The key clicked in the lock and I, Emily, slipped into the flat as quietly as I could. The hallway was pitchblack, only a thin strip of light spilling from the kitchen. Mom and Dad were still up it was past midnight, but theyd gotten used to these long night talks behind the bedroom door. Usually theyre lowkey, but sometimes they drift into a hushed argument.
I slipped off my shoes, set my laptop bag on the nightstand and slipped down the corridor to my room. I didnt feel like giving a full excuse for being late the project at work was a nightmare and the deadline was breathing down my neck.
Through the walls I could hear muffled voices.
David, I cant keep doing this, Mom whispered, irritation clear in her tone. You promised last month.
Emma, look, its not the right time, Dad replied, sounding like he was trying to defend himself again.
I let out a tired sigh. Lately theyve been arguing all the time, but they put on a brave face for me. Theyre both in their fifties, Im an adult, yet it still hurts to sense something off in their marriage.
I stripped down, brushed my teeth and crawled under the duvet, but sleep wouldnt come. My mind kept looping. My brother Jack lives in Birmingham and only pops up now and then. If Mum and Dad split who gets the flat? Why are they keeping this under wraps?
The voices kept going. I reached for the nightstand, felt the headphones, thinking I could drown out their drama with some music. My hand brushed the phone and it clattered onto the carpet. When I picked it up, the voicememo app opened by accident. My finger hovered over the screen.
What if I just recorded them? Just to know whats really happening instead of guessing. If I asked straight up, they’d probably brush it off and say everythings fine.
A pang of conscience hit me. Eavesdropping feels wrong, let alone recording. But theyre my parents I have a right to know if something serious is going on.
I took a breath, hit record, placed the phone back on the nightstand nearer the wall, and pulled the blanket over my head.
In the morning, while getting ready for work, I noticed Mum and Dad both looked like they hadnt slept. At breakfast they barely talked, just exchanging the usual pleasantries.
You got home late yesterday, Mum said, pouring tea. Work again?
Yeah, we were finishing the project, I replied. Did you both manage any sleep?
Mmh, just a film, Mum said, not even looking at me.
Dad was glued to the newspaper, pretending to be engrossed.
Dont expect me for dinner tonight, he said without looking up. Client meetings, I might be late.
He pursed his lips but stayed silent.
All the way to the office I fought the urge to listen to the nights recording, but the tube was packed and it felt a bit dirty. I decided to wait until evening.
The day dragged on. When I got home, Mum wasnt there a note said shed gone to a friends and would be back late. Dad was still working, just as hed promised. Perfect timing.
I flopped onto the sofa, pulled a blanket over me and hit play.
At first it was just fragments, then the words cleared up.
tell Emily? Dads voice sounded worried.
I dont know, Mum sighed. Im scared she wont understand. So many years have passed.
But she deserves to know.
Of course she does, but how do we explain why we kept quiet for so long?
I froze. What were they hiding? What truth were they keeping from me?
Do you remember how it all started? Dad asked, a faint smile in his tone.
Of course, Mum chuckled. I thought it would be a short thing, turned out to be a lifetime.
Quite a life weve had, Dad muttered. It wasnt always easy.
Especially when Emily showed up.
My heart sank. Especially? Did they see me as a mistake?
But we managed, Dad continued. She grew up wonderful.
Yes, Mums voice brightened with pride, and I felt a tiny relief. Now we just need to decide what to do next. Im tired of living two lives, David.
Two lives? My stomach turned. Was there some affair? A secret second family? The thought made me nauseous.
Emma, lets wait for Jack. Well talk it all through as a family.
Alright, Mum agreed. No more delays. Either we change everything, or I dont even know.
The recording cut off probably they left the kitchen or the phone ran out of battery.
I sat there, stunned. What on earth was happening? Should I record another conversation? That felt even worse. Maybe I should call Jack, hes older and might know more. Or Aunt Vera, Moms sister shes always been straightforward with me.
I decided Id ring Jack tomorrow and visit Vera this weekend.
Jack didnt answer all day, finally getting back to me near evening.
Hey, Em, sorry, I was on a site, left my phone in the van, he said, his voice as upbeat as ever.
When are you coming back? I asked straight away.
Probably this weekend. Why?
Mom and Dad are acting strange. They whisper at night, act like everythings fine, but
What do you mean strange? he sounded cautious.
Theyre talking about a double life, Emma. Like theyre hiding something.
There was an awkward pause.
I I think I have an idea, but if theyre not ready to talk, I cant force it. Hang on till I get there on Saturday, okay?
Okay, I replied, feeling a mix of hope and dread. Should I see Aunt Vera?
Dont, he cut in quickly. Lets keep this between us.
After that call my anxiety only grew. He knew something, and he was deliberately keeping Aunt Vera out of it. Was it infidelity? A family scandal? I didnt know.
That evening Mum came back from her friend, looking bright. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes sparkling.
Guess what, love? Im selling the flat! she announced as she stepped in. Im moving to the countryside. Tired of the citys hustle.
I nodded, not sure how to respond.
Would you like to move to the country? I asked, surprised by myself.
Mum paused, then answered carefully, I dont know sometimes I think maybe. Fresh air, a garden
What about Dad?
What Dad? I asked.
Would he want it?
Mum grew serious. Ask him yourself. Hell be back late tonight, dont expect him for dinner.
Sure enough, Dad came home earlier than promised. I was making tea when the front door slammed.
Dad, tea? I called.
On my way, he replied, shedding his tie as he entered. Wheres Mum?
Shes watching a film, I said, handing him a mug. Hows work?
Fine. The client finally signed, so were launching the project, he said, sinking into a chair.
Right, so is it true you two have something important to tell me? I asked, trying to sound casual.
He stared at me, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
What makes you think that? he asked.
Jack let something slip. He said hed be here this weekend and youd explain everything.
David rubbed his nose, thinking.
Yes, theres a conversation we need to have. But lets wait for Jack, okay? Itll be easier then.
Is it bad? Are you getting a divorce? I blurted.
What? No, of course not! Where did you get that from?
I just hear you whispering, mum talking about a double life.
His expression shifted from confusion to a dawning realization, then relief?
Emily, youve got it all wrong, he sighed. Were not divorcing. In fact, he stopped, then continued, were actually planning something else. Trust me, nothing scary.
Really? I asked, heart pounding.
Really, really, he said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. Now lets finish our tea before it gets cold.
That night I tossed and turned, trying to piece together the fragments. If it wasnt a split, then what? Illness? Money trouble? A move? The more I thought, the more unsettled I felt. Id just started climbing the ladder at my firm, made a few good friends, loved this city.
Then a soft knock on my door.
Cant sleep? Mum peeked in.
Nope, I sat up on my elbow. What are you up to?
Just thinking about everything, she said, sitting on the edge of the bed. What did Dad and I talk about?
Nothing special, just work, Jacks coming this weekend, I shrugged.
I know, she said, he called earlier.
We fell quiet.
Mum, are you two really okay? I finally asked.
Ellenwell, Helengave me a strange smile. Perfectly. Life throws surprises at us, even after fifty. We just have to decide how to deal with them.
Good surprises or bad? I asked.
Both, she said, smoothing my hair the way she used to when I was a kid. Dont worry now, youll find out soon enough.
She kissed my forehead and left, leaving me even more puzzled.
The weekend came in a flash. Jack arrived Saturday around lunch, sunkissed and a bit noisy, with a few presents and that familiar edge of tension in his eyes.
Alright, family council, shall we? he joked as we all gathered in the living room.
Dad and Mum exchanged a look.
Yeah, I think its time, Dad said. Kids, we have some news.
I held my breath.
Were moving, Mum announced.
Where to? I blurted.
To the countryside, Dad replied. Specifically to a village called Oakfield, about threehundred miles from here.
Why? I asked, eyes darting between them.
Because thats where our real home is, Mum said simply. We bought a place there fifteen years ago. It started as a holiday cottage, then grew into a proper farm orchard, beehives, even a few chickens and a cow were planning to get next year.
Wait, beehives? I asked, eyes widening. You keep bees?
Yes, Dad said proudly. Weve got fifteen hives now and the honey is amazing.
So youre farmers? I laughed, half in disbelief.
Exactly, Mum grinned. Weve got apple trees, pear trees, plums, raspberries, blackcurrants the whole lot.
Hold on, I interjected, when do you go there? I thought you were always at work.
Its both, Dad explained. Work isnt just the city office; its also the farm. Ill be on remote contracts soon, coming into town once a week for meetings.
Did you ever tell me? I asked, feeling a mix of anger and relief.
Because you always said you hated the countryside, Mum admitted quietly. Remember those trips to Grandmas? Youd cry and beg to go back. When we suggested a weekend away, you always made excuses.
That was when I was a kid! I protested. Im grown now!
And yet you never asked where we really went, Dad said. It felt odd to admit we had this whole other life.
You hid it! I exclaimed.
Not at first, Mum said. We called it a cottage. We didnt want to scare you. Then it turned into a secret farm, and we just kept it to ourselves.
Double life, I muttered, recalling the overheard talk.
Exactly, Dad nodded. In the city were accountants, in the country were actual farmers. And honestly, were happiest out there.
So you want to move there permanently? What about your jobs?
Im retiring next month, Mum said. Dads got a remote arrangement. Hell be in town once a week for briefings.
And the flat?
We can leave it for you, if you want, or sell it and split the proceeds. Its your call.
I sank back onto the sofa, trying to digest it all.
So youve had a whole farm and I never knew? I said, a bitter smile forming. Brilliant.
Emily, we didnt mean to keep you in the dark, Mum moved closer and hugged my shoulders. It just happened. We didnt know how to bring it up, and then it got bigger.
I stayed quiet, taking it in. Then I asked, Can I come see it? The house, the farm?
Of course! Dad beamed. Tomorrow, if you like.
Tomorrow, I repeated, feeling a spark of excitement. Ill go with you.
That night sleep eluded me again. A mix of irritation, curiosity, and a strange thrill ran through me. How much had I missed while I was buried in work, friends, city life?
The next morning we piled into the car. The farther we got from London, the more animated Mom and Dad became, chattering about neighbours, their latest beekeeping experiments, and how Dad built a sauna himself.
When the road turned onto a dusty lane, Mom turned to me.
We wanted to tell you sooner, but we were scared of your reaction, she said.
We thought youd make fun of us, city retirees playing farmer, Dad added, chuckling.
I wouldnt laugh, I replied softly.
We finally get it, Mom smiled. Youre an adult now, we should have trusted you more.
The car stopped at a gate leading to a sprawling piece of land, crowned by a charming timber house.
Well, welcome to our real home, Dad said, revving the engine down. Ready to meet our secret life?
I nodded, opened the passenger door and was hit by the fresh scent of grass and blossoms. Somewhere a cow lowed, chickens clucked, and Jack was unloading bags from the boot.
I still cant believe you kept a whole life from me, I said, shaking my head. But you know what? I love it.
Mom wrapped an arm around me.
We love it too. And theres a spare bedroom for you, just in case you want to pop up for a weekend.
Or a summer? Dad suggested with a grin.
I smiled.
Lets start with the bees, I said. I want to know what made you trade the city for a hive.
We walked toward the orchard, and for the first time in a long while I felt I might have gained more than just a family secret a whole new world I could be part of.
