Never Too Old
“Martha, do you remember Malcolm from years ago?” Digby was about to go into his office. He and Martha had come in to work and had just had their morning coffee with Elizabeth. “No, should I?” She was getting organized for a meeting she had scheduled with Emelina. Nervous and a bit distracted about the upcoming meeting, she couldn’t really recall anyone by that name. “Malcolm? I’m not even sure I know anyone by that name.”
“Oh well, we were much busier then so you may not have met him. We called on him to deliver goods to us, or if we needed large packages delivered elsewhere.” Martha was too quiet. Looking at his wife, he recognized a troubled look on her face. Concerned he stopped and asked “What is it, Martha? You look troubled. Just now, with Elizabeth you seemed fine.” Martha smoothed her face and was about to say that everything really was fine, but everything was about to come tumbling down. She was sure of it. “James, you and I have talked about retiring. I’ve finally decided to do something about it. I’m sorry I haven’t talked with you about my decisions before now.” James sat back down. “Well, I’m here now. Let’s talk about this decision you’ve made. Will it affect me?”
Martha didn’t know what to say, how to say it. “It probably will, but not in a bad way. At least I hope not………..I have an appointment with Miss Emelina in an hour. I’m going to ask if I can have my hours reduced. There is so little to do here anymore and I can come in whenever she needs me. I really want to get to making our cottage more of a home for us rather than just a place to eat and sleep. I want to garden and take care of our little yard so it doesn’t get all raggedy like it did last year. And there's a quilting group I'd like to join ~ something I haven't done for years.” James sat back in his chair, surprised she’d never mentioned it before. Their hours were very flexible and they could come and go as they pleased. “Why are you nervous about it? Miss Emelina has not insisted that we be here at certain times, just as long as we take care of our duties.” Martha sighed and patted James’ hand. “That’s what bothers me. Our duties. I don’t know about yours, but I have so few duties anymore. I just come in to chat with Elizabeth. At least that’s what it feels like. I'd like to come in twice a week on certain days, and come in if there’s something special that Miss Emelina wants organized. But even then I could probably do it on the days I do work.”
Elizabeth, Cook to most people outside of the Estate, returned to the table drying her hands on her apron. “I know what you’re talking about, Martha. That old fridge and stove have never been more clean since we got back from pandemic lockdown. The Pantry is half empty, but I keep it spotless as well. Some days I cook just to have something to do. Once we’re getting things from the garden, it keeps me busier. Samuel’s taking more of the produce to the Food Bank than in the past when I was feeding more people.”
Martha sat up straight. “That’s who Malcolm is! He helped Samuel every year taking food to the Food Bank or what ever else he needed. Am I right, James?” He was nodding. “Yes indeed, Martha. He was sometimes out here helping to pick apples as well. He’d take the seconds to the Food Bank along with the other produce.”
Conversation turned to this Malcolm. “Yes, I remember him too, James. He delivered the very chairs we’re sitting on. If we needed anything, that’s who we called. The pandemic put us out of touch with so many folks.” Elizabeth was glad the conversation had turned away from retirement. Even if she had done more cleaning than in the past, she had a wonderful kitchen to cook in. That had been one of her childhood dreams. When she saw her mother fighting with her old stove and always needing the refrigerator fixed, she just wanted a good kitchen. “James, what brought up Malcolm? Did we ever know his last name?”
James was glad that Martha had relaxed, hoping that her request to their employer would be received favourably. “Well, he called me the other day. Wants me to mentor his nephew about my job. I told him that we didn’t do much out here any more, but he was quite insistent. So I agreed, one day a week, to let his nephew - I believe his name is Phillip - come out here and I would teach him what I could. As far as his last name, I don’t recall it but I’m sure if I look up an old invoice I’ll have it. Phillip is coming tomorrow at 9. Elizabeth you’ll be here if I’m late? We’ll probably have coffee, or tea if that’s what he prefers, and then I’ll give him a tour of the place. If he wants to know about butler-ing we’ll start there.”
“Oh, good. Someone to cook for besides just the three of us and anyone else on the Estate. I’ll start getting your lunches ready today and make scones in the morning. I get here at 7 so, will have time and they’ll be fresh and warm for you.” The atmosphere in the kitchen went up a few notches with the excitement of having a new face coming among them.
“Well, ladies, time for me to get to the office and Miss Emelina should be here anytime now for your appointment.” James got up from the table, leaned on the back of his chair and said. “If this young man really wants to work out here, I may just see about having my hours cut back too.”
~~~~~
Later that evening at their cottage, James and Martha Digby, started sketching their plans for travel and for creating a home together they had never had. They had worked many years together, been married for two years and now wanted more. Martha’s meeting with Emelina had gone well. She’d now be working only Tuesdays and Fridays, coming in if she was needed. James would be mentoring his friend’s nephew with hopes that it would help them develop their new life.
“You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.”
~ C.S. Lewis
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