Hey love, listen upIve got a little saga for you about Claire and Jack, just thought youd enjoy it.
Summer was right around the corner, and Claire wasnt keen on the heat. It wasnt the temperature that bugged her; it was that Jack almost never turned up at home during those months.
Claire and Jack had been married for seven years. Their life was pretty smooth, hardly any fights. She was grateful to Jack for stepping up and taking care of their little boy, Oliver, who was barely a year old when they started. Jacks dad, Andy, disappeared the moment he found out his mates wife was expectingno calls back, the door stayed shut. One day Claire showed up at his work just to look him in the eye, hoping for a reaction. The moment Andy saw her, he trembled so hard she burst out laughing, Dont worry, Andy, Im not after your kid
Andy, relieved, shouted, I knew! I knew! and turned to his mates watching the scene, You cant expect me to raise someone elses child.
Claire calmly replied, Its not yours, its mine. Folks like you never have a real family; every kid looks foreign to you. Andy could only gasp for air, not knowing how to answer, while the onlookers turned away in disgust. Claire left, deciding shed never see that supposedly beloved man again.
When Oliver was six months old, Claire asked her motherwhos retired on a disability pensionto look after the boy while she went back to work. Before her maternity leave shed been in a furniture shop, and they welcomed her back with open arms. Good, reliable, pleasant staff is hard to find, you know. Thats where she met Jack Volkov, who delivered furniture from the factory.
She told Jack straight away about Oliver. He didnt bat an eye, just said seriously, Lets get married, have another boy, then a girl. I love kids. Claire was taken abackshe hadnt expected such a quick proposal, and she wasnt even ready for another marriage. But Jack was a decent-looking, responsible bloke who earned well driving his own lorry, and Claire knew she couldnt manage a baby on her ownher mum was often ill and couldnt look after Oliver forever. So, three months later, Claire became Claire Volkov.
Surprisingly, she liked being married. Jack was hardworking, never caused drama, and, best of all, he wasnt jealous. Claire never gave him any reason to be. She stayed faithful, hoping hed do the same. When she once asked him if he was cheating, he laughed and said, Only if you start waddling around in your old ripped dressing gown, then Ill think about it. Claire relaxedshe wasnt about to stroll around in a tatty gown.
Seven years slipped by. Jack bought a new lorry and was now crisscrossing the country, hauling all sorts of loads. He made good money but was home only rarely. Claire opened her own furniture shop and kept busy to avoid boredom. Oliver was eight nowhandsome, kind, a sports enthusiast with a few medals to his name. He loved Jack, even though he knew Jack wasnt his biological dad, and he always tried to make his father proud.
Claire and Jack never managed to have a child together. Five years ago doctors told them they were probably just incompatible. Claire took the news with a shrugshe already had Oliverbut she felt a huge guilt toward Jack and promised him a baby. He waited, hoping. When he realised thered be no shared child, he fell into a slump, but a couple of years later his spirits lifted again. He became even more caring, took an interest in the shop and Olivers achievements, which made Claires heart sing. She loved that Jack had come to terms with their childfree reality and was back to being his old self.
Jacks parents lived about a hundred miles away in a tiny village. He often stayed the night there, sometimes more than once. Claire felt a twinge of annoyanceHes at his folks more than at homebut she soothed herself by remembering that Margaret and George were already in their sixties. Their old cottage needed help now and then, and Claire didnt argue with Jack about it; she didnt want to bring back those two bleak years hed spent feeling down. After all those years together, Claire wasnt just gratefulshe truly loved Jack with all her heart. The thought of splitting up was unimaginable, even though the constant distance was hard; shed do anything for him.
One May evening Claire felt a strange unease. Maybe it was the summer longings, maybe she was just missing Jack more than usual. She dialed his mobile: Jackie, where are you? At your parents? Why does your voice sound off? Did something happen? Im sorry if I bothered you. Bye. She stared at the dead screen, almost in tears. Jack never spoke that harshly to her. She didnt know what to do, paced the house, then, after a while, drove Oliver to his grandma and set off in her car to the village where Jacks parents lived.
She arrived late night. Jacks lorry was gone from the drive. She felt a pang of regret for the wasted miles, but she knocked anyway. Margaret was surprised, a little embarrassed, yet she swung the door wide open, offered tea, and they all sat down quietlyGeorge was already asleep. Claire was about to explain her worry when a sleepy little girl, about three, stumbled out of a room, rubbing her eyes, calling for her mum. Margaret swooped in, cradled the child, humming a simple lullaby.
Claire was baffled. Where did this little one come from? she asked after Margaret settled the girl.
Thats our cousin Lucys daughter, Margaret blurted, Lucy passed away a few days ago. She had no one else, so we took Katie in.
Are you planning to keep her? Claire asked gently, Itll be hard for you, shes still so tiny. And wheres her father?
Before Margaret could answer, George emerged from his bedroom, looking slightly startled. He froze in the doorway as Claire approached and kissed his cheek. Sorry we woke you, Katie was up. Shes a sweet little thing, too sad for her mum. Youve done well not abandoning her, but shes not exactly easy for you two, youre not that young any more.
George gave a weary nod, then silently slipped back to bed. Claire thought maybe he was just upset about Lucys death, so she didnt press further. She turned back to Margaret. Ill stay the night, could I sleep in the room with Katie? Ill watch over her.
Margaret hesitated, then nodded.
The whole night Claire lay awake, watching the tiny sleeper, gently stroking her light hair, already planning what shed say to Jack and his parents in the morning. By dawn she finally drifted off.
She woke to the feeling of someone looking at her. She sat up to see Jack standing by the bed, his eyes fixed on her and the sleeping little girl, tension and fear in his gaze.
Jackie, she whispered, pleading, lets take her in, please. I can raise her.
Jack turned sharply and left the room. Claire bolted out, chased him outside to the garden. He was sitting on a bench under an old birch, tears glistening.
I’m sorry, he murmured, Im sorry.
For what? Claire asked, startled. You dont want to take her? I get itour own child never happened, but she looks a lot like you. She could be ours.
Jack closed his eyes, grinding his teeth. She looks like me because shes my daughter, he shouted, Im sorry. I love you, truly. It was a oneoff, silly mistake. Lucy lived with an old lady in the next hamlet. I went to her birthday, got drunk, and things got messy. She said she was pregnant and wanted me to be the dad. I said Id help, but I never intended to leave you. My parents knew about Lucy, they judged me, but its done now. Lucy didnt die; she just brought Katie here two days ago with a legal paper giving me custody, because she was marrying a foreigner and didnt want the child with him. I didnt know what to do, and I was scared of your parents reaction.
Claire was stunned. She didnt answer, just stood, walked into the house, sat beside the sleeping Katie, and tried to hold back tears. She wanted to hate the little girl, to find some flaw that wasnt hers, but all she saw was Jacks face reflected in those bright blue eyes. She sobbed quietly, a hand covering her face, letting the tears slide down.
Then she felt a warm touch on her hand. She withdrew her palm and saw Katie looking up with a cheeky grin, Dont be sad, Ill fix your hair, she chirped.
Claires crying stopped. She imagined the little girl in a statehome, ignored, then decided to brush her hair gently. Alright, Ill try my best with your braids, even if I dont know how yet, she whispered.
A few weeks later the court approved the adoption. Oliver was over the moon about a little sister, declaring hed protect her as the big brother. Jack gave up the long hauls, and together Claire and he ran their shops, eventually opening a second branch.
Claire never forgot Jacks slip, but she forgave him, never bringing it up again, because she could see the genuine remorse in his eyes.
Come December, Claire, Oliver, and Katie came home from the schools Christmas show. Katie was beaming because Father Christmas had handed her a massive box of sweets. She ran to Jack, wrapped him in a hug, and whispered, Dad, can I ask Santa for a brother or a sister?
Jack looked startled, Love, Santa cant do that, maybe ask for something else.
Claire smirked, Why not? He cant say no to a sweet little girl like you.
Jack froze, watching her, and she laughed and nodded. When Oliver came back from his training, he saw Jack spinning Claire around, both laughing, while Katie, chocolatesmudged, perched on the sofa, shrugging her shoulders. Oliver plopped down beside Katie, grabbed a sweet and said, Weve got the best parents, dont we, sis?
