Cant yet, she said, the wards full. Ill return home soon.
Mum announced that Daddy was in hospital, while the eightyearold Ethel insisted he was staying with Aunt Sally, stirring her porridge with a spoon.
Grandma Margaret, who had come for the weekend to help with the house, nearly knocked over her tea cup in shock. Shed travelled from their cottage in Yorkshire to support her daughter and granddaughter while the soninlaw supposedly lay in hospital with appendicitis.
What did you say, love? Grandma asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Whats wrong with what I said? Ethel replied, puzzled. Daddy lives with Aunt Sally. Mum showed me their photos on her phone theyre cooking together and laughing.
Grandma felt her heart skip a beat. At that moment her daughter Ellen emerged from the bathroom in a bathrobe, her hair still damp.
Mum, why do you look so pale? Ellen asked, seeing her mothers pallor.
Ellen, we need to talk, Grandma whispered, nodding toward the childrens room.
Ethel, go back to your cartoons, Ellen instructed.
I havent finished my porridge!
Finish it later. Off you go, sunshine.
When the little girl toddled away, Grandma turned back to Ellen.
Tell me whats happening.
Ellen sat opposite her, avoiding her eyes.
What about?
About Andrew not being in hospital but living with some Aunt Sally! And youre covering for his betrayal.
Ellen stayed silent, tugging at the edge of her robe.
Ellen, Im your mother. Ive known you twentyeight years. When you lie, your left eye twitches its doing that now.
Mum, you dont understand
Then explain! Why does my daughter shield a cheating husband? Why lie to me and to your own child?
Ellen broke down.
Im scared of losing him.
Grandma pulled her close and stroked her hair. Their familys story had never been simple.
She and Andrew had met at university Ellen studying languages at Oxford, Andrew law at Cambridge. Both came from modest backgrounds and shared a dormitory. Ellen was quiet and homebound, never the school beauty, while Andrew was the campus heartthrob: tall, handsome, clever, captain of the debating team. Their friends could not believe Ellen had caught his eye.
Ellen, have you been practising witchcraft? they teased. How did you snag such a hunk?
Even Ellen was stunned. Andrew brought her flowers, took her to the cinema, introduced her to his mates. She kept waiting for a twist, thinking perhaps hed realize his mistake and find someone brighter. But there was no twist. Andrew truly loved her modesty, kindness, and the way she listened. With her he felt protected from a world that demanded constant success.
After graduation they married. Andrew secured a place in a law firm, Ellen became a schoolteacher, and a year later Ethel was born. The early years were happy: Andrews career flourished, Ellen raised their daughter, and they saved for a flat.
Gradually things shifted. Andrew stayed later at work, citing new clients and promotion prospects. Ellen, unaware of any misdeed, took pride in his achievements. Six months ago the first signs appeared. Andrew travelled more for business, received a promotion, bought a new car, and was rarely home. When he was, he seemed distant, exhausted, and brushed off Ellens questions with talk of stress.
Andrew, shall we take a holiday together, maybe the seaside? Ellen suggested.
Cant now, its a busy period. Ill endure.
Endure stretched into months. Andrew stopped sleeping over at home, claiming nighttime meetings and trips. Ellens suspicion grew, but she pushed the thoughts aside.
A month ago the worst happened. Walking into his study with a cup of tea, Ellen saw his phone screen lit with intimate messages to a woman named Sophie. The texts were so frank that any doubt vanished Andrew was having an affair.
Ellens first impulse was to create a scene, throw his things out, file for divorce. Then she thought of Ethel, of being a single mother without a job shed left teaching after the birth and of the poverty that would follow. She chose a different path, one she could not fully rationalise: she pretended ignorance.
Andrew, whos Sophie? she asked as calmly as possible, spotting the name on his screen.
Oh, shes a new business partner, helping with paperwork.
And I see.
She believed it, or at least acted as if she did.
Two weeks later Andrew claimed he needed surgery for appendicitis. Ellen was not surprised; she already knew he was renting a flat with Sophie, living like a family. Yet she kept up the role of the unsuspecting wife.
Ellen, tell me everything from the start, Grandma prompted later.
Ellen recounted the texts, the latenight business trips, the flat for Sophie. Margaret listened in silence, nodding only occasionally.
How long will you put up with this? she asked finally.
I dont know. Maybe hell come to his senses. Maybe its just a midlife crisis.
A midlife crisis at twentynine? Margaret scoffed.
Because I love him, and Ethel needs a father.
What about the cheating father? Margaret pressed.
Ethel doesnt understand yet.
She just told me everything! Do you think children are dim? Margaret retorted. She knows her father lives with another woman and mum lies about the hospital.
Ellen wept harder.
What do I do? I cant survive without him. No job, no money, no home. Where do I go with my child?
Come stay with me. My onebed flat is tiny, but well manage.
Mom, you live in a oneroom council flat. How will the three of us fit?
Well make do. At least well be honest.
What if he returns? If he realises what hes done?
What if he doesnt? If Sophie stays? If he files for divorce himself? What then?
Ellen fell silent, the thoughts shed tried to suppress bubbling up.
Give me more time, Mum. Maybe things will settle.
Grandma sighed. She saw Ellen wasnt ready for drastic measures, but she could not stay silent.
Fine. But theres a condition. Stop lying to Ethel. She sees through us, and the lies damage her mind.
What do I tell her? That Daddy left for another woman?
Tell the truth, simply. Say he now lives elsewhere while you sort family matters. Dont mention the hospital or the operation.
That night, after Ethel had gone to bed, Ellens phone rang. The screen showed Andrews name.
Hello, she said, trying to sound normal.
Hi. Hows the treatment going? Think Ill visit?
Its fine. Doctors say I need another week.
In the background Ellen could hear a womans laughter and music certainly not the sound of a ward.
Andrew, maybe we could meet? Ethel misses you.
Cant now. Strict regime. Ill be home soon.
When?
When the doctors allow.
After hanging up, Ellen sat at the kitchen table and wept. Margaret sat beside her.
He called? Margaret asked.
Yes, but his tone was flat, as if reading a script. And there was music.
Ellen
I know Im failing. I cant tell Ethel the full truth yet.
Think of her.
The next day, when Margaret left for the market, Ethel approached her in the kitchen.
Mum, when will Daddy be back from the hospital?
Ellen looked at her daughter, whose serious face held more understanding than Ellen expected.
Sit down, love. I need to explain something.
Hes not in hospital?
Do you know?
Yes. Im not small. I saw the photos on your phone theyre making pancakes together. Hospitals dont make pancakes.
What do you think about it?
He probably doesnt love us any more. He loves Aunt Sally.
Ellen hugged her, feeling the weight of grief crush her chest.
Adults sometimes make mistakes. Daddys also human and can err.
Why did you say he was ill?
Because I hoped hed realise his mistake and return.
What if he doesnt?
I dont know, sweetheart. I dont know.
Ethel was quiet, then said, Mum, why dont we just live without Daddy? Just the two of us. That would be fine.
Ellen stared at her, seeing that the child had already decided for them both, and that the time for deceit was over.
Youre right, Ethel. Lets live on our own.
Can we move to Grandmas? She said shed take us in.
Yes, if youre not opposed to a small flat.
Not opposed. Just dont cry at night anymore.
Did you hear me crying? Ethel asked.
Of course. Im not deaf or blind.
Lets stop lying to each other, alright?
Alright, Ellen agreed, hugging her tightly.
That evening she sent Andrew a message:
We need to meet. Ethel knows about Aunt Sally.
An hour later his reply arrived:
How does she know? What did you tell her?
Nothing. Children arent deaf. Come tomorrow, well talk.
The next day Andrew arrived, looking guilty and uneasy. Ethel, upon seeing him, smiled but kept her distance.
Dad, are you still sick? she asked.
No, darling.
And why did Mum say you were in hospital? You live with Aunt Sally.
Andrew stammered, unprepared for such bluntness from an eightyearold.
Ethel, go to your room, Ellen instructed. I need to speak with your father.
When the girl left, Ellen faced Andrew.
So, what now?
I
No explanations. Just tell me do you want to keep the family together or not?
Andrew was silent.
Understood, Ellen said. Then lets sort out Ethels arrangements maintenance, birthdays, visits.
Its not that simple, Andrew protested.
It is. You live with another woman. Ive covered for you, lied to my child and my mother. That ends now.
I never meant for this to happen.
But it did, and we must decide what to do.
Andrew looked at his wife, who had grown firmer, more confident over the past weeks. The docile girl hed once known was gone.
I dont want a divorce, he said.
What do you want then? For me to keep covering your betrayals? To keep lying to our child? To wait at home while you live with Sophie?
I need time to think.
Time is gone, Andrew! Ethel understands everything. She needs certainty. Either you return home and we try to rebuild, or we part amicably.
Which family do I choose?
No Sophies, no secret trips to a flat for a lover. An open, honest life.
Andrew fell silent, considering.
I need a week.
No more than that.
A week later Andrew called, asking for a meeting. They met in a café, Ethel absent.
Ive decided, he said. I want to try to restore the family.
What about Sophie?
Thats over.
Andrew, Ill give you one chance. One. If you cheat again, its over forever.
I understand.
Well see a family therapist together. No secrets from Ethel. If you have a business trip, shell know where and why. If you stay late, youll call home.
Agreed.
Ellen looked at him, unsure if they could truly mend. The pain and lies ran deep, but for Ethels sake she would try.
Then you can come home tomorrow. Ethel will be glad.
That night Ellen told her daughter about the talk.
He says he wants to come back. He wont live with Aunt Sally any more.
Do you believe him? Ethel asked seriously.
I want to, Ellen replied. What about you?
I want to believe too. But if he lies again, well go to Grandma.
Agreed, Ethel smiled, her wisdom surprising her mother.
The next day Andrew returned, bearing flowers for Ellen and a new doll for Ethel. That evening they all dined together as a proper family. Ethel chatted about school, Ellen about chores.
Dad, will you ever live with Aunt Sally again? she asked.
No, sweetheart. Ill stay with you.
Will you ever want to?
No.
Will you ever want to?
Andrew glanced at his daughter, then at Ellen.
If I ever do, Ill tell you honestly.
Ellen nodded. And I wont say youre in hospital any more.
Then its settled.
Ethel returned to her plate, laughing as the parents teased each other. Time would tell if trust could be rebuilt, but Ellen knew she would never lie to herself, to her child, or to anyone again.
Later, as Ethel drifted off to sleep, she thought how strange grownups were, complicating everything when they could simply speak the truth. Yet the most important thing was that Daddy was finally home, and no longer did anyone have to pretend they didnt know where he truly lived.
