How badly timed this their anniversary is, she muttered, shaking her head. Theyve found a moment to celebrate, and of course they pick the little village. Fragments of an irate voice floated towards Emily, and she realised that her husbands brother had invited them to a silver wedding the twentyfiveyear mark of a marriage.
Georges phone rang loud and insistent until he finally answered. It was his cousin, Thomas, calling from the family farm.
Morning, Tom, Tom! Alls well here how are you? Good, good. And what about Saturday?
Fine, Ill tell Emily. Of course well come where else could we be?
Emily stepped into the sittingroom.
How badly timed this their anniversary is, she repeated. Theyve found a moment to celebrate, and of course they pick the little village.
She caught the tailend of a disgruntled mans words. It dawned on her that the brother of her husband was asking them to the silver wedding of Thomas and his wife.
George and Emily, already mired in thoughts of separation, had been drifting apart for some months. Arguments had grown frequent, a cold distance settled between them, and two days earlier they had resolved to part ways. Emily had no appetite for attending the silver wedding the mood simply wasnt right.
Perhaps youll go yourself, George, being his brotherinlaw. Im keen to see Sarah, though, she said, referring to Thomass wife. Weve always been close, visiting each other often.
How could we arrive at their celebration and announce were splitting up? she wondered. The coach from town to the village took four hours, and their old Ford had been idle in the garage for three months. Once they used that car to drive up to Thomass farm, where George had been born and raised.
Now the car lay dead, and Emily didnt know whether to spend money on repairs or to buy a new one. The looming divorce had upended all their plans.
George thought aloud, Emily probably wont go, shell decline. If I travel alone Ill have to tell Thomas and Sarah about the split. Theyll be shocked, ask questions. Do they need that news on their wedding day? It would be a terrible thing to spoil a silver wedding with my own troubles.
Seeing his wife enter the room, George said, Thomas called shall we head over? We wont bring up our private matters. Lets go and worry about the divorce later.
Emily gave a small nod. All right, its their celebration after all. Lets go then.
The coach pulled into the village stop and the driver shouted, Everyone off, the bus wont go any further!
Why not? George snapped. Its still five miles to the village!
The roads awful, and the rain has just stopped. I cant take the bus any farther. Ill get stuck; wholl pull me out? Find a lift or walk, thats your choice, the driver replied sternly.
George and Emily stepped down, a bag in his hand. A fivemile walk was not in their original scheme.
What now, wait for a lift or go on foot? George asked.
Waiting for a lift could take till dawn; well have to walk, Emily replied.
Cursing the driver, George took the lead while Emily followed along the roadside. The lane was indeed treacherous, with huge puddles, but the verge offered a passable track.
Its odd how Emily stays silent, not even a complaint, George thought. At home shed have a fit. Here she just swallows her irritation it will burst out eventually, perhaps midway.
Halfway along they reached a stand of oak trees, the village now within sight. George expected Emily to start arguing, but she kept pace, quiet as ever.
They paused, George set his bag down and asked, Tired?
A bit, she answered, pointing to a low log. We could rest on that.
They sat, looking around. The hour was late but not yet dark; evening was settling, birds still sang, butterflies fluttered, trees rustled, crickets chirped.
Emily recalled the wedding shed attended twenty years earlier, when theyd driven to Georges family farm. How much has changed in twenty years, she mused. The woods have grown, the oaks are taller and grander.
Time flies, George replied. Remember how the wheel almost fell off the car that day? You, in your wedding dress, on heels; me, in a suit and polished shoes, walking the verge while Thomas changed the tyre. We didnt wait for him, we kept walking. It wasnt long, but you did end up with a sore foot.
Ah, yes, Emily laughed. Good thing Thomas fixed the car quickly thats youth for you. Today wed have waited for the car instead of walking.
After a brief rest they set off again, each lost in thought. George remembered school hikes with his mates, something Emily, a city girl, had never experienced. Emily, weary, thought of her own worries.
Once our son is back from service, well finalise the split. He wont like it, but what can we do? Its already decided, she whispered.
The lane left the woods, and the village spread below the valley.
Lovely place! Summer here is brilliant bright colours, warm sun, Emily said.
Indeed, its beautiful all year round. Weve visited at every season. Shame about the car, though wed be there by now, George replied.
They pushed open the gate, entered the courtyard and saw Thomas arranging tables. He rushed over, embraced them.
Did you come on foot? he exclaimed. Wheres the car? Why didnt you call? I could have met you. The roads terrible, but Id have taken the back lane.
We didnt know the bus would stop, Emily explained. Well, at least we got fresh air and a view.
Emily! Sarah, Thomass wife, wrapped her arms around her, beaming. How wonderful to see you both! We havent met for ages. Tomorrow we celebrate the silver wedding time has flown in a heartbeat.
Thomas and George chatted a while, then after a quick change everyone sat down to dinner. They lingered on the porch, laughing and talking, before retiring to rooms. George and Emily were shown a modest bedroom with a brandnew settee that Sarah proudly displayed.
Look, we just got that sofa, Sarah said, gesturing. Good night to you both.
Emily stripped down and curled up against the wall, leaving most of the sofa for George. He glanced at the settee, slipped under the edge, and said, Emily, why are you pressed against the wall? Theres plenty of room for both of us. Your legs must be aching after the walk.
Not aching, more like humming, she replied.
George tugged the blanket from her feet and began rubbing her soles.
Leave it, George. Itll pass by morning, she murmured.
Shh, Ill work on them now, youll feel better, he whispered.
The next day George and Emily helped set the tables outside, greeting the arriving guests. Conversation started low, then grew louder. Music swelled, voices sang, couples danced, and merriment burst through the village, where everyone knew each other.
Imagine, George, Thomas boomed to his brother, twentyfive years with Sarah, everythings been good. We argue now and then, but we make up quickly. Shes a wonderful wife, as any could hope for!
Emily leaned in and whispered to Thomas, Enough, brother.
Yes, Ill shout it from the rooftops Sarah is the best wife in the world! Thomas cried, and the crowd clapped in unison.
George watched Emily, both of them observing the happy pair. How could they possibly bring up their own pending split at a time like this? The air was thick with joy, wrapping every guest in warmth.
A sudden thought struck George: My dear Emily is no less than Sarah! Misunderstandings happen thats life. Why think of divorce now? I dont want to lose you.
He pulled Emily close; she met his gaze, surprised. In his eyes she saw warmth, love, and something else she recognised in herself. Their hearts, it seemed, had found the same happiness in the celebration of Thomas and Sarah.
Perhaps happiness has embraced us too, Emily thought, smiling gently as George planted a kiss on her cheek.
The following day the village hosted a barbecue, long conversations stretched on, and George kept Emily close, his eyes never leaving her. Later Thomas gave them a lift back on the bus.
At home, with the evening settled, George asked, Emily, what shall we do about the car? Repair it, which will cost a pretty penny, or buy a new one? Should we sell the old and put the money towards a fresh one? Im tired of taking the coach to Thomass farm.
You decide, Emily replied. You know your metalwork better than I do. If we need a new one, lets get it.
Then tomorrow morning well head to the motor market, have a look, maybe pick something. Well still need to travel together, George said.
The talk of divorce faded, as if dissolved by the days cheer. Their son eventually returned, married, and the couple continued on, content as ever.
Thus the memory of that silver wedding lives on, a reminder that even when doubts arise, the simple joys of village life, a shared walk, and a newfound appreciation for one another can turn a looming parting into a renewed commitment.
