The key turned in the lock and Emily, careful not to make a sound, slipped into the flat. The hallway was cloaked in darkness, a thin strip of light leaking from the kitchen doorway. Her parents were still awake, despite the clock having ticked past midnight. Lately this had become routinelatenight conversations behind a closed door, usually quiet, occasionally edging into hushed arguments.
She slipped off her shoes, set the bag with her laptop on the nightstand and crept down the corridor to her bedroom. She didnt want to explain why she was late, though the excuse was legitimatea work project that wouldnt finish and a deadline breathing down her neck.
Through the wall came muffled voices.
No, Tom, I cant keep doing this, her mother whispered, irritation sharp in her tone. You promised last month.
Lucy, understand, now isnt the time, her father replied, sounding like he was already making excuses.
Emily exhaled wearily. The marriage had become a battlefield of petty disputes, yet they pretended everything was fine when she was around. At fiftysomething, they were supposed to have outgrown the drama, but the ache remained.
She changed, washed her face, and climbed under the duvet, but sleep refused her. Her thoughts circled the same question. Her brother James lived in Manchester and visited rarely. If the parents divorced, who would keep the flat? What were they hiding?
The voices persisted. Emily reached for the nightstand and felt the headphonesshe wanted to drown the strangers secrets in music. Her hand brushed the phone, which slipped onto the carpet. Picking it up, she accidentally opened the recorder. Her finger hovered over the screen.
What if she recorded them? Just to know, instead of guessing. If she asked directly, theyd brush her off, say everything was fine.
A cold pang of conscience struck. Eavesdropping was wrong, let alone recording, but they were her parents. She deserved the truth if something serious was unfolding.
Resolute, Emily pressed record, placed the phone nearer the wall and pulled the blanket over her head.
The next morning, as she prepared for work, she noticed her parents looked exhausted. Over breakfast they exchanged only perfunctory pleasantries.
You came home late last night, her mother said, pouring tea. Stayed late at the office again?
Yes, the project ran over, Emily replied. Did you not sleep?
Just a film, her mother shrugged, avoiding eye contact.
Her father buried his face in the newspaper, feigning concentration.
Dont expect me for dinner, he warned without looking up. I have client meetings, might be late.
His lips pressed together, but he said nothing.
All day Emily fought the urge to listen to the nights recording. The tube was too crowded, and the thought of playing it in public embarrassed her. She postponed it until evening.
The day dragged on. When she finally returned home, her mother was gone a note said shed gone to a friends and would be back late. Her father was, as promised, still at work. The moment was perfect.
She flopped onto the sofa, wrapped in a blanket and hit play.
At first only fragments of speech came through, then the words sharpened.
tell Emily? his voice trembled.
I dont know, her mother sighed. Im afraid she wont understand. So many years have passed.
But she has a right to know.
Of course she does, but how do we explain why we kept silent all this time?
Emilys heart hammered. What truth were they hiding?
Do you remember how it all started? her father asked, a faint smile in his tone.
Of course, her mother chuckled. I thought it would be temporary, turned out to be forever.
What a life weve built, her father said dryly. Sometimes it was hard.
Especially after Emily was born.
The phrase struck Emily like a blow. Especially? Was she an unwanted child? Or something else?
But we managed, her father continued. She grew up splendidly.
Yes, her mothers voice swelled with pride. Now we have to decide what comes next. Im tired of this double life, Tom.
The word double life sent a chill down Emilys spine. Was there an affair? A secret partnership? Nausea rose in her throat.
Lucy, lets wait for James. Well discuss everything as a family.
Alright, her mother agreed. No more delays. Either we change everything, or I dont know what then.
The recording cut off, likely because someone left the kitchen or the phone stopped.
Emily sat stunned. What was happening to her family? Why wait for James? She thought of calling him, perhaps his older brother knew more. Aunt Clara, her mothers sister, had always been frank with her.
She decided: tomorrow shed phone James, and that weekend shed drive to Aunt Claras.
James didnt answer all day, finally calling just before dusk.
Hey, Em, sorry, I was on site, left my phone in the van, he said, upbeat as ever.
When are you coming back? she asked.
This weekend, why?
Mom and Dad are acting strange. Theyve been whispering at night, pretending everythings fine. Talking about a double life.
A pause.
James? she prodded.
Yeah, Im here, he cleared his throat. Listen, people have secrets, even parents. If they dont tell you, they probably arent ready. Wait for me, okay? Ill be there Saturday, well sort it out.
Okay, she replied reluctantly. What about Aunt Clara?
Dont involve her, he said quickly. Lets keep this between us.
The conversation left Emily more unsettled. He knew something, and he deliberately kept Clara out of it. Was it an affair? A family scandal?
That evening her mother returned from her friends house, cheeks flushed, eyes bright.
Can you believe it? Aunt Clara is selling her flat! She wants to move to the countryside, she announced at the doorway. She says the citys noise is too much.
Emily nodded, unsure how to react.
Would you like to move to the country? she asked, surprised by herself.
Her mother paused, then answered cautiously.
I dont know sometimes I think maybe I would. Fresh air, a garden
And dad?
Ask him yourself, her mother said suddenly serious. Hell be home late tonight, dont wait for him at dinner.
Fortunately, her father arrived earlier than expected. Emily was making tea when she heard the front door slam.
Dad, want some tea? she called.
Im coming, he replied, peeling off his tie as he entered. Wheres Mum?
Shes watching a film, Emily answered, handing him a cup. Hows work?
Fine, he said, sinking into a chair. The client finally agreed, so the project launches.
She placed the tea before him.
Is it true you and Mum have something important to tell me?
He flinched, eyes narrowing.
Where did you get that idea?
James mentioned hed be here this weekend and youd explain everything, Emily blurted, avoiding his gaze.
He pressed his thumb against his nose.
Yes, we have a conversation, but lets wait for James, alright? Itll be easier then.
Is it a divorce? she asked bluntly.
What? No, of course not! he exclaimed, genuinely surprised. Why would you think that?
You keep whispering, arguing. Mum spoke of a double life.
His expression flickered from confusion to dawning comprehension, then to relief.
Emily, youve misunderstood, he sighed. No divorce. Actually were planning something else, he started, then stopped. Just wait until the weekend. I promise its nothing scary.
Really?
Really, he said, squeezing her hand. Now have some tea before it gets cold.
That night Emily tossed and turned, trying to piece together the fragments shed heard. If not a divorce, then what? Illness? Money trouble? A move? The thought made her uneasy. She had just begun to build her career, made friends, loved the city.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
Cant sleep? her mother asked, peeking in.
No, Emily replied, propping herself up. What were you and Dad talking about?
Nothing special, her mother shrugged. Just work, Jamess visit.
Are you both okay? Emily pressed.
Her mother gave a wry smile.
Were fine. Sometimes life throws surprises, even when youre over fifty. You just have to decide how to deal with them.
Good or bad?
Both, Helen said, ruffling Emilys hair as she had done in childhood. Dont worry now, youll find out soon enough.
She kissed Emily on the forehead and left, deepening the daughters confusion.
The weekend arrived abruptly. James showed up on Saturday around lunch, sunkissed and noisy, carrying bags and an oddly tense look.
Shall we call a family council? he joked as they all gathered in the sitting room after lunch.
Her parents exchanged a glance.
Yes, its time, David said. Kids, we have news.
Emily held her breath.
Were moving, Helen declared.
Where to? Emily asked, stunned.
To the countryside, David answered. Specifically, a village called Oakford, about a hundred miles from here.
Why? Emily demanded, eyes darting between them.
Because thats our real home, Helen said simply. We bought the place fifteen years ago as a holiday cottage, but it grew into a fulltime farm.
A farm? Emily echoed. You keep bees?
Yes, David grinned. Fifteen hives, the best honey in the county.
We have chickens, goats, and were planning a cow this year, Helen added.
Emily stared, mouth open.
So youre farmers? she asked.
Exactly, David said, pride shining. We have orchards, raspberry patches, blackcurrants
Wait, Emily interjected. When do you work? I thought you were always at the office.
Our work now spans both worlds, David explained. The office job is still there, but the real work is in the fields.
She turned to James.
Did you know about this?
Of course, he shrugged. Ive helped with the barn, the extensions. The house is twostorey now.
Why keep it from me? she demanded.
Her parents looked at each other.
Because you always said you hated the countryside, Helen said softly. Remember the trips to Granddads farm? Youd cry and beg to go home. When we suggested weekend getaways, you always found excuses.
That was when I was a kid! Emily protested. Im an adult now.
But you never asked where we really went, David said. It felt awkward to tell you we were living a double lifecity professionals by day, farmers by night.
A double life, Emily whispered, recalling the recorder.
Exactly, David affirmed. Were happy out there, and we want to move fully. Im retiring next month, and Ive arranged to work remotely. Ill be in the city once a week for meetings.
What about the flat? Emily asked.
Well leave it for you, if you want, or sell it and split the money. Its your call.
Emily sank into the couch, the weight of the revelation pressing down.
So youve had a whole farm and never told me, she said bitterly.
We didnt mean to hurt you, Helen said, pulling Emily onto her lap. It just happened. We didnt know how to explain.
After a moment, Emily asked, Can I visit? See the house, the farm?
Absolutely, David replied, eyes bright. Tomorrow, if you like.
Tomorrow, Emily echoed. Ill go with you.
That night she lay awake, a mix of resentment, curiosity, and excitement churning inside. How much had she missed while chasing promotions, coffee dates, and deadlines?
The next morning they piled into the car and drove away from the city. The farther they got, the more animated her parents became, bragging about neighbours, soil tests, the sauna David built, and Helens jam preserves.
When the road turned from highway to a narrow lane, Helen turned to Emily.
Weve wanted to tell you for ages, especially now that were moving for good. We feared youd think we were foolscity folk playing at farming.
I wouldnt laugh, Emily whispered.
We understand now, Helen said, smiling. Youre grown, and we should have trusted you more.
The car stopped at the gate of a sprawling estate, a charming timber house standing proudly amid rolling fields.
Welcome to our true home, David said, killing the engine. Ready to meet our secret life?
Emily nodded and stepped out. The scent of grass and blossoms hit her, a distant cow lowed, chickens clucked, and James unloaded bags from the boot.
I still cant believe you kept this from me, Emily said, shaking her head. But you know what? Im intrigued.
Helen wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Were glad, she said. We even have a spare room for you, in case you want to spend weekends here.
Or summer? David added, hopeful.
Emily smiled, the tension easing.
Lets see your bees first, she said. I want to know why you swapped city life for country life.
They walked toward the beehives, and Emily felt, for the first time, that she was stepping into a story far richer than the one she thought she knewa story where the city and the countryside could coexist, and perhaps, where she might find a new place for herself.
