Hannah had always been the other woman. She hadnt had much luck with marriage, staying single until she was thirty before finally deciding to find herself a man. At first, she didnt know Paul was married, but once she grew attached to him, he stopped hiding it.
But she never blamed Paulnot once. Instead, she scolded herself for the affair and her weakness for him. She felt flawed, as if shed failed by not finding a husband in time, and now the years were slipping away.
Not that she was unlovableshe wasnt a beauty, but she was pleasant-looking, a little plump, which mightve made her seem older.
Things with Paul were going nowhere. She didnt want to stay his mistress, but she couldnt bring herself to leave him either. The thought of being alone terrified her.
One day, her cousin Simon dropped by unexpectedly. He was in town for work and stopped in for a few hoursthey hadnt seen each other in ages. Over lunch in the kitchen, they chatted like old times, catching up on life. Hannah confessed everything about Paul, her voice breaking as she spoke.
Just then, her neighbour popped in, asking Hannah to come over quickly to check out some new purchases. She was gone for twenty minutes. Thats when the doorbell rang. Simon answered, thinking it was Hannahshe hadnt locked the door behind her.
Paul stood on the doorstep, freezing when he saw a burly bloke in joggers and a vest, chewing on a ham sandwich.
«Is Hannah home?» was all Paul could manage.
«Shes in the shower,» Simon shot back smoothly.
«Sorry, who are you?» Paul fumbled.
«Her husband. Common-law, for now,» Simon said, stepping closer and grabbing Paul by the collar. «You wouldnt be that married tosser she told me about, would you? Listen hereif I catch you around again, Ill chuck you down the stairs myself. Got it?»
Paul wriggled free and bolted.
When Hannah returned, Simon told her what happened.
«Whatve you done? Who asked you to interfere?» she cried, sinking onto the sofa, face in her hands.
«Yeah, he wont come backgood riddance. Stop moping. Ive got a decent bloke in mind for you. A widower back in our village. Women have been throwing themselves at him since his wife passed, but hes kept to himself. Needs time, I reckon. After this work trip, Ill swing by again. Be readywere going to the village. Ill introduce you.»
«What? No, Simon, I cant justsome stranger! Its embarrassing!»
«More embarrassing than shacking up with a married man? No ones dragging you to bed. Were going. Its my Lucys birthday soon anyway.»
A few days later, Hannah and Simon were in the village. Simons wife, Lucy, had set up a spread in the garden by the shed. Neighbours, friends, and Simons matethe widower, Alfieshowed up. Hannah knew the neighbours already, but this was her first time meeting Alfie.
After a warm evening, Hannah returned to the city. Shed noticed Alfie was quiet, reserved. «Probably still grieving his wife,» she thought. «Poor man. Not many like him left.»
A week later, her doorbell rang unexpectedly. She opened itand there stood Alfie, holding a bag.
«Hope you dont mind, Hannah. I was in town for errands. Thought Id drop by,» he said, shifting awkwardly.
She invited him in, puzzled but polite, offering tea as she guessed his visit wasnt random.
«Get everything you needed?» she asked.
«Yeah, left the shopping in the car. But these are for you.» He pulled out a small bouquet of daffodils.
Her eyes lit up as she took them. Over tea, they chatted about the weather and market prices. When he stood to leave, he lingered in the hallway, fumbling with his jacket. Then, at the door, he turned suddenly.
«If I leave without saying this, Ill regret it. Hannah, Ive thought about you all week. Swear down. Couldnt wait for the weekend to see you again. Got your address from Simon»
She blushed, eyes down.
«We barely know each other»
«Doesnt matter. Just tell me Im not repulsive. Andcan we drop the formalities? I know Im no prize. Got a little girl, tooeight years old. Shes with her gran now.»
His hands trembled slightly.
«A daughters lovely. Always wanted one,» Hannah murmured.
Encouraged, Alfie took her hands, pulled her close, and kissed her.
When he pulled back, her eyes were glistening.
«Did I upset you?»
«No the opposite. Didnt expect to feel safe. Like Im not stealing someone elses life.»
From then on, they met every weekend. Two months later, they married and settled in the village. Hannah got a job at the nursery. A year later, their daughter was born. Two girls grew up in their homeboth cherished, both loved equally. And with each passing year, Alfie and Hannah grew younger in their happiness, their love deepening like aged wine.
At family gatherings, Simon would wink at Hannah over the table:
«See, Han? Whatd I tell you? Told you Id find you a proper bloke. And shed laugh, squeezing Alfies hand under the table, the warmth of his fingers reminding her how far shed comenot from being someones secret, but from finally becoming her own kind of woman. The kind who deserved daffodils on a Tuesday, quiet mornings with a childs laughter, and a love that asked for nothing but the truth.
