A shiny car pulled up outside a cosy little florists shop in the heart of London. The place had only opened recently, but it had already become a favourite among localspeople even travelled from neighbouring towns just to pick up one of their stunning bouquets.
«Could you put together the most beautiful arrangement youve got? And make it bigmy sons just been born!» beamed the young man at the florist, his face glowing with pride.
On the way to the hospital, James pictured the moment hed finally hold his baby boy for the first time, vowing to be the father hed never had. Memories of his own dad weighed heavy on him. The only good one he could cling to was being lifted high in the air by a tall, sturdy manequal parts thrilling and terrifying. But soon after, William Carter walked out on his family, leaving James and his mum not just heartbroken, but homeless.
It all started when his mums friend, Veronica, began dropping by more often. She worked at the local clinic and sometimes brought a bottle of whisky «for digestion,» brushing off Jamess mums protests with a laugh. «Oh, lighten up! Whats the harm? A little something to whet the appetite.»
Then came Veronicas birthday party. The whole evening, shed hovered around William, topping up his drink, laughing too loud at his jokes. And then, one day after football practice, James overheard his parents arguing in the kitchen.
«Im leaving. Veronica and I are in loveits over between us. She actually appreciates me, unlike you,» his dad snapped.
«She doesnt want *you*, you fool, she wants your money!» his mum shot back.
«Knew youd say that. Always the drama. Oh, and were selling the househalf the moneys mine.»
«Are you serious? My parents gave us this place as a wedding gift!»
«Exactly*our* wedding, not just yours. Legally, its half mine.»
«And what about James? Wheres he supposed to live?»
«Shouldve thought of that before I moved into a one-bed flat with Veronica and her two girls. Besides, I just want whats fair…»
For two years, James and his mum squeezed into his grandparents tiny terrace house. Eventually, they scraped together a mortgage for a modest place of their own. Years later, after uni and his wedding, Jamess stepdad even signed the flat over to him.
«Ill love my son *properly*,» James thought, gripping the steering wheel. «Ill never let him or Emily down.» Over the next few days, hed need to buy everything for the babytheyd held off, respecting Emilys superstitions.
As he reached his doorstep, James spotted a balding stranger loitering nearby. Something about him felt oddly familiar.
«James! Hello, son! Dont recognise me?»
«…Dad?»
«The one and only! Saw you step out of that flash carnice motor, by the way.»
«Sorry, Im in a hurry.» James clenched his fists, sidestepping him.
«Sorry? In a hurry? No need for formalitieswere family! Fancy a quick chat? Man to man?»
Normally, James wouldve walked away. But today, buoyed by joy, he stayed silent and headed inside. William took it as an invitation and followed.
«Blimey, this is a nice place!» His dad whistled, eyeing the rooms. «Youve done well for yourself. More than capable of helping your old man out.»
«Whatre you on about?»
«Come off it. Youve got spare rooms, money to spare. And your dads in a tight spot.»
«Why should *your* problems matter to me? We havent spoken in twenty years. What do you *want*?»
«Got into a scrap with Veronicas son-in-law. Called me a freeloader*me*! After all I did for her and her girls! Now theyve kicked me out, left me drowning in debts *she* took out in *my* name. I just want whats fair»
«Fair?!» James laughed coldly. «You took half the money from *Mums* house and vanished. Didnt even pay child support.»
«That money went on holidays and fixing up Veronicas placeeveryone deserves a break! My mistake was loaning cash for her daughters weddings. But youll understand, son. Youll help me, wont you?»
«A *break*? Mum worked double shifts. I handed out flyers at *thirteen* to help out!»
«Thats my boytough as nails. So you wont abandon your dad now?»
«I lost my dad at ten.»
«Water under the bridge, eh? Well make up for lost time.»
«How?»
«Let me crash in your spare room. Just till Im back on my feet. Bloods thicker than water, right?»
«That spare room is my sons nursery. Whoever gave you this address shouldve told youI *have* a family now. And Ill be a better father than you ever were. Get out.»
Outside, William grabbed his arm. «Listen, that cars worth a pretty penny. Downgrade, give me the differenceIll clear my debts. Do the decent thing»
«Youre *nothing* to me. I needed a father *then*. I dont need you now. And if I *ever* see you again»
James wrenched free, striding to his car without a backward glance. Not an ounce of guilt. Just quiet certainty: his son would never know the pain hed endured.
