Oliver grew cold, sleeping in a separate room, coming home late after shed fallen asleep.

Alice spent night after night in tears, thinking of the child she wanted to protect from all of this. With no parents left, she fought to hold the family together and never let her pain show.

When it was time for Alice to go to the hospital, Oliver hadnt come home for a week. She called the ambulance herself. After the birth, she didnt know where to go next. Outside the hospital, a car awaited her, adorned with balloons. Alice brightenedmaybe Oliver had come after all. But it was only her mother-in-law, Mrs Dorothy, and Granddad William, both dressed up, holding flowers.

Thank you, my dear, for this marvellous gift. Theres no one in the world like my great-granddaughter, Granddad William beamed. Mrs Dorothy, though restrained, couldnt stop peering at the baby, fussing over her.

At home, the table was set. Mrs Dorothy had baked Alices favourite pie.

I never imagined my son would turn out to be such a rotter, Mrs Dorothy confessed, unable to contain herself. Hes gone off, left you all alone with the baby, but never mind. Well get along fine. Lets see how he manages without us. I wont have him returning here, bringing another woman along. Well manage, love, I promise.

What shall we call her? Granddad William asked. How about Margaret, like your mum?

Alice burst into tears, tears she hadnt let fall in ages. Mrs Dorothy stroked her hair soothingly.

Dont fret, youll be happy yet. Motherhood suits you. He just never noticed what he had.

Im going back to the countryside. Well be better there, Alice said quietly.

Quite right, Granddad William supported her. Well raise her together.

***

Two years after Alice returned to the village, Andrewan ordinary village ladproposed. Once, before meeting Oliver, Alice would have never given him a second glance. But now her standards had changed: she wanted someone loving, who wouldnt let anyone treat her badly.

Say yeswhere else will you find such a good man? Youve known him since he was a boy. But what if Oliver comes back?

Alice shook her head, cutting off the old mans words.

He wont come back. I dont love him anymore.

Thats good, Granddad William grinned. Now lets get ready for a wedding.

***

The day of the wedding, Mrs Dorothy arrived.

How do you treat Alice? she interrogated Andrew, her tone tart. She had to walk home from work today. The house is a messthe babys tights arent even ironed!

Who are you, exactly? Andrew snapped back, indignant.

Her mother-in-law.

Former mother-in-law, Andrew corrected.

Oh, stop arguing. Alice laughed. Youre never really a former mother-in-law.

Im just nervous, Mrs Dorothy admitted awkwardly. Im worried you wont let me see my granddaughter.

Come by whenever you like, Andrew said. Just let us build our family our own way.

Alice looked at Andrew with pride. This one will never let anyone hurt us, she thought, and smiled.