**Holding a Grudge**
After finishing school, Tilly graduated from medical college and returned to her hometown, a quiet village in the Cotswolds. Shed always dreamed of working as a nurse practitioner at the local clinic, especially now that it had been refurbished with new equipment. And old Vera Thompson, whod spent her whole life as the village medic, was more than ready to retire.
“Oh, Tilly, love, Ive been waiting for you,” Vera sighed with relief. “I shouldve retired years ago, but your dad, John, asked me to hang on till you got your degree. Now I can finally hand it all over with a clear conscience.”
“Dont worry, Auntie Vera, Ive got this,” Tilly said cheerfully. “But if Im stuck, Ill give you a shoutstill finding my feet, you know.”
“Course you will, dear. Always happy to help.”
And so Tilly settled into her new role. At first, the villagers were scepticalpopping in with every ache and pain, testing whether the young lass really knew her stuff. But after a year, they warmed to her. She was patient, kind, and knew her medicine well.
Then Jamie started turning up more oftenback pain one day, a sore knee the next, a cut finger the week after. Tillys colleague, Nurse Annie, whod been around long enough to spot a crush, nudged her one day. “Blimey, that Jamies got more complaints than a pensioner on bin day,” she chuckled. “Or maybe he just fancies you.”
She wasnt wrong. Before long, Jamie and Tilly were inseparableholding hands on walks, missing each other when apart. When he proposed, she said yes without hesitation. What she didnt notice was Mick, the strapping farmhand, watching her with a simmering jealousy. One evening, he tried to walk her home, but she shut him down firmly.
“Mick, havent you heard? Im marrying Jamieweve even set the date!”
“Oh, Ive heard,” he muttered, kicking a stone. “Whole village wont shut up about it. But I fancy you too, and lets be honestIm better-looking than Jamie. Whats he got that I havent?”
“Drop it, Mick. I love Jamie, and he loves me. Plenty of girls out therego find one and be happy.”
She had no idea how deeply shed wounded Micks pride. Not that shed have noticedher head was too full of wedding plans. The big day came, the village celebrated, and life carried on.
A year later, Tilly gave birth to little Alfie. He was doted on by everyonehis parents, grandparents, the lot. Tilly stayed home with him while Nurse Annie managed the clinic, calling in district nurses if needed, though shed sometimes ring Tilly for advice.
Lost in motherhood, Tilly didnt notice Jamie pulling awayuntil it was too late. One evening, he came home grim-faced.
“You know Mick, dont you?”
“Course I dohes from the village. Came into the clinic once with a cut.”
“To see *you* specifically?”
“No, to the *clinic*. Nurse Annie patched him up. Whats this about? Youre not jealous, are you?” She laughed, but Jamie didnt.
“The whole villages saying Alfie isnt minethat hes Micks.” He glanced at their son, jaw tight.
“Jamie, have you lost the plot? What nonsense is this?”
“Not nonsense. Everyones talking. Even your dad went to Mick, and he *admitted* itsaid you two had a fling.”
Tilly was stunned. Then she realisedher parents *had* stopped visiting. Shed been too busy to notice.
Mick had spread the lie himself, whispering it in the pub, the shop, the post office. By the time Tilly caught wind, the damage was done.
“That nurse of oursproper little dark horse,” the village gossips cackled. “Had a kid by Mick while married to Jamie. Shameless!”
Jamie packed his bags and left. Tilly sat by the window, Alfie asleep in his cot, the sky burning red over the fields. “Looks like its just us, love,” she whispered, wiping away tears.
Only her best mate, Lucy, stuck by her, bringing groceries and moral support.
“Jamies a fool for believing gossip,” Lucy sighed. “And Mick well, Ive fancied him for years, you know that. But even *I* dont believe his rubbish. Trouble is, no one listens to me.”
“Lucy, why would he do this?”
“Reckon he fancied you rotten, and when you knocked him back, it stung his pride. Thought if Jamie left, hed swoop in. Blokes got more ego than sense.”
Tilly knew she had to confront Mick, but how? Then fate forced her hand.
Lucy came tearing in one evening. “Quicksomeones poorly. Called an ambulance, but the lanes are flooded. They might not make it!”
Tilly hesitated. “What about Alfie?”
“Mrs. Higgins next door will watch him. *Please*its urgent!”
Only when they reached the cottage did Tilly realiseit was Micks.
“Im not going in there,” she said flatly.
Lucy grabbed her arm. “Tilly, *please*. If he dies, Ill never forgive myself!”
Tilly relentedon one condition. “Ill help if he tells the truth. Clears my name.”
Inside, Mick was green-faced, reeking of whisky. Tilly worked faststomach pump, IV fluids. By dawn, he was stable. The ambulance never came.
Two days later, Lucy badgered Mick into confessing.
“Didnt mean for it to go this far,” he mumbled, shamefaced. “Just couldnt stand her rejecting me.”
“You *ruined* her, Mick. Make it right.”
And he did. At the village bus stop, rucksack on his back, he owned up to the crowd.
“Good people, I lied. Tilly never gave me the time of day. I made up those rumours out of spite. She saved my life, and I repaid her with lies. Cant stay here after thatIm off for good.”
Tillys dad, John, pushed through the crowd, fists clenched. But Mick was already boarding the bus.
The village moved on. Her parents apologised, even her mother-in-law came crawling back. Jamie returned, full of regret.
It took time, but Tilly forgave them. She went back to the clinic, her smile returning as she treated her neighbourswho, in the end, never stopped respecting her. After all, gossips like foglingers awhile, then burns off in the sun.
