How illtimed this anniversary is, she muttered. They finally find the nerve to celebrate, and of all places, in a hamlet. A snippet of a disgruntled man’s words reached Emily, and she realized that her husbands brother had invited them to a twentyfifth anniversarywhat the English call a silver wedding.
Ians phone rang loudly and insistently until he finally answered. It was his cousin from the countryside.
Hello, Tom, hello! Ian said. Alls well here, how are things with you? Good enough. What about Saturday?
Ill tell Emily! Well be there, wherever you need us, right? the voice replied.
Emily stepped into the sittingroom.
How badly timed this anniversary is, she repeated. They finally decide to mark it, and in a village no less.
The fragment of the irritated mans remark confirmed that Toms brother was summoning them to the silver celebration.
Ian and Emily, however, had already decided to part ways. Lately theyd been at odds, a growing distance separating them. Two days earlier theyd resolved to divorce. Emily didnt feel like attending the silver weddingher mood was far from festive.
Perhaps youll go alone, Ian, since youre Toms brotherinlaw. Id really like to see Rachel, she said, referring to Toms wife. Weve always been friendly and visited each others homes
And how do we turn up at their celebration and announce were splitting up? she added.
A bus from the city to the village took about four hours, and their ageing car had sat idle in the garage for three months. In the past theyd used it to drive to Toms place in the countryside where Ian had been born and raised.
Now the car was dead, and Emily didnt know whether to repair it, pour money into it, or buy a new one. Their impending divorce had upended all their plans.
Ian thought to himself:
Emily probably wont go; shell refuse. If I go alone then Ill have to tell Tom and Rachel weve decided to part. Theyll have a field day, asking questions. Is it even appropriate to bring such news on their special day? Its a silver wedding, and here I am with my own breakup. That feels wrong.
Seeing his wife enter the room, Ian said:
Tom called, shall we head over? We wont be spilling our personal business. Lets go and deal with the divorce later.
Emily nodded.
Right, its their celebration, lets get there
The bus halted and the driver announced:
Everyone off, the bus wont go any further!
What do you mean it wont go? Ian protested. The village is still five miles away!
The roads awful, the rains just stopped, I cant drive any further. If I get stuck, who will pull me out? Find a lift or walk, the driver said firmly.
Ian and Emily stepped off, Ian clutching his bag. A fivemile walk wasnt in their plans.
What now, wait for a lift or walk? he asked his wife.
We could wait for a lift till morning, but well have to walk, Emily replied.
Cursing the driver, Ian led the way, Emily following close behind on the verge. The lane was indeed rough, with deep puddles, but the shoulder was passable.
Strange, Emily keeps quiet, not even annoyed, Ian mused. At home shed be screaming. Here she just bottles it up, waiting to burst. Maybe shell spill it halfway down the road.
Halfway along, a stand of oak trees appeared, then the village lay just beyond.
Ian kept expecting Emily to start arguing, but she stayed silent and kept pace.
He stopped, set his bag down, and asked:
Tired?
A bit, maybe we can rest on that fallen log, she suggested, pointing to a tree trunk.
They sat, looking around. The sky was still bright, evening approaching, birds singing, butterflies fluttering, trees rustling, crickets chirping.
Emily recalled the journey, almost twenty years ago, when they first drove to Ians family farm for a wedding reception.
How much has changed in twenty years, the woods have grown, the oaks are massive now, Emily said.
Time flies, everything changes, Ian replied. Remember that day when the cars wheel nearly fell off? You were in your wedding dress on heels, I was in a suit and polished shoes, we walked the lane to the village while Tom changed the tyre. We didnt wait for him; we kept walking. We didnt go far, but you ended up with a sore foot.
Yes, my foot was the culprit, Emily laughed. Good thing Tom fixed the car quickly, thats youth for you! If it were today wed have waited.
After a short rest they set off again, each lost in thought. Ian remembered school hikes with his mates, something Emily never didshe was a city girl and never camped out.
Emily, weary, thought of her own worries:
While our son serves abroad, well divorce. He wont like it, but what can we do? Its already decided
The lane gave way to the village, spread out in a shallow valley.
What a view! Summer here is lovelybright colours, warmth, sunshine, Emily exclaimed.
Indeed, its beautiful all year round. Weve come at different times. Shame about the car; wed be there by now, Ian answered.
They pushed open the gate, entered the courtyard and saw Tom already arranging tables. He rushed over, embracing them.
Youve come on foot? he laughed. Wheres the car? Why didnt you call? I could have met you. The roads terrible, but Id have taken the back route.
We didnt know the bus would stop, so we had to walk. At least we got some fresh air and a nice view, Ian said.
Emily! Rachel hugged her, beaming. How wonderful youre here! Its been ages. Tomorrow we celebrate our silver wedding. Time has flown, barely a blink.
Tom and Ian chatted for a while, then, after changing into fresh clothes, everyone sat down to dinner. They lingered in the courtyard, laughing, then retired to their rooms. Ian and Emily were given a small chamber with a brandnew sofa.
Look, we just got it, Rachel pointed to the sleek settee. Good night.
Emily stripped down and curled up against the wall, leaving most of the sofa for Ian. He glanced at the couch, slid onto the edge.
Emily, why are you pressed up against the wall? Theres enough room for both of us. Your legs must be aching after that walk, he said.
Not my legs, but my back, she replied.
Ian tugged the blanket off her feet and began massaging her calves.
Itll pass, dear, just a nights rest, she murmured.
Shut up, Ill keep massaging, itll feel better, he chuckled.
The next morning Ian and Emily helped set the tables in the yard, greeting guests. Conversation started low, then grew louder as the music started, people sang, danced, and the village buzzed with merriment.
Imagine, Ian, twentyfive years with Rachel, everythings been good, a few spats here and there, but we always make up. No one stays angry long, shes a good woman! Im sure everyone feels the same, Tom declared to his brother. A quarter of a century, can you believe it? I love Rachel and wont give her up for anything.
Tom, thats enough, his wife whispered in his ear. Youre getting carried away
Let the world know I have the best wife, the finest in the world! Tom shouted, and the guests applauded.
Ian watched Emily, both of them taking in the happy couples glow. How could they possibly announce their divorce at a moment like this?
Emily felt the air saturated with happiness, wrapping every guest in warmth. Ian looked at her differently, a thought flashing through his mind:
My Emily is no less wonderful than Rachel! Misunderstandings happenthats life. Why would we end things now? No, I dont want to lose her.
He pulled Emily close; she met his eyes with surprise. In his gaze she saw love, tenderness, and something else. She recognised the same feelings in herself.
They both felt the joy of Tom and Rachels celebration envelop them.
Happiness has truly surrounded us, Emily thought, smiling at Ian, who kissed her cheek.
The following day the grill was fired up, conversations lengthened, and Ian never let Emily stray far. Whenever she tried to wander, his eyes tracked her.
Later Tom gave them a lift back on a bus.
Back home, Ian, as if nothing had happened, asked his wife:
Emily, what shall we do with the car? Fix it and spend a fortune, or buy a new one? Sell this one and add the money? Im tired of the bus rides to Toms.
You decide, if a new ones needed, lets get it. You know your engines better, she replied.
Then tomorrow morning well head to the motormarket, have a look, maybe buy something, because well still need to travel together.
The talk of divorce faded, as if it had dissolved on its own. Their son eventually returned, married, and Ian and Emily remained as happy as ever.
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