I cant come just yet. The doctor’s orders are strict, but Ill be home as soon as I can, Mark said over the phone.
My mum says dad is in hospital, but I saw him at Aunt Sallys house, eightyearold Emily announced, stirring her porridge with a spoon.
Grandma Margaret almost spilled her tea. Shed arrived for the weekend at her daughter Claires house, intent on helping around the kitchen while her soninlaw supposedly recovered from an appendix operation.
What did you just say, love? Margaret asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
Whats wrong with what I said? Emily replied, puzzled. Dad lives with Aunt Sally. Mum showed me their pictures on her phone theyre cooking together and laughing.
Margaret felt her heart skip a beat. From the bathroom emerged Claire, wrapped in a bathrobe, her hair still damp.
Mom, why do you look so pale? Claire asked, seeing the worry on Margarets face.
Claire, we need to talk, Margaret whispered, gesturing toward the childrens room.
Emily, go watch your cartoons, Claire told her daughter.
I havent finished my porridge!
Youll finish it later. Come on, sunshine.
When Emily trotted off, Margaret turned back to Claire.
Tell me whats happening.
Claire sat opposite her, avoiding Margarets eyes.
What are you talking about?
That Mark isnt in hospital; hes staying with some Aunt Sally! And youre covering for him, hiding his cheating.
Claire stayed silent, tugging at the edge of her robe.
Claire, Im your mother. Ive known you twentyeight years. When you lie, the left side of your eye twitches. Its doing that right now.
Mom, you dont understand
Then explain it to me! Why does my daughter protect a cheating husband? Why lie to me and to your own child?
Claires voice broke. Because Im scared of losing him!
Margaret pulled Claire into a hug, smoothing her hair. Their family story was never simple.
She and Mark had met at university she studying English literature, he law. Both came from modest backgrounds and shared a student hall. Claire had always been quiet and homebound, never the centre of attention at school. Mark, on the other hand, was the campus heartthrob: tall, goodlooking, captain of the debate team. When he took notice of the shy literature student, the other girls were gobsmacked.
Claire, have you been practising witchcraft? the other residents ribbed. How did you manage to snag that hunk?
Even Claire could hardly believe it. Mark brought her flowers, took her to the cinema, introduced her to his friends. She kept waiting for a twist, for him to realise his mistake and find someone brighter. But there was no twist. Mark was genuinely smitten; he loved her modesty, kindness, and the way she listened. With her, he felt safe from a world that demanded constant performance.
After graduation they married. Mark got a job at a solicitors firm, and Claire became a primaryschool teacher. A year later Emily was born.
The early years were happy. Marks career took off, Claire raised Emily, and they saved for a flat in Manchester. Gradually, though, things shifted. Mark stayed later at work, citing new clients and promotion prospects. Claire, proud of his success, never suspected any trouble.
The first cracks appeared about six months ago. Mark began travelling for work, earned a promotion, bought a new car. He was home less often, and when he was, he seemed distant, answering Claires questions with tiredness and stress.
Mark, why dont we take a short break? Maybe a weekend at the seaside, just the three of us? Claire suggested.
I cant right now. Its a hectic period, big cases. Ill manage, he replied.
Weeks turned into months. Mark stopped sleeping over at home, always citing business trips or latenight client calls. Claires doubts grew, but she tried to push them away.
Then, a month ago, the worst happened. Walking into Marks study with a cup of tea, Claire saw an open message thread on his phone with a woman named Laura. The messages were so blunt that doubt vanished Mark was having an affair.
Claires first impulse was to explode, throw his things out, file for divorce. But she thought of Emily, of being a single mother with no steady income after shed quit teaching to care for her daughter. So she made a choice she couldnt fully justify: she pretended not to know.
Mark, whos Laura? she asked as calmly as possible, having seen the name on the screen.
Oh, shes a new business partner, helping with paperwork, he replied.
And Claire believed him, or at least pretended to.
When Mark later claimed he needed an operation for appendicitis, Claire wasnt surprised. She already knew he was renting a flat with Laura and living there like a family, but she kept playing the dutiful wife.
Claire, tell me everything from the start, Grandma Margaret urged one evening.
Claire recounted the phone messages, the nighttime business trips, the flat for Laura. Margaret listened, nodding only occasionally.
How long will you put up with this? Margaret asked finally.
I dont know. Maybe hell wake up. Maybe its just a midlife crisis.
Midlife crisis? Hes only twentynine!
Mom, I love him! And Emily cant grow up without a father.
Do you think a child understands that? Emily just told me everything! Do you think children are stupid? She knows perfectly well that dad lives with another woman and that youve been lying about the hospital.
Emily burst into tears.
What should I do? I cant survive without him. I have no job, no money, no home! Where do I go with my child? Margaret asked.
To my flat. Until you get back on your feet, Margaret said.
Mom, you live in a onebedroom council flat on a pension. How will three of us fit?
Well make it work. At least well be honest.
What if he comes back? What if he realises what hes done?
What if he doesnt? What if Laura stays? What if he files for divorce himself? What then?
Claire fell silent, pushing the thoughts away.
Give me a bit more time, Mum. Maybe things will sort themselves.
Margaret sighed. She could see Claire wasnt ready for drastic measures, but she couldnt stay silent forever.
Fine, but theres a condition. Stop lying to Emily. She sees everything, even if she doesnt understand it. Your lies are only hurting her.
What will I tell her? That dad left us for another woman?
Tell the truth, in a way she can grasp. Say he lives elsewhere now, that youre dealing with family matters, but drop the appendix story.
That night, after Emily was tucked in, the phone rang. A familiar number flashed on the screen.
Hello, Claire answered, trying to sound normal.
Hi. Hows the recovery going? Is Emily alright? Should I come over? Marks voice was light.
Its fine. The doctors say I need another week of rest, Claire replied, hearing faint laughter and music behind him.
Mark, could we meet up? Emily misses you.
Cant now. Strict regime. Ill be home soon.
When?
When the doctors let me.
After the call, Claire sat at the kitchen table, sobbing. Margaret placed a hand beside her.
Did he call?
Yes. He talked about strict hospital rules while music played in the background.
Claire
I know Im not perfect. I just cant yet.
What about Emily?
I think of her constantly. I want her to have a proper family.
Which family? One where dad lives with a lover while mum pretends hes in hospital?
The next morning, when Margaret left for the market, Emily approached her at the kitchen sink.
Mum, when will dad be back from the hospital?
Claire looked at her daughter, seeing a seriousness far beyond eight years.
Emily, sit down. I need to explain something.
About dad not being in hospital?
Claire was taken aback.
You know?
Of course. Im not a little kid. I saw the pictures on your phone you and Aunt Sally making pancakes. Hospitals dont make pancakes.
What do you think about it?
Emily shrugged. Probably he doesnt love us any more. He loves Aunt Sally.
Claire pulled Emily close, feeling a sharp ache.
Kids sometimes make mistakes. Dads also only human and can get it wrong.
Why did you say he was in hospital?
Because I hoped hed realise his mistake and come back.
And if he doesnt?
I dont know, love. I dont know.
Emily fell silent, then asked, Mum, why dont we just live without dad? Just the two of us. That would be fine.
Claire realised her daughter had already decided for them both. It was time to stop the lies.
Youre right, Emily. Lets live just us. Can we move in with Grandma?
Sure, if you dont mind a tiny flat.
Not at all. Just no more crying at night, okay?
Did you hear me crying?
Of course I did. Im not deaf or blind. Mum, shall we stop lying to each other?
Yes, Claire agreed, hugging Emily tightly.
That evening she texted Mark:
Need to meet and sort things out. Emily knows about Aunt Sally.
An hour later his reply came:
How does she know? What did you tell her?
Nothing. Kids arent deaf. Come tomorrow, well talk.
Two days later Mark arrived, looking guilty and uneasy. Emily, seeing her dad, smiled but stayed guarded.
Dad, are you feeling better? she asked.
No, love.
And why did Mum say you were in hospital? You live with Aunt Sally now.
Mark stammered, caught off guard by the childs bluntness.
Emily, go to your room, Claire said. I need to speak with your father.
When Emily left, Claire faced Mark.
So, what now?
Mark started, then stopped. Claire cut him off.
Dont give me explanations. Just tell me do you want to keep the family or not?
Mark was silent.
Fine, Claire said. Then lets sort out Emilys arrangements maintenance, birthdays, school.
Its not that simple
How can it be simple? You live with another woman. Ive been covering for you, lying to my daughter and my own mother. Enough!
I never planned for it to end up like this.
But it did. We have to decide what to do next.
Mark looked at his wife, seeing how her demeanor had hardened over the weeks. She was no longer the compliant woman who would endure anything for the sake of a family.
I dont want a divorce, he finally said.
Then what? Should I keep shielding your betrayals? Keep lying to our child? Keep waiting while you play house with Laura?
Give me time to think.
Theres no time, Mark! Emily understands everything. She needs certainty. Either you come back home and we try to rebuild, or we separate civilly.
How do I choose a family?
No more Laura. No more trips to a lovers flat. An honest, open life.
Mark stared at her, thoughtful.
I need a week.
Youve got a week. No more delays.
A week later Mark called, asking for a meeting. They met at a café, without Emily.
Ive decided, he said. I want to try to rebuild the family.
What about Laura?
Its over.
Mark, Ill give you one chance. One. If you cheat again, its over forever. Well go to a family therapist together. No more secrets from Emily. If you have a work trip, she knows where youre going and why. If you stay late, you call home.
I understand.
Then well move back tomorrow. Emily will be happy.
That evening Claire told Emily about the conversation.
He said he wants to come home, that he wont stay with Aunt Sally any more.
Do you believe him? Emily asked seriously.
I want to. What about you?
I hope hes truthful. If he lies again, well go to Grandmas. Agreed?
Agreed, Claire smiled, impressed by her daughters wisdom.
The next day Mark returned, bringing flowers for Claire and a new doll for Emily. They all sat down to dinner together, like a proper family. Emily asked, Dad, you wont be living with Aunt Sally any more, will you?
No, love. Ill live with you.
And if you wanted to?
Mark looked at his daughter, then at Claire.
If I ever wanted to, Id tell you straight away, no lies.
Okay then, Emily said, nodding. And Mum, you wont say Im in a hospital any more?
No more, Claire promised.
Then we can keep going, Emily replied, laughing as she returned to her meal.
Time will tell if trust can be rebuilt, but Claire knows she will never again deceive herself, her daughter, or anyone else.
Little Emily, tucked into bed, thought about how odd grownups are. Why complicate things when you can simply tell the truth? At least now dad was home, and there was no need to pretend he didnt know where he actually lived.
