Dad lives in another house too, said my son, and I realised his business trips were all lies.
Ive told you a million times, Im not wearing that dress! Emily stomped her foot angrily, arms crossed. It itches, and the collars horrible!
But, darling, we bought it specially for Grans anniversary, Sophie said, keeping her voice calm even though irritation bubbled inside her. Shell be upset if you turn up in jeans.
Well, tough! Im tenI get to choose what I wear!
Sophie shut her eyes and counted to five. The last thing she needed right now was her daughters tantrum. The day had already been exhaustinga mad rush at work, dashing around the shops, baking a cake for her mother-in-laws do. And as usual, when she needed him most, James was away on business.
Em, listen she started, but then six-year-old Charlie burst in, clutching a toy car.
Mum, Mum, look what I drew! He thrust a crumpled sheet of paper at her. Its our family!
Sophie glanced at the scribblestypical kid stuff: her with a massive smile, Emily with pigtails, little Charlie, and Dad drawn twice, on either side of the page.
Lovely, sweetheart, she said absently. Whys Dad in it twice?
Hes not, Charlie frowned, like it was obvious. Thats Dad at home and Dad in his other house, where he lives when hes not here.
A cold shiver ran down Sophies spine. She looked closertwo figures of James, one next to them, the other by a boxy little house at the edge of the page.
What other house, Charlie? she asked carefully, keeping her voice light.
You know, the one with flowers in the window and the cat, he shrugged. He took me there when you were at work. But its a secretDad said not to tell you.
Emily, forgetting all about the dress argument, froze, eyes wide. Charlie, what are you on about? Dad goes on business trips, not to other houses!
Im not making it up! Charlie pouted. We watched cartoons and had pizza. And Auntie Lauren made us hot chocolate.
Whos Auntie Lauren? Sophie felt the room tilt slightly.
Dads friend. She lives there, Charlie said, already losing interest as he zoomed his car along the floor. Can I go watch TV?
Sophie nodded, unable to speak. Emily stared between her brother and mum, face pale.
Mum he mustve got mixed up, she said uncertainly. Dad wouldnt
Go to your room, Em, Sophie cut in softly. Wear whatever you want.
Once Emily left, Sophie sank onto the sofa, heart pounding. Jamesher James, with his fortnightly business trips? The man who always came back with souvenirs, spinning stories about meetings in different cities?
She remembered the first flicker of suspicion six months agohow hed started working late, how these trips suddenly became regular, when before hed barely travelled for work. Then shed found a receipt for a café in town, dated when he was supposed to be in Manchester. Hed brushed it offsaid hed come back early but didnt want to disturb them.
Shed believed him. Or forced herself to.
Sophie stood abruptly and went to the drawer where they kept household paperwork. Bills, mostlyJames usually handled them, but he wasnt due back for three days.
Then she spotted itan unfamiliar bill. Phone and internet, but for an address in Islington. Under the name James Carter. Her husband.
Her hands shook. Proof. Stupid to hope Charlie had imagined itkids that age dont lie about things like this.
Her phone buzzed. A text from James: Miss you all. Counting the days. Love you x
Sophie stared at it. Should she reply now? Call him out? Wait till he got home and watch him lie to her face?
In the end, she just typed, All good here, and put the phone down.
The next two days passed in a haze. She went through the motionswork, kids, choresbut her mind kept circling back to James double life. Charlie didnt mention the other house again, and Emily watched her with wary eyes.
When it came to the family dinner at her mother-in-laws, Sophie sent the kids alone, claiming a migraine. She couldnt sit there, smiling, while his mother chatted away. Did she know? Was Sophie the only one in the dark?
On the third evening, the key turned in the lock. Sophie sat at the kitchen table, cold tea in front of her. The kids were in bed.
Im home! James called cheerfully, appearing with flowers and a suitcase. God, I missed you!
He leaned in for a kiss, but Sophie turned away. James frowned.
Whats wrong?
Charlie drew a picture, she said flatly. Our family. With you in two houses.
James stiffened, then forced a laugh. Kids imagine all sorts, you know that
Stop, Sophie cut in. I found the bills for the flat in Islington. And Charlie told me about Auntie Lauren and her cat. Thats a lot of detail for imagination, dont you think?
James slowly set the flowers down. His face shiftedguilt, resignation.
Sophie, I can explain
Explain what? Her voice trembled. That youve got another family? That your business trips were just you playing house with another woman? That you took our son there?
Its not that simple, he ran a hand through his hair. I never meant for you to find out like this.
How *did* you mean for me to find out? she snapped.
I dont know, he admitted. It started as a fling. But then Lauren got pregnant, and
She has your *child*? Sophie felt the floor drop away.
Shes four, James said quietly. Grace is four.
Four years. While Sophie had been raising their kids, cooking his meals, waiting for him to come home from work, hed been raising another child.
Why didnt you just leave? Her voice was eerily calm.
I couldnt choose, he spread his hands. I love our kids. I love you. But I love them too. Its like two separate worlds.
No, Sophie shook her head. I dont understand how you could lie for years. Look me in the eye and say you missed me when youd just come from *them*.
I *did* miss you, he reached for her hand, but she pulled away. I never wanted to hurt anyone.
But you did, she stood. Pack a bag. Go live in your other life properly.
Sophie, please
The kids are asleep, she said coldly. Come back tomorrow to talk to them. But no more lies. They deserve the truth.
Theyll hate me, he whispered.
Maybe, Sophie said. But at least itll be real.
She watched as he shoved clothes into a holdall. When he paused at the door, she asked, Why Charlie? Why take him and not Emily?
Hes younger, James wouldnt meet her eyes. I thought he wouldnt remember. Emily shed have told you.
She already knew, Sophie said quietly. She just didnt want to believe it.
When the door closed, she slid to the floor and finally let the tears come.
The next morning, Charlie climbed into her bed.
Mum, wheres Dad? He was supposed to be back.
Hes gone, sweetheart, Sophie hugged him tight. Hell come over today to talk to you both.
Was he mad about my drawing? Charlies lip wobbled. I didnt mean to tell the secret
You did nothing wrong, she kissed his head. Telling the truth is always good, okay?
Emily appeared in the doorway, took one look at the empty space, and understood.
Hes not coming back, is he?
Hell visit, Sophie said gently. But he has another family now.
I knew, Emily muttered. I saw a photo on his phone. A lady with a little girl. He said it was his cousin.
Sophies chest achedEmily had been carrying this alone.
Come here, she patted the bed. Were having a lazy day. Pancakes later.
What about school? Emily frowned.
One day wont hurt, Sophie managed a small smile.
As the kids snuggled in, Sophie held them close. It would be hardmoney, emotions, everything. But shed manage. For them. For herself.
Life wasnt over. It was just a new chapterpainful, but honest.
Mum will we be okay without Dad? Emily asked quietly.
Of course, Sophie kissed her hair. Were a proper family. No secrets.
Charlie, blissfully unaware, was already chattering about a dream where he rode a dragon. Life went ondifferent, but theirs. And for the first time in ages, Sophie felt like she could breathe.
