**Diary Entry Happiness is Possible**
Emilys dad is wonderfulso cheerful, so kind. The best father anyone could wish for.
She waits eagerly for him to return from his business trips, always bringing gifts and endless funny stories. Mum brightens up the moment he walks in, though Gran only scowls and stays away. Emily wishes theyd just get along.
Oh, the tales he tells! She laughs till her sides ache. This time, he brought her a big doll and a fluffy white rabbit.
This rabbits a girl, right, Dad?
Yes, Em. Know what her name is?
Nooo.
Lily.
Lily? Like Mum?
Yes. So youll always have a little Lily with you.
Mum blushes when Dad hands her presents too, scolding him for spoiling them.
How could I not? Youre my favourite girls.
They share supper, and Dad spins more stories.
In the army, we had this blokeguess his surname?
What? Emily giggles.
Thunderclap! Built like a brick wallshoulders this wide! He stretches his arms. Strong as an ox. His mate? TinyMouseley. Like a little mouse! Inseparable, they were. And another ladCatson. Imagine: Thunderclap, Mouseley, and Catson. Always together.
Emily falls asleep, happy and laughing.
The next day, they visit the parkice creams, carousel ridesuntil she dozes on his shoulder.
But come morning hes gone.
Mum, wheres Dad? Hes just washing up, right?
Mum looks distant. Sweetheart Dad had to leave.
For work? Urgent work?
Yes, love. Very urgent.
Years pass. Dad visits sporadically. Gran sneers.
Never stays long, does he? Too busy for birthdays, Christmases Secretive, that one. Probably married already. Lizzie, next time he comes, check his papers
Mum, stop! Mum snaps.
The visits grow tense. Mum whispers demandssomething about his job, Emily thinksuntil one day, they argue loudly.
Lily, Ive obligations
Just not to us, is it?
Dad kisses Emily sadly and leaves, slumped. Gran rants.
Knew it! Knew he was hiding something. Married, wasnt he?
Mum wipes her eyes. I found out too late. He begged me to keep the baby said if it was a boy, hed leave straight after. But Emily came He loves her, Mum.
Loves her? Then hed live here!
Dad visits less. Emily asks when hell return. Gran snaps, Who needs a father like that?
But Emily waits.
She doesnt know another girlsame age, perhapsalso calls him Dad, also waits for gifts. She hugs her rabbit, whispering, Lily, you understand, dont you? Hes still the best.
Then, one day, she sees himholding hands with another woman, a girl her age, a boy about as old as his absences. A proper family. She cant call out. He doesnt spot her.
That night, Grans words echo: *another family*.
At breakfast, Emily whispers, Mum he has another family, doesnt he?
Mum gazes out the window. Yes. Always did.
Then what are we?
His family too. Just not the official one.
Emily turns away. She wants to rage, but tears come instead. Why didnt you tell me?
Because you loved him, Mum murmurs, hugging her. And I did too. He loves you still. Life just got complicated.
She remembers his stories, his laughter, his hand ruffling her hair. It was real. He *was* the best.
At twelve, Mum marries Uncle Rob. He isnt unkindjust indifferent. Emily grows up, graduates, rents a flat. Life moves on.
Then, years later, Dad calls. As if nothing happened.
Em, darling! Hows work? The flat?
She keeps her distance. But when he asks to meet, she agrees.
In a quiet café, he looks oldergrey at his temples, weary. But his grin is the same.
Youre beautiful, he says, fiddling with his cuff.
She studies himher hero, her heartbreak.
Dad I know. About your other family.
He sighs. Em, Im sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. But I was a cowardcouldnt lose you, couldnt leave them.
She stays silent, torn between hugging him and running.
I cant forget how we laughed, she finally says. Thunderclap, Mouseley, Catson You were everything to me. But the pains real too.
His head bows. What can I do?
She sees it thenhes afraid of losing her for good.
Just be here, she says. No secrets. Just my dad.
He nods, eyes glistening. She touches his handand forgives. Not for his mistakes, but because, flawed as he is, she still loves him.
Years later, Emily has a daughterAnnie, fair-haired, bright-eyed. Dad visits openly now.
Grandads here! Annie shrieks, darting to him.
He kneels, hugging her, laughing that same old laugh. After dinner, he tells storiesThunderclap, Mouseleyand Annie giggles just as Emily once did.
Tucking her in, Emily remembers her rabbit, Lily. She smiles.
Life wasnt the fairy tale shed dreamed. But watching her dad and daughter laugh at the same silly tale, she knowshappiness is possible. Just not how you expect.
