A week alone would have softened her, like silk, yet when he saw what had transpired during that interval, he froze the moment he crossed the threshold.
Ethel had not been herself of late. Cracks were widening in her marriage to Thomas, and the woman was at a loss in that tormenting situation. It all began with petty things, as it often does.
After work Thomas started lashing out with venomous remarks. His jokes brimmed with spite, each word cutting deeper than a blow. Day by day his behaviour grew worse; even on holiday he gave her no respite.
You look like a crone! he snapped, phone glued to his ear. Other blokes wives are proper wives, and mine is a shriveled prune!
Indeed, Ethel seemed older than her years. Her labour was hard and relentless, leaving lines upon her face. Yet the sting of hearing such words from her own husband was the cruelest. She laboured for the family, earning double his wages, so he had no right to complain.
Thomas spent his money as he pleased, without consulting anyone: Where I want, Ill spend! No children to set aside for!
Ethel endured that too. Their means were modest. They were not officially wed, yet lived as a couple and did not rush a wedding. Still, Thomass mother had long called Ethel a daughterinlaw, and Ethel regarded her as a motherinlaw.
The motherinlaw proved nagging and disgruntled, constantly meddling in the young couples affairs, and most of her criticisms landed on Ethel.
They inhabited a detached house on the outskirts of Manchester. Though the town lay nearby, the property demanded constant upkeep. Often Ethel asked Thomas for help:
I simply cant keep up work from dawn till dusk!
And whats it to me? Thomas replied. This is your home, youre the mistress here, what does it matter to me?
And it was true: in winter the garden lay under drifts until Ethel took the spade herself; in summer the grass grew up to the windows. They had to hire hands to tidy up, then Ethel would finish the chores after a long day’s work.
Meanwhile Thomas lounged on the settee, rarely checking on the progress.
Ethel forgave many things, but the final straw came when she returned home after a grueling shift, her feet dragging, a heavy shopping bag throbbing in her hand. She had hoped Thomas would meet hershe even rangbut he gave no answer. Sighing, wiping the sweat from her brow, she heard music drifting from the yard.
Leaving the sack by the fence, she hurried inside where a lively disco blared. Inside, resentment bubbled; tonight she would vent everything that had piled up.
The house was in full swing: loud music rattled the glass, a spread of snacks and a hot pie Ethel had prepared earlier sat on the table. Thomas, oblivious to his wife, was dancing with a woman who had clearly overindulged and dressed provocatively.
Without a word, Ethel crossed the room and switched the music off.
Thomas blinked, his gaze foggy: What are you doing? he asked, unsteady.
I was about to ask you that! Whats going on? Whos that woman?
His partner kept swaying as if nothing had happened.
So what of it? Thomas scoffed. Met an old schoolmate, thought wed have a laugh. Or am I not allowed to relax in my own house?
Remember, you said this is my house and you have no claim to it. So clear out, see your guest off, and then well talk!
I wont! Thomas tried to rise, but his legs gave way.
Ethel already felt disgust. He was no longer a man to her, merely a burden. Living with him out of fear of loneliness? No thank you.
She seized the other woman by the arm and ushered her out: Time for you to go!
Then she turned back to the house: Are you staying or leaving?
Thomas shrugged, grabbed a salad and a bottle from the table, staggered toward the door.
Live without me, youll ring, you panicstricken fool! he shouted back.
Oh dear! his mother wailed, clutching her head. My heads splitting!
Mother, stop! Ethel sent me out. She didnt like that I didnt meet her, the son lied, knowing his mother would side with him.
And why should I meet her? the woman asked, bewildered.
Who knows! Shes always finding fault: this, that! Im tired of it! Maybe Im exhausted from work too? Think its easy for me? Why should I help in a house that isnt mine?
Exactly! his mother encouraged. Let him sort out the house, claim his share, then he can ask! Hes being all highandmighty, expecting me to greet her! Shes healthy, she should manage!
Thats what I told her! And she got offended!
Let her stay offended! Dont give in! No need to yield! She wants marriage? Shell endure! Shes no longer a girl to stick her nose up!
So what now? Thomas asked, head bowed.
Be patient, son! his mother advised. Shell crawl back, begging to return. A week alone and shell see what shes done! And you must not give inwhen she comes back, demand a proper tenancy. Otherwise shell be left without you!
Thus the mother coached her son on handling Ethel. He nodded, taking her words to heart.
Youre right, mum! I wont tolerate her whims! Who does she think she is, to command me? Im no slave, Im a grown man! My own master!
Following his mothers counsel, Thomas indeed acted. He did not appear at home, nor did he call Ethel, waiting a full week.
Meanwhile his mothers own life was no picnic. She kept pestering him: do this, do that. When he tried to object, she reminded him of the oldfashioned discipline a sharp twig across his back:
Youre not at your wifes, youre at mothers! No work, no lunch!
No point arguing, she warned.
At last, after those seven days, Thomas set off for home: Ill go, mother! Ill see how she copes without me. Shell be on her knees, begging me to return!
Go, go! Dont surrender! Speak clearly youll come back on your own terms!
He left the house with a victorious air, chin lifted, spine straight, stride confident almost as if ready for a duel.
He approached the gate, stepped into the yard and stopped dead.
Something was off.
He looked around: the garden was manicured, the grass trimmed like a ruler, windows gleamed, flowerbeds were neat, paths clean, no sign of overgrowth. The gate itself was new solid, not the squeaky old one he remembered.
Thomas pulled out his key, only to find it no longer fit. He paused, then, resolute, knocked on the door.
The footsteps inside hushed, then the door swung open.
But it was not the weary Ethel he knew. Before him stood a freshfaced woman, smiling, eyes bright.
I thought you were alone, suffering At least you could have called!
Call what for? she replied, a soft laugh, tilting her head.
How? My husband vanished for a week and you get nothing?
I have no husband, she said calmly.
Where would he come from? she laughed. He was a onetime visitor, a poor attempt. No point recalling him!
Thomas flushed crimson: Youre talking about me?! Youll get a slap and a different tone! I should have raised you better! I only pitied you!
He stepped forward, but she did not move.
From the doorway emerged a tall man, placed a steady hand on her shoulder and said firmly: Hey, lad, off you go. And make it peaceful.
Whos that? A lover? If you send him away, Ill forgive you and come back! I even promise not to strike! Thomas declared, feeling magnanimous.
Then something odd occurred. Time seemed to stutter; gravity wavered. He was standing, and in a heartbeat he was sprinting as if chased by devils, with unseen forces urging him faster.
Ethelnow called Elliestood on the porch, laughing till tears fell, watching her older brother chase the former partner off the property. He vaulted toward the gate while her brother gave him a couple of solid kicks.
When Thomas finally reached the threshold, her brother slammed the gate shut and turned to his sister:
Ellie, dont think of taking that fool back! Honestly, I cant understand how you ever put up with him!
Ellie sighed deeply: I was a fool, thats why I endured. I kept hoping hed change.
You cant change a man, you can only cut him loose! If you need help around the house, call me; Ill come. And let him learn hes not welcome here.
And if he doesnt get the message?
Then Ill explain again, her brother winked, and together they entered the house.
Inside, guests observed the scene through the window, glasses raised.
Well then, birthday girl, to you!
To the birthday girl! they chorused, and the goblets chimed.
Ellie smiled. How wonderful it was to have such a caring, strong older brotheralways there when needed.
