Philip had loved Evelyn ever since they were children in school, and they whispered about marrying someday.
Philips mother, Angela Whitaker, who ran the maternity ward at St.Marys Hospital, disapproved of her sons choice. She had long favoured a nurse named Christine and hoped Philip would wed hershe was popular with the staff and beloved by patients, coming from a long line of doctors.
After leaving school, Philip entered medical school while Evelyn enrolled in a language institute to become an EnglishSpanish translator like her mother and grandmother. Their classmates decided to celebrate the occasion by escaping to Philips familys country cottage in the Yorkshire Dales.
They lingered there for almost a month, reluctant to return. At last the new term loomed and they had to prepare.
In autumn, Evelyn told Philip, Im pregnant. How will you react?
Obviously Ill take you in my arms to the register office, he replied, smiling.
Im not light, Im heavy, she said.
Scare a sportsman? I used to wrestle at school. Youre as light as a feather to me, Philip joked, delighted.
But what about our studies?
School, yes, love. Youll need a year off after the birth, he answered.
Ill switch to distance learning, like my mum did. She had me at nineteen and managed everything. But lets agree, Philip: after the wedding youll move in with us. Keep your distance from my mothershell never accept me. Shes a character, thats for sure.
Only for your peace of mind, love, Philip agreed.
Evelyn and Philip lodged their marriage notice at the register office and then went their separate ways. Guests were already arriving at Evelyns flat. A friend of her father turned up with his wife and their son, Alexander, a sixteenyearold who looked far older.
Back at home, Philip announced the news to his parents and urged them to start wedding preparations.
Angela disapproved. That evening she went to Evelyns parents house to cause a scene. She rang the doorbell repeatedly, but no one answered. Inside, dinner was being set and music drifted through the hallway, masking the chime. Alexander was in the shower, bewildered that no one reacted to the bells. He wrapped a towel round his hips and opened the door.
Angela, startled, realised she had her phone in hand, hit record, and began filming the hallway, focusing on the towelclad Alexander.
Are you here to see MrsHarper? asked Alexander, not understanding why she was filming.
Not any more, Angela muttered, hurrying down the stairs.
Later she showed Philip the clip, emphasizing how long it had taken the boy to answer the door.
Recognise the hallway? No one knows who Evelyns babys father is.
I get it, Mum. You were right. She isnt the one for me, Philip said.
He sent an angry text to Evelyn, then switched her phone off. Evelyn, baffled, tried to reach him but failed, so she set off for his house despite the late hour.
Angela, expecting Evelyn to come pleading for answers, watched from a window. When she saw the girl, she rushed to the hallway and flung the door open herself. She barred Evelyn entry, stepping onto the landing.
What do you want from Philip? Hes already asleep. And you, playing both sides? Keep flirting with other men, you twofaced thing, she snapped, then retreated to her own flat and slammed the door.
Evelyn, tears streaming, collapsed on the step. After a while she returned home. In the kitchen, Anne Harper was washing dishes; her tearful daughter hugged her.
Lizzie, whats wrong? The weddings nearyou should be happy.
Mum, theres nothing left but the fact Im carrying his child. His mother started this mess after learning wed applied for marriage, Evelyn sobbed, showing her mother the hostile message from Philip.
If Philip behaves like this, hell keep obeying his parents. God has kept him from you. Well raise the child ourselves, Anne tried to console her.
The fallout left Evelyn with a hardup pregnancy. She was rushed to the maternity ward while her parents were at work. Under anaesthetic she gave birth to a son, but the baby was stillborn.
After the paperwork, the tiny corpse was handed to the grieving parents, who buried him. Evelyn remained in the ward, missing the ceremony.
Soon after, Philips parents sold their flat and left the neighbourhood.
Its for the best, love. Youve had enough random encounters with Philip, and he just walks past with that smug look, Anne said.
I hope, Mum, Ill forget him sooner, Evelyn whispered.
Eight years later Evelyn worked as a translator for a modest firm when Philip suddenly appeared in her office.
Why have you reentered my life? Ive long since forgotten you, she said.
Im sorry, but tragedy has brought me back to you, he replied.
Thats odd, Phil. You have a lovely mumgo to her with your troubles. Ive no time for you. Please leave my office, Evelyn snapped.
Lizzie, please listen. It matters to you too. Ill wait at the café across the street after work, he begged.
Curiosity only, she muttered, turning back to her screen, ending the conversation.
That evening they met outside.
Im sorry, Lizzie, but my son is ill and needs a donor.
Youve got the wrong address, Philip. Your mother has deeper pockets here.
Weve been waitingno donor is available. Ive even listed my flat for sale. Youre a mother; you have a better chance of helping our son.
Is this a joke? Our son was stillborn. My parents buried him.
Hes alive, now eight years old.
How? Evelyn gasped.
Remember the day we filed the marriage notice?
Ill never forget your nasty message.
Philip repeated the story his mother had told him about the hallway scene.
Evelyn explained who Alexander was, and Philips face went pale. He still loved Evelyn and had never married. She, too, remained single, afraid to endure another loss.
Phil, tell me about our son. What did your mother do?
When you were in the maternity ward, my mother saw you being wheeled down the corridor to the operating theatre. She guessed, halfin jest, that the baby was mine. The test proved my paternity, but she refused to give you the child. Im to blame for agreeing. My grudge haunted you. God must be punishing meour son, Samuel, is ill.
Lets go see him. Test my compatibility. If Im not a match, he must share my blood type, which is Opositive.
Yes, Lizzie, Im typeOnegative.
Evelyns hands trembled as she entered the clinics ward and saw the boy.
Samuel, Ive finally found you. Weve been lost so long, but people have helped bring us together, Philip said, while Evelyn stared in disbelief.
Mom, Ive been waiting for you, imagining you like this, even though we have no photos of you at home, Samuel whispered.
Sweetheart, everything will be alright. Im here and will do anything to make you healthy, Evelyn sobbed, hugging him.
Dad, let your mum go. She needs to speak to the doctor, the boy urged.
Evelyn turned out to be a match; Samuels treatment succeeded. Philip sold the remaining flat and paid the clinic for the cure. They now lived together in a modest terraced house with Evelyns parents.
Lizzie, forgive me. We must marry, and you should have another child. I want our son to be well, but the doctor says siblings are better donors than parents.
Ive read that, Phil. For our childrens health Ill do whatever it takes.
Philip and Evelyn wed, and alongside Samuel they now raise two more childrena boy and a girlliving a strangely ordinary life that feels like a lingering dream.
