A Kind Man

Tommy Carr was a kind man; Eve had been able to tell that after half an hour of knowing him. There had never been a day when he had not shown her some kindness. And so it was now, she found the sprays of plum blossom he had left ready for her in the jug, just as he always did on this April day.The birth of a daughter, Jeannie Eliza, crowns the young couples happiness just as her shockingly early death casts them low. But they do not need to talk about Jeannie because she remains with them, and their love does not change. Eve makes regular pilgrimages to the grave, and on the anniversary Tommy cuts down a branch of plum blossom for Eve to take to the churchyard. In some ways it is no wonder that one of them falls ill, for grief takes its toll, and one Christmas even Miriam is remarking that Tommy looks unwell. But what happens next is entirely unexpected, not least for the kind man.