23October2025
I shuffled into the local health centre on a damp Thursday, my right ankle twisted badly from an accidental stumble. I could barely put weight on it, each step felt like a gamble. Just as I was huffing for the nurse, a bald man in a worn coat darted past me, cutting the line and slipping straight to the front of the queue. I sank onto the plastic chair, exhausted, and muttered under my breath, Typical mennever willing to wait their turn! A woman standing nearby caught my sigh and chuckled, Hes already been in today, trying again to get a prosthesis fitted. Hes been here all morning, so he must be desperate. She laughed louder, Good bloke, Andrew, my neighbour. Lifes dealt him a rough handlost his leg up to the knee, his wife walked out on him. Thought hed drown his sorrows, but look at him nowstill limping along, as spry as a youngster. No kids, no family. At that moment Andrew, slightly hobbling, emerged from the consultation room with a grin, winked at me and the woman, and said, Alright, ladies, lets get on with it! before heading for the exit.
I could barely smile at his teasing. Ladiesthat was never me. I married young, my husband Paul was a dozen years my senior. By zodiac we were both Dogs, which seemed a quirky excuse for our compatibility. Paul adored dogs; we soon got a basset hound, and then I discovered I was pregnant.
Friends would gush, What a perfect familyflat in London, a decent car, a cottage up north, a dog, and a baby on the way! But at six months my pregnancy ended in miscarriage. Paul tried to console me, then said, Were not as young as we used to be, but we still have George, our dog. Hes a good companion. I loved George, and Paul entered countless dog shows with him, but a dog could never fill the void left by a child.
At one of those shows Paul met Olivia, who also owned a show dog. He soon confessed to me that Olivia and he were expecting a childshe was young, he said, Shell have a healthy baby. He compared my age to Olivias youth, implying I was past my prime. Olivia was nearly twenty years younger than Paul, a fact that made me feel even more out of step with time. Retirement isnt far off, Paul would say, as if he were talking about my own future.
One night, I thought, Im only fortythree, not that old, yet I feel like an old woman inside. A week later, my ankle had mostly healed, and I returned to the doctors office, only to run into that same bald man again.
Sorry, miss, he said, stepping aside, please go ahead of me. Ill slip in without waiting. He smiled apologetically as I left the consultation room, still standing by the door.
The next patient, called out the nurse.
Youre invited, Andrew announced, not heading toward the waiting area. I was just joking. Im waiting for you, pretty lady. Im Andrew, and you must be Eleanor? Of course, a name as lovely as yours. Mind if a lonely cripple keeps you company?
I laughed, If Im the pretty lady, you certainly dont look like a cripple.
We walked out together; Andrew talked, then offered his arm for support as I still limped. Fancy a coffee? he suggested, pointing to a tiny café down the street. Cheap and tastymy treat, I havent had breakfast yet. The conversation was easy, his humour light, and he asked to see me again. I didnt refuse.
One evening he confessed, Eleanor, dont say Im in a hurry, Im just afraid someone will overtake me at the next turn and Ill be left behind again. Im lame, bald, and youre a beautiful young woman! He paused, then, with a sudden seriousness, Eleanor, marry me! Dont worry that we havent known each other long. I want to spend the rest of my life discovering you. I have a flat, a job, Im a sturdy bloke. He fell silent, eyes searching mine, then dropped his head, as if expecting my rejection. Everyone wants a healthy, wealthy partner these days, not a cripple, he added ruefully.
I burst out laughing, Andrew, youre impossible! It was awkward to say yes straight away, but Ill do it.
Amazingly, after the wedding I discovered I was pregnant almost immediately. I never imagined I could ever carry a child again; I had long resigned myself to a life without it. Yet the news arrived like a sudden burst of sunshine, making me feel youthful, beautiful, and cherished once more.
Look at our little Sasha, his curls! I cooed, cradling him.
Andrew ran his hand over his smooth, bald head, Im a bald, limping man now, but I used to be a goldenhaired eagle. Our boy has his mothers eyes and his fathers curls, he joked.
I couldnt stop staring at Sasha, the surprise of a son we never thought possible. If we hadnt met, there would be no Sasha, I whispered, tears spilling over. Andrew, taken aback, tried to comfort me, Sweetheart, stop. Youre my little one, its all right. Look at our boyhe had to be here. Id be lost without you.
Im crying from happiness, I said, wiping my cheeks, pulling him tighter. For the first time in my life Im shedding tears of joy. A smile broke across my face, and a few glistening droplets rested on my lashes like tiny diamonds. I felt rich beyond measure.
In the end, the greatest wealth is a child, and true happiness is love.
