Like a Bird Drawn to a Song: A Young Woman’s Promise of Lifelong Love, Family Rivalries, and the Winding Journey Through Betrayal, Heartbreak, and Second Chances in Modern England

LIKE A BIRD TO THE CALL

Girls, you only get married once, and thats how it should stay. You stick with your husband right to your last breathnone of this hopping from one place to another, chasing after your so-called soulmate. Otherwise, youll end up like a bruised apple, cast aside.

A married man is strictly off-limits. Trust me, dont even think about starting something with one. Dont fool yourself into thinking you can just have a bit of fun and walk away unscathed. Youll both end up hurt, and any happiness that comes from sneaking about will turn sour.

My parents, you see, were together fifty yearsa shining example for me. I always believed, even as a lad of twenty, that Id find my one true love and treasure her more than anything else. Those wise words, planted in my mind by my gran, I never once doubted.

My mates used to laugh at me for itOh, come on, Lucy, theyd say, just wait til you fall for some bloke with a wedding ring, then see how easily you let go. But what I never told them was that before Mum married Dad, shed had my older sister, Emma, with someone whose name was never mentioned. That was a scandal that would never wash off in our little village. Five years later, I was bornMum married by then and Dad completely besotted with her. They had to leave our home county, but I made a promise to myself: no babies outside of wedlock, and certainly no affairs with men who belonged to someone else.

Fate, though, had its own plan for me

Emma and I have never seen eye to eye. Shes forever convinced that Mum and Dad showered me with more love than her. Always jealous, always keeping tallywho gets the most from our parents, who comes first. Silly, really, but there you have it.

I first met Edward at a local dance. He was a trainee officer; I was a nurse. The spark was there instantly. Within a month we were married, so happy I felt as if I was drawn to him like a bird responding to a whistle.

When Edward finished his training, we left for his postinga distant base, far from everything I knew. It didnt take long before the arguments started. With Mum living in another country, there was no one to confide in, no one to comfort me.

Our daughter Annie was born during the turbulent ’90s. Everything felt uncertain. When Edward left the army, he started drinking far too much. At first, I pitied him, reassured him that things would get better if only we held on.

Edward listened with only half an ear. Lucy, I know you mean well, but I cant stop. Once Ive had a few, it all just fades away.

Then, without warning, hed disappear for days, sometimes weeks. Once, he was gone a whole month, and when he returned, he plonked a briefcase stuffed with bundles of money on the table.

I eyed him warily. Wheres all this from?

What does it matter? he boasted. Take it, spend it. Therell be plenty more.

I hid the casewouldnt touch the money, not once.

Then Edward vanished again, only staggering back six months later, gaunt, worn, and cold-eyed. There was nothing behind his stare.

Lucy, get your jewellery. I need to pay off people youd rather not meet.

I stood my ground, voice trembling. Those bits and pieces were from my parents. I wont hand them overno chance!

He started to move closer, eyes sharp. So, will you help me, wife?

Frightened, I fetched the hidden case. Take this back. Annie and I can make do.

He flipped the lid. You never touched this, did you?

Not a penny. None of it belongs to us.

Edward sighed. Its not enough anyway. Ill think of something.

That night, he gave me all his passion, and despite everything, I still loved himreached out to him, forgave him everything.

Next morning, he packed his bags.

How long will you be gone, Edward? I asked, searching his eyes.

I dont know, Lucy. Just wait for me. He kissed me and shut the door behind him.

And so, I waited. For a year. Then two.

A doctor at the hospital where I workedMartinbegan to court me. He was married, which made me hesitate. I was torn: on paper, I was married, but hadnt seen Edward for more than two years. He was silent; no letters, no calls.

Christmas drew near. The usual excitementmince pies, Christmas trees, a rush of joy. Then there was a knock at the door.

It was Edward.

I flung myself at him, overwhelmed with relief. Finally! Where on earth have you been?

He gently pushed me away. Hold on, Lucydont get carried away. We need to get divorced quickly. Ive had a son; I dont want him growing up without a father.

My world spun. I felt numb, but it was inevitable, really. I kept my composure. Alright, Edward. No use crying over spilt milk. Well sort the papers after the holidays.

Arent you going to see your daughter? Annies just down the street at her friends house. Shell grow up without a father now, too.

He mumbled something about being in a hurry and slipped out the door. He never saw Annie again. We became strangers overnight.

Soon after, Martin the doctor swept me off my feet. I knew he was married, but I stopped caring. All lines blurred.

Martin knew how to take care of a woman. I fell under his spell, lost myself in an intoxicating whirlwind. Our affair lasted three years. He asked me to marry him.

I cant, Martin. Theres no happy ending for us, not with your wife and daughter left behind. Were not meant to be.

I stopped myself before it could go any further and found work at a different hospitalas the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind.

My real happiness came with William.

He was raising his son on his ownhis ex-wife had started a new life elsewhere and left their boy with him.

I first met William while he was a patient at the hospital. He charmed me with his wit and warm humour, and soon enough, I fell deeply for him.

His son Daniel was seven, my Annie was eight. We matched perfectly, as though fate had finally smiled on us. Life went smoothly. The kids grew up together, we faced challenges as a team, no secrets between us. I was lucky the second time around, and I cherish William more than anything. Hes the light in my life.

Weve been married thirty years now

Not so long ago, out of the blue, Edward rang my mother.

Ive never met a woman quite like Lucy, he said.