A Decade-Long Tale
Zachary had little luck in marriagedivorced after three years, he found himself alone by the time he turned thirty.
“At least we never had children,” he’d tell his colleagues at work. “Would’ve been a shame to leave them behind.”
He’d misjudged Theresashe’d never wanted a family, only nights out with friends, laughter in crowded pubs. He’d been swept up in her whirlwind, charmed by her lively spirit, only to realise too late she was too lively, too reckless.
“Zachary,” the chief engineer said one day, “we need you in Cliffside, a village about thirty miles from town, to help set up the equipment. A month, maybe less, depending how quickly you sort it. You’re a free man now, no family to hold you backseems like the perfect time for an adventure.”
Zachary didnt mind the change. Hed never been to Cliffside, and the thought of fresh air and quiet appealed to him. When he arrived, the locals offered him a choice:
“You can stay in the hostel, though it’s under repair, or take a cottage near the substation where you’ll be working.”
“Not a fan of renovations,” Zachary chuckled. “Id rather board with a landladymaybe get a decent meal out of it. A bachelors life, you know.”
They settled him in a small house with a widow named Eleanor. She was stern, spoke little, and wore long black dresses that brushed the floor, a shawl always covering her hair. Yet there was a quiet energy in her movements, a youthfulness that didnt match her sombre attire. At first, Zachary had assumed her much older.
They lived quietly, exchanging few words, but Eleanor cooked wellfar better than the canteenand Zachary was content to pay her rather than dine elsewhere.
“Listen, Simon,” he asked his workmate one day, “my landladyEleanorshes not old, but she dresses like a mourner. Thought she might be religious, but Ive never seen her pray. Doesnt add up.”
“Eleanor? Youve never seen her without that shawl?” Simon raised an eyebrow.
“No. Shes always covered by the time I see her in the mornings. Doesnt say much, but the mealsspot on. Never misses a hot dinner.”
“Good foods everything, Zachary. My Maggieeven if I come home three sheets to the wind, shell scold me raw but never lets me go hungry. Gives me an earful, but thats just her way. Love her for it.” Simons eyes warmed at the mention of his wife.
“True enough,” Zachary agreed. “We men do like a proper meal. Butwhyd you ask if Id seen Eleanor without the shawl? Whats the mystery?”
Simon hesitated. “Nothing much. Justshes got lovely hair. Hides it away, though. Too young to be dressing like an old widow.”
“Why?”
“Because of what happened with Michael. They were sweetheartseveryone envied them. He adored her. I was at their weddingMichael was my cousin, but we were close as brothers. Perfect pair, they were. Then, a month after the wedding, Michael went into town one spring. Snow was still thick, ice on the river solidor so he thought. Mustve been in a hurry, took the shortcut across the frozen river in his Land Rover. Ice gave way. They found him come spring, far downstream.”
Zachary whistled low. “Christ. All for shaving off a few miles.”
“Bridge wouldve taken him five extra. But nohad to chance it.” Simon shook his head. “Eleanors been a widow ever since. Shes only twenty-seven now, maybe twenty-eight.”
Zachary was shaken. A month of marriagethen tragedy. That evening, lost in thought, he returned to the houseand froze. Eleanor stood with her back to him, brushing out long, dark waves of hair that spilled down her back. The door creaked. She turnedand for a moment, Zachary couldnt speak. Without the shawl, she was stunning, her face framed by those thick curls.
“Oh” She startled, quickly twisting her hair into a bun and covering it again.
“Eleanor, why hide beauty like that?” Zachary managed. “And youre so young. Id assumedwell, the way you dress.”
“I made a promise,” she murmured, retreating to the kitchen.
After that, Eleanor withdrew further, avoiding conversation. But Zachary couldnt forget what hed seen.
One evening, he returned with a wild bouquet of daisies, plucked from a field on his walk home. Eleanor was in the yardhe held them out with a grin.
“For you. No refusalstodays my birthday.”
A faint smile. “Thank you. You shouldve told meId have baked something.”
“No need.” He pulled a cake, a bottle of wine, and chocolates from his bag. “The shops finest. Lets celebrate.”
Eleanor set the table. Zachary poured the wine, but she barely sipped. “I dont drink. But happy birthday, Zachary.”
Her voice was soft, gentle.
“Eleanorsince were heretell me about Michael. I know a little. Sometimes, saying it aloud helps.”
Silence. Then Zachary spoke of his own pasthis illness after the army, his failed marriage.
Eleanor listened, then sighed. “I still love him, Zachary. Fate gave him to methen took him just as fast. I never had time to even understand being married. The grief swallowed everything. At his grave, I promised to live only in memory of him.”
“Memory matters,” Zachary said gently. “But lifes given to us once. No second chances.”
She nodded. “I know. But I cant break that promise. Youre a good man, Zachary. Youll find happiness again.”
Days later, his work done, Zachary left Cliffside. His heart was heavyEleanor had given no sign shed miss him. Only a quiet, “Goodbye, Zachary. Be happy.”
For years, he couldnt forget her. She haunted his dreams. Other women held no interest. Then, ten years passedZachary never married.
One summer, driving home from holiday, he saw the sign for Cliffside.
“Should I? Maybe just”
Before hed decided, hed turned onto the road. The village had changednew asphalt where dirt tracks had been. He parked outside Eleanors house, heart pounding. A new fencewas she even here?
Then a voice behind him: “Looking for someone?”
He turned. There she stoodmore beautiful than ever, her hair loose, no shawl in sight.
“Zachary,” she said, smiling. “The man who told me lifes only given once. Come inIve just made tea. What brings you here? Another assignment?”
“No. Just passing through. Couldnt drive by without seeing you. Ive always remembered you.” He hesitated. “Read something latelyWhats lost to fate may still be found. Maybe we shouldnt waste our chance this time.”
They married five years ago. He brought her to the city. Now she stays home, raising their daughterwho has her mothers eyes. Happiness, at last, fills their house.
