I look back at the letter and am glad to change the topic of Tomas finding love as I continue reading.
‘I knew that I had to be at home. Putting Elsie into a care home wasn’t an option for me. I’d never do that to family. Her son might not have been the kindest, but Elsie was a good lady who deserved to live out her days at home. I don’t think she had it easy with Harry’s dad either.
I don’t regret what I did, but now that she has died, my circumstances have changed. Goodness, this is so hard to say without sounding like you’re second best.
I totally understand if you’ve moved on, but if there is the teeniest chance that you haven’t and would like to pick things up where we left them now that I am free of family commitments, then please would you write back to me. I do hope I will hear from you.
I wish you all the best, my darling Marek.
Always yours,
Gx’
Albert shuffles around in his chair, obviously feeling uncomfortable as the man who could have told her that Marek had died. I try to remember that he thought he was doing the right thing at the time.
‘How sad that she spent all this time thinking that he didn’t want to give their love another chance,’ says Tomas. He looks over to Albert, who turns away and stares into the distance.
‘What’s done is done,’ I remind him.
Tomas looks at Albert and back to me, then shrugs his shoulders.
‘I think Albert already knows he should have told her, Tomas.’
What happened to Marek is so awfully sad. But maybe it was for the best that Aunt Grace didn’t know the truth about how he died. She may have blamed herself for him trying to make extra money to get back to her, and I couldn’t bear the thought of that. Perhaps it is better to have an unrequited love after all. It seems she always carried that shred of hope that they might get reunited one day, and that is what kept her positive.
I turn back to some of the letters that Marek had opened, which mostly talk about the family again. They are all jumbled in dates and show the depth of the love they had for each other as their relationship grew. It is also clear to see they have been spending a lot of time on the phone when Aunt Grace apologises for the huge telephone bill Marek has received.
‘Oh look, here’s a letter that mentions you, Tomas,’ I say.
‘Really?’ Tomas shuffles closer to me on the sofa that we are sharing and leans in.
‘Wow, what does it say?’
‘Maybe you should read it?’
Tomas looks over the letter and smiles.
‘It says how lovely it was to speak to Marek on the phone, usual sort of things, and then she says: “How wonderful that your nephew, Tomas, is starting university in the UK. What an opportunity for him. He sounds like he has a very good head on him. What a sensible, hard-working boy.”’
‘I was a little older than some of the other students, but I took the chance as soon as I could. Maybe that’s why I was more sensible,’ laughs Tomas. Then he looks back at the letter and starts reading further.
‘I’m thrilled you told Tomas and the rest of your family about me. That’s so kind. I hope you understand that it is a bit different for me, having not lost Harry that long ago. People around here would think I was some kind of harlot and never forgive me for moving on so fast. I suppose it is easier for you, having never been married. It is so much simpler when there are no complications.’
‘I know what she means aboutcomplications,’ says Tomas.
‘You, boy, make things difficult for yourself. In your heart you have the answer and know what you need to do,’ says Albert.
Albert gives Tomas a look as though he is warning a naughty child to behave. I can’t help but smile at how he treats Tomas even though he is a grown-up. I adore the relationship these two have together.
‘Stop it, Uncle,’ says Tomas, rather sheepishly. ‘Let me read the letter.’ He continues, ‘She then says that she would love to meet us and that I sound as enthusiastic about everything as Uncle Marek.’
‘Aww, it’s nice that Aunt Grace compares you with your uncle, Tomas,’ I say.
I certainly see the enthusiasm in him when he talks about the city he lives in and the love he has for Albert, even if they do bicker like an old married couple sometimes.
‘She’s right. Marek was always enthusiastic about everything. It’s what got him into trouble in the end. He never worried and always thought things would be okay,’ says Albert, looking slightly tearful.
‘Are you okay, Uncle?’ asks Tomas.
