Cant now, love. The doctors have put me on strict rest. Ill be home as soon as I can, Milly whispered, clutching her spoon, a halfeaten bowl of porridge wobbling on the kitchen table.
Grandma Margaret Hughes, her cheeks pink from the tea shed nearly spilled, had turned up for the weekend to lend a hand at her daughters house while her soninlaw, Andrew, was supposedly in hospital with appendicitis. Shed been told the illness was serious, that he was lying on a ward in a London teaching hospital.
What did you say, sweetheart? Margaret asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Millys eyes widened. Whats wrong with what I said? Dad lives with Aunt Sally. Mum showed me pictures on her phone theyre cooking together, laughing together.
Margaret felt her heart skip. Just then, Emily, her daughter, slipped out of the bathroom in a damp bathrobe, her hair dripping onto her shoulders.
Mom, why are you so pale? Emily asked, noticing the colour draining from Margarets face.
Emily, we need to talk, Margaret whispered, nodding toward the childrens bedroom.
Milly, go watch your cartoons, Emily instructed, trying to keep the little girl occupied.
I havent finished my porridge! Milly protested.
Finish it later. Come on, love.
Milly scurried off, and Margaret turned back to Emily, her voice a low rumble.
Explain this to me, she said, eyes fixed on the floor.
Emily sat opposite her, avoiding her mothers gaze. What do you mean?
The truth, Emily. Andrew isnt in hospital. Hes staying with Aunt Sally. And you know it. Youve been covering his betrayal, feeding the lie.
Emilys fingers twitched at the hem of her robe. Mum, you dont understand
No, tell me! Why would my own daughter protect a cheating husband? Why lie to both me and our child?
Tears spilled down Emilys cheeks. Because Im scared to lose him!
Margaret pulled Emily into a tight embrace, smoothing her hair. Their story had been tangled from the start. She and Andrew had met at universityshe reading English literature, he studying law. Both came from modest backgrounds, sharing a cramped dormitory.
Emily had always been the quiet, homebound type, unnoticed at school, while Andrew was the campus heartthrobtall, handsome, captain of the debate team. When hed taken an interest in the shy literature student, their friends had gasped.
Emily, youve got it all wrong. Hes not a flirt; hes sincere. He loves your modesty, your kindness, the way you listen. Margarets voice cracked with old pain. He feels safe with you, away from the world that demands hes always on top.
Theyd married after graduation, Andrew landed a junior solicitor post, Emily became a primaryschool teacher. Their daughter, Milly, arrived a year later. The early years were blissfulcareer strides, a budding home, plans for a cosy flat in a leafy borough.
Then Andrews hours grew longer. Ive got a new client, a promotion on the horizon, hed say, never suspecting Emilys growing unease. The first signs of trouble emerged six months ago when business trips became weekly, a sleek new car appeared in the driveway, and he seemed distant even when home.
Maybe we should take a break, go to the seaside together? Emily suggested one evening.
I cant, Andrew replied, eyes glued to his phone. Its a critical period, Ill have to push through.
Months slipped by. One night, Emily walked into his study and found an explicit exchange with a woman named Samantha on his phone. The messages left no room for doubtAndrew was carrying on an affair.
Emilys first impulse was to storm out, flinging his belongings, filing for divorce. Then she thought of Milly, of the school shed quit, of the small pension shed rely on. She decided to keep the secret, to pretend ignorance.
When Andrew later claimed he was in hospital with appendicitis, Margaret, unaware of the truth, asked him a simple question: Whos this Samantha?
Its a new business partner, handling some paperwork, he shrugged.
Emily nodded, playing along, though inside she felt the world crumble.
Two weeks earlier, Andrew announced hed be admitted for an operation. Emily didnt gasp; shed already known hed been renting a flat with Samantha, living as a family. Yet she kept the façade of a dutiful wife.
Emily, tell me everything from the start, Margaret pressed when she sensed the storm brewing.
Emily recounted the illicit texts, the nightly business trips, the flat Samantha occupied. Margaret listened in silence, occasionally shaking her head.
How long will you endure this? she asked finally.
I dont know. Maybe hell see sense, maybe its a midlife crisis, Emily muttered, voice trembling.
But hes twentynine, Margaret! What crisis could that be? Margaret snapped.
I love him, Emily whispered, and Milly needs a father.
Milly, perched on the sofa, piped up, Dad doesnt love us, he loves Aunt Sally.
The room fell heavy. Milly, adults sometimes make terrible mistakes. Your dad is still a person, he can err, Emily tried to soften.
What if he never comes back? Milly asked, eyes wide. Will you keep lying about the hospital?
Emilys throat tightened. I Im scared, love. I have no job, no money, no home of my own.
Come stay with me, Margaret offered. My flat is tiny, but well manage. No more lies, you hear?
Milly smiled faintly. Will you stop crying at night?
Did you hear me sob? Emily asked, surprised.
Of course, Im not deaf, Milly replied. Lets promise to be honest from now on.
Later that night, Emily typed a message to Andrew: We need to meet. Milly knows about Aunt Sally. An hour later, his reply arrived: How does she know? What did you tell her?
Nothing. Kids arent deaf. Come tomorrow, well talk.
The next day, Andrew arrived, looking guilty and ashamed. Millys face lit up, then fell as Emily ushered her away.
Andrew, what now? Emily asked, eyes hard.
He swallowed. Emily, I
No explanations. Just tell medo you want to keep this family together, or not?
Silence hung between them. Emilys voice was cold. Its clear. You live with another woman. Ive been covering for you, lying to our child, to my own mother. It ends now.
Andrews shoulders slumped. I didnt plan it to go this far.
Its already gone, Emily said. Do you want to stay, or do we end it?
He stared at his daughter, then at Emily, who now wore the steel of someone who had learned to fight.
I need time, he whispered.
No more time, Emily snapped. Milly understands everything. She needs certainty. Either you return home, or we split cleanly.
Andrew hesitated. Ill think about it.
A week, Emily declared. Thats it.
A week later, Andrew called, arranging to meet in a quiet café, away from Millys ears. He said, Ive decidedlets try to rebuild.
Whos Samantha? Emily asked, steely.
Shes out of the picture, he answered, eyes pleading.
Emily nodded. One chance. No more secrets. If you slip again, its over.
Andrew agreed, and they would visit a family counsellor together.
Emily told Milly the news that evening. Dad wants to come home, she said, bracing herself.
Do you believe him? Milly asked, her voice small.
I want to, Emily replied, but if he lies again, well go to Grandmas.
The following day, Andrew arrived with a bouquet and a new doll for Milly. They sat down to dinner, the clink of cutlery sounding like tentative peace.
Dad, will you ever live with Aunt Sally again? Milly asked, eyes narrowed.
No, Andrew said, voice firm. Im staying here, with you both.
Will Mum stop saying youre in hospital? Milly pressed.
Yes, Emily promised, reaching across the table. No more lies.
Laughter flickered around the modest kitchen, fragile but real. The camera lingered on Millys thoughtful face as she tucked her doll under her arm, a small smile creeping across her lips.
Time would tell if trust could be mended, but Emily knew one thing: she would never again deceive herself, her daughter, or anyone else. And as Milly drifted off to sleep that night, she whispered to the darkness, Adults are strange. Why cant they just tell the truth? The final image held on the quiet bedroom, the soft glow of a nightlamp casting shadows over a family finally ready to face the truth.
