I cant yet, the doctors orders are strict. But Ill be home soon, said eightyearold Harriet, stirring her cereal with a spoon.
Your fathers in the hospital, her mother, Sarah, told her, but hes actually staying with Aunt Susan, Harriet added, eyes bright as she showed the photos on her phone of her dad laughing and cooking with the aunt.
Grandmother Dorothy barely set down her tea mug. She had driven up from the countryside for the weekend to lend a hand while Sarahs husband, Andrew, was supposedly in hospital with appendicitis.
What did you just say, love? Dorothy asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
Whats wrong with what I said? Harriet asked, puzzled. Dad lives with Aunt Susan. Mum showed me pictures of them together, making pancakes and laughing.
Dorothys heart skipped a beat. At that moment Emma, her daughter, stepped out of the bathroom in a robe, her hair damp.
Mom, why do you look so pale? Emma said, noticing the worry on Dorothys face.
Emma, we need to talk, Dorothy whispered, glancing toward the childrens room.
Harriet, go watch some cartoons, Emma told her daughter.
I havent finished my porridge! Harriet protested.
Finish it later. Off you go, sunshine.
When Harriet scampered away, Dorothy turned back to Emma.
Explain whats happening.
Emma sat opposite, avoiding her mothers eyes.
What do you mean?
That Andrew isnt in the hospital. Hes staying with Aunt Susan, and youre covering it up, pretending everythings fine.
Emmas fingers twisted the edge of her robe.
Emma, Im your mother. Ive known you twentyeight years. When you lie, the corner of your left eye twitches. Look now.
Mom, you dont understand
Then tell me! Why would you protect a cheating husband? Why lie to me and to your own child?
Emma burst into tears.
Because Im scared of losing him!
Dorothy pulled Emma into a hug, smoothing her hair. Their familys story had never been simple.
She and Andrew had met at universityEmma studying languages, Andrew law. Both came from modest backgrounds and shared a dormitory. Emma was shy, never the centre of attention at school, while Andrew was the campus heartthrob: tall, goodlooking, captain of the debating team. When he noticed the quiet language student, the gossip mill went wild.
Emma, did you use some sort of sorcery to snag him? their flatmates teased. How did you manage that?
Emma herself could hardly believe it. Andrew sent flowers, took her to the cinema, introduced her to his friends. She waited for the day hed get bored and look elsewhere. But that never happened. He adored her modesty, kindness, and the way she listened. With her he felt safe in a world that demanded constant performance.
After graduation they married. Andrew got a job at a city law firm, Emma became a primaryschool teacher. Their daughter Harriet was born a year later.
The early years were happy. Andrews career flourished, Emma raised Harriet, and they saved for a home.
Gradually, Andrew stayed later at work, citing new clients and promotion prospects. Emma, proud of his success, didnt suspect anything.
Six months ago, his business trips increased, he bought a new car, and his presence at home waned. When he was there, he seemed distant, always claiming fatigue and stress.
Andrew, maybe we should take a short break? A weekend at the seaside, just the three of us? Emma suggested.
I cant right now. Its a hectic period. Ill manage.
Weeks turned into months. Andrew stopped sleeping over, always saying he was on a nightshift or a client call. Emmas doubts grew, but she tried to dismiss them.
Then, a month ago, she walked into his study with a cup of tea and saw his phone screen filled with messages from a woman named Susan. The texts were unmistakably intimateAndrew was having an affair.
Emmas first instinct was to storm out, throw his things away, file for divorce. But she thought of Harriet, of her own dwindling income after leaving school to raise a child, and of the life they had built.
She chose a different path: pretending ignorance.
Andrew, whos Susan? she asked as calmly as possible, pointing to the name on the screen.
Oh, shes a new business partner, helping with some paperwork.
Right.
Emma believed him, or at least pretended to.
Two weeks later, when Andrew claimed he needed emergency surgery for appendicitis, Emma wasnt surprised. She already knew he rented a flat with Susan, living as a family. Yet she kept up the role of the unaware wife.
Dorothy pressed, Tell me everything from the start.
Emma recounted the secret messages, the latenight business trips, and the flat with Aunt Susan. Dorothy listened, nodding only occasionally.
How long will you put up with this? Dorothy asked finally.
I dont know. Maybe hell wake up. Maybe its just a midlife crisis.
Midlife crisis at twentynine? Dorothy retorted.
I love him, Mum. Harriet needs a father.
Do you think children are that simple? Dorothy countered. Harriet knows the truth. She sees the pictures of dad and aunt making pancakes. She understands more than you give her credit for.
Emma began to cry again.
What do I do? I have no job, no money, no home of my own! Where can I go with Harriet?
Come stay with me. My onebed flat isnt much, but well make it work.
Mom, you live in a singleroom flat on a pension. How will three of us fit?
Well manage. And well live honestly.
What if he comes back? If he finally realises what hes done?
What if he doesnt? What if Susan stays? What if he files for divorce?
Emma fell silent, the thoughts she tried to push away resurfacing.
Give me some time, Mum. Maybe things will settle.
Dorothy sighed, seeing Emma wasnt ready for drastic steps, but she could no longer stay silent.
Fine, but theres a condition. Stop lying to Harriet. She sees everything, even if she cant say it. Lies only wound her mind.
What will I tell her? That dad abandoned us for another woman?
Tell the truth, simply. Say dad lives apart now while you sort out family matters. Dont mention the hospital or the surgery.
That night, as Harriet drifted off, the phone rang. Emma saw Andrews name on the screen.
Hello, she said, trying to sound normal.
Hey, hows everything? Hows Harriet?
Fine. Hows your treatment going? Should I visit?
No need. Doctors say Ill be out in a week.
In the background, Emma heard a womans laughter and musicnot the sterile sounds of a ward.
Andrew, maybe we can meet? Harriet misses you.
I cant right now. The regime is strict. Ill be home soon.
When?
When the doctors let me.
After hanging up, Emma sat at the kitchen table, tears spilling over. Dorothy placed a hand beside her.
Did he call? Dorothy asked.
Yes, he talked about a strict regime, but there was music and a woman laughing.
Emma
Yes, Mum, Im a failure. I cant yet.
What about Harriet? Dorothy pressed.
I think of her all the time. I want her to have a family.
What kind of family, Emma? One where dad lives with his lover and mum lies?
The next morning, after Dorothy left for the market, Harriet approached her mother at the stove.
Mum, when will dad come back from the hospital?
Emma looked at her daughters serious face, seeing a wisdom far beyond eight years.
Harriet, sit down. I need to explain something.
Hes not in the hospital? Harriet asked, surprised.
You know? Emma said, astonished.
Yes, I saw the photos on your phone. They were making pancakes together. Hospitals dont make pancakes.
What do you think about that? Harriet asked.
He probably doesnt love us anymore. He loves Aunt Susan.
Emma felt the pain tighten in her chest.
Adults make mistakes, love. Dad is human too and can err.
Why did you say he was in the hospital?
BecauseI hoped hed realise his mistake and come home.
What if he doesnt?
I dont know, love. I dont know.
Harriet thought a moment, then said, Mum, why dont we stop waiting for dad? Lets live just the two of us. Well be fine.
Emma stared at her daughter, realizing Harriet had already decided for them both. It was time to stop deceiving herself.
Youre right, Harriet. Lets live together.
Can we move to Grandmas? She said shed take us in.
Yes, if youre okay with a tiny flat.
Im fine, as long as you stop crying at night.
Emma was taken aback.
You heard me crying?
Of course. Im not deaf or blind.
Mum, can we promise never to lie to each other again?
Lets do that, Emma agreed, hugging her tightly.
That evening she texted Andrew:
We need to meet. Harriet knows about Aunt Susan.
He replied an hour later:
How does she know? What did you tell her?
Nothing. Kids arent deaf. Come tomorrow, well talk.
Two days later Andrew arrived, looking guilty and uneasy. Harriet, seeing her father, smiled shyly but stayed composed.
Dad, are you still sick? she asked.
No, love.
Then why did Mum say you were in the hospital? You live with Aunt Susan, dont you?
Andrew stammered, caught offguard by the eightyearolds bluntness.
Harriet, go to your room, Emma said. I need to talk to your father.
When Harriet left, Emma faced Andrew.
So, what now?
I
Dont give me excuses. Do you want to keep the family together or not?
Andrew was silent.
Its clear, Emma said. Lets sort out Harriets arrangementschild support, birthdays, holidays.
Its not that simple, Andrew protested.
It is. You live with another woman. Ive covered for you, lied to my own mother and my child. Enough.
I never planned for this.
But it happened. We have to decide what to do next.
Andrew looked at his wife, noticing she had become firmer, more confident than the docile girl hed married.
I dont want a divorce, he said finally.
What do you expect? That I keep shielding your betrayals? That I keep lying to our child? That I stay at home while you live with Susan?
Give me time to think.
No time, Andrew! Harriet needs certainty. Either you come home and we try to rebuild, or we part ways civilly.
How do I choose a family?
Then no more Susan. No more secret trips. An honest, open life.
Andrew stared, considering.
I need a week.
Eight days, no more.
A week later Andrew called, asking to meet. They chose a quiet café, leaving Harriet at home.
Ive decided, he said. I want to try to restore our family.
What about Susan?
Its over.
Andrew, Ill give you one chance. One. If you cheat again, its over forever.
I understand.
Well see a family therapist together.
Yes.
No more secrets from Harriet. If you have a work trip, shell know where and why. If you stay late, youll call home.
Agreed.
Emma watched him, unsure if they could truly heal. The pain was deep, the lies many. Yet she thought of Harriets brave resolve.
Then you can come home tomorrow. Harriet will be glad.
That night Emma told Harriet about the conversation.
He said he wants to come back, that he wont live with Aunt Susan any more.
Do you believe him? Harriet asked seriously.
I want to. You?
I want to, too. But if he lies again, well go to Grandmas. Deal?
Deal, Emma smiled, amazed at her daughters wisdom.
The next day Andrew returned, bearing flowers for Emma and a new doll for Harriet. They sat down to dinner together, like a proper family.
Dad, Harriet asked, wont you ever stay at Aunt Susans again?
No, love. Ill be with you.
And if you wanted to?
Andrew looked at his daughter, then at Emma. Ill be honest. I wont lie again.
Harriet nodded. And Mum, you wont say Im in the hospital?
No more, Emma promised.
They laughed, and Harriet returned to her meal, as if the familys fate had settled.
Time will reveal whether trust can truly be rebuilt, but Emma knows one thing for certain: she will never again lie to herself, to her child, or to anyone else.
As Harriet drifted off to sleep, she thought about how strange adults are, making everything so complicated when a simple truth would keep everyone calmer. The most important thing was that dad was finally home, and no longer pretended not to know where he really lived.
