A fine motorcar pulled up beside a quaint little florists shop, nestled in the heart of London. The establishment, though newly opened, had already won the hearts of the townsfolk. Even folk from neighbouring counties would come seeking its exquisite floral arrangements.
“Pick out the loveliest bouquet you havethe grandest, too. Ive a son born today!” beamed the young man to the pretty florist, his face alight with joy.
On his way to the hospital, Edward pictured the moment he would first hold his child, vowing to be the father he himself had never known. Memories of his own father weighed heavy on him. The only bright flicker from his childhood was the towering figure of a man lifting him high, stirring both fear and delight. But soon after, William Hartley abandoned his familynot merely leaving them, but stripping his wife and ten-year-old son of the roof over their heads.
It all began when his mothers friend, Victoria Simmons, started frequenting their home. A nurse by trade, she often brought along a bottle of medicinal spirits, brushing off his mothers faint protests with a laugh.
“Oh, do hush! Whats the harm? Its just to whet the appetite,” shed say, whenever Edwards mother frowned. “Youve such a splendid husband! Ought to cherish him, you should.”
One evening, Victoria invited young Edward and his parents to her birthday celebration. She lived on the far side of town with her two daughters. All night, she flitted about William, refilling his glass, doting on him with every glance.
Then came the night Edward returned from football practice to overhear his parents in the kitchen.
“Im leaving. And yes, I love Victoria. Theres nothing left between usnot love, not respect. But with her, its real. She values me, unlike you,” his father declared.
“Its not you she values, you foolits your coin,” his mother retorted.
“Knew youd say that. Cant have a civil word, can you? Oh, and well have to sell the housesplit the profits.”
“Have you no conscience? That home was my parents wedding gift to *us*!”
“Preciselyto *us*, not you alone. Its shared property.”
“And what of your son? Wheres he to live, to sleep, to eat?”
“And have you thought how Im to live in a cramped flat with the woman I love and her two schoolgirls? Besides, I only want whats fair…”
For two years, Edward and his mother lived with his grandparents before securing a mortgage on a modest home. Years later, his mother remarried. When Edward finished university and wed, his stepfather signed the deed over to him.
“Ill love my boynever betray him, nor Elsie,” Edward thought, driving home from the hospital. In the coming days, hed gather all the babes needs and furnish the nursery. His wife had insisted they wait, lest they tempt fate.
Nearing his door, Edward spotted a balding stranger. Something in the mans bearing struck him as eerily familiar.
“Eddie, my boy! Dont you know me?”
“Father..?”
“The very same! Spotted you the moment you stepped from that fine motor. Speaking ofsplendid machine.”
“Pardon, but Ive business.” Clenching his fists, Edward made to pass.
“Business… Always in a rush. No need for such formalitywere family. Might I come in? A proper talk, man to man.”
On any other day, Edward wouldve dismissed him. But today, joy softened his heart. Without a word, he turned toward the door. William took silence as assent and followed.
“Fine home youve got! Plenty of space,” the older man mused, eyeing the rooms. “Done well for yourself. More than enough to aid your own flesh and blood.”
“What are you on about?”
“Dont play daft. Youve spare roomsmore than one. And clearly, youve means to ease my troubles.”
“Your troubles are no concern of mine. Weve not spoken in twenty years. Were strangers. What do you want?”
“Ive had a spot of bother. Fell out with Victorias son-in-lawcalled me a freeloader! Me! When I kept them all afloat with my factory wages, I was their golden goose. But since retiring? Cast out. Even left with debts in my name from her extravagances. Im in dire straits, son. Only seeking fairness…”
“Fairness? Whats that to do with me?”
“Victoria and I never wedshes naught to me, nor her daughters. But youre my own boy. And your mothermy only true wife. Were she not remarried, Id have gone to her. We raised you together, after all.”
“So you think youve rights, after taking half the proceeds from Mums house and vanishing? Not a penny in child supportDad.”
“That money went to Victorias flat and seaside holidays. Nothing wrong with a bit of leisure. My mistake was footing loans for her daughters weddings and honeymoons. But youll understand, wont you? Help your old man?”
“Leisure? Mum worked seven days a week while we scraped by. I took odd jobs from thirteenhanding leaflets, then scrubbing motors.”
“Thats my lada proper man. Surely you wont leave your father destitute.”
“I lost my father at ten.”
“But here I am! Better late than never. Well make up for lost time.”
“How?”
“Let me stayjust awhile. Bloods thicker than water.”
“That rooms for my son. Whoever gave you this address shouldve known. My boy was born today. I mean to be the father he deserves. Now leaveIve furniture to fetch, and a mountain of tasks.” He gestured firmly to the door.
Outside, William called after him.
“Eddiethat motor of yours… Trade it for something humbler? The difference could clear my debts. Do this kindness for your father…”
“Youre a betrayer. I needed you as a ladnow, I dont. Show your face again, and I wont answer for my temper.”
Edward strode to his car, leaving the man adrift on the pavement. Not a shred of pity stirred in his heart. He knew hed chosen rightlyfor his son, whod never taste the bitterness he once had.
