I live with my beloved husband Victor as if I were tucked into the bosom of the Good Lord, and thats exactly how I tell anyone from the village who asks about my life. In our little hamlet everyone knows everyone elses business.
My dear, you must protect and cherish the family no matter what, my mother says as I prepare to marry the neighbours Tom, whom Ive known since childhood.
Tom never imagined that anyone could replace Evelyn in his heart. For him Evelyn has always been the only light in the window; he protects her, walks her to and from school, and when we grow up his friendship morphs into love.
Look, there go the two lovebirds, the older ladies chuckle, theyve been handinhand since they were babies.
Evelyns parents raise her well: they teach her to live peacefully with others, to help, to keep faith in the good, and never act unjustly.
Child, the Lord will punish you if you hurt anyone or act without respect. Live justlyHe sees everything, her mother warns, and Evelyn believes her, because who else can she trust but her mum?
Victor proves a good husband. He takes on all the heavy chores around the house and never lets me lift anything burdensome. Every morning, as he heads off to work, he calls out, Evelyn, watch yourselfdont lift the heavy things. You work too, you get tired. Ill be back and sort everything out; thats what a husband does.
One afternoon, smiling, she tells Victor, Were expecting a baby. He freezes with joy, then holds her tightly, showering kisses.
Now you must look after yourself twice as muchyoure not alone any more, he says.
Dont worry, Victor, she replies. Im not the first, nor will I be the last expecting child. Everything will be fine.
Months later, a son named Greg is born. Victor is over the moon; he sees the child as the continuation of their line and dotes on him. As Greg grows a little, Victor proudly walks him around the village, taking him wherever he goeson fishing trips, mushroom hunts, the lot. By then Evelyn also has a daughter.
Four years after the daughter, a third child, Sam, arrives. Evelyn and Victor raise their children, work the fields, and share both joys and troubles. Sam, the youngest, is a restless troublemaker. Teachers complain about his antics.
Your Sam has once again smuggled a cat into class and let it loose. The cat was chased out, and two days ago he brought a mouse the girls all shrieked, the headmistress scolds whenever she meets his parents. Hes also brought a hedgehog home, and it kept everyone awake at night, scratching the floor with its claws.
The next day Victor forces Sam to take the hedgehog to the woods. Later Sam finds a wounded cuckoo chick, nurses it until it can fly, and releases it.
Time passes. The parents keep working, the children mature. Greg finishes his army service and marries a local girl named Alison. At first they live with Alisons parents, then they build a house nearby and start their own family. The daughter finishes secondary school, finds work, and moves with her husband to another county.
One morning Victor doesnt wake up. Evelyn first thinks he has overslept, but when she tries to rouse him, his eyes stay closed.
Sam, Sam, run and fetch the paramedic! she shouts at her younger son, whos been living with them.
Paramedic Anne, an elderly woman, calls an ambulance, already realizing Victor has passed. For Evelyn it is a huge blow; she is widowed at fifty, her husband gone too soon.
After the funeral she struggles to recover. Sam stays with her, but his future looks bleak. He continues drinking heavily.
Sam, stop the booze, Evelyn rebukes him.
The villagers comment, Evelyn once had a good familyhusband, older children but the youngest turned out a bit of a rogue. They say a family isnt without its odd one out.
Sam refuses work, spends his days drinking with friends, living off his mothers support. Evelyn grows exhausted. One night Sam brings home a girl named Tania, just as wayward as he is. They drink, argue, and contribute nothing to the garden or chores. Eventually Evelyn cant stand living with him any longer, and they part ways.
Eight years after Victors death, a neighbour named Rachel invites Evelyn to stay with her. Rachel is younger but they have always gotten along peacefully.
Evelyn, come over; I have a guest who wants to speak with you, Rachel says mysteriously.
What kind of talk? Evelyn asks.
The guest, Olivia, arrives with a bright smile. She explains, My father lives in a nearby village; hes a widower, doesnt drink or smoke, and he asked me to find a good woman for him. Rachel suggested you. I live in the city with my children; Im divorced, so I cant visit the village often. Maybe you and he could live togethertwo heads are easier than one. I wont claim any inheritance; the house is only in the village. I have a flat in the city, and I dont want to tend the land myself.
Evelyn, surprised, replies, Olivia, I never thought Id end up living with another man at my age.
In the end, Evelyn agrees to move to the village and stay with the widower, Nigel, after Sams drinking pushes her to the brink. Olivia also consents to Evelyns terms. Greg drives his mother to the neighbouring hamlet, meets Nigel, and they quickly find common ground.
Evelyn and Nigel settle into a calm, cooperative life. Nigel helps with the chores, keeping pigs and chickens, while Evelyn brings along her own goat. Nigels house is far more spacious than Evelyns former cottage.
Sam, however, brings another troublesome woman into Nigels home, which worries Evelyn.
Just hope the house doesnt burn down, she tells her eldest son Greg. Watch over your little brother, Sam, for once.
In the summer, grandchildren from the city visit Evelyn and Nigel. Olivias two sons sometimes stay, and Olivia herself drops by, and Evelyn loads the pantry with food and treats. Olivias family seems to respect Evelyn.
About ten years later Nigels health declines; he lies in bed often. Evelyn looks after him, preparing herbal teas and giving his medication on time. Before his illness, Nigel had said, Evelyn, if anything happens to me, Ill be the first to go. Stay here, live out your days peacefullydont bother moving again in your old age. And dont mourn me, love.
Fine, Nigel, why bring it up now? Im not exactly spry myself, she answers.
One day Olivia arrives with a new husband, acting very differently.
Dad, were taking you to the city. Youll be under my care there, she says.
Lord, Olivia, cant you find a carer for me? Youre the only one I truly trust, Nigel pleads.
You wont be asked for anything else, his daughter snaps. Youll go with us.
Nigel leaves, tearful, and Evelyn weeps as well. A week later Olivia returns, announcing, Pack your things and leave. Tom and I are selling the house. Dont pretend we made any promises. I give you a week to clear out, and well be back next weekend.
She then spends the weekend renovating the property, planting a garden. The next Saturday she finally shows up when Greg is about to move Evelyn into the new house.
My father died, she mentions casually, apparently city life didnt suit him. No point worrying where he lies.
Why didnt you bring him back to be buried near his mother? Evelyn asks, hurt.
Does it matter where a dead man rests? Olivia replies with a shrug.
Greg, the eldest son, drives Evelyn to the new home. It turns out Sam has finally turned his life around; he quits drinking, gets a job, and marries Vera, a diligent woman who insists on Sams sobriety as a condition for their marriage.
When Evelyn steps into the freshly tended garden, she cant believe her eyesflowers bloom, the vegetable patch thrives. Vera greets her warmly, Welcome, Evelyn. Ive prepared lunch; Greg said youd be here today.
Evelyn feels a surge of happiness. Sam is clean, neat, and helpful. The three of themSam, Vera, and Evelynlive comfortably. Vera treats Evelyn like a mother, even calling her Mum after a few weeks. Evelyn, now older, feels a gentle weakness but is glad her daughterinlaw will not abandon her.
Vera runs the household: cooking, cleaning, washing, gardening, and looking after the animals, while Sam also pitches in. Evelyn never imagined her oncetroubled son would become a responsible head of the house. She thinks, If only my father could see this. Vera works at the post office but still manages everything, and later she gives birth to a daughter.
Evelyn no longer has to watch over a grandchild; her granddaughter passes away when she is only a year old, but she dies peacefully. Sam becomes a true man and a solid proprietor, his eyes shining with pride. What more could a mother ask for? A happy family is all she ever wanted.
