“Madam, I do apologise for bursting in like that, but I must say, you really should go to the hospital about that, just to stop it from getting infected if nothing else,” the postman blurted out rather nervously. “I know it is none of my business, but this is my last delivery and I can take you there right now if you want, you will be back in an hour” the postman continued. This in turn left Margaret flabbergasted, she knew what Robert would have said ‘this man needs to stop poking his nose into places it does not belong,’ yet somehow Margaret felt some kind of warmth towards him. Though part of her was aware of the fact that this man was a total stranger, and Margaret being an old lady was very conscious of her vulnerability, he had been delivering her the mail for two years now and had always been very kind to her.
‘Alright, I’ll come, but you need to be set straight sir, before you start to think anything else, I fell down the stairs, I am an old woman and not quite as agile as I used to be, accidents happen’ Margaret replied, afraid more than anything that were she not to go, this postman might tell people about what he saw, she would hate to think what would happen if Robert found out Margaret had been so careless.
“Of course, Madam, I was not trying to insinuate otherwise, and my name is David, it is a pleasure to meet you…….”
“Margaret, and it is nice to meet you also David” Margaret replied, suddenly both ashamed and embarrassed as she realized that she was blushing.
“Shall we be leaving then” David chirped, seemingly happy to break the tension, David held open the door as Margaret slowly limped out of the house and headed in the direction of David’s van. The drive to the hospital, interesting though it may have been, left both occupants feeling rather uneasy. Margaret, though aware of the fact that David was a perfect gentlemen the entire journey, could not shake off the feeling that she was doing something wrong. Margaret kept on reminding herself that this was merely a visit to the hospital, yet she kept getting the feeling that it was something much more sordid. David on the other hand was becoming rather perturbed at how difficult it was to talk to Margaret. Every time that David attempted to crack a joke, or it looked like Margaret wanted to laugh, she would simply turn away and proceed to stare aimlessly out the window in silence.
At the hospital, out of respect for Margaret, David decided to remain in the waiting room; it only took about half an hour. When the nurse came out, however, she immediately asked if she could have a word with David, rather impolitely it must be said. It was only after David explained that he was simply her postman and nothing more that she finally calmed down. It seemed the nurse was extremely suspicious about the cause of these injuries. The nurse said Margaret had bruises all over her body. David, suspicious though he may have been, felt honour bound to uphold Margaret’s wishes and simply told the nurse that he believed that Margaret had simply fallen down the stairs as she said. Yet the nurse was still not convinced, and she kept on repeating how it was really not that uncommon for elderly men especially to beat their wives. Finally, however, David decided to get back to Margaret, after all he simply wanted to make sure that she got her leg patched up, and now she had. “Shall we be off?” David asked jovially, “I suppose you do not have time for a quite bit to eat.” David inquired hopefully.
“I am afraid that I must be getting home” Margaret answered, although he tried to hide it, Margaret immediately saw the disappointment on David’s face, she suddenly felt sorry for him after all he had been so nice to her, “Well maybe if we eat quickly” Margaret blurted out, as she turned her head only catching a glimpse of the broad boyish smile that slowly stretched across David’s face, Margaret abruptly turned a violent shade of red.
David took Margaret to a local pub, it was nothing special, but for Margaret it was great. Robert never took Margaret out to eat, he preferred a ‘home cooked meal.’ Simply being around so many people laughing a smiling was practically a new experience for Margaret. Margaret actually found herself having a good time, the food was good and David was incredibly witty, Margaret could not remember the last time she had smiled so much. “Thank you for coming Margaret, I had a great time” David said as the waitress brought the bill. Margaret watched him as he took out his wallet, Margaret did not think David could much over seventy years old; a similar age to Robert, but David had a uncanny glint in his eyes, and had an unquestionable charm. Margaret was just admiring David’s rugged features, when she caught a glimpse of the clock hanging on the wall behind him, it was late! Margaret suddenly felt very disconcerted and conscience-stricken, she was a married woman, and it was her duty to be at home preparing dinner not gallivanting about like a foolish teenager.
“Oh, what a bad wife I am” Margaret muttered to herself.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” David asked, already sensing something was wrong as he took note of the expression on Margaret’s face.
“I am awfully sorry, I have had a great evening, but I shouldn’t be here. Could you please take me home?” Margaret said in between sobs as tears quickly began to swell in her eyes. David, on the other hand, was completely bewildered and to a certain extent hurt, five minutes ago they were having a great time.
It was the early and as Margaret reluctantly eased herself out of bed, she envisioned another day of nothing but work. Margaret no longer felt tempted to get back into bed, she had come to understand what had to be done, and knew that it was getting started that was the difficult bit. Recently, however, it had become increasingly difficult, Margaret often found herself wondering what kind of life she would be living had she married David instead of Robert. It was a month ago that David took her to the hospital, David would come in and talk almost everyday, sometimes for hours, but they would never leave the house again. Mainly because Margaret was afraid Robert might see her, Robert had always tried to prevent Margaret from having any friends, practically forbidding it.
Later that day, after Margaret had finished all her housework, she sat down on the sofa taking a well deserved break. It was about this time that David would usually come, Margaret was slightly worried today, Robert had left Margaret with quite a big bruise across her face. Margaret did not mind too much, but she knew that David would make a big deal of it, he no longer believed Margaret’s petty excuses.
Soon after David walked in beaming, as Margaret had expected, however, the smile automatically vanished from his face after seeing Margaret. “What happened to you?” David asked looking abashed. “Wait! Do not even bother with your excuses, you cannot let him get away with this Margaret. I can take you to the police station right now.” David said almost shouting from anger.
“No!” Margaret yelled, looking worried “You do not understand David; you do not know what will happen to me if he finds out that I have told anyone.” Margaret whimpered.
“……I know, but it just makes me so angry” David said, his face finally returning to its normal colour. “I refuse to just let this happen, you can come and stay with me, and we can go far away from here” David said hopefully, almost without thinking. Margaret was shocked, she could not believe what she had just heard, it was ridiculous. Yet, how many, mornings had she spent dreaming of a life with David. David had shown Margaret that she never deserved the beatings, it was not her that had been a bad wife, it was Robert who had been a bad husband.
“Okay” Margaret said defiantly.
“What did you say?” David asked unbelievingly.
“Okay” Margaret repeated.
