Whats she up to, she never told anyone?
What are you doing here? I told you not to come! Evelyn snapped, tapping the heel of her dainty pump in irritation, even though her mother, Helen Chapman, stood right in front of her.
We brought you some treats, dear potatoes, cucumbers, jam, the elderly woman said, gesturing at the old rustbucket parked nearby. In the car sat Evelyns father, George Chapman.
I see youve brought your father along. How many times must I tell you I dont want any of this! No visits, no embarrassment.
But how else? Helen threw up her hands.
Exactly like that, Evelyn declared, firmly. Quick, get your potatoes away before Edward gets back.
Evelyn, stop it! George shouted as he climbed out of the car.
Whats it to you? Evelyn retorted.
Lets go, Helen, George replied curtly.
And the treats? Helen asked plaintively.
Dont start that, Evelyn rolled her eyes. Just take what youre carrying and be off.
George, could you give us a hand? Helen pleaded, a smile breaking across her face.
George hauled two big bags from the boot, while Evelyn took a smaller one for herself.
Thats not how you treat your mother, George chided as Evelyn opened the front door.
Enough of the lectures, Evelyn snapped cynically.
Perhaps they didnt teach you any, George muttered, setting the bags down and heading down the stairs.
Helen lingered by the entrance, hopeful, until she saw the furrowed brow of a man who was already striding away. She realised the invitation was no longer on the table.
My legs wont be coming back! George exclaimed as they drove off.
Oh, my dear girl, Helen dabbed a tear from her cheek. George said nothing.
Evelyn had been born and raised in the tiny village of Littleford. Shed spent her whole conscious life despising the fact and dreaming of escaping the rural backwater as quickly as possible.
Is this really life? Chickens, clogs, the garden! Who could love that? In the city there are clubs, restaurants, fashionable clothes. Im definitely leaving, she complained to her cousin Mabel, staring at a broken nail and an endless row of carrots. They were both fourteen then, and tending the garden was part of their daily chores.
Is happiness sewn into a wardrobe? Mabel shrugged. I like it here. The open fields. City life is just hopping from one job to another. Ill study veterinary medicine and come back.
I wont come back. I wont work. In the city there are plenty of rich lads; Ill marry one and never lift a finger, Evelyn whispered conspiratorially.
And why would you need them? There are plenty of girls in the city, Mabel laughed.
You dont get it! Im pretty, the rest is luck, Evelyn waved off. Among her friends she did indeed stand out, both for her looks and, even then, her figure.
Helen and George were simple folk who had never left Littleford. When Evelyn finally finished school, they scraped together enough savings to send her to a university in Bristol. Evelyn got a place in a hall of residence and soon found herself envying the welltodo classmates who arrived in the latest fashions. The allowance her parents sent barely covered tuition and basic expenses; designer clothes remained a distant dream. Still, she refused to despair. Therell be a wedding on my street one day, she told herself.
In her final year Evelyn landed an internship at a big firm run by Edward, a successful, affluent gentleman in the prime of his life. The male staff wondered why he was still single; the female staff secretly hoped hed notice them. Edward, however, took a shine to Evelyn. She was not only attractive but seemed sincere and downtoearth.
It wasnt love at first sight, but Evelyn realised shed snagged a wellheeled suitor. They started dating, and soon Edward suggested she move in with him. When pressed about her background, Evelyn blurted a tangled story about a businessman father whod divorced long ago, sending her alimony, and a mother living elsewhere with a new family. She claimed both parents were far away, barely keeping in touch.
Initially Evelyn played the good girl role, but as Edwards affection grew, she began to act on her own ambitions. She pretended to switch courses, yet spent her days browsing boutiques and salons instead of studying or working. She complained that Edwards earnings were too modest to afford frequent restaurant meals or takeaway food, and she ignored household chores.
I want homemade soup, mashed chicken, Edward grumbled one evening.
Youll have both, love, but not todayIm exhausted, Evelyn purred, buying his affection with a sigh.
A slip of the tongue revealed to Mabel the address of Evelyns new upscale flat. Mabel passed the information to Evelyns parents. Helen, dressed in her best dress, persuaded George to wear his only suit, and together they arrived to visit their daughteronly to be turned away at the door.
While escorting her parents out, Evelyn hid the grocery bags on the balcony and later dumped them in the bin, knowing Edward would be back from work any minute. She had no intention of explaining the sudden disappearance of the treats.
The next day Evelyn returned home later than usual.
Whats that smell? she asked, stepping through the front door, a scent of fried potatoes drifting from the kitchen.
Where have you been? Edward called, The foods getting cold.
Stuck at the university, she replied, eyeing the table laden with golden potatoes, neatly sliced pickles, tomatoes, sauerkraut, and a jug of cherry compote.
I fried the potatoes in my own lard, Edward beamed. And the picklesabsolutely brilliant! By the way, where did all this come from?
It was Aunties, Evelyn muttered. She lives in the village.
Auntie? From a village? Why didnt you tell me before? Edward asked, plating the potatoes. Where is this village? Far away? We could visit on weekends. I love the countryside.
Very far, Edward. What would we do there? Id rather fly to the sea, like you promised, Evelyn sighed.
I cant yet, Edward waved his hands. Theres a project to finish.
I could, Evelyn snapped, If you loved me, youd have bought a ticket already.
Fine, dont get testy, Edward muttered, embarrassed.
A few days later Edward actually bought Evelyn a holiday ticket.
How I adore you! Evelyn chirped, packing a suitcase.
Im pleased, Edward said, his smile strained.
Evelyn flew off for a break, while Edward began to wonder if hed made the right choice. Four days later, as Edward stepped out of the lift, he saw a young woman sitting on the hallway floor, a small knapsack at her side, halfasleep against the wall. She woke as the doors opened.
Good day, she said brightly.
Good day, Edward replied, curious.
Is Annabelle Whitaker living here? she asked.
Shes away on holiday, Edward answered. Are you studying with her?
Im her sister, the girl replied, a tremor in her voice. When will she be back?
Sister? Edward repeated, opening the door wider. Come in, come in. She never mentioned you. Dont be shy. Were about to dinner. Whats your name?
Gillian. Can I get a line to my sister? she stammered.
You can try; shes got a new number. Something happened? Edward sensed her nervousness.
My parents are in hospital, the house had an accident, neighbours barely rescued anything, she blurted.
What house? Edward fumbled. Your sisters parents dont live together.
Which house? Whats happening? Auntie Annie and Uncle Boris from our village, Kettlebrook? Gillian snapped.
Tell me whats going on, Edward gestured helplessly.
It turned out that three days earlier the Chapman house had suffered a serious incident; both George and Helen were in the hospital, Georges condition described as critical.
I knew Evelyn was ashamed of her parents. Shed almost stopped talking to them, despite my trying to teach her otherwise. Auntie Annie wept, Uncle Georgethough he kept his feelings hiddenwas distraught. I was angry with Evelyn, but shes still my daughter, Gillian said, upset.
Lets sort this out, Gillian. Ill go to the hospital, speak to the doctors, see whats needed. Ill also arrange an emergency ticket for Evelyn, Edward said thoughtfully.
Dont worry, Gillian, everything will be fine, Edward reassured as he left. Helens condition is improving; shell be back on her feet soon. Theyll do everything for George, even a privatecare plan.
How much will that cost? Gillian asked, flushing.
Dont worry about the price, Edward replied. Now, shall we have dinner?
Evelyn returned the following day, trying to make amends, but Edward barely listened. He helped her parents with both medical bills and the house repairs. Over time he and Gillian grew close, their friendship turning into affection, and a year later they married. Edward convinced Gillian to move to the city, yet most weekends and holidays they spent back in Littleford, where she opened a small veterinary practice. Their family later grew, but thats another story.
Evelyn, meanwhile, never abandoned her ambitions. She finally took a proper job, mended her relationship with her parents, but still dreamed of a prince and a life of ease.
