Not yet, Mother. The regime is strict. Ill be home soon, the little girl whispered, stirring her porridge with a spoon.
My husband is in hospital, her mother said, but actually hes staying with Aunt Susan, declared eightyearold Polly, eyes bright with bewilderment.
Grandmother Agnes barely steadied her tea cup. She had arrived for the weekend to help her daughter Eleanor and granddaughter, under the pretense that her soninlaw lay in hospital with appendicitis.
What did you say, child? Agnes asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
Whats wrong with what I said? Polly answered, confused. Father lives with Aunt Susan. Mother showed me pictures on her phone theyre cooking together and laughing.
A sudden gasp escaped Agnes as her heart missed a beat. From the bathroom emerged Eleanor, wrapped in a damp dressinggown, hair still wet.
Mother, why do you look so pale? Eleanor asked, seeing the worry etched on her mothers face.
Eleanor, we need to speak, Agnes whispered, nodding toward the childrens room.
Polly, go watch your cartoons, Eleanor instructed.
I havent finished my porridge! Polly protested.
Finish it later. Off you go, sunshine.
When Polly fled, Agnes turned back to Eleanor, her voice low.
Explain to me whats happening.
Eleanor sat opposite, avoiding her mothers eyes.
What about?
That Andrew isnt in hospital; he lives with Aunt Susan, and you know it. Youre covering his betrayal, Agnes accused.
Eleanors hands trembled on the edge of her gown.
Eleanor, Im your mother. Ive known you for twentyeight years. When you lie, your left eye twitches. See? Its twitching now.
Mother, you dont understand
Then explain! Why does my daughter shield a cheating husband? Why lie to me and to my own child?
Tears welled in Eleanors eyes.
Im scared of losing him, she whispered.
Agnes embraced her, smoothing back her hair. Their familys history was tangled from the start.
She and Andrew had met at university she studied English, he studied law. Both came from modest backgrounds and shared a dormitory.
Eleanor was quiet, homebound, never the centre of attention at school. Andrew, by contrast, was the campus hero: tall, handsome, clever, captain of the debating team. When he took an interest in the shy literature student, her friends were astonished.
Eleanor, have you been practising witchcraft to land a man like that? they teased. How did you snag such a catch?
Even Eleanor could not believe it at first. Andrew brought flowers, took her to the cinema, introduced her to his friends. She waited for a twist, for him to realise his mistake and seek someone brighter. But no twist came; Andrews love was sincere. He admired her modesty, kindness, and the way she listened and supported him. With her, he felt protected from a world that demanded constant triumph.
After graduation they married. Andrew found work at a legal firm, Eleanor became a schoolmistress, and a year later Polly was born.
The early years were happy. Andrews career progressed, Eleanor raised Polly, and they saved for a home.
Gradually, Andrew lingered longer at the office, his evenings at the house growing scarce. He claimed new cases and prospects, and Eleanor, proud of his success, accepted his explanations.
Six months earlier, the first signs appeared. Andrew travelled more for business, received a promotion, bought a new car. When home, he seemed distant, replying that work fatigue and stress weighed on him.
Andrew, shall we take a holiday? Perhaps a seaside break for the three of us? Eleanor suggested.
Cant now, love. Its a busy period, big matters. Ill endure, he replied.
Endure stretched into months. Nights at home became rare, excuses of late meetings and midnight negotiations. Eleanors suspicions grew, yet she pushed them aside.
Then, a month ago, her worst fear materialised. Entering his study with a cup of tea, she saw his phone screen alight with intimate messages to a woman named Susan. The correspondence was so blunt that doubt vanishedAndrew was having an affair.
Eleanors first impulse was rage, to storm out, to file for divorce, to fling his belongings. But thoughts of Polly, of being alone with a child, of losing her job after leaving school, steadied her.
She chose a quieter path, feigning ignorance.
Andrew, who is that Susan? she asked, voice as steady as possible, pointing to the name on the screen.
Ah, thats a new business partner, helping with paperwork, he answered.
She nodded, believingor pretending to believe.
When two weeks later Andrew claimed he would undergo an operation for appendicitis, Eleanor was not surprised. She already knew he rented a flat with Susan, living as a family. Yet she kept playing the unsuspecting wife.
Eleanor, Agnes whispered later, tell me everything from the start.
Eleanor recounted the messages, the late business trips, the flat with Aunt Susan. Agnes listened, only occasionally shaking her head.
How long will you endure this? she asked finally.
I dont know. Perhaps hell see sense, perhaps its just a midlife crisis, Eleanor replied.
A midlife crisis at twentynine? Agnes scoffed. I love him, Mother, but Polly cant grow up without a father.
Will she understand? Eleanor asked, tears brimming.
She already knows more than you think, Agnes said. Children are not simple fools. She knows her father lives with another woman and that youve lied about the hospital.
Eleanor sobbed louder.
What do I do? I cant survive without him. I have no work, no money, no home of my own! Where can I go with my child?
To my flat, Agnes offered. Its a onebedroom council flat, but well make it work.
What if he returns? What if he realises what hes done?
What if he doesnt? What if Susan stays? What if he files for divorce himself? What then?
Eleanor fell silent, thoughts swirling but unspoken.
Give me time, she pleaded. Maybe things will settle.
Agnes sighed. Alright, but on one condition. Stop lying to Polly. She sees and feels everything. Lies will only wound her more.
What should I tell her? That Father abandoned us for another woman?
Tell the truth, in a way she can grasp. Say he now lives elsewhere, that youre sorting family matters, but dont mention hospitals or appendicitis.
That night, as Polly tucked herself into bed, the telephone rang. Eleanor saw a familiar number and answered.
Hello, she said, trying to sound normal.
Hey, how are you? Hows Polly? Is the treatment going well? Should I visit?
Im fine. Doctors say I need a week more, she replied, hearing womens laughter and music in the backgroundclearly not a hospital ward.
Andrew, perhaps we can meet? Polly misses you.
I cant now. The regime here is strict. Ill be home soon, he said.
When?
When the doctors allow.
After the call, Eleanor sat at the kitchen table, tears spilling over. Agnes placed a hand beside her.
He was on the phone, wasnt he? Speaking about a strict regime while music played?
Yes, Eleanor whispered. Im a failure, Mother, but I cant
You think of Polly?
Only of her. I want her to have a family.
What sort of family? One where father lives with a lover and mother lies?
The next morning, after Agnes left for the market, Polly approached her mother at the table.
Mum, when will Father come back from the hospital?
Eleanor met her daughters serious stare, seeing more understanding than she expected.
Polly, sit down. I need to explain something.
Hes not in hospital?
Eleanor was taken aback.
You know?
Yes, Im not a child. Ive seen the photos on your phone you and Aunt Susan making pancakes together. There are no pancakes in a hospital.
What do you think about it?
Polly shrugged. Probably he doesnt love us any more. He loves Aunt Susan.
Eleanor felt her heart tighten.
Polly, adults sometimes make mistakes. Your father is human and can err, she said gently.
Why did you say he was in hospital?
Because I hoped hed realise his mistake and return.
And if he doesnt?
I dont know, love. I dont know.
Polly fell silent, then spoke.
Mum, why not just live without him? The two of us, together. That would be fine, wouldnt it?
Eleanor looked at her child and realised Polly had already decided for them both. It was time to stop deceiving themselves.
Youre right, Polly. Lets live just us.
Can we move to Grandmas? She said shed take us in.
Yes, if youre okay with a small flat.
Fine. Just dont cry at night any more.
Eleanor stared, surprised.
You heard me crying?
Of course. Im not deaf or blind. Mum, shall we stop lying to each other?
Lets, Eleanor agreed, pulling Polly into a tight embrace.
That evening she sent Andrew a message:
We need to meet and talk. Polly knows about Aunt Susan.
An hour later his reply arrived:
How does she know? What did you tell her?
Nothing. Children arent deaf. Come tomorrow, well discuss.
The next day Andrew arrived, looking guilty and uneasy. Polly, seeing her father, smiled faintly but kept her composure.
Dad, are you still ill? she asked.
No, sweetheart.
Then why did Mother say you were in hospital? Youre living with Aunt Susan.
Andrew stumbled, clearly unprepared for such bluntness from an eightyearold.
Polly, go to your room, Eleanor instructed. I need to speak with your father.
When Polly left, Eleanor faced Andrew.
So, what now?
Andrew began, but Eleanor cut him off.
No need for explanations. Just tell medo you want to keep the family or not?
He stayed silent.
Fine, she said. Lets sort out Pollys arrangementsmaintenance, birthdays, visits.
Its not that simple, he muttered.
You think its simple? You live with another woman. Ive covered for you, lied to my child and my own mother. Enough!
I never intended this, he replied.
But it happened. We must decide what to do next.
Andrew looked at his wife, noticing how she had hardened, become steadier, no longer the meek girl who would endure all for the sake of a family.
I dont want a divorce, he said slowly.
Then why should I keep covering your betrayals? Why should I keep lying to our child? Why wait at home while you live a double life with Susan?
Give me time, he begged.
There is no time, Andrew! Polly sees everything. She needs certainty. Either you return home and we try to rebuild, or we separate civilly.
How do I choose a family?
No more Susan. No more secret trips to a flat. An honest, open life.
Andrew thought.
I need to consider this.
Give me a week. No more delays.
A week later Andrew called, asking for a meeting. They met at a quiet tea shop, without Polly.
Ive decided, he said. Ill try to revive the family.
What about Susan?
Its over.
Andrew, Ill give you one chance. One. If you deceive again, it ends forever. Well see a family counsellor, together.
I agree.
No secrets from Polly. If you have a business trip, shell know the destination and purpose. If you stay late, youll call home.
Understood.
Eleanor looked at him, unsure if their broken trust could ever mend, but she thought of Polly and hoped enough.
Then you can come home tomorrow. Polly will be delighted.
That night Eleanor told Polly about the conversation.
He said he wants to come back, that he wont live with Aunt Susan anymore.
Do you believe him? Polly asked seriously.
I want to, Eleanor replied. And you?
I do too. But if he lies again, well go to Grandmas. Deal?
Deal, Eleanor smiled, amazed at her daughters wisdom.
The following day Andrew returned, bearing a bouquet for Eleanor and a new doll for Polly. They dined together as a family. Polly chatted about school, Eleanor about chores.
Dad, Polly asked suddenly, wont you ever live with Aunt Susan again?
No, love. Ill stay with you.
What if you wanted to?
Andrew glanced at his daughter, then at his wife.
If I ever wanted to, Id tell you straight away, no lies.
Good, Polly said. And Mum, you wont say Im in a hospital any more?
No more, Eleanor promised, hugging her daughter tightly.
They laughed, and Polly returned to her meal, as if the storm that had threatened their home had passed.
Time will tell whether trust can be rebuilt, but Eleanor knew one thing: she would never again deceive herself, her child, or anyone else.
That night, as Polly drifted to sleep, she thought how strange adults could be, making life so tangled when a simple truth would suffice. Most of all, she felt relief that Father was finally home, and no longer had to pretend he didnt know where he truly lived.
