Cant right now, love. The doctors got me on strict orders. Ill be home soon, said Andrew, voice muffled behind the phone.
Your dads in hospital, Mum replied, but I saw him at Aunt Sallys flat, announced eightyearold Emily, stirring her porridge with a spoon.
Grandma Gertie nearly spilled her tea. Shed come up for the weekend to help Helen and Emily while Andrews hospital stay was supposed to be for an appendix operation.
What did you say, dear? Gertie asked, trying to keep her voice level.
Did I say it wrong? Emily blinked. Dad lives with Aunt Sally. Mum showed me the photos on her phone theyre baking, laughing together.
A sudden thump knocked the breath out of Gerties chest. From the bathroom emerged Helen, wrapped in a robe, hair still damp.
Mum, why do you look so pale? Helen asked, spotting the worry lines.
Helen, we need to have a word, Gertie whispered, nodding toward the childrens room.
Emily, go back to your cartoons, Helen told her daughter.
I havent finished my porridge!
Finish it later. Off you go, sunshine.
When Emily trotted off, Gertie turned back to Helen.
Explain whats happening.
Helen sat down, eyes darting away.
What do you mean?
That Andrew isnt in hospital. Hes staying with some Aunt Sally, and youre covering it up.
Helens lips trembled around the edge of her robe.
Emily, Im your mother. Ive known you for twentyeight years. When you lie, your left eyelid twitches see? Its twitching now.
Mum, you dont get it
Then tell me! Why are you shielding a cheating husband? Why are you feeding us both lies?
Helen burst into tears.
Im scared of losing him!
Gertie pulled her close, smoothing Emilys hair. Their familys tale was never simple.
Andrew and Helen had met at university she studied English, he studied law. Both came from modest backgrounds and shared a cramped dorm. Helen was shy and unremarkable at school; the boys barely noticed her. Andrew, on the other hand, was the campus heartthrob: tall, goodlooking, captain of the debating team. When he turned his attention to the quiet English major, the other girls were gobsmacked.
Did she use witchcraft on him? their flatmates whispered. How did she snag that stud?
Helen herself could barely believe it. Andrew brought her flowers, took her to the cinema, introduced her to his mates. She waited for the inevitable twist for him to realise his mistake and run off to someone brighter. But there was no twist. He was genuinely smitten, loving her modesty, kindness and the way she could listen. With her, he felt safe from a world that demanded constant performance.
After graduation they married. Andrew landed a job at a city law firm; Helen became a primary school teacher. A year later Emily was born.
The early years were blissful. Andrews career took off, Helen raised Emily, and they saved for a flat. Then things shifted. Andrew stayed later at the office, claimed new clients and career prospects were keeping him away. Helen, proud of his success, never suspected anything.
Six months ago the first cracks appeared. Andrew began traveling for business trips, got a promotion, bought a shiny new car. He was home less often, and when he did come back he seemed distant, tired, and always blamed work stress.
Andrew, how about a weekend away? Just the three of us at the seaside? Helen suggested.
Cant now, love. Its the busy season. Ill have to hold off.
Months stretched into endless Ill hold off. He stopped sleeping over, inventing latenight meetings and trips. Helens gut whispered something was off, but she pushed the thought away.
A month ago, the worst happened. Walking into his study, Helen saw his phone chat with a woman named Sophie. The messages were so blunt that denial was impossible Andrew was having an affair.
She wanted to scream, throw his things out, file for divorce. Then she thought of Emily, of being a single mother after quitting her job to raise a child, of the pension shed have to scrape together. She chose a quieter path: pretend ignorance.
Andrew, whos Sophie? she asked as calmly as one could.
Just a new business partner, sorting paperwork.
Helen believed it or pretended to.
Two weeks later, Andrew claimed hed be hospitalised for an appendix operation. Helen wasnt surprised. She already knew hed taken a flat with Sophie, living like a family. Yet she kept up the role of the unsuspecting wife.
Tell me everything from the start, Gertie urged later.
Helen recounted the texts, the night business trips, the flat for Sophie. Gertie listened, nodding occasionally.
How long will you put up with this? she asked finally.
I dont know. Maybe hell have a midlife crisis and snap out of it.
Hush, love, hes only twentynine. What midlife crisis?
I love him, Mum. Emily cant grow up without a dad.
Should she? Should a child have a cheating dad?
Emily doesnt understand yet.
She just told me everything! Do you think children are dumb? She knows dad lives elsewhere and mums lying about the hospital.
Helen sobbed harder.
What do I do? I have no job, no money, no home of my own! Where do I go with a child?
Come stay with me. My onebed flat isnt fancy, but youll have a roof.
Mum, you live in a tiny onebed flat on a pension. How will the three of us fit?
Well manage. At least youll be honest!
And if he comes back? If he realises what hes done?
What if he doesnt? What if Sophie stays? What if he files for divorce?
Helen fell silent, the thoughts pressing down.
Mum, give me time. Maybe itll sort itself out.
Gertie sighed. She saw Helen wasnt ready for a drastic move, but she couldnt stay silent.
Fine. But you must stop lying to Emily. She sees through us. Lies only hurt her.
What do I tell her? That dad left for another woman?
Tell the truth, simply. Say dad lives elsewhere while you sort things out, but drop the hospital story.
That night, after Emily was tucked in, the phone rang. Andrews name flashed.
Hello? Helen tried to sound normal.
Hey, hows Emily? Hows the recovery going? Think Ill pop round soon?
Dont need to, love. Doctors say I need another week of rest.
In the background Helen heard a womans laugh and music definitely not a hospital soundtrack.
Andrew, maybe we should see each other? Emily misses you.
Cant now. Strict regimen. Ill be home when the doctors let me.
Helen sat at the kitchen table, tears spilling. Gertie joined her.
He called?
Yes, talked about a strict regimen. Music and laughs all the way through.
Emily?
Only you, Mum. Im a mess, I know.
The next morning, after Gertie left for a shop, Emily crept into the kitchen.
Mum, when will Dad be back from the hospital?
Helen looked at her daughter, seriousness in Emilys eyes.
Sit down, love. I need to tell you something.
Hes not in hospital?
Did you know?
Of course I do. Im not a baby. I saw the photos on your phone you two making pancakes. Hospitals dont make pancakes.
What do you think of that? Emily shrugged.
He probably doesnt love us anymore. He loves Aunt Sally.
Helens heart ached as she hugged her.
Kids make mistakes, love. Dads human, hell slip up.
Why did you say he was in hospital?
Because I hoped hed realise his mistake and come back.
And if he doesnt?
I dont know, love. I dont know.
Emily was quiet, then said, Mum, why dont we just live on our own? Just the two of us. Well be fine.
Helen looked at her daughter and saw the decision already made.
Youre right. Lets do that.
Can we move in with Grandma? She said shed take us.
Sure, if youre okay with a tiny flat.
Fine, just dont cry at night.
Did you hear me crying?
Of course. Im not deaf or blind. Mum, can we stop lying to each other?
Lets, Helen agreed, hugging Emily tightly.
That evening she texted Andrew:
We need to talk. Emily knows about Aunt Sally.
He replied an hour later:
How does she know? What did you tell her?
Nothing. Kids arent deaf. Come over tomorrow, well talk.
Two days later Andrew arrived, looking guilty and a bit flustered. Emily, seeing him, brightened then kept her composure.
Dad, are you still sick? she asked.
No, love.
And why did Mum say you were in hospital? You live with Aunt Sally?
Andrew was stunned by the eightyearolds bluntness.
Emily, go to your room, Helen said. I need to speak with your father.
When Emily left, Helen faced Andrew.
So, what now?
I
No explanations needed. Just tell me do you want to keep the family or not?
Andrew fell silent.
Alright, Helen said. Then well sort out Emilys arrangements child support, birthdays, everything.
Its not that simple, Andrew protested.
Is it? You live with another woman. Ive covered you, lied to my own mother and my child. Enough!
I never meant for this to happen.
But it did. We have to decide.
Andrew glanced at Helen, who now wore a firmer, more confident air.
I dont want a divorce, he said finally.
Then what? Keep lying? Pretend youre not with Sophie? No more secret trips, no more lies to Emily.
I need time.
Times out, Andrew. Emily understands everything. She needs certainty. Either you come back home, or we go our separate ways cleanly.
Which family?
The one without Sophies, without secret flats, with honesty at the table.
Andrew thought for a moment.
I need to think.
Give me a week. No more delays.
A week later Andrew called, asking for a meeting. They met at a café, Emily nowhere in sight.
Ive decided, he said. I want to try to rebuild the family.
What about Sophie?
Its over.
Andrew, Ill give you one chance. One. If you cheat again, its over forever.
Understood.
And well see a family therapist, together.
Agreed.
No more secrets from Emily. If youre on a trip, she knows where and why.
Okay.
Helen looked at him, unsure if this would work. The hurt ran deep, the lies were many, but for Emilys sake shed try.
Then you can come home tomorrow. Emily will be happy.
That night Helen told Emily about the conversation.
Dad wants to come back. He says he wont live with Aunt Sally any more.
Do you believe him? Emily asked seriously.
I want to. What about you?
I do too. But if he lies again, well go to Grandma.
You promise?
Promise.
The next day Andrew returned, bearing a bouquet for Helen and a new doll for Emily. They sat down to dinner like a proper family.
Dad, Emily asked, are you really not living with Aunt Sally anymore?
No, love. Ill be with you.
What if you change your mind?
We wont.
Emily smiled, And Mum, will you stop saying Im in a hospital?
I wont, Helen replied. No more lies.
Laughter filled the room, and for the first time in months the house felt a little less like a stage for pretence.
Time would tell if trust could truly be rebuilt, but Helen knew one thing: she would never again hide the truth from herself, from Emily, or from anyone else.
As Emily drifted off to sleep, she thought about how baffling adults were why they made everything so complicated when a simple, honest chat could sort most of it out.
And the best part? Daddy was finally home, and no one had to pretend he didnt know where he really lived.
