How untimely this anniversary of theirs is, she muttered. Theyve found a moment to celebrate, and of all places, in a village. Snatches of a disgruntled mans voice reached Lucy. She realised her husbands brother had invited them to a twentyfiveyear silver wedding anniversary.
Georges phone rang loudly and insistently until he finally answered.
It was his cousin from the countryside.
Hey, Zach, hi! George said. All good herehow are you lot? Fine enough. And Saturday?
Alright, Ill tell Lucy. Of course well comewhere else would we be expected?
Lucy stepped into the room.
How untimely this anniversary of theirs is, she said again. Theyve found a moment to celebrate, and of all places, in a village.
Fragments of the dissatisfied mans remarks floated to Lucy.
She understood that her husbands brother was inviting them to a silver wedding, the twentyfiveyear mark of his own marriage.
Meanwhile George and Lucy had just decided to separate.
Lately theyd been arguing constantly, a growing distance between them. Two days earlier theyd finally agreed to call it quits. Lucy wasnt keen on attending the silver weddingher mood was anything but festive.
Maybe you could go yourself, George? After all, youre his brother. Id love to meet Tess, though, she told Zachs wife. Weve always been friendly, visiting each others homes
…and how do we get to their village to announce our split?
The bus from town to the village took four hours, and their ageing car had been sitting idle in the garage for three months.
Back then theyd used that car to drive to Zachs place, where George had been born and raised.
Now the car was dead. Lucy didnt know whether to spend a few hundred pounds fixing it or to shell out for a new one. The impending divorce had upended all their plans.
George thought aloud:
Lucy probably wont go; shell refuse. If I go alone then Ill have to tell Zach and Tess were separating. Theyll gasp, theyll question everything. Do they really need that news on a day thats supposed to be a celebration? A silver wedding and my divorcetalk about bad timing.
Seeing his wife enter, George said:
Zach called, shall we head over? We wont talk about our relationship there. Lets go and sort the divorce later?
Lucy nodded.
Fine, its their celebration, lets go anyway.
The bus halted and the driver announced, Everyone off, the bus wont go any further!
What do you mean it wont go? George protested. The village is still five miles away!
The roads a mess, the rains just stopped, I cant take the bus any further. Id get stuckwhod pull me out? Find a lift or walk, the driver replied firmly.
George and Lucy stepped off, a suitcase in his hand. A fivemile walk wasnt in anyones schedule.
What now, wait for a lift or just walk? he asked his wife.
We could wait for a lift till morning, but well have to walk, Lucy said.
Grumbling about the driver, they set off, George leading, Lucy trailing along the gutter. The path was indeed awfulmuddy puddles everywherebut the gutter was passable.
Odd how Lucy stays quiet, not even angry, George mused. At home shed be shouting. Out here she just bottles it up maybe shell spill it midway.
Halfway through they reached a stand of oaks, the final stretch to the village looming.
George expected Lucy to start a tirade, but she kept pace in silence.
Stopping, he set the suitcase down and asked, Tired yet?
Maybe a bit could we rest on that fallen log? she pointed to a tree trunk lying across the path.
They sat, looked around. The hour was still early, dusk edging in, birds still singing, butterflies fluttering, trees rustling, crickets chirping.
Lucy recalled a trip almost twenty years ago when they first came to Georges village for a wedding. Look how everythings grownforests thicker, oaks taller, she said.
Time flies, George replied. Remember that day when a wheel almost fell off our car? You in your wedding shoes, me in a suit, trudging the gutter while Zach changed the tyre. We gave up and walked. We didnt go far, but you did end up with a sore foot.
Exactly, Lucy laughed. Good thing Zach fixed the car quicklyyouth, eh? If wed still been stuck, wed have just waited.
After a short rest they pressed on, each lost in thought. George remembered school hikes with his mates, while Lucy, a city girl, had never camped out.
Lucy, weary, thought: When our son is back from his service, well finally divorce. He wont like it, but what can we do? Its already decided.
The lane left the woods, revealing the village nestled in a valley.
Stunning! Lucy exclaimed. Summers always brilliant herebright colours, warm sun.
Its lovely all year round, George replied. Weve come at different times, but the car breaking down meant wed be there later than we hoped.
They pushed through the gate and entered a courtyard where Zach was already laying out tables. He rushed over, hugging them.
Did you walk here? Wheres the car? Why didnt you call? Id have met you. The roads terrible, but I could have taken a detour, he said.
We didnt know the bus would stop, so we had to trek. At least we got fresh air and a bit of scenery, George answered.
Lucy! Tess shouted, throwing her arms around her sisterinlaw, beaming. How wonderful youre here! We havent seen each other in ages. Tomorrows our silver weddingtimes flown by.
Zach and George chatted, then everyone changed into dinner clothes and sat down. They lingered on the patio, laughing, then retired to their rooms. George and Lucy were shown a modest bedroom with a brandnew sofa.
Look, we just bought it, Tess pointed to the sleek couch. Good night.
Lucy stripped down and curled up against the wall, leaving most of the sofa to George. He glanced at the couch, shuffled onto the edge, and said, Lucy, why are you stuck to the wall? Theres room for both of us. Your legs must be sore after that walk.
Its not sore, its well, you know, Lucy replied.
George tugged the blanket from her feet and began massaging her ankles.
Leave it, George. Itll pass by morning, she said.
Shh, Ill work it out now, he muttered.
The next day George and Lucy helped set tables in the yard as guests arrived. Conversation started soft, then grew louder. Music played, songs were sung, dancing eruptedvillage life at its most convivial.
Imagine, George, twentyfive years with Tess, everythings been good, a few spats, but we always make up. Shes a good woman, just like everyone else, right? Zach boomed to his brother. A quarter of a century, can you believe it? I love Tess, no one else matters!
Enough, Zach, his wife whispered. Youre getting carried away.
Im proud of my wonderful wifebest in the world! Zach shouted, and the crowd clapped.
George watched Lucy, both of them observing the happy couple. How could they possibly bring up their own split at a moment like this?
Lucy felt the air saturated with joy, wrapping the guests in warmth
George looked at his wife with fresh eyes and thought, Lucys no worse than Tess! Misunderstandings happenthats life. Why on earth did we decide to separate? Maybe I dont want to lose her after all.
He instinctively pulled Lucy close; she met his gaze, surprised. In his eyes she saw warmth, love, and something else. She soon recognised the same feelings in him.
Perhaps they both felt the happiness seeping from Zach and Tesss celebration
Maybe were being swept up in this joy, Lucy thought, smiling, and kissed George on the cheek.
The following day brought a barbecue, long chats, and George never let Lucy stray far; whenever she moved, his eyes followed.
Later Zach gave them a lift back on a bus.
Back home, George, as if nothing had happened, asked, Lucy, what shall we do with the car? Repair itcosts a few hundred poundsor buy a new one? Sell this one? Im not keen on taking the bus to Zachs again.
You decide. If we need a new one, lets get it. You know your machines better, Lucy replied.
Then tomorrow morning well hit the motormarket, have a look, maybe buy something, so we can travel together again.
The divorce talk vanished, as if itd dissolved on its own. Their son had returned, now married. Lucy and George remained as content as ever.
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