Husband by Inheritance

Husband by Bequest

A tall, booming-voiced woman swept out of the train compartment, scattering all those disturbing the passengers rest with ease. Strangely, even the burliest, boldest men obeyed immediately, as though compelled by some unseen force.

She wore her golden hair braided around her head, and her bright, cornflower-blue eyes glowed above cheeks flushed as if by a brisk country wind. She cast her gaze towards the loo, just as a small, delicate man shot outhis hair white and fine as dandelion fluff, his face so tenderly childlike it seemed plucked from a storybook.

Jack! There you are. I thought Id lost you! I heard all the ruckus, the train conductor was afraid to come near. I worried youd been caught up in itsome of them would push you about just for the thrill! boomed the woman.

Oh, Vera! Id have shown them, you know. But why did you come out, Vera? You are a lady! Jack gave a sheepish grin and darted back into the compartment.

Casting a judicious eye over myself and a couple of other idlers, the woman mustve decided we posed no danger to herself or her partner. Soon, she vanished inside as well.

Later, we met again in the train’s dining car. All seats were taken, so I slipped into the one opposite her. No sign of her husband. As she polished off roast beef and potatoes, she declared in a voice as hearty as a village bell:

Im Vera Andrewsjust Vera will do.

Are you alone? Will your husband join us later?

Hes resting. Wont be joining, Im afraid. I wrapped a scarf round his neck and dosed him with cranberry cordial. Imagine, setting off on a journey, and Jack comes down with something! Nipped outside to shake the rugonly wearing a jumper. What was I thinking? she said.

You must love him a great deal. Anyone can see youre the protectoryou were out there scaring away hooligans for his sake, not your own. You speak of him with such fondness, I mused aloud.

Jack was bequeathed to me, so to speak. Hes not truly my husband, though we live together. Hes still grieving. His first wife only went to a better place recently. A saint, she was, bless her kind heart, sighed Vera.

What do you meanbequeathed? I gasped.

And Vera began her story.

Jack had once lived with Lydia. Schoolmates, fellow university students, they married young. He was a remarkable manendlessly inventive, talented, orders coming from companies all over, so money was never a problem. But in everyday life, Jack was quite lost. He forgot change at the shop, crossed roads in all the wrong places, had no sense for what to buy, how to manage, how to get by. Hopelessly naïve; hed cheerfully hand over money to any stranger.

Your fellow isnt of this world, their friends used to say. Its like he was dropped on Earth by mistake. And yet, impossible to understand how money flocks to him while the rest of us struggle along!

Lydia never complained about life. She had energy and practicality for both of them. She dressed him for work every morning, checked for gloves and scarves, and later she bought a car to drive himafter Jack once took a taxi and forgot to give the correct address, lost in thought for miles. Together, they were an odd but perfect pair.

But one time Lydia fell ill and landed in hospital for a week. On returning, she was aghast to find Jack had subsisted on dry noodles and water all that time, not even thinking to boil the kettle. Whatever shed left frozen remained untouched.

Its not the same without you. I just cant fancy anything! Jack explained with that innocent smile.

Their son, Andrew, took after his father in every way: brilliant, absent-minded, painfully shy. His intellect was admired but his social graces less so. He married quiet Molly from the next villageLydia was always the head of the household. She was prepared to pull the weight for all of them, especially after grandson Alex was born. But her health failed. Everything withered. Jack was at a lossof course, he found the best doctors, offered any sumbut some things cant be bought.

Lydias heart bledwith worry for her boys, not herself. She prayed not for her health but for those she would leave behindher husband, her son, her grandson. In that dark hour, Vera entered their livesa nurse and distant cousin to the consulting doctor.

When Vera first arrived, she was greeted by Jack, fragile as a glass ornament and quiet as a fallen leaf. The house was in a sorry state: piles of laundry, dirty dishes (though a dishwasher sat idle), stale heavy air.

In the bedroom, weak and luminous-eyed, Lydia smiled up at Vera. Rolling up her sleeves, Vera got to work. By evening, the flat sparkled with cleanliness and the aroma of fresh air and dinnermeat pies, fried chicken, roast potatoesfilled every corner. Lydia dozed peacefully on clean sheets. Even Jack, who was sneaking out in just a windbreaker, was intercepted:

Now then! Where do you think youre off to in this weather? Youll be in bed yourself next. Your wife needs you well, not ill! Here, this coat, scarf up tight, hat over your earsoff you go, and no nonsense! Vera boomed, motherly but commanding.

Lydia wept quietly in her roommore for relief. The air felt lighter. Vera was a whirlwind, crashing about but endlessly kind.

Thank you, Lord. Theyre safe now, she whispered.

Things worsened, and Lydia called Vera in for a talkfirst gently, then with resolve. Veras life, she explained, was crowdeda small flat with her mother and sisters family, never enough space, usually seeking respite at work. She was forty-five, unmarried, not for lack of opportunities but simply life had gone that way. She joked about living aloneno shame in that.

But then Lydia pressed her case.

Vera, look out for him when Im gone, will you? I bequeath Jack to youlike a last will. Hes such a child, catches illnesses, trusts too easily! At least keep an eye on him for a while.

Vera was stunned. She was about to refuse, but Lydia pleaded, almost on her knees.

I promise, Vera said at last.

When Lydia passed, Vera thought it madness. People would say shed latched onto Jack for the flat, and besides, shed never fancied him, nor he her. He was no more than a lost soul, like a turned-over hedgehog unable to right itself. But a promise is a promise, so she visited anyway.

No one answered at first; the door was unlocked. In the darkened room, Jack sat on the floor clutching Lydias robe, shuddering with sobs like a dog abandoned. Vera entered, and he grabbed her hand, crying fit to break your heart.

Oh, you poor dear. Lydia was rightyoure lost without her. Come now, lets have a nice cup of tea, well manage, just hold on! Vera busied herself, comforting this scattered, weeping man.

She was, in truth, terribly soft-heartedand full of compassion.

The house revived; Jack met her every day with eager anticipation, brightening like the sun to see her. Eventually, she moved inwhy leave him alone? Her family was happy with more space, and as for Vera, shed really acquired a grown child, not a husband. But an exceedingly clever one! Money was never a worry. Jack insisted she give up her extra workshed been a carer for several households. Gossipers tried to wag their tongues, but Vera was quick to hush them.

People pick up stray cats and dogs, dont they? Well, sometimes people need rescuing, tooa helpless, abandoned sort, like a tortoise tipped upside-down and told to walk! Hes kind, gentle, and we do need each other!

Now, were on our way to visit his son. Asked me to help with the grandson. Ten grandchildren wouldnt faze me! Vera reported with enthusiasm.

Just then, the dining car door swung open, and in came her Jack, blushing behind a long scarf, clutching a handful of wildflowers.

You shouldnt be up so soon! Youre still frail! Lookalready sweating, youll need fresh clothes! And Vera, vibrant and commanding, bustled her living inheritance to the exit.

He whispered, Veralook, I bought you these flowers from the old ladies at the station. Do you like them?

Veras cheeks grew even rosier as she laid her sturdy hand fondly on his shoulder.

At the stop, they left the train earlyVera lugging a great trunk, Jack carrying a small bag, Veras hand never letting go of his collar in the busy crowd, lest he get lost. They both shone with bright sunny smiles, and it was clearshe would indeed be his second wife.