“You’re no daughter of mine anymore. Who he is or where he came from, I don’t know. I’m ashamed of you. Move into Gran’s cottage and live like an adult. Take responsibility for your choices.”
“Olly, did you hear? They’ve sent some lads from the city to help out in the village. Fancy going to the pub tonight?” Maddy sprawled in her chair, grinning.
“Mads, what about Vlad? Whod look after him? Bring him along?” Olly laughed.
“What if we ask Auntie Lou?” Maddy suggested carefully.
Olly waved her off.
“Dont be daft. She still hasnt forgiven me for having Vlad. She wanted me to marry Andy, didnt she? But I went off to uni instead. Didnt get in, came back expecting. Took her a full year to speak to me again. You go on without memaybe youll meet someone nice.”
Maddy sighed.
“Alright, Ill drag Tanya along. Ill tell you everything tomorrow.”
Olly tucked Vlad into bed and stepped outside, wrapping herself in a shawl. The distant thump of music from the pub carried on the wind. She pictured the laughter, the dancingMaddy probably wearing that god-awful leopard print dress again. Olly smiled despite herself; in that thing, her friend looked like a tipsy caterpillar. With a sigh, she turned in for the night.
At dawn, Maddy burst in, right as Ollys mum arrived for a visit. Olly pressed a finger to her lips, but Maddy was unstoppable.
“Shame you werent there last night! These lads came throughproper fit, one was called Will. Chatty, funny. Were meeting up today!”
Ollys mum narrowed her eyes.
“Married, Ill bet.”
Maddy shrugged.
“Dunno, didnt check his ring finger. Even if he is, at least its a story.”
“For heavens sake, girls. Andys a decent bloke. Olly here missed her chance, but you, Maddyyou could still snag him,” Auntie Lou mused.
“Oh, come off it, Auntie Lou! Whod want him? And his mums a right nightmare. No thanks!” Maddy scoffed.
She turned to Olly.
“There was this one ladgorgeous. All the girls were smitten. He just stood with his mates, didnt dance with anyone. Then left alone.”
Then, something unbelievable happened. Auntie Lou said thoughtfully,
“You should go tonight, Olly. Ill mind Vlad. Might meet someone steadysomeone reliable. That boy needs a father. Just steer clear of married ones. They can sniff out a single mum. Understood?”
Olly, hardly daring to believe it, nodded and kissed her mums cheek.
“Go on, you flatterer,” her mum grumbled.
That evening, Olly stood in her best dress, chatting with friends. Shed missed carefree nights like this.
“Look. Hes back,” the girls whispered.
Olly glanced overand froze. Her legs trembled. She turned sharply.
“I should go. Vlads probably crying.”
Maddy gaped.
“Olly! First night out in ages, and youre leaving? You havent even danced!”
But Olly was firm.
“Im off. Looks like your Wills heading overyou wont be lonely.” She made for the door.
A hand caught hers.
“Care to dance?”
Olly kept her eyes down, pulling away.
“I dont dance.”
He was persistent.
“Just one. Please.”
She turnedand her heart lurched. *Him.* The one whod changed her life forever. And judging by his blank look, he didnt recognise her. Relief washed over her.
“One dance. Then Im gone.”
He spun her gently.
“Your husband waiting?”
“Im not married,” she said flatly.
He winkedthat same, familiar wink that stole her breath.
“So Ive got a chance?”
Olly stepped back.
“Dont count on it.” She fled.
Tears streamed down her face as she walked home. Shed remembered him forever, loved him instantlyand he hadnt known her.
Theyd met on a train. Shed been heartbroken after failing her exams, heading home in shame. Hed been visiting family. Seeing her sadness, hed teased,
“Names Max. Mum calls me Maxie, nephew calls me Mase. Take your pick.”
Olly had smiled.
“Mase is funnier.”
Hed extended a hand.
“Nearly proper introductions, then. And you are, lovely creature?”
“Olly.”
Max had nodded.
“Regal. Suits you.”
Shed confessed her failure, her dread of her mums disappointment.
“Study over winter and try again,” hed said.
Olly had brightened.
“Didnt think of that. Cheers.”
Hed studied her.
“No ones told you youre stunning, have they?”
Shed blushed.
“Im ordinary. But thanks.”
Hed leaned closer.
“Its true.” Then hed kissed her. What followed was equal parts shame and sweetness. Hed left early, promising,
“Ill find you.”
Only later did she realisehed never asked where she lived.
Then shed discovered she was pregnant. Her mum had spat,
“Youre no daughter of mine. Some strangers got you in trouble. Move out. Live with your choices.”
Olly had worked at the library until her due date. Maddy had met her at the hospitalher mum hadnt come. Only when Vlad was five months old had she softened, bringing toys, muttering,
“Not our bloodline.” But shed visited more often.
“Whats wrong?” Ollys mum had asked when shed returned early from the pub.
“Nothing there for me. Hows Vlad?”
Her mum had smiled.
“Fast asleep. Since youre back, Ill head home.”
Olly had barely slept, exhausted by dawn. Vlad fussed over his porridge.
“Eat up, or you wont grow big and strong like your dad,” shed chided.
“Talking about me? Flattering. And this must be my son?”
Olly had dropped the spoon.
“You? How?”
Max had grinned.
“Told you Id find you. Didnt know Id be a dad, though. I was so caught up that night, forgot to ask where you lived. Suppose fate decided wed end up together.” Hed pulled a face at Vlad, whod giggled.
By morning, Ollys mum had found themMax carrying Vlad on his shoulders, Olly glowing.
“This him?”
Olly had nodded.
Her mum had offered a hand.
“Louise Carter. Youll be a good man and fatheror Ill know why.”
Max had shaken it firmly.
“Understood.”
*Sometimes, love finds you twiceif youre brave enough to let it.*
