Summer is almost here, and Claire doesnt like this time of year. It isnt the heat that bothers her; its that James hardly ever comes home during the warm months.
Claire and James have been married for seven years. Their life together is comfortable, and they argue rarely. Claire is grateful to James for taking her on when she was pregnant with their little boy, Oliver, who is now about a year old. When Olivers father, Anthony, learns that his friends wife is expecting, he disappears, ignores calls and refuses to open his door. One day Claire shows up at his workplace just to look him in the eye. The soontobe father shivers so badly that Claire cant help but laugh, Dont worry, Tony, Im not asking for anything from you this isnt your child.
I know, I know! Anthony shouts with relief, turning triumphantly to his colleagues who have been watching. You cant blame me for a child that isnt yours!
It isnt yours, its mine, Claire replies calmly. People like you never have real children every child is just a stranger to you.
Anthony cant find a reply, and the onlookers turn away in disgust. Claire leaves, determined never to see the man she once thought she loved again.
When Oliver is six months old, Claire asks her retired mother to look after him while she returns to work. Before her maternity leave, Claire worked in a furniture shop, and they gladly take her back reliable, pleasant employees are hard to find. There she meets James Volkov, a driver who delivers furniture from a factory.
Claire tells James about her son straight away; he doesnt look surprised, just says seriously, Lets get married, have another boy, then a girl. I love kids. Claire is taken aback by the speed of his proposal. She isnt ready for marriage, but James is attractive, steady, and earns well driving his own lorry. With a sick mother who cant watch Oliver for long, the offer feels right, and within three months Claire becomes Mrs. Volkov.
Surprisingly, married life suits her. James works hard, never makes a scene, and isnt jealous. Claire never gives him any reason to be. When she asks if hes faithful, he jokes that hell only worry if she gains weight and starts wandering around the house in an old, ragged dressing gown. Claire laughs shell never be that.
Seven years pass. James buys a new lorry and now hauls freight across the country, earning well but spending little time at home. Claire opens her own furniture store and keeps busy. Oliver, now eight, is a kind, athletic boy with several medals. He loves James even though he knows the man isnt his biological father, and he tries hard to make James proud.
Claire and James never have a second child. Five years ago doctors tell them theyre probably just incompatible. Claire takes the news lightly because she already has Oliver, but she feels guilty toward James and promises him a baby. When James realizes they wont have a shared child, he falls into a slump, then lifts his spirits again after a couple of years, becoming more caring and interested in the shop and Olivers achievements. Claire is delighted by his renewed attention.
Jamess parents live about a hundred miles from their village in a tiny hamlet. James often stays over at their place for the night, sometimes more often than at his own house. Claire feels a little slighted but consoles herself that Nora and Ian are already in their sixties and need help around their old home. She never argues with James about it, fearing to upset him again after his previous twoyear slump. After so many years together, Claire not only respects James, she loves him deeply and cant imagine parting.
One May evening, Claire feels an uneasy knot in her chest. Perhaps the long summer absences are wearing on her. She dials Jamess mobile, Hey love, where are you? At your parents? Why does your voice sound so strange? Did something happen? Im sorry if Ive upset you. She watches the dead screen, tears welling up. James has never spoken to her so harshly. Unable to sit still, she drives Oliver to his grandmothers and then heads to the village where Jamess parents live.
She arrives late at night; Jamess lorry is gone. Disappointed, she still knocks. Nora, surprised but warm, opens the door, sets a kettle, and they sit down for tea. Ian is already asleep, so the house stays quiet. As Claire begins to explain her anxiety, a sleepy threeyearold girl wanders out of a room, rubbing her eyes and calling for Mum. Nora quickly picks her up, humming a simple lullaby.
Claire is startled. Where did this child come from? she asks once the little one is settled.
Thats Lucys daughter, Nora says hurriedly, Lucy died a few days ago. She had no one else, so we took Katie in.
Are you planning to keep her? Claire asks sympathetically. It must be hard, shes still a baby. And wheres her father?
Before Nora can answer, Ian appears, having been woken by the childs cries. He freezes in the doorway. Claire leans in and kisses his cheek, Sorry we woke you, Katie was crying. Shes such a sweet little thing; youre wonderful for not abandoning her, but shell be a lot for you both at your age. Ian looks oddly at Nora, who rushes to explain, I told Claire that Lucy passed away, so we brought Katie here. Ian nods silently and retreats to his bedroom.
Claire assumes Ian is just saddened by Lucys death and turns back to Nora. May I stay the night? Could I sleep in the room with Katie and look after her?
Nora hesitates, then nods. The whole night Claire watches the sleeping child, gently stroking her light hair, already planning what shell tell James and his parents in the morning. She finally drifts off.
She awakens to a pair of eyes staring at her. She opens her eyes sharply and sees James standing beside the bed, looking tense at both her and the sleeping Katie.
James, she says pleadingly, lets take her in, please. I can raise her.
James turns away abruptly and walks out of the bedroom. Claire rushes after him, finds him sitting on a bench under an old birch in the garden, tears glistening.
Im sorry, he whispers, Im sorry.
Sorry for what? Claire asks. You dont want to take her? I understand you wanted a child of your own, but fate gave us this one. She looks a lot like you shell be our own.
James closes his eyes, grinding his teeth. She looks like me because shes my daughter, he shouts, Im sorry. I love you, truly. It was a stupid, oneoff mistake. Lucy lived with an elderly neighbour; I went to a friends anniversary there and got tangled up. She later said she was pregnant and wanted me to be the father. I agreed to help, but never to leave you. My parents disapproved, but its done now. Lucy didnt die; she brought Katie here two days ago with papers signing me over as her guardian because shes marrying a foreigner and cant take the child. I was scared to tell you, my parents are old.
Claire is stunned, says nothing, and walks slowly back into the house. She sits beside the sleeping Katie, fighting the urge to hate the child, searching for any unfamiliar features, but only finds Jamess familiar face reflected in her. She sobs quietly, covering her face with her hands, letting tears slip through her fingers without wiping them, hoping theyll wash away the hurt. Then she feels a warm hand on hers. She lifts her palm to see Katie looking up with big blue eyes, smiling. Dont be sad, I wont be, the girl says. Let me braid your hair.
Claire stops crying, imagines the little girl in a councilrun nursery, unnoticed, and instead gently embraces her, Alright, Ill comb your hair; I dont know how to braid yet, but Ill learn.
A court later grants Claire and James legal guardianship of Katie. Oliver is thrilled to have a sister and declares hell protect her as the big brother. James gives up longhaul routes; he and Claire run the furniture shop together and soon open a second branch.
Claire never forgets Jamess brief infidelity, but she forgives him, never blaming him because she sees the genuine remorse in his eyes.
On a cold December morning, Claire and Katie return home from a school Christmas concert. Katie is ecstatic, clutching a huge box of sweets given by Father Christmas. She runs to her dad, wraps him in a hug and whispers, Dad, what did I ask Santa for? A new brother or sister.
James looks at Claire, startled, and answers, Love, Santa cant grant that, ask for something else.
Why not? Claire replies with a mischievous smile, Can we really deny a sweet little girl?
James freezes, watching his wife grin. When Oliver arrives from his training, he sees James happily twirling Claire around the living room, while Katie, chocolatesmudged, lounges on the sofa. Oliver sits beside Katie, takes a candy and says, Weve got great parents, dont we, sis?
