«Mum, I’m too hot When will Dad be back?» whined little Annie, standing in the hallway. She was bundled up in a winter coat, scarf, and hat.
«Annie, love, I told youwait for your dad first, then get dressed. Lets put the sledge aside for now. Take your things off and play for a bit Ill just finish lunch, and well go out for an hour,» suggested Vera, the girls mother.
«No. Dadll be here soon, and well go out together. He promised,» Annie replied, pouting.
«Promised Exactlyhe promised!» Vera sighed, giving her daughter a sad look before stepping into the kitchen. She glanced out the window, tears welling in her eyes before she could stop them.
Vera had married Gareth, as she thought back then, out of deep love. In their circle, hed been the most charming man, and shy Vera had been flattered by his attention.
When Gareth asked her out, the naïve girl was over the moon. All her friends were jealous, whispering about what a perfect couple they made. Vera was proud, thrilled to be with such a handsome, well-off man.
A year later, Gareth proposed. Vera said yes without hesitation. Her girlfriends all wanted to be her bridesmaids. She was certain fate had handed her the winning ticketGareth wasnt just charming. The Harrisons were one of the wealthiest families in town. His father ran a big company, his mother owned a chain of grocery shops.
«Vera, youre so lucky! A wedding soon» her friend Natalie said, a hint of envy in her voice.
«Yes. Gareth promised wed even go on holiday aftera proper honeymoon,» Vera whispered excitedly.
«Blimey! Thats incredible!» Natalie gasped.
Everyone envied Vera. Everyone except her mother, Margaret, who dragged her feet through the wedding preparations, looking more troubled by the day.
«Love, maybe you shouldnt rush into marriage? Its only been a year Therell be other suitors,» Margaret said, watching her daughter twirl in front of the mirror in her white wedding veil.
«Mum, not this again! Ive told youGareth and I are mad about each other!»
«Oh, darling Love fades sooner or later, but you need someone reliable. Thereve been rumours about Garethplenty of girls before you,» Margaret warned.
«Mum, enough. I think you just dont want me to move out. But dont worry! Gareth promised wed have a big house, so you can visit whenever. He even said hed pay for my driving lessons and buy me a car. Ill drive over myself. Everything will be fine. Gareth promised Id be the happiest.» Vera carefully laid the veil over the sofa.
«Oh, sweetheart Promises, promises. Lets hope they come true.»
«Mum, stop! Just help me pick shoesI still havent decided!»
The wedding day came quickly. Gareth arrived in a sleek white car with his mates to collect his bride. Vera stepped out of her mothers flat for the last time as a single woman.
At the registry office, Margaret felt out of place. Vera had only invited a few friendsmost guests were Gareths family and their acquaintances.
When the registrar asked the couple to exchange rings, Gareth slid Veras on effortlessly, grinning. But Vera fumbled, dropping his ring.
«Oh!» she gasped.
Gareth laughed, scooped it up, and handed it back. The guests chuckledlook at him chase after his own happiness! But Margaret stiffened. Her own grandmother had once said: dropping the wedding ring was bad luck. The bride would find no joy in marriage.
Whether or not you believe in omens, Veras married life quickly soured. At first, things seemed fine. The newlyweds moved in with Gareths parents. Vera quit her jobagainst Margarets advice.
«Mum, Gareth promised hed provide. I dont need to work,» she insisted.
Soon, Vera was pregnant, and little Annie arrived. Margaret rarely saw her granddaughteror her daughter.
Vera wanted for nothing materially. She and Annie had toys, clothes, everythingall chosen by her mother-in-law. Vera just nodded along.
«Gareth, maybe we should move out?» she ventured once.
«Whats wrong with here? Everythings taken care of,» he shrugged.
«But you promised wed have our own placea big, beautiful house.»
«Dads got work troubles. Moneys tight. Maybe later.»
«But youre always working late, even weekends»
«Well see.»
Two more years passed. By then, Vera had realised Gareth wasnt staying late at work. The rows started.
«Vera, stop making a scene! So what if he went out? Youre overreacting!» snapped her mother-in-law after Gareth stayed out all night.
«Susan, I wont put up with this! Im taking Annie to Mums today!»
«Fine, go! But youre not taking my granddaughter!» Gareth slurred, stumbling in drunk.
Vera left that day. Margaret was upset but secretly relieved. Yet Vera and Annie didnt stay long. Within days, Gareth stormed in, declaring his daughter wouldnt live in a cramped flat with an «old woman.» Vera had no choice but to return.
For a while, Gareth behaved. Then the late nights started again. Vera endured it, rarely complainingnot that she needed to. In a small town, gossip spread fast. Margaret knew everything, aching for her daughter.
Then, one day, Margarets heart gave out. She died in hospital after a sudden attack. Strangely, it shook Vera awake. She realised she alone was responsible for her and Annies future. Thered be no more rescue. She packed their things and moved back to her mothers flat. Later, she filed for divorce.
Gareth didnt fight ithe was already seeing someone else. But Susan raged.
«You cant do this to Gareth! And you wont take Annie!»
«Im not stopping you from seeing her. But Im not coming back.»
Soon, Vera met Daniel. He treated Annie like his own, even offered to adopt her. Gareth refused.
«Ill take her from you! Youll regret this!» he shouted, drunk, during a visit.
«Gareth, sober up before making promises. Ive got a cupboard full of yours already.»
***
That day, Annies father never came for their walk. Sadly, it wasnt the first broken promise.
«Mum, Dad promised a bike for my birthday! He said hed come today!» Annie beamed at eleven.
Daniel bought the bike the next day.
«Mum, Dad promised the London Eye! He said if not today, then tomorrow»
«Well see,» Vera sighed.
The following weekend, Annie rode the Eyewith Vera and Daniel.
«Uncle Dan, I thought Dad was picking me up from camp. We agreed» fourteen-year-old Annie mumbled.
«Mustve got held up. Hop inyour mums made a feast.»
***
Annie twirled in her prom dress.
«Mum, Dad promised hed come! And he said hed buy me a carIll learn to drive!»
«Annie, love, when will you stop believing him? Youre grown nowdont be as naïve as I was.»
«But he swore about the car!»
Prom night came.
«Mum, hes not answering. What if somethings wrong?»
«I know exactly whats wronghes down the pub with his mates, celebrating without you.»
«Mum, stop»
Gareth never showed. The next morning, Annie sat heartbroken.
«Annie, I told you His promises arent worth a thing.»
«Come on, dry those tearsfloods coming otherwise,» Daniel joked. «Wash up, were going driving. My mate runs a school. Lets see how you handle a car.»
«Waitseriously?»
«Dead serious.»
That evening, they returned.
«Well?» Vera asked.
«Mum, it was brilliant!» Annie dashed off to change.
«Future speed demon! Shell be fine,» Daniel laughed.
«Just hope she stops believing empty promises,» Vera murmured.
Shed always taught Annie to judge people by actions, not words. But the lesson hadnt quite stuck. Maybe life would teach her. It usually does.
