Happiness Is Possible
Dad is the bestso cheerful, so kind, the absolute top-tier father in the world. Little Emily cant wait for him to come back from his business trips, always bringing presents and stacks of wild stories.
Mum gets all giddy when hes home, but Gran? Not a fan. She stays away, huffing. Emily wishes theyd just get along.
Oh, the tales Dad tells! Emily laughs until her sides hurt. This time, hes brought her a big doll and a fluffy white rabbit.
This rabbits a girl, right, Dad?
Yep, Em. Know what her name is?
Nooo.
Lily.
Lily? Like Mum?
So youll always have a little Lily with you.
Dad grins, Mum blushes, muttering about spoiling them.
And why shouldnt I? Youre my favourite girls.
They have dinner, then Dad launches into his army stories.
There was this bloke in my unitguess his surname?
What? Emily leans in.
Thunderclap. Built like a wardrobe, shoulders out to here Dad stretches his arms wide. Then his mate? Mouseley. Tiny, like an actual mouse. Inseparable, those two. And then there was this other ladTom Cat. So picture it: Thunderclap, Mouseley, and Tom Cat. The trio, always together.
Emily giggles herself to sleep.
The next day, they go to the parkice cream, carousel spins, until she conks out on Dads shoulder.
Morning comes. Dads gone. Maybe hes in the loo?
Mum sits at the table, thoughtful.
Mum, whens Dad coming out? I need to brush my teeth.
Love Mum smiles, but her eyes glisten. Dad had to leave.
For work? Urgent work?
Yes, darling. Very urgent.
Years pass. Dad visits sporadically. Gran rants: Never stays long, no birthdays, no holidaysjust work, my foot! Probably married, Lily. Mark my words.
Mum, stop! Emilys mum snaps.
Dad arrives, Emilys thrilledbut Mums tense. They argue now, loud and sharp.
Lily, Ive got obligationsI cant just
But you can do this to us?
Dad leaves, slumped. Never stays the night.
Gran hisses: Told you. Secretive git. Bet hes got a proper family out there.
Mum finally cracks: I knew. Later. Too late. He begged me to keep the babysaid hed leave if it was a girl. It was Emily. But he loves her, Mum. Adores her.
Adores her? Then hed live here. Whatll you tell her?
Mum sobs silently.
Dad visits once more. They shut themselves in the lounge, talking for hours. Things return to normaljokes, storiesbut the airs thick.
Then nothing.
Gran snaps when Emily asks: Who needs a father like that?
But Emily waits. She doesnt know theres another girl, somewhere, calling him Dad too.
She hugs her rabbit, whispering: Lily you understand, dont you? Hes still the best.
Years later, she spots himwith another woman, a girl her age, a boy. A proper family. Laughing.
That night, she stares at the ceiling. Grans words finally make sense.
Morning. Mum confirms it.
We were his family too. Just not the official one.
Emilys throat tightens.
At twelve, Mum marries Uncle Bob. Hes not unkindjust indifferent.
Emily grows up, graduates, rents a flat. Life moves on.
Then, out of the blue: a call.
Ducks! How are you? Job? Flat?
She keeps it short. But when he asks to meet, she hesitatesthen agrees.
Hes older. Grey temples. But that same grin.
Youre gorgeous, he says, fiddling with his sleeve.
She stares. I know about your other family.
A heavy sigh. Em I was a coward. Wanted both. Didnt want to lose you.
Her chest aches. She remembers Thunderclap, Mouseley, Tom Cat. The joy. The hurt.
Just be here, she says. No secrets.
Tears in his eyes. She touches his handand forgives.
Years later, Emily has a daughterAnnie.
Dad visits, no rush, no lies. Annie shrieks: Grandads here!
That evening, he tells the old army story. Annie cackles just like Emily once did.
Her heart swells.
He wasnt perfect. But now hes here, honestly.
Putting Annie to bed, Emily remembers her rabbit, Lily.
Life isnt simple. But watching her dad and daughter laugh at the same silly tale?
Happiness is possible. Just not how you expect.
