Will be sleeping in the spare room, my wife said, referring to the child. You have a daughter. Shes seven.
James barely let the phone slip. The voice on the other end was Elaine after eight years of silence.
Elaine? Is that you?
Yes. We need to meet. Its urgent.
But what daughter? What are you talking about?
Come to the café on Oxford Street in an hour. Ill explain everything.
The ringtone echoed through the office, as though a bolt of lightning had struck me. A daughter? From Elaine? Wed split up eight years ago!
I called home, told Ivy Id be late at work. Ivy, as always, muttered something about dinner. Our son, Thomas, was probably glued to his computer again. Fifteen and only interested in video games.
At the café, Elaine sat by the window, gaunt, dark circles under her eyes, a thin scarf over her hair.
Hello, James.
Hello. What whats happened to you?
Cancer. Stage four. Ive got maybe two or three months left.
I sat opposite her, a lump forming in my throat.
God, Elaine”
Dont feel sorry for me. I didnt call you for that. I have a daughter. Kira. Your daughter.
How can she be mine? We were we were careful!
It doesnt always work out. I found out I was pregnant a month after we broke up. Youd already gone back to Ivy.
Why didnt you tell me?
What for? You chose a family of your own. I didnt want to wreck it.
I fell silent, remembering that year. How weary I was of Ivys constant complaints, demands for money, new things. How I had met Elaine lighthearted, carefree, asking for nothing but love.
Three months of happiness. Then Ivy gave me an ultimatum either I came back to her or Id never see my son again. Thomas was seven then, crying, begging his dad to return.
I went back. I never visited Elaine again. I didnt even say goodbye properly just a text that it was over.
Show me a photo.
Elaine pulled out her phone. On the screen was a little girl with light hair and grey eyes my eyes.
God shes a miniature version of me as a child.
Yes. And stubborn like you, but kind.
Where is she now?
At home, with a neighbour. James, Im dying. I have no relatives. If you dont acknowledge paternity, Kira will be sent to a childrens home.
Of course Ill. Which childrens home? Shes my child!
And my wife? My son?
Ill sort it out.
James, think carefully. This isnt a game. A child losing her mother, traumatised, scared. Your family may not accept her.
Shes my daughter. End of story.
Elaine burst into tears, silent tears.
Thank you. I was terrified youd refuse.
When can I see Kira?
Now, if you like, but you should prepare and tell your family.
That evening I called a family meeting. Ivys face was stonecold. Thomas stared at his phone.
I have a daughter. From another woman. Shes seven.
Silence. Then an eruption.
What? You cheated on me?
Eight years ago, when we were on the brink of divorce.
We werent on a brink! You ran off to a whore!
Ivy, calm down. Elaine is dying. The child will have no one.
And what? Thats our problem?
This is my daughter!
False daughter! I wont let her in my house!
Thomas looked up.
Dad, why does she matter to us?
Shes your sister.
Shes not my sister! Shes a stranger!
I stared at my wife and son, both strangers now. When had they become so?
Ill take Kira, with or without your consent.
Then choose us or her!
Ivy, are you serious?
Absolutely. Either the family stays, or you take that bastard.
Dont call my child that!
Ill call her what I like, in my house!
Its my house too.
Not for long.
A week later Elaine was placed in hospice. I drove to collect Kira.
The girl stood in the hallway with a tiny suitcase, thin, pale, large eyes.
Good afternoon. Are you my dad?
Yes, sweetheart. Im your father.
Mum said youd pick me up.
Ill. Youll live with me now.
And mum? Is she getting better?
I sat her down.
Kira, mum is very ill. She might not recover.
Will she die?
Possibly.
She nodded, not crying, as if she already understood.
Ive packed a few things. Mum said youll buy new ones.
Ill buy whatever you want.
At home Ivy met us in the hallway.
Is this your what?
Ivy, put the child down!
Whats the difference? Let her know her place now. Shell sleep in the spare room.
In the spare room? Have you lost your mind?
Where else? Theres no extra room.
In the guest room.
This is my study!
Now its a nursery.
Kira pressed herself against the wall, eyes wide with fear.
Dad, maybe I should go to a childrens home?
No childrens homes! Youre mine, youll stay here.
Well see, Ivy hissed.
The first week was hell. Ivy ignored Kira. Thomas teased her, calling her the leech. She ate after everyone else, slept on the pullout couch in the guest room because Ivy refused to buy a proper bed.
Why spend money? She might not settle.
I tried to protect her, but work kept pulling me away. At home it was a war zone.
Elaine passed a month later. I took Kira to the funeral. She stood by the grave, unmoving, biting her lip.
Dad, is mum in heaven?
Yes, love.
She can see me?
Of course.
Then Ill be good, so she isnt sad.
Things at home got worse. Ivy openly tormented Kira, denied her food when I wasnt around, forced her to clean the whole house. Thomas joined in, hiding her things, ruining her notebooks.
Ivy, stop! Shes a child!
Foreign child! Know your place!
This is my child!
Your son, Thomas! This is your mistake!
Three months later I came home early, hearing screams. I rushed upstairs. In Thomass room, he was beating Kira with a belt.
Youll learn not to touch my stuff!
I didnt touch anything! Kira sobbed.
Youre lying, you little
I burst in, snatched the belt, shoved Thomas aside.
What are you doing, you monster?
She took my tablet!
I didnt take it! Kira curled into a corner, bruised all over.
Even if she did, what right do you have to hit her?
Mum said you have to discipline!
Mum said?
I went downstairs. Ivy was sipping tea in the kitchen.
Did you let him beat Kira?
Discipline. Not taking what isnt yours.
Shes a child! Seven years old!
So what? Let her get used to it.
Thats enough. Im leaving, and Im taking Kira.
Please dont. Remember, Thomas stays with me.
Fine. He can stay. I dont need a sadist son.
I packed in an hour. Kira sat trembling on the bed.
Dad, because of me?
No, because of them. Lets go.
What about my brother?
He isnt really your brother. He wont act like one.
We rented a twobed flat on the outskirts. Kiras face lit up when she saw her room.
Is it really mine?
Absolutely. Well decorate it however you like.
Can I have pink wallpaper?
You could have gold if you want.
Divorce was messy. Ivy demanded everything. We split the flat, sold the car. Child support for Thomas was a quarter of my salary.
But I didnt regret it. I watched Kira blossom, stop being scared, start laughing.
School was tough at first new kid, shy but a kind teacher helped her settle.
Dad, I have a friend!
Really? Whats her name?
Molly. She invited me to her birthday.
Great! Lets get her a present.
A year later Thomas called.
Dad, can we meet?
Why?
I need to talk.
We met in the park. Hed grown, his eyes still sad.
Dad, forgive me.
For what?
For Kira. I was wrong.
I know.
Mum said she was a stranger, thats why you left us.
I didnt abandon you. I left the abuse.
I know now. Mum found a new man. He also raises me. Same as a strap.
What?
I get what Kira went through. Can I see her?
Ill ask her.
Kira hesitated, scared, but I convinced her that her brother might have changed.
We met at a café. Thomas brought a huge stuffed bear.
Kira, Im sorry. I was an idiot.
Its okay. Were all idiots sometimes.
You you really are my sister?
Yes. By blood.
Can we meet up now and then?
Kira looked at me. I nodded.
Sure, as long as you never hit her again.
I swear! he said.
We started seeing each other. At first rarely, then more often. Thomas became protective, helped with homework.
When he turned eighteen, he moved in with me.
Mum, Im going.
To that traitor?
To dad. And my sister.
She isnt your sister!
She is. Youre just a nasty person.
Ivy was left alone. Her new boyfriend dumped her for someone younger. Thomas stopped calling. I stopped paying child support he was an adult.
Our twobed flat was cramped but happy. Kira excelled at school. Thomas went to university, working parttime.
One evening we all sat around the kitchen table, tea in hand, laughing.
Dad, Kira said, thanks for taking me in.
Its my thanks to you for being here.
For what?
For giving my life meaning.
Whats important?
Love. Not money, not status. Love.
Thomas nodded.
Dads right. I learned that when Mum chose a new man over me.
Shes just unhappy, Kira replied.
Why defend her after everything?
Because anger destroys the one whos angry. Thats what Mum taught me. A real mother.
I wrapped my arms around my daughter.
Your mum was smart.
She was. But I have a dad and a brother. Thats family too.
Real family, Thomas added.
And that was true. Blood isnt all it takes. Sometimes its the choice to stay together, no matter what.
