Pudding a Life Lesson
David, how could you? We were laughing at that unwashed country girl! I shouted, stepping out of the kitchen, outraged by my husbands behavior.
Im sorry, Emma, the devil led me astray. I still cant explain how I ended up in Puddings bed, David frowned, cursed under his breath and smoked nervously.
A new family moved into our block: Jack, Rose, and their fiveyearold daughter Lucy. David and I were thirty, our son was six, and the newcomers were twentyfive. Living on the same floor, we quickly became close.
Rose was a diligent village girl, especially fond of cooking. Cakes, scones, pies all had a place of honour in her kitchen no wonder she strutted into the kitchen like she owned it.
David and I jokingly called Rose Pudding because of her plump figure. Her kitchen was lined with jars of preserves; in that respect I could never match her. I considered myself a pretty, wellkept woman, while Rose was always in a faded dressing gown with a tiny bun on her head. Her husband Jack, thin as a reed, and their chubby daughter were always well fed. Those were Roses only virtues, but I still befriended her. Jack spent long stretches on the road as a lorry driver, often away from home.
He had met Rose in a remote hamlet when he stopped at the village shop for cigarettes. Rose instantly set her eyes on the lanky stranger. Jack had no chance of slipping away unnoticed.
Nine months later Rose gave birth to a baby girl. Jack drove Rose and the infant to the city. When I introduced my suddenly enlarged family to my mother, she flatly refused to accept either country Rose or the newborn granddaughter. Jack had to rent a flat.
David constantly complained about Roses appearance.
How can you not love yourself? A woman should he would mutter to me.
Davids mother fell ill. At first we took turns caring for his mother, but after a while we decided to find a caretaker. Rose volunteered.
Ill work a bit for you, and I need to buy my husband a rubber boat for fishing. Keep it a secret, please, Rose beamed at the prospect of earning extra money.
Rose, dont force my mother to eat; she has no appetite because of her illness, I warned Pudding.
Soon I was sent on a long business trip. After giving directions to David, my son, and Rose, I flew to another city.
A month passed, and I returned. David looked away, and Rose tried to avoid me.
Mum, make the same tasty potatoes as Aunt Roses. I loved her meatloaf, my son said as he entered the house.
Aunt Rose fed you? I asked, wary.
Yes, she brought Lucy over and took Dad away, my son reported.
I began to suspect something. Jack was on a route, I was on a assignment
That evening, after a hearty dinner, I sat David down for a frank talk.
David, I know everything. The boy told me everything, I said, hoping I wasnt just imagining nonsense.
Nothing happened, Emma. Pudding only asked me to fix the tap, David replied, not blushing.
Relax. Youre just nervous. I dont think youll chase after Rose, I sighed with relief.
Nevertheless, David started visiting his mothers flat more often, lingering there for hours. I went to see his mother; she was calm, wellkept, but alone. I looked for Jack and Rose
I rang Roses door.
A tired Rose opened. In the background, my limp husband lay in bed.
As a proper lady, I returned home in silence, my mind reeling. David, who had called Rose a slob, was now intimate with her!
Honestly, I didnt feel the usual jealousy toward the kitchen maid. When David rushed after me, I pointed disgustedly at the bathroom.
Take a shower. Wash yourself thoroughly! Did you enjoy yourself? Ill tell everything to Jack. Hell give you a good tellingoff! I threatened, laughing to myself. I imagined skinny Jack flailing his fists at Davids nose.
Rose eventually confessed her affair to Jack. Im not sure how he reacted, but within a week the whole family moved out. As they left, Jack, spotting me, said proudly:
No wonder it happened. Who could resist my Rose?
A while later I ran into Pudding again.
Hi, love! Still holding a grudge? No point. In our village theres always drama. I didnt lose anything, and your husbands still happy. Youre always away on trips You cant leave a hungry husband for long, Rose taught me the rural lifes simple wisdom.
She held a little girls hand, a child uncannily like my own husband.
All this taught me that gossip and suspicion can erode even the strongest bonds. Trust, honesty, and a little humility keep a household together, no matter how many puddings appear on the doorstep.
