Hey mate, let me tell you about Dave Harper. Hes 52 now, a solid bloke in his prime still strong as an ox, decent job, a few mates over the years, one of them hes known since they were kids. The thing is, he never settled down with a family.
When he was younger he kept jumping from one fling to another. He liked the fact that he was good looking and people seemed to like him. By the time he hit forty, the buzz wore off a bit and he started thinking about how the wild days were behind him. He met a wonderful woman, they were together for two years, even talked about getting married. Then, out of the blue, she left him for someone else.
Dave figured that was karma catching up. Hed tossed aside a lot of girls back then, so now he was paying for it. After that nothing serious ever clicked. Every now and then a lady would pop up, but it was either a onenight thing or a shortlived romance.
So by fifty heve pretty much accepted that he wont be a husband or a dad. Maybe when hes old hell bump into a lonely lady whod like to share evenings, but if not, hell just be on his own.
Familywise hes almost alone. Parents are gone, no siblings. Hes got a thirdcousin and her son, but theyre not in regular contact. Most of his mates are married with kids and grandkids, so they usually hang out with their families rather than the old boys gang. They still call Dave up now and then, but he feels a bit isolated thats just the age, he says. It never bothered him before, but now he keeps thinking about whats coming.
He doesnt want to end up that grumpy old codger talking to the telly, walking a beagle in the park and grumbling at the youngsters. Still, the thought keeps creeping in. Hes resigned, but he keeps meeting women, hoping one day hell find the one. He still sees his friends, joins their family gatherings, drops by his cousins place now and then, and it feels like nothings really changing.
One Saturday, as hes getting ready to head out with the lads for a countryside walk, his phone rings. He thinks its one of the boys and grabs the handset without even glancing at the screen, trying to stuff a bottle into his bag while holding the phone between shoulder and ear.
Hello? he says.
The voice on the other end is a blokes, thinking its some ad and about to hang up because hes always late for everything. Hes got an excuse about his wife helping the friends get ready, but really hes just trying to get out of it.
The call rings again. This time Dave actually looks at the screen and sees a number he doesnt recognise.
Im not interested in any loans or whatever youre selling! he snaps.
A gentle female voice replies, Dave, Im not calling about a promotion.
Dave sits down on the couch, wondering if this is some new scam.
Who are you? he asks.
My names Poppy, Im twentytwo, and I think Im your daughter, she says.
Daves first thought is Scam! but the twist catches his interest.
He glances at his watch still a few minutes left before the hike. He decides to play along.
Seriously? What makes you think that?
Poppys voice wavers a bit. My mums name is Grace Harper. She told me she was your expartner.
Daves mind flashes back to the carefree days when he was in his thirties, hitting the pubs, getting sent on a work trip to a nearby town, and having a free night after a long day. After his shift hed head to the local pub, where two girls were busy gossiping. They were younger than him, but that didnt bother him he still felt young at heart.
He joined them, and after a while one of the girls left to see her boyfriend. The other, Grace, turned out to be a recent grad from the city college. They talked, laughed, and later strolled around the nightlit streets as if theyd known each other forever. Before he knew it, Dave was at her flat she was sharing a tiny flat with the girl whod just left, so there was no one else around.
He spent three days in that town, three nights with Grace. When his work assignment ended, she saw him off at the train station. He offered his number, but she shook her head.
We dont have a future, she said.
Dave agreed, though he gave her his surname just in case she ever wanted to find him. A month later hed forgotten about Grace entirely, caught up in a new fling. Yeah, he was a bit of a windbag.
Out of the blue, his phone buzzed again.
Dave, are you there? a voice asked, pulling him back to reality.
Its me, why do you think Im your daughter? he mutters.
My mum told me. She died a month ago, the girl says, voice cracking. Cancer. It was a late diagnosis. Before she passed she showed me a photo of you you took it, she printed it and kept it. Its been over twenty years, but I found you on social media, then got your number.
Dave sits stunned. Its a lot to take in.
Why didnt she tell me about you? he asks quietly.
She said you werent ready for family life. She didnt want to tie you down, Poppy replies. Now Im on my own. I know you probably have your own life, maybe a family Im not trying to impose. I just
Poppy, Dave interrupts, lets meet. I really want to see you.
Okay, she exhales.
He cancels the countryside walk cant be going out with that news swirling in his head. Hes still trying to sort his feelings, but hes keen to meet his daughter.
When they finally meet in a café, Poppy is visibly nervous. She brings a photo of her and her mum, plus her birth certificate.
I dont want you to think Im a con artist, she says.
Dave chuckles, Im not a millionaire who attracts scammers, he jokes. I believe you. I remember your mum.
They talk for hours. Poppy shares her childhood, her mums brief marriage that never worked out, her stepdad whos out of the picture. Her mum had no other kids, so Poppy was on her own and, desperate, started looking for her dad.
Im sorry I never knew about you, Dave says, shaking his head. Id have liked to watch you grow. My own marriage never happened, no kids Turns out I do have a daughter, just never knew it.
They chat for about three hours, promise to meet again. That night Dave cant sleep. He feels sorry for Poppy having to face life alone, angry that she never asked him, and guilty that he missed out on being a dad. Yet hes grateful she found him finally a chance to make up for lost time.
At their next meeting Dave learns Poppy lives in a flat that she inherited from her mum, but shes moved to the city where Dave lives because property prices are skyhigh here. Shes renting out the old flat to save money. Dave offers her a room at his place so she can save up and eventually buy something decent here.
He starts spoiling her with little gifts, organizes small celebrations, introduces her to his mates, even mentions a distant cousin he has just to fill the family tree. Six months later, Poppy finally calls him dad for the first time. He steps out onto his balcony, pretending to be on a call, but ends up crying.
Two years on, Poppy gets married. When her child is born, Dave goes slightly bonkers, trying to catch up on the years he missed. Hes no longer a lonely old man. Hes paired up with a lovely woman hes planning to grow old with, and now hes got a daughter, a soninlaw, and a grandson. Only now does Dave really grasp how close he came to missing out on a whole family.
