Divorce is fairly common in the UK, but when Paul Turner marries, he believes it will be forever. He loves Emma Clark, who seems the very picture of femininity and charm. They have a son, Oliver, whom Paul adores beyond reason. Before the baby, Paul never imagined loving anyone more than his wife, yet love can be surprising.
Unfortunately, their happiness is shortlived. When Oliver turns three and starts nursery, Emma returns to work. It is there she meets the man who will ruin Pauls life. She falls deeply in love. She probably still cares for Paul, but not in the way he loves her. One day she tells him she is leaving for another man.
Paul, dont think Ive been unfaithful. I hoped it would pass, but it hasnt. Jack loves me, and Im sorry she says.
Paul says nothing. Theres no point in begging her to stay now that shes decided. Arguments would only make things worse, and she has been honest. For the sake of their son, they agree to keep things civil.
They divorce, and Paul is left alone. Emma keeps reassuring him that he will find someone who truly appreciates him, but Paul has been burned once and swears there wont be a second time. Oliver grows, and Paul sees him often. He and Emma maintain a friendly arrangement, agreeing on everything amicably. Emma doesnt claim child support; she simply says, If you can, send what you can, perhaps feeling guilty about how things turned out.
Paul, responsible as ever, knows how much a child costs in todays England growing expenses, clubs, activities, and pricey food. Each month he transfers as much as he can. Oliver often stays with his father, and it is during one of these visits that Paul learns Emma is pregnant.
Paul cant immediately label what he feels bitterness, envy, pain, or even a strange relief that Emma seems happy? Yet he knows he shouldnt rejoice. When Emma gives birth to a daughter, Jack abandons them, fleeing to another woman and leaving both Emma and the baby behind. They were never married, a red flag Emma ignored in her infatuation.
Paul steps in. He reluctantly helps with the babys expenses, but theres no other support. When he picks up Oliver, he can also look after Emmas daughter for an hour, take her to the doctor, or even stay with her and Oliver when Emma has to rush away for a few hours. They never plan a new relationship; Paul knows things will never be as they were, and Emma thinks staying together would be unfair to her exhusband. Still, they preserve a friendship for Olivers sake.
When the little girl turns two and Oliver starts primary school, tragedy strikes: Emma is killed by a drunk driver at a bus stop. The car skids into a crowd waiting for the bus, killing three people, Emma among them. She never even reaches the hospital.
For Paul, the news is devastating. He still feels affection for Emma not love, but a lingering closeness. Grief must wait; he has to organise the funeral and soothe Oliver. While handling these tasks, Paul discovers that the father of Emmas daughter has no intention of taking her.
They meet before the funeral, and the man bluntly tells Paul the child isnt his concern.
Ive got another family; where does she fit? he says.
But shes my daughter. How can you say that? Paul replies.
Its a small child. Shell find a good home, the man shrugs.
What about other relatives? Could they take her? Paul asks.
Theres Emmas sister. If she wants, she can have her. Its not my problem; this isnt about your son.
Paul knows Emmas sister a chronic alcoholic living in a rundown cottage in a Yorkshire village, with three children of her own. She is hardly a suitable guardian for a toddler.
When Paul collects Olivers things, little Emily stands watching. A neighbour temporarily looks after her until things settle, but she also refuses custody.
Im nearly fifty, my own children are grown. I cant take another, the neighbour says.
That night Paul cant sleep. Emily isnt his daughter, yet the father has abandoned her, and theres no decent family willing to care for her. Sending her to a childrens home feels wrong. He worries what will happen if someone unkind adopts her.
The next morning Oliver asks, Dad, will Uncle Jack take Emily?
No, Oliver, he cant, Paul answers, always honest with his son, preferring the bitter truth.
Then what? Will she go to a home? Will they read her bedtime stories? Can we visit? Oliver asks.
Paul smiles at his sons genuine concern for his little sister. He knows separating Emily from Oliver would break the bond theyve already formed, and Oliver will eventually see how wrong the situation was.
What if Emily lived with us? Paul suggests.
Really? But Im not her dad. Oliver replies.
We could try.
After navigating the social services, Paul finally secures guardianship of Emily. When he picks her up from the neighbours house, Emily runs to him and clings tightly, already knowing him better than her own father ever did. The moment she sees Oliver, she beams. Though shes too young to grasp that her mother is gone, staying with her brother eases the loss.
Within months Emily starts calling Paul dad, and he doesnt correct her. He has taken on the responsibility of raising her, so he is her father in every meaningful sense. Emilys biological father sends occasional, modest payments, but Paul needs nothing from him.
Emily thrives in a local nursery, fitting right into Pauls life. She grows to resemble her mother, and the bond between the siblings deepens. Paul feels he has done the right thing, loving Emily as his own. Outsiders would never guess she isnt his blood relative; sometimes Paul even sees a hint of himself in her.
When Emily turns six, Paul finally meets someone new. He swore he would never marry again, that no one would enter his life, yet love finds a way. His new partner embraces both Oliver and Emily. Over time Emily begins to call her motherfigure Mum, because she never remembered her own mother. Oliver treats his stepmother with respectful courtesy, and Paul asks for nothing more from his son.
Paul never lies to Emily or Oliver. Emily knows he isnt her biological father, yet she accepts him fully. As she grows older, she realises what Paul has done after the tragedy, he not only raised his own son but also took in a complete stranger and gave her a loving home.
One evening, after graduating from secondary school and preparing for university, Emily approaches Paul.
Thank you, Dad, she says.
For what, love? Paul replies with a smile.
For not abandoning me, for a happy childhood, for keeping us together, for being a true father and bringing Mum into my life.
Paul smiles through tears.
Youre welcome, Emily, and thank you for coming into my life. I finally have a real, loving daughter.
