Lily has spent her whole life being a Lilygirl. She is short, her waist is narrow as a bottle, her eyes sparkle green, and her laugh is contagious, so men of every age cant help but stare. Men love tiny women; they want to protect, cuddle and carry them around like precious little ponies.
Lily also has a talent she sings with a rich mezzosoprano voice. She sings whenever she can. She works as a laboratory technician at a manufacturing plant in Birmingham, but singing is her true element. She joins every choir she can find, gradually moving from shy appearances on stage to bolder ones. Her soul aches for art and feeds on it.
Lily never rushes to marry, and the idea of children never crosses her mind. She sees a husband and kids as commitments that would steal the time she needs for singing and enjoying life. She shares these thoughts with her married friends, who nod understandingly while they head off on parental leave, some for the first time, some for the second or third.
She plans to devote herself entirely to singing, but life has other ideas. At work she meets the head of her department, Arthur, to whom she regularly delivers lab reports. The office door is guarded by the secretary, Zoe, who watches over her bosss desk jealously. Whenever Lily steps into the doorway, Zoe snatches the papers, thanks Lily and says, Youre free, Ill give everything to MrArthur. Dont worry. Thus Lily never meets the manager.
One day Zoe falls ill. Lily, unaware of the usual barrier, knocks gently, opens the door, and finds Arthur seated at the long desk. Come in, love. What have you got for me? he asks. Just the test reports, Lily murmurs. Youre new here, arent you? he probes further. No, Ive been here over five years, Lily replies. I never noticed, Arthur says with a grin. They chat, laugh, and Lily returns to her bench.
From then on Lily places the reports directly on Arthurs desk. Zoe, now recovered, turns away dramatically whenever Lily approaches, preferring to water the plants on the windowsill and ignore her.
Lily is twentyseven. A brief office romance sparks. Arthur is a proper gentleman; he doesnt want to be a scandalous gossip column hero. He quickly suggests they get married. Lily, giggling, refuses. Why add more chores? She is content with a relationship that binds her to nothing. Arthur is stunned; any other woman would have chased after him. He decides to give Lily space to think.
Meanwhile the female staff press her: Hes courting you! Why are you turning him down? You should marry already, or youll end up alone! Lily finally gives in.
The wedding is a grand affair. In her bridal gown, veil and tiny shoes, Lily looks like an exquisite doll. Arthur beams with pride. Lily accepts his love but shows little emotion, saving her energy for performances and audiences.
After a harmonious honeymoon, Lily prepares for a regional tour of community halls, holiday resorts and schools. Arthur calmly lets her go, only asking, Lily, could you make something for dinner and iron my shirt, please? Lily snaps, Tom, Im in a hurry, Ill be right back. Arthur kisses her nose, Sorry, love, Im just pestering you. Go sing! He repeats this a few times, then starts buying readymade meals, learning to wash his own clothes, fry eggs and wash dishes. He knows Lily isnt the domestic type, so he doesnt burden her with chores.
Time passes. Lily quits the plant to focus on her vocal career and travels across the county for gigs. Arthur gets used to his wife being a creative soul who doesnt wish to be a housewife. One afternoon he asks his new secretary, Zoe, for a coffee. She quickly brings it on a tray and says, MrArthur, may I offer you some scones? I baked them myself. Thank you, Zoe. I love the ones with jam, he replies, smiling tiredly. Shall I stitch a button on your jacket? Its about to fall off, Zoe offers. My wife never has time for me; shes always busy, Arthur sighs. Zoe mutters to herself, The wife sings, the husband growls like a wolf. She stitches the button tightly and the scones disappear.
Zoe begins feeding Arthur from time to timetinned soup, thermosheated stew, fresh meatballsespecially her famous cherryfilled pastries. Arthur doesnt notice that he has fallen under the gentle influence of his charming secretary, but he never crosses the line. He remains grateful to Zoe for her care, yet his loyalty to Lily stays intact.
Lily, absorbed in her lofty ambitions, fails to notice any change in her husband. Arthur, however, starts comparing Lily with Zoe in his mind, and often finds Zoes modest charm more appealing. Their marriage has lasted four years, and the household still consists of just the two of them. Lily never talks about children. Then, a surprise: Lily gains a few pounds, looks rounder, and asks Arthur to stock up on pickled cucumbers and stewed applesa sign, in her mind, that a baby is on the way.
Arthur feels ecstatic at the thought of a child. Lily, however, reacts less warmly. She visits a doctor to terminate the unwanted pregnancy, but the doctor says its too late and wishes her a healthy baby. Arthur remains unaware. He rushes to shops, checks prices for the best pram and the comfiest cot.
Lily resigns herself to the unexpected diagnosis. Arthur shares his joy with Zoe, whom he still regards as a dear friend in a female guise. Zoe, hearing the news, sighs and submits her resignation. Whats happened, Arthur? Youre leaving? he asks. My cherry jam is gone, so no more pastries, Zoe jokes sadly.
A new secretary, Tatiana, a middleaged woman who has worked at the plant all her life, replaces Zoe. She knows everyones business and bluntly tells Arthur, Youve lost a good one, Arthur! Zoe loved you like no one else! Arthur curtly replies, Work, Tatiana. No distractions.
Months later Lily gives birth to a baby girl. What a tiny, melodic little thing! Shell be a singer, Im sure. What shall we call her? the midwife asks. Nothing at all, Lily snaps.
Arthur rushes to the maternity ward with a bouquet of flowers, but Lily doesnt get up. She sits on the cot, crying bitterly. The other mothers in the ward try to console her. Why are you crying? they ask. I dont want this child! Lily declares. The women exchange glances and start sharing their own stories. One jokes, I had a lovers twinmy husband will never know! Another laments, Im thirtysix and still looking for a prince. A third says, My husband left; I dont even know my daughters name. The fourth, the youngest, whispers, I was a market seller, stole the cash, and now Ill raise my son Taras. Their chatter fills the room.
A nurse brings a bunch of roses from Arthur, who paces anxiously, his hands trembling. Lily doesnt touch the flowers; the nurse places them on the bedside table.
The next day Arthur is sent on a twoweek assignment in Manchester; he cant ask for leave. He returns home, runs straight to the house, eager to see his daughter, hoping shell look like Lily. Instead he finds Lily alone, humming and sorting sheet music. Wheres our baby? he asks, bewildered. Arthur, sit down, please. I signed the abandonment papers, Lily says without meeting his eyes. Youve signed what? This is our child! How could you? he shouts, his anger rising. He snatches the music sheets, tears them up, crushes them in his fist and throws the fragments at Lily. Heres your music, you idiot! he roars.
Lily has never seen her husband like this. She fears he might hurt her. Arthur, seemingly exhausted, grabs a large bag, tosses his belongings in, slams the door loudly, and walks out, unsure where hes heading. The world feels black and upside down. She remembers her mothers words: A bad wife is worse than rain; rain seeps into the house, but a bad wife drives it out. Arthur wanders the streets, shouting, People! Where has love gone? Help me! Passers by ignore him, hurrying to their own concerns.
After spending a night at a friends flat, Arthur returns to work and asks the new secretary, Tamara, could you give me Zoes phone number? I need to call her for a matter. The secretary smirks, We know what matter you mean. You fought with your wife, didnt you? She hands him a slip of paper.
When Lily finally recovers from the shock, she does not chase after Arthur. Instead she throws herself into her passion. She heads to a retreat centre where a concert featuring her is arranged. Free as a bird, she repairs the torn sheets, sings again and again, and the audience erupts in applause, demanding encores and showering the stage with flowers. She tours the countryside, giving countless performances.
Years pass. Lily eventually stops touring and opens a voicetraining studio. She never studied music formally, but her experience is enough to teach young talent. One day a colleague asks, Lily, a girl was brought to me. She seems very gifted. Could you audition her? Lily replies, Bring her over. A few minutes later Arthur walks in with two girlsone about ten, the other twelve. He points the younger one to a seat. Sit, Maisie. He leans toward the older girl, only then realizing its his former wife Lily. Lord, why do we keep meeting the same people? he mutters.
Lily, a little embarrassed, says, Calm down, Tom. Lets hear your daughter sing. Arthur takes the younger girls hand and steps into the corridor. Lily begins the audition. The girls voice is powerful, recalling Lilys own childhood love for singing, her petite frame and infectious laugh.
When the song ends, Lily cant help but ask, How old are you, sweetheart? Thirteen. My names Kira, the girl replies proudly. Youre brilliant! You can go, and tell your father to come back to class, Lily says.
Arthur enters. Tom, you have a talented daughter. I can recommend a good tutor if Im not the right fit. Are you married? Hows life? Lily presses. Married and happy. My wifes Zoe, my former secretary. You know her. We raise my daughter Kira together with our other child, Maya, Arthur says, beaming. Your daughter Kira? The one I gave birth to? Lily stammers. You only gave birth to her, Arthur points out, then hurries away. Goodbye, tutor!
From the hallway a voice shouts, Girls, hurry to greet mum after work! Lily sits, her mind a swirl of confusion. She just spoke to her own daughter.
Thirteen years have flown since Lily signed away that precious girl. Kira now calls another woman mum. Lily blames only herself. At the end of a tiring workday, Lily arrives home, only to be greeted by her beloved cat, Melody, who purrs loudly, knowing his owner always brings a snack. Lily pushes Melody away with her foot. Not now! she mutters. The cat darts to the kitchen, settles by his bowl, and seems to say, I know youre upset, but Im hungry.
What do I have? A cat named Melody? He wont say kind words or wipe my tears. No husband, no children. An empty flat, a cold bed. Looks like I played the wrong notes in my life. Lily sighs. If only I could turn back time, but summer doesnt come twice a year.
She runs through the melody of her life note by note, a sad tale of castles in the air and a past that never quite fits. Sitting in her armchair, wrapped in a familiar quilt, Lily judges herself. The old fable about the grasshopper comes to mind: Did you sing all the time? Thats the point
