How badly timed this anniversary is, she says, shaking her head. They find a moment to celebrate, and its in a village. Fragments of a disgruntled mans remarks reach Eleanor, and she realises that her husbands brother has invited them to a twentyfiveyear silver wedding anniversary.
Igors phone rings loud and insistent until he finally picks up.
Its his cousin Tom from the countryside.
Hey, Zach, hello! Igor answers. Everythings fine here, how are you lot? Good, good. What about Saturday?
Great, Ill let Eleanor know. Of course well come where else would we go?
Eleanor steps into the sitting room.
How badly timed this anniversary is, she repeats. They find a moment to celebrate, and its in a village.
She hears snippets of an irritated voice. She works out that her husbands brother has asked them to the twentyfiveyear silver wedding.
Igor and Eleanor have just decided to separate.
Lately they have been arguing a lot, a cold distance growing between them. Two days ago they finally agreed to part. Eleanor does not want to attend the silver wedding she isnt in the mood.
Maybe you could go alone, Zach, since youre his brother, she says, referring to Toms wife, Id really like to catch up with Tatiana. Weve always been close and visited each other often.
But how do we show up at their celebration and announce our split?
The bus from the town to the village takes four hours, and their old car has been sitting in the garage for three months. They used to drive that car to Toms village, where Igor was born and raised.
Now the vehicle refuses to start, and Eleanor cant decide whether to spend the money on repairs or buy a new one. The looming divorce has upended all their plans.
Igor thinks to himself:
Its unlikely Eleanor will go; shell probably refuse. If I go alone then Ill have to tell Tom and Tatiana were separating. Theyll be shocked, asking questions. Do they even need that news on a day thats supposed to be a celebration? Their silver wedding, and Im bringing my divorce. That feels wrong.
Seeing his wife enter the room, Igor says:
Tom called shall we head over? We wont tell them about our relationship. Lets go and deal with the divorce later.
Eleanor nods.
Alright, since its their celebration, lets go anyway.
The bus stops and the driver announces:
Everyone off, the bus wont go any further.
What do you mean it wont go? Igor protests. The village is still five miles away!
The roads awful, the rain just stopped, I cant drive the bus any farther. Ill be stuck here; who will pull me out? Find a lift or walk, the driver replies firmly.
Igor and Eleanor step off the bus, a bag in his hand. Walking five miles was not in their plan.
What now, wait for a lift or walk? he asks his wife.
We could wait for a lift until morning, but well have to walk, Eleanor replies.
Cursing the driver, they set off, Igor leading, Eleanor following along the roadside. The lane is indeed rough, with deep puddles, but they manage on the verge.
Its odd how quiet Eleanor is, not even upset, Igor muses. At home shed be fuming, but out here she keeps everything inside. Maybe shell burst when were halfway.
Halfway through, a stand of oaks appears, then the village not far beyond.
Igor expects Eleanor to start arguing, but she stays silent, keeping pace.
He stops, puts his bag down, and asks:
Tired?
A pang of guilt hits him for dragging her on this trip.
A bit, maybe we can rest on that fallen log, she points to a tree trunk.
They sit, look around. Its still early evening, birds are singing, butterflies flutter, trees rustle, crickets chirp.
Eleanor recalls a trip almost twenty years ago, when they first drove to his familys village for a wedding reception.
How much has the area changed in twenty years, she says. The woods have grown, the oaks are towering now.
Time flies, Igor replies. Remember that day when a wheel came off the car? You were in a wedding dress, I in a suit, we walked the lane while Tom changed the tyre. We didnt wait long, but you did end up with a blister on your foot.
Ah, yes, that was my foot, Eleanor laughs. Good thing Tom fixed the car quickly. In our youth wed have just waited.
After a short rest they get up and continue.
They walk in silence, each lost in thought. Igor thinks of school hikes, of Eleanor never having camped out in the woods because she was cityborn.
Eleanor, weary, thinks:
When our son is in the service, well finally be free. He wont like it, but what can we do? Its decided.
The lane leads them out of the grove and into the village spread across a valley.
Beautiful, isnt it? Summer here is gorgeous bright colours, warm sun, Eleanor remarks.
It always looks lovely, whether summer, spring, autumn or even winter. Weve come at different times over the years. Shame about the car; wed be there by now, Igor answers.
They push open the gate, step onto the courtyard and see Tom already arranging tables. He rushes over, embraces them.
Did you walk all the way? he exclaims. Wheres the car? Why didnt you call, I could have met you. The roads terrible, but I could have taken the back road.
We didnt know the bus wouldnt go further, so we had to trek. At least we got some fresh air and scenery, Igor says.
Eleanor! Tatiana hugs her, her face beaming. Its wonderful youre here; its been ages. Tomorrow we celebrate the silver wedding, time has flown in a blink.
Tom and Igor chat for a while, then everyone changes into comfortable clothes and sits down to dinner. They linger in the yard, laughing and talking, before retiring to the rooms. Igor and Eleanor are given a small bedroom with a brandnew sofa.
Look, we just bought this sofa, Tatiana points out, spreading the cushions. Good night.
Eleanor strips down and pulls the sofa up against the wall, leaving most of it for Igor. He climbs onto the edge, the room quiet.
Eleanor, why are you pressed against the wall? Theres enough space for both of us. Your legs must be sore after that walk, he says.
Theyre not sore, just tired, she replies.
Igor pulls the blanket off her feet and begins to knead her feet.
Alright, leave me be, Igor. Itll pass by morning, she says.
Shh, let me work this out, youll feel better, he whispers.
The next day, Igor and Eleanor help set the tables in the yard, greeting guests. Conversation starts softly, then grows louder. Music starts, songs are sung, people dance, and the village erupts in merriment.
Can you imagine, Igor? Twentyfive years with Tatiana, everythings been good, sometimes we argue, sometimes were angry, but we always make up. We cant stay mad long; shes wonderful! Tom shouts, laughing with his brother.
Enough, Tom, his wife whispers in his ear, smiling.
I love my Tatiana, shes the only one for me, Tom declares, and the guests clap.
Igor watches Eleanor, both of them observing the happy couple. How could they possibly mention their impending divorce at a moment like this?
Eleanor feels the air buzzing with happiness, wrapping the guests and themselves alike.
Igor looks at his wife with fresh eyes, a thought flashing through his mind:
My Eleanor is no less than Tatiana. Misunderstandings happen; thats life. Why are we even thinking about splitting? No, I dont want to lose her.
He pulls Eleanor close; she meets his gaze, surprised. In his eyes she sees warmth, love, and something new. She recognises the same feeling in herself.
Perhaps both have found a spark of joy at Tom and Tatianas celebration.
Maybe happiness has found us too, Eleanor thinks, smiling as she leans into Igor, who kisses her cheek.
The following day brings a barbecue, more long conversations, and Igor rarely lets Eleanor out of his sight, his eyes constantly searching for her when she steps away.
Later Tom drives them back on the bus.
That night, back at home, Igor, as if nothing has changed, asks:
Eleanor, what shall we do about the car? Should we repair it itll cost a lot or buy a new one? Sell this one and add the money? Im tired of taking the bus to Toms.
Its up to you, love. If we need a new one, lets get it. You know your way around these things better, Eleanor replies.
Then tomorrow morning well head to the motor market, have a look, compare prices well still be travelling together, he says.
The talk of divorce disappears, as if it has dissolved on its own. Their son has returned, married, and life settles into a steady, happy rhythm for Igor and Eleanor.
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