**Holding a Grudge**
After finishing school, Tilly completed her nursing diploma and returned to her hometowna small village in the English countryside. She had always dreamed of working as a nurse at the local clinic, especially since theyd recently renovated it with new equipment. And Mrs. Whitmore, the elderly nurse whod served the village for decades, was more than ready to retire.
«Oh, Tilly, love, Ive been waiting for you,» Mrs. Whitmore sighed in relief. «I shouldve retired years ago, but your father, John, asked me to hold on until you got your qualification. Now I can finally rest easy.»
«Of course, Mrs. Whitmore,» Tilly replied. «Ill take over, though Ill need your advice now and thenIm still new at this.»
«Anytime, dear. Just ask.»
And so Tilly settled into her role. At first, the villagers were warysome came just to test her, others for minor ailments. But after a year, they began trusting the young nurse. She listened carefully, helped where she could, and soon earned their respect.
Then there was Oliver. He started dropping by the clinic oftencomplaining of back pain, a sore knee, or a cut finger. The other nurse, Miss Anne, long past retirement but still working, noticed the way Oliver looked at Tillyand the way Tilly sometimes glanced back.
«Olivers been coming round an awful lot lately,» Miss Anne chuckled. «Reckon hes got more than aches and pains on his mind.»
Sure enough, love blossomed between them. Soon, they were inseparablewalking hand in hand, lost in each others company. Oliver proposed, and Tilly happily accepted. What she didnt notice was Michael, the strapping young farmer, watching her with keen interest. Once, he even tried to walk her home, but she firmly refused.
«Michael, havent you heard? Im engaged to Oliverour weddings soon.»
«Oh, Ive heard,» he muttered. «Whole village wont shut up about it. But I fancy you too, and Im better-looking than Oliver. Whats wrong with me?»
«Leave it, Michael. I love Oliver, and he loves me. There are plenty of other girlsgo find one and be happy.»
She didnt realise how deeply shed wounded his pride. Her thoughts were all for Oliver. The wedding came, and the whole village celebrated.
A year later, Tilly gave birth to a son, Charlie. He was adored by his parents and both sets of grandparents. While Tilly stayed home with the baby, Miss Anne managed the clinic, calling for backup when neededthough she often rang Tilly for advice.
Lost in motherhood and chores, Tilly didnt notice Oliver pulling awayuntil it was too late. One evening, he came home grim-faced.
«You know Michael well?»
«Of course I know himhe lives here. Came to the clinic once with a cut.»
«Just to see you?»
«To the clinic. Miss Anne treated him. Whats this about? Are you jealous?» She laughed lightly.
«The village is saying Charlie isnt minethat hes Michaels,» Oliver muttered, eyeing the baby.
«Have you lost your mind? What nonsense is this?»
«Everyones talking. Even your dad confronted Michael, and he admitted you two had something.»
Stunned, Tilly realised her parents hadnt visited lately. Shed been too busy to notice the rift.
Michael had spread the rumour himself, painting Tilly as unfaithful. The gossip spread like wildfire.
«That quiet little nurse fooled around behind her husbands back,» the women whispered at the market. Even the men joined in.
«John, your girls gone wild,» Olivers mother hissed to Tillys father. «Had a child by another manMichael confessed!»
«Lies,» John snapped.
«Ask him yourself!»
Furious, John confronted Michael.
«You saying my grandson isnt Olivers? That youre spreading these stories?»
«Why would I lie?» Michael smirked. «Your daughter threw herself at me. Wanted to leave Oliver. But whod want a woman like that?»
John was speechless. He nearly stormed to Tillys house but stopped himself. Meanwhile, Tilly remained obliviousuntil Oliver packed his things and left.
«God, what did I do? I love him,» she sobbed, unable to stop him.
Days passed. Tilly sat by the window, little Charlie asleep in his crib. The sky burned red over the village.
«Oh, Charlie,» she whispered, tears falling. «No one wants us now.»
Her heart ached with betrayal. She didnt know how to prove her innocenceto her husband, her parents, the whole village. Only her friend Lucy stood by her, bringing groceries and comfort.
«Oliver was wrong to believe those lies,» Lucy sighed. «And Michael… I always liked him, you know. He claims you chased him. I dont believe itbut wholl listen to me?»
«Lucy, why would he do this?»
«My guess? He fancied you, you turned him down, and he couldnt handle it. Now with Oliver gone, he thinks hes got a chance. But he never even looks at me…»
«Ive done nothing wrong,» Tilly whispered.
«I believe you. But you should talk to him.»
Tilly hesitatedwhat if it made things worse? Then, two days later, Lucy came running.
«Quicksomeones ill! I called an ambulance, but the roads are flooded. We need you!»
«Who? I cant leave Charlie»
«Mrs. May next door will watch him. Hurry!»
Lucy dragged her outstraight to Michaels house.
«Im not going in there!» Tilly stopped.
«Please,» Lucy begged. «He might die. I cant lose him.»
Tilly relentedon one condition. «If he admits he lied.»
Lucy agreed. Inside, Michael was pale, poisoned by drink. Tilly treated him, setting up an IV when the ambulance couldnt reach them.
Two days later, recovered, Michael finally broke under Lucys pressure.
«Didnt mean for it to go this far,» he admitted shamefully. «Couldnt stand her rejecting me. Ill tell the truth.»
And he did. Standing at the bus stop, bag slung over his shoulder, he addressed the gathered villagers.
«Forgive me. I lied about Tillyshe never looked at me twice. I was bitter, so I spread those rumours. She saved my life, and I repaid her with lies. I thought if Oliver left, Id marry her and raise Charlie as mine. God help me, I wasnt right in the head. There was never anything between us.»
Tillys father, John, pushed through the crowd.
«You shameful liar,» he growled.
Michael hung his head. «Im leaving. Cant face anyone after this.»
Only Lucy cried as he boarded the bus.
The gossip died down. Tillys parents returned, apologising. Olivers mother came next, near begging forgiveness. Then Oliver himself came home.
For a long time, Tilly carried the hurt of betrayal. She struggled to trust again. But slowly, she returned to work, smiling once more as she cared for the villagerswho, in time, loved and respected her as they always had.
*Lesson learnt: A lie can ruin lives, but the truth, however late, can mend them. And grudges? They only poison the one who holds them.*
