A second chance at love
Margaret Smith had to make a difficult phone call when her husband died. But it was one that was to change everything…
‘Lightning never strikes twice, or so the saying goes anyway. But when it comes to love, I’ve been very lucky to have had two bites at the cherry. My first love was Alan Morgan, who I met in March 1962, when I was 20.
Alan, then 24, was so handsome, and we quickly fell for each other. After a whirlwind 14-week courtship, we married and settled in Hereford to raise our children, Tracy, now 54, Sarah, 45, and our foster son, Richard, 49.
Alan was a wonderful husband and father. He loved telling the kids about his time working the steam trains in the 50s with his best friend Cedric Smith.
Job opportunities had been scarce in their home town of Pembroke, so Alan and Cedric headed to London, where they worked stoking the coal on steam locomotives.
When they were both called up for National Service they were posted to different camps – and, sadly, didn’t see each other again.
Alan was often nostalgic for those days, and he talked about tracking Cedric down. Only, it was long before Facebook, and we had no idea how to go about it.
After the kids flew the nest, Alan and I retired to Pembroke in 1996. We spent our time gardening and going for walks with our dog, Bella. Then, one day, in the summer of 2008, we bumped into Cedric’s sister. ‘Pat!’ Alan said. ‘How’s Cedric?’
Pat explained that Cedric now lived four hours away in Colwyn Bay. He had four sons, but was a widower after his wife, Glenys, died in 2006.
She gave Alan Cedric’s phone number and, when we got home, Alan called his long-lost friend. They spent hours reminiscing and, after that call, spoke on the phone every few weeks.
Only, things weren’t all rosy. Alan had been suffering painful indigestion for months and, in August 2010, we were given devastating news.
Alan had cancer of the oesophagus, and it had spread to his bones. As he bravely fought his illness, he told me to marry again when he was gone.
‘I won’t do that,’ I told him. ‘I can’t be with anyone else.’
That October, doctors warned us that the end was near. The kids and I gathered around Alan’s bed and I read a beautiful letter that Cedric had written to Alan.
When my husband died, I was devastated. Telling friends and family was difficult but the toughest phone call I had to make was to Cedric. He was so sad he’d never been
reunited with Alan in person.
In time, I adjusted to life as a widow and enjoyed playing table tennis, looking after my grandchildren and baking.
As the months turned into years, Cedric would write or call every now and then and, as our friendship blossomed, I became curious to see what he looked like.
So, in August 2014, I asked Cedric if he had a computer. ‘It would be nice to Skype. We might be older, but let’s give technology a go!’ I quipped. Cedric agreed and, before long, we were chatting over Skype.
My laptop was so old I had to put my head close to the microphone to speak. ‘I can only see the top of your head! Have you got an Apple?’ Cedric asked.
‘ You mean in my fruit bowl?’ I answered. Cedric roared with laughter. ‘No, an Apple iPad!’ he replied.
A few weeks later, a gift arrived from Cedric – a new iPad. After that, we’d Skype and text each other regularly. Every time we spoke, Cedric said he could stay up all night chatting to me, and I felt the same.
When he started sending me huge baskets of flowers, I realised that there was more to it than friendship. It was such a romantic gesture, and I was desperate to meet Cedric.
So, finally, in March 2015, Sarah and her husband Paul drove me to Colwyn Bay.
As soon as Cedric and I hugged, I knew it was love. We had so much in common and, over the next five weeks, he dazzled me with dates in fancy restaurants and we laughed and talked long into the night.
When the time came to return home, Cedric said, ‘There’s something I want to ask you. Will you marry me?’
I knew I wanted to be with Cedric, but I needed my kids’ blessing first. All three said Alan would love that his old friend was taking care of me, so I told Cedric it was a yes!’
Tracy and I went to Hereford Town Hall and booked 12 September 2015 for the wedding. As we left the building, a white feather floated down in front of us.
‘It’s Dad! He’s happy for you,’ said Tracy. It was such a poignant moment.
I bought a pale peach dress and a blue fascinator for the big day, and Cedric and I chose rings made from Welsh gold.
Richard gave me away and our families cheered as Cedric made a speech declaring he’d always look after me. It had been five years since Alan passed and I still missed him, but I knew he would be happy for us.
Now, at 76, I’m happily settled with Cedric, who is 80. We love gardening, playing cards and going out for dinner together. Best of all, we’re always talking and laughing.
Neither of us ever expected to marry again, much less fall in love over Skype, but we’re so delighted to be given a second chance at happiness.’