5March
I shuffled into the walkin clinic on Hammersmith Road, my right ankle twisted badly after an awkward step on the pavement. I could barely keep weight on it. Just as I was struggling to the reception desk, a bald man in a crisp blue suit breezed past me, cutting straight to the doctors door before I could even say a word. I sank onto the plastic chair, exhausted, and muttered under my breath, Typical ladsnever mind the rest of us! A nurse nearby heard me and chuckled, Hes already been in today, trying to sort out a prosthetic. Hes quick on his feet, that one. She laughed again, Good bloke, Andrew, my neighbour. Lifes never been kind to himlost his leg up to the knee, his wife walked out. Thought hed drown his sorrows, but look at him now, hobbling along like a youngster. No kids, no kin. At that moment a slightly limping man emerged from the consultation room, smiling. He winked at me and the nurse, Ladies, shall we get on with it? and stepped out.
I managed a small grin at the nurses ladies commentclearly not meant for me. I married early, my husband twelve years my senior, but we shared the same zodiac sign, both Dogs, and we loved anything with fur. We got a dachshund, named Gesh, and soon after I found out I was pregnant.
Friends gushed, What a perfect familyflat in Camden, a Mini, a cottage up north, a dog, and a baby on the way. Yet at six months I suffered a miscarriage; the little boy wed hoped for never saw the light. Paul tried to console me, then said, Were not as young as we used to be, but at least we have Gesh. I adored the dog, and Paul entered us in shows, but a dog could never fill the void of a child.
At a dog show Paul met Olena, who also had a dachshund. He soon declared to me, Olenas going to have a baby, a healthy one. Shes younglike a spring chickenwhile youre… well, youre getting on a bit. Olena was indeed almost twenty years younger than PaulGod help us all. With Paul I began to feel older, as if life had slipped past in a flash. Retirement is just around the corner, hed say, as if it applied to me too.
One week later, after the swelling in my ankle had nearly faded, I returned for a followup. The same bald man from before was waiting outside the doctors door. Excuse me, miss, please go ahead; I cut in line, he said with a apologetic grin. When I left the clinicians office, he lingered by the doorway.
The next patient, please, called the nurse from inside.
The doctors ready for you, the man announced, looking surprised that I didnt immediately head back inside.
Im Andrew, and you are? he asked, as though he already knew my name.
Sarah, I replied, surprised by his confidence.
Sarah, what a lovely name for someone with bright eyes. May I escort you out? Im a bit of a cripple myself, you see, he said, trying to humor me.
I laughed, If Im lovely, youre certainly not the picture of a robust fellow.
We stepped out together, and he offered his arm for support as I still limped. Fancy a coffee? he suggested, pointing to a tiny café across the street. Cheap and tastyhavent had breakfast yet.
His company was easy, his jokes light. He asked me out again, and I didnt refuse.
One day, dont say Im in a hurry, but Im scared someone will cut me off and leave me stranded, Andrew confessed one morning, his bald head glinting in the sunlight. Im limp, bald, and youre a beautiful young woman. Will you marry me? I may not have much, but I have a flat, a job, and Im a sturdy bloke. He fell silent, eyes searching mine. When I saw his hesitation, I thought, Who wants a cripple when everyones after health and wealth?
Andrew! I giggled, Youre impossible, but Ill say yes!
Miraculously, after the wedding I discovered I was pregnant almost at once. I never imagined Id have a child againmy heart had long accepted the loss. Yet life seemed to rewind, gifting me youth, beauty, and love once more.
Look, Andy, our little Sasha has such curly hair! I exclaimed, marveling at my sons ringlet locks.
Nothing to marvel at, he replied, running a hand over his bald scalp, Im a bald, limping fellow now, but once I was a goldenhaired eagle. Look at our boymoms eyes, dads curls. He laughed heartily.
I cant take my eyes off Sasha; it feels surreal that hes ours, I whispered, leaning into his shoulder. If we hadnt met, none of this would exist. Tears slipped down my cheeks. Andrew, flustered, said, Dont weep, love. Look at our sonhe had to be born. We werent meant to wander alone.
I wiped my tears, feeling a joy Id never known. Im crying from happiness, I said, smiling as a tear glistened like a tiny diamond on my lashes. I felt rich, fulfilled.
Reflecting on the months that have passed, I realise that the greatest wealth is not a flat in Camden, nor a sleek Mini, nor even a polished career. It is the simple, stubborn love that grows between two imperfect people and the children that sprout from it. Life may hand you a twisted ankle, a missed pregnancy, or a bald stranger, but if you keep your heart open, the lesson is clear: cherish the small miracles, for they are the true treasures of any life.
