I cant right now. The doctors have put me on a strict regimen. Ill be home as soon as they let me.
My dads in hospital, the eightyearold Mabel announced, stirring her porridge with a spoon.
Grace Whitfield nearly dropped the tea tin. She had driven up from Manchester for the weekend to help her daughter Olivia and granddaughter Mabel around the house while her soninlaw supposedly lay in a London hospital with appendicitis.
What did you just say, love? Grace asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Whats wrong with what I said? Mabel replied, eyes wide. Dad lives with Auntie Sue. Mum showed me their pictures on her phone theyre cooking together, laughing.
Grace felt her heart skip a beat. From the bathroom came Olivia, wrapped in a damp robe, her hair still wet.
Mum, why are you so pale? she said, noticing the colour drain from Graces face.
Olivia, we need to talk, Grace whispered, nodding toward the childrens room.
Mabel, go watch cartoons, Olivia told her daughter.
I havent finished my porridge!
Finish it later. Come on, sunshine.
When Mabel disappeared, Grace turned back to Olivia, her voice barely a whisper.
Explain whats happening.
Olivia sank into the chair opposite her, avoiding her mothers eyes.
What about?
About you covering for Andrew. He isnt in a hospital hes staying with Auntie Sue, and you know it. Youre protecting his betrayal.
Olivia stayed silent, tugging at the edge of her robe.
Mabel, Im your mother. Ive known you for twentyeight years. When you lie, your left eye twitches. Its doing that now.
Mom, you dont understand
Then tell me! Why does my daughter shield a cheating husband? Why lie to me and to your own child?
Tears welled in Olivias eyes.
Because Im scared of losing him!
Grace pulled Olivia into a hug, smoothing her hair. Their familys story had never been simple.
Olivia and Andrew had met at university she studying English literature, he law. Both came from modest backgrounds, sharing a cramped dorm room. Olivia was quiet, homebound, never a headturner in school. Andrew was the campus heartthrob: tall, handsome, captain of the debate team. When he noticed Olivia, none of her friends could believe it.
Olivia, did you practice some kind of witchcraft? they whispered. How did you snag that hunk?
Even Olivia doubted it at first. Andrew brought her flowers, took her to the cinema, introduced her to his friends. She expected him to grow bored and find someone brighter, but he never did. He loved her modesty, her kindness, the way she listened. With him she felt protected from a world that demanded constant brilliance.
They married after graduation. Andrew got a job at a law firm, Olivia became a primaryschool teacher. A year later Mabel was born.
The early years glittered. Andrews career rose, Olivia raised their daughter, they saved for a flat. Then Andrew began staying late at the office, his excuses new clients, big cases. Olivia brushed it off, proud of his success.
Six months ago the first cracks appeared. Andrew started traveling for work, earned a promotion, bought a sleek new car. He was home less often, and when he was, he seemed distant, weary.
Andrew, why not take a break? Lets go to the seaside, the three of us, Olivia suggested.
Cant now. Its a busy period, big matters to settle. Ill manage.
Weeks turned into months. He stopped sleeping over, citing night meetings and overnight trips. Olivias suspicion grew, but she pushed the thoughts away.
Then, a month ago, she walked into his study and saw his phone screen lit with an intimate chat. The messages were blunt he was having an affair.
Olivias world shattered. She wanted to fling his things out, file for divorce, but thought of Mabel, of her own job security after shed left teaching when Mabel arrived. She decided to pretend ignorance.
Andrew, whos Svetlana? she asked, voice as calm as possible, spotting the name on the screen.
Oh, shes a new business partner, helping with paperwork.
Right.
She swallowed the lie, or at least pretended to.
When Andrew later claimed he was heading into surgery for appendicitis, Olivia didnt gasp. She already knew he was renting a flat with Svetlana, living as a family. Yet she kept up the act of the worried wife.
Tell me everything from the start, Grace urged, pulling Olivia aside later that evening.
Olivia recounted the texts, the night business trips, the flat for Auntie Sue. Grace listened, nodding occasionally.
How long will you keep putting up with this? Grace asked finally.
I dont know. Maybe hell realise his mistake. Maybe its a midlife crisis.
Midlife crisis at twentynine? Grace scoffed.
Mum, I love him! Mabel cant grow up without a dad.
Should she?
Should we keep lying to her?
Olivia broke down again.
What do I do? I have no job, no money, no home of my own. Where do I go with Mabel?
Come stay with me. My onebed flat isnt much, but well make it work.
Mum, you live in a tiny council flat. How will three of us fit?
Well manage. Just be honest.
What if he comes back? If he realises what hes done?
Or if he never comes? If Svetlana stays? If he files for divorce?
Olivia fell silent, the questions looping in her mind.
Give me some time. Maybe things will settle.
Grace sighed, seeing her daughter wasnt ready for a drastic move, but she couldnt stay silent any longer.
Fine. But you must stop lying to Mabel. She sees everything.
How do I tell her?
Tell her the truth in a way she can understand. Dont say hes in hospital; say hes living elsewhere while you sort things out.
That night, after Mabel was tucked in, the phone rang. Andrews name flashed on the display.
Hello, Olivia said, trying to sound ordinary.
Hey, hows the recovery? Think Ill drop by soon?
What? Im fine. Doctors say I need another week.
In the background a womans laugh and a pop song drifted through the speaker.
Andrew, can we see each other? Mabel misses you.
Cant right now. Strict regimen. Ill be home as soon as they let me.
What does as soon as they let me mean?
When the doctors say its okay.
Olivia sat at the kitchen table, tears spilling over. Grace placed a hand beside her.
He called?
Yeah, talked about a strict regimen while a party played behind him.
Olivia
Yes, I know Im a terrible mother. I just cant yet.
Think of Mabel. Shes only eight.
The next morning, Grace left for the market. Mabel waddled into the kitchen, eyes serious.
Mum, when will Dad come back from the hospital?
Olivia met her daughters gaze, feeling the weight of a childs understanding far beyond her years.
Mabel, sit down. I need to explain something.
Hes not in the hospital?
Do you know?
Yes. I saw the pictures on your phone. Hes living with Auntie Sue. They were making pancakes together. You dont make pancakes in a hospital.
What do you think about that?
Mabel shrugged.
He probably doesnt love us anymore. He loves Auntie Sue.
Olivias heart clenched.
Adults make mistakes, love. Dads still a person, he can err.
Why did you say he was in the hospital?
Because I hoped hed realise his mistake and come home.
And if he doesnt?
I dont know, love. I dont know.
Mabel was quiet for a moment, then said,
Mum, why dont we just live without Dad? Just you and me. Well be fine.
Olivia looked at her, seeing the resolve of a child who had already made a decision for both of them.
You know what, Mabel? Youre right. Lets live our own lives.
Can we move in with grandma? She said shed take us.
Yes, if you dont mind a tiny flat.
I dont mind, as long as you stop crying at night.
Did you hear me crying?
Of course. Im not deaf or blind. Mum, can we stop lying to each other?
Lets.
Olivia typed a message to Andrew that night:
We need to meet. Mabel knows about Auntie Sue.
An hour later his reply came:
How does she know? What did you tell her?
Nothing. Kids arent blind. Come tomorrow, well talk.
The next day Andrew arrived, looking ashamed and nervous. Mabels face lit up, but she kept a tight grip on the table.
Dad, are you feeling better? she asked.
No, love.
Then why did Mum say you were in hospital? You live with Auntie Sue.
Andrew stared at his eightyearold, stunned by her bluntness.
Mabel, go to your room, Olivia said. I need to talk to him.
When the little girl slipped away, Olivia faced Andrew.
So, Andrew? What now?
No.
Dont give me explanations. Just tell me do you want to keep this family or not?
Andrew was silent.
Fine, Olivia said coldly. Then well sort out Mabels arrangements child support, birthdays, everything.
Its not that simple
It is. You live with another woman. Ive covered for you, lied to my mother, to my child. Enough!
I never meant for this to happen.
Intent doesnt erase the damage. We have to decide now.
Andrew looked at Olivia, who had hardened over the past weeks, no longer the docile wife who endured everything for the sake of a façade.
I dont want a divorce, he said finally.
Then what? Do I keep shielding your betrayals? Do I keep lying to Mabel?
Give me time to think.
Theres no time, Andrew! Mabel needs certainty. Either you come back, or we end this cleanly. No more Auntie Sue, no secret trips, just an honest life.
Andrew hesitated.
I need to think.
You have a week. No more delays.
A week later Andrew called, asking for a meeting. They met at a quiet café, Mabel absent.
Ive decided, he said. I want to try to rebuild our family.
What about Svetlana?
Its over.
Andrew, Ill give you one chance. One. If you cheat again, its over forever.
I understand.
Well see a family therapist together.
No secrets from Mabel. If you travel, shell know why. If you work late, youll call.
Agreed.
Olivia stared at him, unsure if they could truly heal. The pain was deep, the lies many. Yet she wanted to try, for Mabels sake.
Then you can come home tomorrow. Mabel will be glad.
That evening Olivia told Mabel about the conversation.
He says he wants to come back. He wont live with Auntie Sue any more.
Do you believe him? Mabel asked seriously.
I want to. What about you?
I want to too. But if he lies again, well go to grandma.
Deal, Olivia smiled, amazed at her daughters wisdom.
The next day Andrew arrived with a bouquet for Olivia and a new doll for Mabel. They ate dinner together like a proper family.
Dad, Mabel suddenly asked, you wont live with Auntie Sue again?
No, love. Ill live with you.
And if you change your mind?
I wont.
Olivia looked at Andrew, then at Mabel, and felt a flicker of hope.
Okay, then, Mabel said, returning to her plate. Can Mum stop saying youre in the hospital?
We wont, Olivia promised.
Then we can keep living.
Laughter filled the room as the father tucked his daughters hair behind her ear. Time would tell if trust could be rebuilt, but Olivia knew one thing for certain she would never lie to herself, to Mabel, or to anyone again. As Mabel drifted off to sleep, she whispered to the darkness, Adults are strange. They make everything so complicated when they could just tell the truth. And the most important truth lingered in the night: Dad was finally home.
