The Surprise
«Fancy a pint at the pub? We could have a chat,» Thomas suggested at the end of the workday.
«Sorry, Im heading home. Look.» Edward pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it.
«Blimey, youve actually gone and done it?» Thomas examined the ring. «Thought youd never settle down.» He clapped his friend on the back.
«Emma and I have been together four years nowtime to make it official. She doesnt know; its a surprise. If I dont ask her soon…»
«You never will,» Thomas finished for him. «Still having doubts? Come off it, Emmas a lovely girl. Im a bit jealous, truth be told.»
«Right, Id best be off.» Edward tucked the box away. «Promised Emma Id be home early,» he said, hurrying to the lift.
On his way, he stopped at a florist and bought a bouquet of red rosesEmmas favourite. He placed them on the passenger seat, rehearsing his proposal at every traffic light. «Darling Emma, youve waited so long Emma, I love you, will you marry me? No, thats not right…»
Nothing sounded perfect. After parking, he grabbed the flowers and headed inside. Just as he reached for the door handle, his phone rang.
«Eddie, love…» His mothers voice told him something was wrong.
«Whats happened, Mum?»
«Im fine. Its Sarah Shes gone, love.»
«Good Lord…» Edwards hand fell from the door.
It didnt make sense. Sarah, whom hed known since childhood, was gone. «How?»
«A hit-and-run. She died instantly. The driver got away. The funerals tomorrow. Love, will you come? She always cared for you…» His mother sniffled. «Little Lucys all alone now. Something must be done I fear theyll take her to a care home…»
«Ill do my best to be there,» Edward promised.
«Please come, love…» She wept.
«Sarahs gone,» echoed in his mind.
He hadnt loved her the way shed loved him. She deserved better.
Edward hardly remembered climbing the stairs. He found himself at the flat door, the roses suddenly awkward in his hands. The news had knocked him sideways. Proposing now felt wrong.
«Whats the occasion?» Emma asked, stepping into the hallway. Only then did he notice the rich scent of dinner filling the flat. Normally, it wouldve made his stomach growl, but tonight it felt out of place.
Emma waited, eyes on the flowers. But Edward hesitated, as if hed forgotten what to do with them. He looked lost.
«Flowers dont need a reason.» Shaking himself, he handed them over and kissed her cheek.
Emma lowered her gaze, hiding her disappointment, and vanished into the kitchen. Soon, the sound of running water reached him.
When he entered, the roses stood in a vase, and Emma was setting the table. He wasnt hungry but sat down to spare her feelings.
«Not eating?» she asked.
«Not tonight. Sorry. Mum calledSarahs passed. Funerals tomorrow.»
«Sarah?» Emma trailed off, waiting.
«My ex-wife,» Edward clarified. «I have to go, sort things out for Lucy. Our daughter.»
«Waityou never mentioned a daughter. How old is she?»
«Twelve, I think.»
«So youre bringing her here? To live with us?»
«I dont know. Sarah had no oneher parents died. My mums not well enough. Sorry, I need to pack.»
«Youre really going to the funeral?» Emma sounded doubtful.
«Yes, on the night train. Ive already called work.»
«Eddie, youve been divorced for years. She mustve had someone else»
«Stop, not now. Ill leave the caruse it if you need.»
«So this is the surprise you had for me?» Emma pushed back her chair.
«No. Ill tell you when Im back.» His hand tightened around the box in his pocket.
Sleep wouldnt come on the train. He lay awake, remembering.
***
Theyd been childhood friendssame nursery, same school. Pale, thin Sarah was often ill, always wrapped in scarves. When her parents died in their final school year, her grandmother followed soon after. Edwards parents took her in.
His father joked shed make a fine wife. Edward bristled at the idea.
Before their A-levels, his parents left for a weekend. Alone in the house, something came over himhe barely recalled how it happened. Sarah fell pregnant. His parents insisted they marry.
Hed loved her as a friend, a sister. Hed imagined love would feel grander, more romantic. But he married her. Sarah struggled through the pregnancy. When he first saw Lucy, he felt nothing. The truth was bitterhe didnt love Sarah, didnt care for his child. He wasnt ready. After scraping through his first university term, he transferred to London and left.
His father had said no one in their family ever abandoned their own. If he left, hed get no help. He was no son of his. Sarah and Lucy would stay.
Edward never returnednot for holidays, not even when his father died. Only his mother called. When Sarah found another man, they moved into her old flat. His mother sent photos of Lucy as she grew, looking more like Sarah each year. He felt nothing. Hed seen her once as a baby and erased her from his life.
Now, twelve years later, he was going back. Whatever his mother said, he wouldnt take Lucy. «No one abandons children in this family. Whats wrong with you? Youre no son of mine» His fathers words made him shiver. In the end, hed been the one to push for the divorcebetter Sarah found a proper man…
A shame theyd never reconciled.
Then came Emma. Impossible not to love her. Yet hed delayed proposinguntil now, with the ring bought, he was leaving for his first wifes funeral. As if Sarah had her final revenge, shattering his happiness.
Though, truthfully, there was little left to shatter. The passion had long cooled; they stayed together out of habit. He wasnt sure he wanted marriageonly that Emma did, and he didnt want to lose her.
With a resigned sigh, Edward finally slept.
His mother hugged him tearfully. Lucy stood apart, wary.
«Lu, darling, come meet your dad,» his mother coaxed.
The girl snorted, spun on her heelplaits flyingand marched into what had once been his old room.
«Give her time,» his mother said.
Sarahs coffin was closed. The whole thing felt unreal. Lucy didnt cry, just glared, ignoring Edward.
He tried speaking to her. She answered in silence. Once, he overheard her with his mother.
«Lu, Im too old to keep you. Just stay with your dad in London for a while, then you can come back.»
«Why? He doesnt want me. Might as well go straight to the home.»
«Dont be daft! Not with your dad alive! Youve no idea what those places are like»
«Where was he before? He left us. Im not going.»
Footsteps. A slammed door.
Yet she went with him. On the train, Lucy asked, «Who do you live with?»
«Gran told you? Yes, theres someone. Im planning to propose. Bought a ring and all. Youll like her.» He wasnt sure himself.
The flat was empty. Emmas things were gone. Keys lay on the sideboard.
«Your rooms theresettle in,» Edward said, retreating to the bathroom. Emma wouldnt answer his calls. Probably blocked him.
When he emerged, Lucy was making sandwiches, tea steeping. He was grateful she didnt fuss or gloat.
Next day, they enrolled her in the local school, then shopped for clothes. They spoke little, but next morning, Lucy made omelettes.
«Gran teach you to cook?»
«Mum did.»
«Good girl.»
That was that.
He showed her Londoncinema, roller-skating in Hyde Park. Slowly, the ice thawed.
Then work sent him to China for a week. Refusing wouldve killed his career. But what of Lucy?
«Im not a baby,» she said.
«Its Londonyou dont know it yet. Ill sort something.»
«Ask Sophie from work. She fancies youshell jump at it,» Thomas suggested.
Edward had noticed the junior assistant blushing around him.
Thomas was right. Sophie agreed eagerly. He invited her over to meet Lucy. They hit it off, laughter drifting from the kitchen.
He left for China lighthearted. Having a daughter still unnerved himhe was used to solitude. Emma didnt count; that was different. But he hadnt expected to miss Lucy. He called daily. Sophie always took the phone after Lucy handed it over.
Returning, he called ahead. From the taxi, he spotted them by the buildingalike as sisters. His heart leapt. No one had ever waited for him like this.
He stepped out. Lucy approached. Awkwardly, he hugged her; she didnt pull away. Sophie lingered, smiling. He wanted to hug her too.
«Come on upIve got presents.»
Watching them unwrap gifts, he enjoyed their delight more than they did.
«Anything to eat here?»
«Plenty!» Sophie dashed to the kitchen, Lucy close behind. The clatter of dishes followed.
Theyve become friends, he thought.
At dinner, they bombarded him with questions about China. It was nicer than ever before.
After, Sophie made to leave.
«Da-ad,» Lucy drawled, nodding toward the hall.
Had she really called him that? Edward followed Sophie out.
«Stay. Ive more stories.»
Lucy swooped in, tugging Sophie to her room.
That night, Edward couldnt sleep. So much had changed. Lucy had softenedthanks to Sophie. She was easy company. Emma wouldve clashed with Lucy.
Two months ago, hed have laughed if told hed be living with his daughter. And Sophie He liked knowing she slept just across the hall. Too soon to say, but why not try? She fancied him. And he He searched his feelings. It just felt right. The next morning, sunlight spilled across the kitchen table as Lucy and Sophie bickered over toast. Edward watched, mug in hand, the ring still in his pocketunspoken, ungiven. He thought of Emma, the life theyd almost built, and felt not loss, but relief. This was different. Real. Later, he walked Lucy to school, Sophie falling into step beside them. No words were needed. That evening, he phoned his mother. Shes settling in, he said. Were doing alright. And for the first time in years, he meant it.
