Staying Loyal to One Family
Gazing out the window as the rain tapped against the glass, droplets sliding down like tears, Evelyn listened to Shirley Basseys song, *”Whats to be done? Youve found someone new”* Unwanted tears streamed down her cheeks, though she barely noticed. She could never hear that song without feeling a stab of sorrowit cut too close to her own story.
The bitterness of undeserved heartache leaves scars, and when you cant change things, you look for comfort anywhereeven in lyrics.
Evelyn lived in a small market town where everyone knew each other. Shed come from a village to study nursing, then simply stayed.
“Stay in the city after college, love,” her mother had said. “Not because we dont want you, but because theres nothing for you here. Young folk all move awayso should you. God willing, youll find a local lad and settle down.”
“I know, Mum,” Evelyn had replied. “Its hard to leave, but Ive got to start my own life.”
So she stayed, working as a nurse at the local hospital. Pretty, with thick chestnut hair, blue eyes, and full lips, she turned heads. One morning, entering the mens ward with an IV, she spotted a young man with his arm in a cast. He staredopenly intrigued.
“Morning,” she greeted the room, though to James, it felt like just for him.
Hed been admitted overnight, and now here she was. James worked at the towns only factory, sent there fresh from university. Hed slipped on the workshop floor, flailed comically, and broken his arm.
Evelyn set up his drip, deft and quiet, while he watched, already decided: he had to know her better. She stole glances too.
“All done. Rest easy,” she said.
“Youll come back?” he blurted. “Whats your name?”
“Course I willits my job. Im Evelyn.”
*Evelyn,* he thought. *Maybe this break wasnt so bad.*
She liked him but wouldnt show it first, though his lingering glances gave him away.
*Hes handsomeprobably taken,* she reasoned.
She watched his visitorsfriends, coworkers, never a girlfriendand relaxed. Meanwhile, James daydreamed about taking her out once discharged.
Hed linger in the hallway to chat if she was late on rounds. Evenings, theyd sit and talk.
“Im not from here,” he told her. “Got placed at the factory. Lived in digs at first, but they gave me a flat. Needs work, but its mine.”
“Lucky you. Im stuck in shared housingnoisy, chaotic.”
Soon discharged, James still visited the clinic. They met outside hospital wallsbut he took years to propose.
“Ev, weve been together ages. Lets get married.”
“Alright,” she said at once, laughingrelieved hed finally asked.
The wedding was modestjust her mum from the village and his two sisters. Her friends envied her: “Youve landed a proper catchclever, handsome, and kind!”
They lived in his two-bed flat, fixed it up, and had two daughters.
“Ev, Id love a son,” hed say, but she refusedtwo were enough.
Life was good. James earned well; they holidayed at the seaside, visited her mums village in summer for mushroom picking and river swims, even enjoyed winter ski trips.
Then work soured. James cursed being called in on weekends, finally quitting for a job with travel.
“Ev, Ill be away sometimes, but the pays decent.”
“Well manage,” she said.
Years passed. His trips grew longerthree days, then weeks. Worse, hed come home late, reeking of drink.
Fifteen years in, Evelyn confronted him: “James, whats happened? You never used to be like this.”
“Leave off. Lifes dullIm livening it up.”
Then the rumors started.
“Ev, surely youve noticed?” her coworker Tracey said. “My mate Sarah saw him at the spahes been seeing her for ages. Goes straight to her after trips.”
“Really?” Evelyn felt sick.
More whispers followed. They fought.
“Ive had enough of your nagging!” he shouted.
The final straw was when he hit her.
“I want a divorce,” she said, numb.
Walking in later, she found him packing as Shirley Bassey sang: *”Whats to be done? Youve found someone new”* The words twisted in her chest.
“Im leaving,” he said calmly. “You keep the flatyoull need it.”
She thought shed cried all her tears, but more came.
Time passed. The girls grew up. The eldest married and moved away.
“Mum, Ill never leave you,” the younger vowed.
“Lifes unpredictable, love. You might meet someone.”
She did.
“Mum, you called it!” her daughter laughed. “Paul proposedwere getting married!”
“Im happy for you,” Evelyn said, though her heart ached.
“But were moving to his city. More opportunities there.”
Evelyn forced a smile. “Go, love. Just visit often.”
At the wedding, Jamesstill in touch with his younger daughtergave Paul advice:
“Stay loyal to one family, lad. However hard it gets, stick it out. Learn from my mistakes.”
Evelyn overheard and thought: *So hes tasted regret too.*
Years later, retired and long past the pain, shed see James around town. What once felt like tragedy was now just lifesometimes even smiled at.
Yet when *that* song plays, tears still come. Not from heartbreakjust nostalgia.
