The cottage reeked of damp and mould, the floor creaked beneath every step, and in the shadowed corner something rustledperhaps a mouse. Margaret gently laid the newborn twins on a threadbare mattress, covered them with her coat, and knelt beside them.
Her heart pounded like a frantic drum. She could not decide which was scarier: the cold seeping through the cracks of the timber walls, or the silence of her husband, who seemed no longer the man she once knew.
Do you realise theyre so tiny? she whispered. Theyll need adapted formula, medicine Im nursing, but will it be enough for two?
Thomas spun sharply.
Do you think Im unaware? Do you think Im a fool? his voice trembled with tension. Everything in town is falling apart. I cant carry two at onceneither mentally nor financially.
And what then? her eyes flashed. Should we hide here like fugitives?
He began pacing the cramped room, then thumped the table with his fist.
Im not hiding! Do you understand? Im trying to think of how we survive!
Both babies wailed in unison. Margaret scooped them up, cradling them, murmuring:
Quiet, little ones, quiet mamas here.
Her tears streamed down their tiny faces.
Were a family, she breathed, not looking at him. You wanted a child. Now we have two. Its a gift, not a curse.
Thomas stood by the window, staring into the dark wood beyond. His shoulders quivered, yet he did not turn. He muttered:
One would have pleased me. Two that turns everything upside down.
Margarets temper flared.
Turns upside down? Youre a father! Not an accountant going into the red!
He snapped, anger and despair blazing in his eyes.
You dont get it! I havent a penny! Nil! No cash, the cards are useless here. I burned the last few gallons of petrol just to get us this far.
She felt the floor beneath her vanish.
So were trapped? No food, no medicine, no heat?
He slumped onto the rickety chair, burying his face in his hands. For the first time he seemed broken rather than angry.
The quiet was broken by the soft whimper of the infants. Margaret wrapped them tighter and sat beside him.
Listen to me, she said gently. Im not blaming you. But we must act. The children cant wait.
Thomas lifted his head. Fear flickered in his eyes.
Im scared. Im scared Ill fail. Im scared I wont feed them. Im scared well perish here.
She clasped his hand firmly.
Well manage. Together. But only if you stop running from the truth.
He nodded, then leapt up as if finally making a decision.
Fine. Tomorrow morning Ill go to the village. Ill look for work, beg for provisionswhatever it takes.
The night stretched on endlessly. The twins cried at almost every hour, Margaret fed, rocked, sang lullabies she could not recall learning. Thomas sat at the window, the lamp unlit, staring into the forests gloom as if the answer lay hidden among the trees.
At dawn he slipped on his coat.
Ill be back. I promise.
The walk to Littleford took over an hour. The first cottage he reached was low, with a modest front garden. He knocked. An elderly woman with a kerchief on her head opened the door. Thomas whispered, embarrassed:
Im sorry my wife is in the woods with two newborns. We have nothing. Im willing to work for food.
She studied him for a long moment, as if reading his soul, then said quietly:
Theres as much work as youll wantchopping wood, tending the yard, looking after animals. But first take this. She handed him a basket filled with bread, milk, and eggs. The babies need these most.
Thomass eyes welled. He thanked her profusely and hurried back, clutching the basket like a treasure.
When he entered the cottage, Margaret cradled the twins, looking exhausted to the point of collapse. The sight of the food made her shout and embrace him.
You did it?!
He set the basket on the table and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
I dont know how long it will last, but we now have a chance. And Ive learned one thingI must not be afraid. I have you. Thats enough.
She pressed herself against him, hope flashing in her gaze.
The children fell asleep, full and peaceful. For the first time in days, a feeling of a road ahead settled in both their heartslong, hard, but shared.
Well manage, she whispered.
Yes. Together, he replied.
And in his voice there was no longer rage nor despair, only steady confidence.
