The Man with the Trailer

No, really, youve got to be kidding Emily snapped at her sister, tone sharp. Have all the decent lads in the world vanished?

But Andrew isnt married.

Thats not the point! With a toddler on his arm hes not exactly free. Hes got a livein housekeeper and a nanny, and youre still prattling on!

We love each other.

You might love him, but he

Emily was two years younger than Grace, yet she always treated her sister with a patronising air, convinced shed figured out life and people better.

Grace, in Emilys eyes, was the picture of livelinessbright, active, and, as Emily liked to brag, the first to secure a marriage with a seafarer who earned well and lived in his flat.

Grace, on the other hand, was calm, responsible and far too kind, at least according to Emilys definition. She needed watching, a gentle nudge toward a personal life. Shed never rushed into marriage and only laughed at Emilys attempts to set her up.

Then, at twentyfour, Grace announced she was to wed widower Andrew, cradling his oneyearold daughter Emma.

No, really, youve got to be kidding Emily snapped again, eyes narrowed. Have all the decent lads in the world vanished?

But Andrew isnt married.

Im not talking about his marital status! With a little girl hes anything but unattached! Hes already got a free housekeeper and a nanny, and youre still sticking your nose where it doesnt belong!

We love each other.

You may love him, but he

Emily, stop! Grace cut in, sudden and firm. If you dont like it, thats your business. Mind your own affairs.

Emilys talent lay in knowing when to back off, especially in spats with Grace, whom she loved dearly and whose love was mutual.

Soon enough she saw that Andrew was genuinely goodkind, caring, steady, and clearly devoted to Grace. She harboured no secret hopes for him, nor for little Emma, who quickly began calling her Mum.

In fact, Emily grew fond of the cheeky, sweet child and unofficially adopted her as a niece, especially since she had no children of her own.

The sisters lived in adjoining boroughs, popping round each others flats and keeping the phone line buzzing daily. When, four years after the wedding, Andrew suddenly died, Emily was there, silent, watching Grace limp through chores, head to work, and clutch Emma with tender desperation.

Thank heavens I already adopted her, Grace sighed when the sisters were alone. If I still had to fight for guardianship, Id never get through it.

Its only right, Emily replied, pity lacing her voice. You deserve the best, so why must you suffer?

That injustice gnawed at Emily. A year after Andrews death she revived her schemes to find Grace a new partner.

Life goes on. Raising a child alone is a mountain. You have to understand that! Why cling to the past?

Emma and I are fine as we are, Grace brushed her off.

Yet when Emily begged her to attend a friends birthday, promising a very interesting gentleman, Grace finally relented.

The interesting gentleman turned out to be Paul, a chatty, affable manager a few years Graces senior.

His endless chatter gives me a headache, Grace complained to Emily later.

Hes just nervous, Emily laughed. He isnt usually this talkative, but he just inherited a tidy sum. Now hes got a flat, a car, and a decent income.

He did have an exwife and a son, but at his age who isnt carrying a past?

Grace wasnt thrilled with Paul, but agreed to meet him.

Their dates were sparsePaul was often away on business trips. Moreover, he resented Graces constant preoccupation with Emma rather than spending time with him. Three months later, Grace overheard a phone call that confirmed her worst fears and broke things off.

Turns out he wasnt on a business trip at all. He was living with his exwife and child. When she learned about the inheritance she softened, but why would I matter to him? Grace told Emily.

See! They split two years agoI never imagined hed behave like that. Well find you someone else.

Can you stop matchmaking me? All I get are headaches.

I promise Ill be more careful next time.

Grace refused further pushes to go out or meet strangers online. Then disaster struck the kitchen faucet, flooding the flat and threatening the downstairs neighbours. A plumber from the housing association arrived swiftly.

The lean, serious man, a few years older than Grace, declared the tap would need replacing and fetched a new one himself. He introduced himself as Anthony.

Wheres your daughter? he asked, a hint of embarrassment, pulling a chocolate bar from his pocket. I thought Id give her a treat

Why? Grace startled, stepping back.

She remembered seeing Anthony linger in the courtyard, eyes lingering a little too long on Emma.

Please leave, Grace said firmly. Thanks for the work, but thats all.

No need to be alarmed. Your childs lovely, I just wanted to cheer her up.

Anthony sighed heavily, placed the chocolate on the kitchen table, muttering, Its harmless, before leaving.

Emma played in her room, unaware of his presence. The next morning Anthony waited at the landing with a modest bouquet.

Im sorry, I didnt mean to frighten you, he stammered. I I simply like you, and your daughter too.

Grace took the flowers automatically. She liked Anthony, but remained wary of his sudden confessions.

From then on, Anthonys courtship turned oddly sweet. He brought flowers and sweets for both Grace and Emma, repaired everything in the flat, and the three of them even took walks together.

A month later their relationship deepened, though Grace kept it from Emily. Fortunately, Emily was busy with her husbands return from a work trip, communicating mainly by phone. Eventually, however, she discovered Anthony when she turned up at Graces doorstep.

Who is this? How long have you known each other? Where did he come from? Emily bombarded Grace with questions as Anthony left.

Curious you are, Varvara, Grace teased, her smile teasing. Hes my fiancé. At least thats what I hope.

She recounted how theyd met. He worked up North, then decided to come back. Nobody left him his mother passed two years ago.

And now hes a plumber? Emily asked.

Stop it, you old fool. He spent years in miserable conditions; he deserves a bit of peace, doesnt he? He treats Emma and me wellthats what matters.

He still feels shady, Emily persisted. Are you sure he isnt married with a brood of kids?

Im sure. I saw his passport.

Right

A week later Emily burst in, eyes blazing.

I told you Anthony wasnt simple! Did you know hed been in prison?

No why?

It doesnt matter! Stay away from that bloke!

Grace, however, had truly fallen for Anthony and they were planning to wed. She asked him straight away.

Yes, he sighed. Ive never had the courage to tell you everything. Ive got a lot to confess

Nows the time.

I worked up North on a construction site. Because of my mistake, there was an accident. Thankfully everyone survived, but I was jailed. I was released on licence after two years.

Grace stared silently, sensing he was about to reveal more.

And theres more, he paused. Emma is my daughter. Her mother was my lover. I was drinking, partying hard, and when I learned she was pregnant I ran north.

I kept drinking up there, which led to the crash. But I finally thought it through, he smiled ruefully. Its good to reflect.

And you think you can just come back and take my child? Graces voice trembled with anger.

No I mean, its not that simple, Anthony inhaled deeply. I realised my daughter is the most important thing in my life, not the booze.

Finding her was easyI knew where her mother lived with her husband. I just didnt expect such a wonderful stepmother

Leave.

Grace, wait! Anthonys voice cracked. I truly love you. No one else matters but you and Emma. Ill do anything for you both!

Grace turned him away that day, but later forgave him. They married three months later, Anthony landed a solid job, and two years on they welcomed a son together.