The key clicked in the lock, and Emma, careful not to make a sound, slipped into the flat. The hallway was dark, only a thin strip of light leaking from the kitchen. Her parents were still awake, even though the clock had long passed midnight. Lately that had become a habit long nighttime chats behind a closed door. Usually quiet, but occasionally slipping into a muffled argument.
Emma slipped off her shoes, set her laptop bag on the nightstand and crept down the corridor to her bedroom. She didnt want to explain why shed stayed out late, though the reason was legitimate a work project wasnt lining up and the deadline was breathing down her neck.
Through the wall she could hear low voices.
No, David, I cant keep doing this, her mother said softly, but irritation tinged her tone. You promised last month.
Susan, understand, this isnt the right time, her father replied, sounding like he was making another excuse.
Emma sighed wearily. Recently her parents had been arguing about something all the time, but they pretended everything was fine when she was around. They were both over fifty, she was well into adulthood, yet it still hurt to sense a crack in their relationship.
She changed into her pyjamas, brushed her teeth and crawled under the duvet, but sleep wouldnt come. Her thoughts kept circling the same worry. Her brother James lived out of town and visited only occasionally. If the parents decided to split, who would get the flat? Who would stay where? And why were they keeping their problems hidden?
The voices behind the wall didnt quiet down. Emma reached for the nightstand and felt her headphones she wanted to drown out the secrets with music. Her hand brushed the phone, which clattered onto the carpet. Picking it up, she accidentally opened the voicerecorder app. Her finger hovered over the screen.
What if she recorded them? Just to know what was happening instead of guessing. If she asked outright, they would probably brush her off and say everything was fine.
A pang of conscience stabbed her. Eavesdropping was wrong, let alone recording. But they were her parents, her family, and she deserved to know if something serious was afoot.
Resolute, Emma turned the recorder on, placed the phone back on the nightstand closer to the wall and pulled the duvet over her head.
In the morning, as she was getting ready for work, she noticed both mother and father looked exhausted. Over breakfast they exchanged only the usual polite banter.
You got home late yesterday, Susan said, pouring tea. Stayed late at the office again?
Yeah, we were finishing the project, Emma replied. Didnt you two get any sleep?
Just watching a film, Susan shrugged, not even glancing at her.
David stared at the newspaper, pretending to be engrossed.
Dont expect me for dinner tonight, he said without looking up. Ive got client meetings and might be late.
Susan pursed her lips but said nothing.
All the way to the office Emma fought the urge to play the nights recording. The tube was too crowded and it felt too shameful, so she postponed it until evening.
The day dragged on. When she finally got home, she found a note from her mother saying shed gone to a friends and would be back late. David was still at work, just as hed promised. Perfect timing.
She flopped onto the sofa, wrapped herself in a blanket and hit play.
At first only fragments of speech came through, then the audio sharpened.
tell Emma? Davids voice sounded concerned.
I dont know, Susan sighed. Im afraid she wont understand. So many years have passed.
But she has a right to know.
Of course she does, but how do we explain why weve kept this secret for so long?
Emma froze. What were they hiding? What truth was being kept from her?
Do you remember how it all started? David asked, a hint of a smile in his tone.
Of course, Susan chuckled. I thought it would be a shortterm thing, turned out to be a lifetime.
What a life its been, David muttered. Sometimes its been tough.
Especially since Emma arrived.
Emmas heart tightened. Especially? she thought. Was she an unwanted child? Or something else?
But weve managed, David continued. Shes grown into a wonderful person.
Yes, Susan said proudly, and Emma felt a small relief. Now we just need to decide what to do next. Im tired of this double life, David.
A double life? Emmas skin prickled. Were they both having affairs? The thought made her feel sick.
Susan, lets wait for James to get back. Well sort it out together, as a family.
Alright, Susan agreed. No more postponements. Either we change everything, or I dont know what then.
The recording cut off presumably they left the kitchen or the phone stopped.
Emma sat, stunned. What was happening to her family? Why wait for James to explain? Thousands of questions swirled, but no answers. Another recording seemed excessive, and she felt guilty for even considering it. Better to speak to James. Hes older, maybe knows more. Or to Aunt Claire, her mothers sister, whos always been open with Emma.
She decided shed call James the next day and visit Aunt Claire over the weekend.
James didnt answer all day, only calling back late in the evening.
Hey, Emma, sorry, I was on site and left my phone in the van, he said cheerfully.
James, when are you coming back? Emma asked straight away.
I was planning to be there this weekend. Whats up?
Just Mom and Dad have been acting strange lately.
Strange how?
Theyre whispering at night, pretending everythings fine. Talking about some double life.
A pause.
James?
Yes, Im here, he cleared his throat. Listen, dont read too much into it. People have their secrets, even parents.
So you know whats going on?
I I think I have an idea, but if they dont bring it up themselves, they arent ready. Wait for me, okay? Ill be there Saturday and we can talk.
Fine, Emma said reluctantly. What about Aunt Claire? Should I see her?
No, dont drag her into this. Let it stay between us.
The conversation left Emma even more uneasy. He definitely knew something, and he was protecting Aunt Claire for some reason. Could it be an affair? A family scandal they didnt want to expose?
That evening Susan returned from her friends house in high spirits. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling.
Guess what, Emma! Toms selling his flat! He wants to move to the countryside, she announced as she slipped through the door. Hes fed up with the city, the noise, the hustle.
Emma nodded, unsure how to react.
Would you like to live in the country? she asked herself, surprising herself.
Susan paused a moment, then answered cautiously:
I dont know sometimes it sounds nice. Fresh air, a garden
And Dad?
What about Dad?
Hed want to move too?
Ask him yourself, Susan said suddenly serious. Hell be late tonight, dont expect him at dinner.
Fortunately David came home earlier than promised. Emma was just making tea when she heard the front door slam.
Dad, want a cuppa? she called.
Ill be right there, he replied, shedding his tie as he entered. Wheres Mom?
Shes in here, watching a film, Emma said, handing him a mug. Hows work?
Fine. The client finally agreed to our terms, so were launching the project, he said, sinking into a chair.
Listen, is it true you two have something important to tell me? Emma asked, trying to sound casual.
Davids eyes widened.
Where did you get that idea?
James let something slip, Emma lied, avoiding his gaze. He said hed be back this weekend and youd explain everything.
David rubbed his nose.
Yes, theres a conversation. But lets wait for James, okay? Itll be better that way.
Is it something bad? Are you getting a divorce? she pressed.
What? No, of course not! Why would you think that?
Youre always whispering, arguing. Mom talked about a double life.
David looked confused, then suddenly seemed to understand, thenrelief?
Emma, youve got the wrong end of the stick, he sighed. Nobodys divorcing. In fact, he stopped, then continued, Well sort it out this weekend, I promise. Nothing terrible.
Really?
Absolutely, he said reassuringly, squeezing her hand. Now have your tea before it gets cold.
That night Emma tossed and turned, trying to piece together the fragments shed heard. If not a divorce, then what? Illness? Money trouble? A move? The thought made her uneasy. Shed just started to build a career, had friends, loved the city.
She heard a soft knock at her door.
Cant sleep? her mother asked, peeking in.
No, Emma propped herself up on her elbow. Whats keeping you up?
Just thinking about a few things, Susan sat on the edge of the bed. What did you and Dad talk about?
Nothing special, just work, James coming this weekend.
I know, Susan said. He called.
They fell silent.
Mom, are you and Dad really okay? Emma blurted.
Elainewell, Susangave a strange smile.
Completely fine. Life just throws surprises at you, even when youre over fifty. You just have to decide how to deal with them.
Good surprises or bad?
Both, she said, running a hand through Emmas hair like she used to when she was a child. Dont worry too early, love. Youll find out soon enough.
She kissed Emma on the forehead and left, leaving her daughter even more perplexed.
The weekend arrived abruptly. James turned up Saturday around lunch, suntanned, noisy, with presents for everyone and a nervous edge in his eyes.
So, shall we call this a family meeting? he joked as they gathered in the living room after lunch.
David and Susan exchanged glances.
Yes, I think its time, David said. Kids, we have some news.
Emma held her breath.
Were moving, Susan announced.
Where to? Emma exhaled.
To the countryside, David replied. Specifically, to a village called Oakfield, about a hundred miles from here.
Why? Emma asked, turning from one parent to the other.
Because thats our real home, Susan said simply. We bought a place there fifteen years ago. It started as a holiday cottage, then we visited more often, turned it into a proper farm.
A farm? Emma asked, eyes widening. You keep bees?
Yes, weve got fifteen hives now, David said proudly. And chickens, goats, and were planning to take a cow this year.
Emma stared, mouth open.
So youre farmers? she said.
Thats right, Susan smiled. We have apple trees, pear trees, plums, raspberries, blackcurrants
When do you actually go there? Emma interrupted. I thought you were always at work.
Work isnt just the office, David explained. Its also the land out there. Were semiretired, so the farm is our new fulltime job.
Emma turned to James.
Did you know about this?
Of course, James shrugged. I helped them with the extensions. The house is two stories now.
And nobody told me? Emmas frustration boiled over. Why?
Susan and David glanced at each other.
Because you always said you hated the countryside, Susan said softly. Remember when we took you to Grandmas? Youd cry and beg to go home. Whenever we suggested a weekend away, you found an excuse.
That was when I was a kid! Emma protested. Im an adult now.
Yes, but you never asked where we really went, David added. It felt awkward to admit we had a whole other life.
You were hiding it! Emma snapped.
Not at first, Susan replied. We just said it was a cottage. Over time it grew into something bigger, and we kept it secret.
A double life, Emma muttered, recalling the nighttime conversation.
Exactly, David said. In the city were office workers; out there were farmers. And were genuinely happy.
So you want to move there permanently? What about work?
Im retiring next month, Susan said. And David has arranged to work remotely. Hell only come into the city once a week for meetings.
The flat?
We can leave it to you if you want, or we can sell it and split the proceeds. Its up to you.
Emma slumped back onto the sofa, trying to process it all.
So youve had a whole farm all this time and I never knew, she said bitterly. Brilliant.
Emma, we never meant to hurt you, Susan moved closer and wrapped her arms around Emmas shoulders. It just happened. We didnt know how to tell you. Forgive us.
Emma stayed silent, chewing over everything. Then she asked, Can I come and see? The house, the farm?
Of course! David beamed. Tomorrow, if you like.
Tomorrow, Emma repeated. Ill go with you.
That night she lay awake, a mix of resentment, curiosity, and excitement churning inside her. How many years had she missed while she was caught up in her career, friends, and city life?
The next morning the whole family piled into the car and set off. The farther they left the city, the more animated the parents became, chatting about neighbours, their horticultural experiments, the sauna David had built, and Susans canning triumphs.
When the car turned onto the gravel lane, Susan turned to Emma:
You know, weve wanted to tell you this for ages, especially now that were moving for good. We were scared of your reaction.
We thought youd laugh at us, city retirees playing at farming.
I wouldnt laugh, Emma replied quietly.
We get that now, David said. We should have trusted you sooner.
The car stopped at the gate of a large plot, where a handsome timber house stood.
Welcome to our real home, David said, turning off the engine and facing Emma. Ready to meet our secret life?
Emma nodded and opened the passenger door. The fresh scent of grass and blossoms hit her. Somewhere in the distance a cow lowed, chickens clucked, and a rooster crowed. James was unloading bags from the boot.
I still cant believe you hid a whole life from me, Emma said, shaking her head. But you know what? I like it.
Susan hugged her.
We do, too. In fact, theres a spare room for you, just in case you want to spend weekends here.
Or even the summer? David added hopefully.
Emma smiled.
Lets talk about that later. First, show me the bees. I want to know why you swapped the city for the countryside.
They walked down the path toward the beehives, and Emma felt that, perhaps, shed gained more than shed lost not just the answer to her parents mystery, but a chance to see an entirely different way of life shed never imagined. And maybe, just maybe, there was room for her in it as well.
