Galina Was a Mistress. Marriage Eluded Her Until Thirty—Then She Decided to Take Matters Into Her Own Hands.
One day, her cousin Jack dropped by. He was passing through 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, swapping stories about life. Lily confided in him, tears welling as she laid bare her situation.
Just then, the neighbour popped in, asking Lily to come over and admire some new purchases. She was gone twenty minutes. Right then, the doorbell rang. Jack answered, expecting Lilyhe hadnt locked the door. On the step stood Peter, who froze at the sight of a burly man in joggers and a vest, munching a ham sandwich.
“Lily home?” Peter managed.
“Shes in the bath,” Jack replied smoothly.
“Sorry, who are you?” Peter stammered.
“Her common-law husband. For now.” Jack stepped closer, grabbing Peter by the collar. “You wouldnt be that married bloke she told me about, would you? Listen here. If I catch you round again, Ill toss you down the stairs. Got it?”
Peter wriggled free and bolted.
When Lily returned, Jack told her what happened.
“Whatve you done? Who asked you to interfere?” she sobbed. “He wont come back now.”
She sank onto the sofa, covering her face.
“Good riddance,” Jack said. “Enough moping. Ive got a decent chap in mind for youwidower back in our village. Women swarm him since his wife passed, but he keeps turning them down. Wants time alone. When Im back from this trip, well go. Ill introduce you.”
Lily balked. “Just like that? No, Jack, I cant. Some stranger? Its embarrassing.”
“Embarrassing is sleeping with a married man, not meeting a free one. No ones dragging you to bed. Come onits my wifes birthday soon anyway.”
Days later, they were in the village. Jacks wife, Lucy, had set up a feast in the garden by the shed. Neighbours, friends, and Jacks matethe widower Alfieshowed up. The neighbours knew Lily well, but Alfie was new to her.
After the gathering, Lily returned to town, quietly noting how gentle and reserved Alfie had been. “Still grieving his wife, poor man. Not many like him left,” she thought.
A week later, her doorbell rang unexpectedly. Lily opened it to find Alfie holding a bag.
“Hope you dont mind,” he said, shifting awkwardly. “I was in town for shopping. Thought Id drop by.”
She invited him in, puzzled but polite, offering tea. As they chatted about the weather and market prices, she sensed this wasnt a casual visit.
“Got everything you needed?” she asked.
“Yes, all in the car. These are for you.” He pulled out a small bouquet of daffodils.
Her eyes sparkled as she took them. Over tea, talk stayed light until, as he left, Alfie hesitated at the door.
“If I go without saying this, Ill regret it,” he admitted. “Lily, Ive thought of you all week. Had to see you.”
She flushed, looking down.
“We barely know each other.”
“Doesnt matter. Do you mind me? Andcan we drop the formalities? Im no prize, mind. Got a little girleight. Shes with her gran now.”
His hands trembled slightly.
“A daughters lovely,” Lily murmured. “I always wanted one.”
Encouraged, Alfie took her hands, drew her close, and kissed her.
When he pulled back, her eyes gleamed with tears.
“Did I upset you?”
“No. Its… sweet. Calming. And Im not stealing anyones husband.”
They met every weekend after that. Two months later, they married and settled in the village. Lily found work at a nursery. Within a year, she had a daughter of her own. The two girls grew up cherished, love enough to go round.
At family gatherings, Jack would wink at Lily.
“Well, Lil? Hows that husband I found you, eh? Glowing more every day. Trust your brotherI know whats good for you. Shed roll her eyes, but her smile gave her away. “Oh, hush,” shed say, nudging him with her shoulder. And when Alfie passed her the baby, his hand lingering on her back, shed look around at the laughter, the sunlight on the grass, the life she hadnt dared imaginethen quietly, happilybelieve it was all hers.