Vera had waited so longbut at last, it felt like wings had sprouted, lifting her heart. She had waited, and now, happiness had finally come.
But with young Adrian, things werent right. He couldnt seem to find common ground with his father.
Yes, his fatherVictor.
Vera had nearly given up hope that love would ever find her again. She had sworn off even thinking about relationships, though there had been the occasional fleeting encounternever serious, never enough. Deep down, she had always waited for Victor, believing hed come to his senses.
But with Victor, it had ended badly. You cant force love, as the saying goes.
When Adrian was barely three, Victor had left. Found someone else. Moved on.
And now, here they were.
All those years, he claimed he had thought of herof them. Realised his mistake too late. Young and foolish, chasing after something hollow. But now, he swore he had changed. Now, everything would be right.
*”Why didnt you come back, Victor?”* Vera searched his face, her voice trembling.
*”Too ashamed, love. Knew you wouldnt take me backnot a proud woman like you.”*
Proud? Her? She had forgiven him after all these yearsfoolish man, so much wasted time. But no matter. Now they were a proper family again. No longer the abandoned woman she had been, drowning in tears.
She had once wished to disappear. Stupid, really.
But she was glad she had never settled for just anyone. Why should her son be raised by a stranger when his real father was alive? The past was buried. She had forgiven. And Victor swore he loved only her.
Adrian, though
Adrian was at that agethough what did that matter? He wasnt a child anymore.
His friend, Sophie, said he was jealous. For years, he had been the centre of Veras world. Now, he had to share her love.
But he was old enough to understand. And it wasnt some random manit was his own father.
Yet still, they clashed. Adrian was stubborninherited from her mother, no doubt. Sharp-tongued, like her.
But family always found a way. So she sent them off together, pretending shed forgotten the potatoes and bread.
Once, twicethen theyd start wanting time together. Blood was thicker than water, after all.
Humming, Vera cooked dinner. Thenfootsteps. Adrian tossed the bag on the floor, muttered something, and vanished into his room.
*”Vera,”* Victor sat heavily at the table. *”Whats wrong with him?”*
*”Wrong?”*
*”That hairlong and white, like some poet. Doesnt even look like a bloke. Thought wed be hitting the gym, watching football, fishing. But hes soft.”*
*”Soft? Hes a musician!”*
*”Musician?”* Victor scoffed. *”Nothing in this house changes. Not the flat, not youstill the same hairstyle after all these years.”*
Vera smoothed her hair self-consciously. *”I got used to it.”*
*”Used to it? Bloody hell, love. Ever think about lash extensions? Lip fillers? Something modern?”* His gaze darkened. *”Youve raised a bloody weakling. Leave him in the woods, hed drop dead in a day.”*
*”How can you say that?”*
*”Because its true! Im ashamed, Vera. Other lads sons are proper lads. Mine?”*
*”Ashamed of what? In front of who?”*
*”My mates! WhateverI need a kip.”*
*”Go rest. Ill make your favouritesteak and ale pie.”*
*”Aye, do that. Backs killing me.”*
Vera stirred the pot, the words festering. Ashamed? She was proud of Adrian.
Thenfootsteps by the door.
*”Adrian?”*
*”Yeah, Mum.”*
*”Where are you going?”*
*”To Jakes. Were rehearsing.”*
*”Its late.”*
*”Well be quick.”*
*”Dont stay out.”*
But Adrian didnt come home. Didnt answer his phone. Vera panicked.
Victor just shrugged. *”Hes fifteen. Probably shacked up with some girl.”*
*”He always calls!”*
Finally, Adrian rang.
*”Mum, were running late. Staying at Jakes.”*
*”No!”* Vera snapped. *”Where are you? Were coming.”*
*”Vera, Im knackeredlet him take the bloody bus.”* Victor scowled.
*”Youre going,”* Vera said coldly.
*”Fine, whatever.”*
The drive was silent. When they picked Adrian uplaughing, chatting about a new songVictor exploded.
*”Songs? Pathetic. At your age, I was working. If you want to be some bloody rockstar, get a job!”*
Vera stayed quiet. Adrians smile died.
Back home, Victor rantedabout Adrians clothes, his hair, calling him a *”girl.”*
Adrian slammed his door.
Victor slept on the sofa.
Next morning, Adrian announced, *”Im staying with Gran.”*
*”What? Its two hours to school!”*
*”Dont care. Dont want to be in your way.”*
*”Adrian”*
*”Not my fault Im not the perfect son he imagined.”*
*”You little”* Victor snarled. *”Im your father!”*
*”Father? Where were you? Paying child support? Teaching me to fight? Buying me ice cream in the park?”*
Victor struck him.
*”Victor!”* Vera screamed.
Adrian, silent, left.
*”You ruined everything!”* Vera wept.
*”NoI made him a man.”*
Adrian wouldnt answer her calls. Her mother answered coldly*”Hes fine. Sort your mess out.”*
Crushed, Vera listened as Victor laughed on the balcony
*”Yeah, Mike, shes a pushover. Told her straightId walk any time. Wheres she gonna go? Kids a waste, though. Off to his nans, little coward.”*
Vera didnt react. Just opened the wardrobe.
Pulled out Victors neatly folded clothes.
Marched to the balcony.
*”Vera? What”*
She hurled them over the railing.
*”You follow them, or I throw you next.”*
*”You mental”*
*”Get. Out.”*
Laughing through tears, she rang Sophie, who told her*”Let it hurt. Then let it go.”*
Next morning, Vera took the train to her mothers.
On the way, she helped an older manWilliamstruggling with a cane.
*”Neighbours meeting me. Good lad. Off to see Mumhomes the best place to heal.”*
Vera barely listened.
ThenAdrian, waiting at the station.
*”Mum?”*
*”Adrian?”*
*”Just meeting Uncle Will.”*
They walked William home. He joked about dancing when his leg healed. Vera laughedreally laughed.
At home, she hugged Adrian.
*”Hes gone for good. Forgive me.”*
*”Salright, Mum. Listenme and the lads, well help redecorate.”*
***
Williams leg healed. He didnt take Vera dancinghe took her to dinner. Then to Adrians gig.
*”This ones for my mum and my future dad.”* Adrian grinned. *”Mummarry him?”*
The crowd chanted*”Vera! Vera!”*
And just like that, she was happy.
William was kind. Adrian thrived.
Victor? Goneas though he had never been there at all.
Sometimes, Vera thoughtnone of it was wasted. Without the waiting, shed never have found William.
And now, thered be a grandchild.
Life, at last, was good.
