I am so incredibly sad that I find myself writing this, but I know that it is the right thing to do.
The past year we have had together has been truly incredible, even though we haven’t managed to see much of each other.
I’ve looked forward to every letter you’ve sent me and every phone call we’ve had. To hear your voice and to see your writing fills me with joy. You are the most charming man I have ever known and to be with you seems too good to be true. Which, quite frankly, it is. I could dream about our relationship all day and think how things could be and how we could make things work, but I realise I am being foolish holding onto such hopes. The longer I leave our relationship to run along, the more painful it is going to be when we have to face the truth. At the end of the day, my life is here with my family and, in particular, my mother-in-law, Elsie.
I’ve given it so much thought, but I realise that she has nobody and since she had another catastrophic stroke a few weeks ago, I can’t leave her for a sneaky London trip. That just feels sordid and incredibly irresponsible at my age. Don’t get me wrong, you make me feel wonderful, but I want our relationship to be out in the open, in the sunshine, not hidden away, and that is something I don’t feel I can do right now.
I have to do my duty and be a good daughter-in-law. It’s how I was raised – to always help others and do the right thing. To be a good girl and all that. So, I am going to do the right thing, although it breaks my heart, and put a stop to our relationship.
You are one amazing man, Marek. I will always keep you in my heart, and I hope you will remember me with fondness as much as I will you. Having met you and the glorious way you made me feel is a gift I will treasure forever.
I’m sure you will very easily meet another love and have a very happy life. I would die with jealousy to see you with another, but I want you to find happiness with someone. That woman can sadly not be me.
My love always,
Gx’
I look up at Tomas, whose chin is trembling. Albert is looking for tissues in the box in front of him and I am finding it hard to stay composed. This is just tragic. She should never have had to sacrifice everything like this, but that is Aunt Grace for you.
‘That’s heartbreaking,’ says Tomas.
‘Yup,’ I agree.
‘Well, I’m glad he never read this. It would have broken his heart. Although I doubt he’d have given up without a fight. It was a bit late for all that. He’d already bought her that ring and was planning to propose.’
‘Maybe Aunt Grace knew that things were getting too serious and started to worry,’ I say.
‘Yes, but if Marek hadn’t died, then I think he would have flown over and found her and not given up. I really believe that.’
‘Well, maybe she wouldn’t have even wanted that to happen. She was too loyal to Elsie.’
‘We’ll never know,’ says Tomas.
I look down and see the next envelope is still waiting to be opened.
‘There’s another one here. Shall I open it?’
‘Yes!’ shout Albert and Tomas in unison.
I am intrigued as to why Aunt Grace would write again a year after she broke it off with Marek. When I see the date on the postmark, I think I begin to understand.
‘13 August 1995
My dearest Marek,
I hope that hearing from me again doesn’t come as a shock. I wanted to pick up the phone to you but thought it might be better to write down what I have to say.
Perhaps you have met someone else by now and want to throw this in the bin. I don’t blame you and completely understand if you never want to hear from me after what I did to you. I know you were talking about us getting engaged, but I just panicked.’
‘I thought as much,’ I say.
‘Why would she panic about something so wonderful though?’ asks Tomas.
‘She was worried about her commitments at home. About Elsie.’
‘If I’ve learnt one thing from these letters, it’s that finding a special love is more important than trying to keep other people happy. If Tomas here met someone from another country, I’d give him my blessing. Even if it meant he leaves me here alone,’ says Albert.
Tomas clears his throat and gives out a funny little cough. ‘Yes, so, what else does she say?’ he asks.
