The air in the house felt thick, like syrup, as Edwin leaned against the kitchen doorway. «Maisy,» he murmured, voice low, «how old are you, really? Sometimes I think youre not a first-year at uni but back in primary school. Loves all well and good, but you need a roof, dont you? Food on the table? Whats the rush? Tomorrows wedding, is it? No ones against your Oliverlet him come round, lets meet his folks. Fair enough?»
«Edwin, when are you home?» Helens voice crackled through the phone, urgent.
«Soon. Wrapping up now,» he replied, already shrugging into his coat.
«Dont dawdle. We need to talk.»
His pulse skipped. «Something happen?»
«Not yet,» she said, strained. «But it will.»
Fifteen minutes later, Edwin shouldered through the front door.
«Whats all this?» He eyed the tension in the air like a storm cloud.
«Change, wash up. The universe can wait,» Helen kissed his cheek and nudged him toward the loo.
When he emerged, she led him to their daughters room. Maisy sat hunched on her bed, eyes red-raw.
«Right,» Edwin rubbed his temples. «Whats the crisis?»
«Ask her,» Helen muttered, crossing her arms. «Go on, Maisy. Tell him.»
Maisy scowled at the window, lips sealed.
«Ladies,» Edwin thumped the desk. «Either you tell me calmly, or sort it yourselves. Ive had a day.»
«Were getting married,» Helen announced, voice dripping with sarcasm. «Today, apparently.»
Edwin blinked. «Just like that? Whos the lucky lad?»
Silence. Helen exhaled sharply. «Oliver Whitmore. Ring any bells? The one always lurking about.»
«Ah. Him.» Edwin turned to Maisy. «Well?»
She clenched her fists. «We love each other! Hes perfect, and were getting married!»
«Finally, some clarity,» Edwin sighed. «Same course, is he?»
«Yes. Same seminar group.»
«First year,» Edwin muttered. «Children.»
«Were not children!» Maisy shot up. «Were eighteen! Adults!»
«Adults, are you? Then lets talk like adults.»
«I dont want to talk! Its always Wait, save up, be sureblah blah blah! You dont get it. Were in love!»
«Im not tearing anything down,» Edwin said wearily. «Just making sense of it. So you love Oliver. Both of you want this?» Maisy nodded fiercely. «Good. Where will you live? How will you eat?»
«That doesnt matter! Love is enough!»
«Maisy,» Edwins voice went quiet. «How old are you? Because right now, you sound about seven. Love doesnt pay rent. Whats the rush?» He glanced at Helen. «Am I wrong?»
«Spot on,» Helen said. «But theres a hitch. Theyre in a hurry for a reason.»
«Oliver getting shipped off?»
«Not Oliver. Maisy. Well? Going to tell him?»
Maisy glowered. «Oliver and I are having a baby.»
Edwins eyebrows vanished into his hairline. «Right. And the plan is?»
«Get married! Have the baby! And dont you dare say»
«Easy. No ones saying anything.» Edwin massaged his temples. «Do Olivers parents know?»
«Hes telling them tonight.»
«Brilliant. Let me know what they say. Now, let me eat before I faint.»
At the kitchen table, Helen reheated leftovers. «What do we do?»
«Dunno yet. Lets hear what his parents say.»
The news came with the clatter of cutlery. Olivers parents were lividno marriage, no baby. A row, then radio silence.
Maisy shuffled in later, phone clutched like a grenade. «Olivers mum. She wants to talk to one of you.»
Helen recoiled. «You handle it.»
Edwin took the phone, speaker on, finger to lips. «Hello. Edwin Hartley, Maisys father.»
«Lauren Whitmore. Olivers mother. Our son just announced hes marrying your daughter. And given her condition, I assume youre aware.»
«We are.»
«Good. Then youll understand were firmly against this. Oliver needs to finish uni, build a career. A baby? Out of the question.»
«Funny,» Edwin said coolly. «We werent planning a shotgun wedding either. But theres a baby. Your grandchild.»
«Your problem, Edwin. First, I doubt its Olivers. Second, even if it is, we wont be strong-armed. Your daughters after securityOlivers from a good family, nice flat, prospects. But my sons future isnt up for debate. Hes done with her. Goodbye.»
The line died. Edwin looked at his wife and daughter. «Heard all that? Fine. Well manage. Babys innocent. Take a gap year, come back later. Well help. But those people?» He cracked his knuckles. «Well deal with them.»
He pulled Helen aside. «Stay with Maisy tonight. Keep her calm. Ill bunk in her room.»
An hour later, the doorbell rang.
«Now what?» Edwin yanked the door open.
Oliver stood there, jaw set.
«Ollie!» Maisy flew to him. «You came!»
«Course I did.» Oliver met Edwins gaze. «Im here to take Maisy.»
«Take her where?»
«Dunno yet. Well rent somewhere. Were adults. No stopping us.» He turned to Maisy. «Coming?»
«Yes!»
«Hold on,» Edwin held up a hand. «Your mum said your whole familys against this. You included.»
«Not quite. Mum decided. Dad follows her lead. I played along, then grabbed my wallet and left.»
Edwins lips twitched. «Hows rent getting paid?»
«Saved up. Ive a blog, a channel. Enough for a few months. Ill earn more.»
«Well, well.» Edwin glanced at Helen. «Shall we let her go? Lads got spine.»
Helen bit her lip. «Its late»
«Exactly. No gallivanting at night. Heres the deal. You marry?»
«Yes,» they chorused.
«Keep the baby?»
Another yes.
«Then well help. Butyou patch things with your parents. Ollie stays here tonightguest room, no funny business. Tell yours youre at a mates. No dropping out. Especially you, Ollie. Maisyll take leave, catch up later. Well chip in, babysit, but were not footing your bills. Keep the wedding quietsave cash. Fancy do later. Agreed?»
«Agreed,» Oliver said.
Maisy pouted. «But I wanted a proper wedding»
«Not now,» Oliver cut in. «Registry office first. Big party later.»
«Fine.»
«Right. Plans set.» Edwin clapped his hands. «Early starts all round.»
Later, Helen cornered him in the kitchen. «You changed your tune fast.»
Edwin grinned. «That boys no mummys boy. Stood his ground. Thats who I want for our girl.»
Helen kissed him. «Always right, you.»
As she herded everyone to bed, the house hummed with something newnot quite peace, not quite chaos, but the strange, shifting logic of dreams.
