Cant now, love. The regimen is strict, the voice said, but Ill be home soon.
Eightyearold BlytheMae stirred her porridge with a spoon, eyes wide. Mum says Daddys in hospital, but hes actually at Aunt Sues place, she announced.
Grandmother Grace Whitaker nearly spilled her tea. She had arrived for the weekend from York to help out while soninlaw Andrew was supposedly confined with appendicitis.
What did you just say, child? Grace asked, trying to keep her tone calm.
Whats wrong with what I said? BlytheMae asked, puzzled. Mum showed me pictures on her phone of Daddy at Aunt Sues. Theyre cooking together, laughing.
Grace felt a cold thud in her chest. From the bathroom emerged her daughter Olivia, wrapped in a damp robe, hair still wet.
Mum, why do you look so pale? Olivia whispered, seeing her mothers pallor.
Olivia, we need to talk, Grace whispered, nodding toward the childrens room.
Blythe, go watch cartoons, Olivia instructed her daughter.
I havent finished my porridge!
You will later. Off you go, sunshine.
When BlytheMae skipped away, Grace turned back to Olivia.
Tell me whats happening.
Olivia sat opposite, eyes darting away.
What about?
About how Andrew isnt in hospital at all. He lives with Aunt Sue! And youre covering it up, hiding his betrayal.
Olivia stayed silent, pulling at the hem of her robe.
Olivia, Im your mother. Ive known you twentyeight years. When you lie, your left eye twitches. Look
Olivias eye twitched.
Mum, you dont understand
Explain then! Why does my daughter protect a cheating husband? Why lie to me and to your own child?
Olivia burst into tears. Because Im scared of losing him!
Grace embraced her, smoothing her hair. Their familys story had never been simple.
She and Andrew had met at universityshe studying English literature, he law. Both came from modest backgrounds, sharing a cramped dorm. Olivia had always been the quiet, homebound type, unnoticed by boys at school. Andrew, on the other hand, was the campus heartthrobtall, handsome, captain of the debate team. When he turned his gaze to Olivia, the other girls gasped.
Olivia, did you practice witchcraft to snag him? they teased.
Olivia herself could not believe it. Andrew brought flowers, took her to the cinema, introduced her to his friends. She waited for a twist, for him to realize his mistake and find someone brighter. But no twist came. Andrew loved her sincerely; he treasured her modesty, kindness, and the way she listened. With her he felt safe from a world that demanded constant triumph.
After graduation they married. Andrew secured a position at a London law firm, Olivia became a secondary school teacher, and a year later BlytheMae was born. The early years were happy: Andrews career blossomed, Olivia raised their daughter, and they dreamed of buying a flat in Camden.
Gradually, things shifted. Andrew stayed later at the office, claiming new clients and promotion prospects. Olivia, proud of his success, noticed only the dwindling evenings together.
Six months ago, his business trips increased, a new car appeared, and he seemed distant, answering Olivias questions with tiredness and stress.
Andrew, shall we take a break, maybe a seaside holiday for three? Olivia suggested.
I cant now. Its a busy period, lots of work. Ill manage.
Weeks turned into months. He stopped sleeping over, citing night meetings and overnight negotiations. Olivias unease grew, but she tried to banish the thoughts.
Then a month ago, she entered his study, tea in hand, and saw his phone buzzing with messages from a woman named Susan. The texts were intimate, the affair unmistakable.
Olivia felt a storm of anger, thoughts of filing for divorce and throwing his things. Yet she thought of BlytheMae, of losing her job after having a child, of being left with no income. She chose a different pathsilence.
Andrew, whos Susan? she asked calmly, pointing at the name on his screen.
Oh, shes a new business partner, helping with paperwork.
Olivia nodded, though a part of her wondered if she truly believed it.
When Andrew later claimed a sudden appendicitis operation, Olivia wasnt surprised. She already knew he shared a flat with Susan, living as a makeshift family, while she continued the role of the unsuspecting wife.
Olivia, Grace whispered later, tell me everything from the start.
Olivia recounted the texts, the night business trips, the flat for Susan. Grace listened, her head bobbing occasionally.
How long will you endure this? Grace asked finally.
I dont know. Maybe hell wake up, think its a midlife crisis.
Midlife crisis at twentynine? Grace retorted.
I love him, Mum. BlytheMae cant grow up without a father.
Should she have a cheating father?
She doesnt understand yet.
She just told me everything! Do you think children are dumb? BlytheMae knows her dad lives with another woman and Mum lies about a hospital.
Olivia wept harder.
What do I do? I cant live without him. I have no job, no money, no home. Where do I go with my child?
Come to me. Im in a onebedroom flat on a pension, but well manage.
How will the three of us fit?
Well make it work. At least itll be honest.
What if he returns? What if he realises what hes done?
What if he doesnt? What if Susan stays? What if he files for divorce?
Olivia fell silent, the thoughts she tried to push away resurfacing.
Mum, give me more time. Maybe itll sort itself out.
Grace sighed, seeing her daughters hesitation. She could not stay silent any longer.
Fine, but you must stop lying to BlytheMae. She sees everything; the lies only wound her.
What should I tell her? That Daddy left us for another woman?
Tell the truth, simply. Say Daddy now lives elsewhere, youre sorting family matters, but stop claiming a hospital stay.
That night, after BlytheMae went to bed, Olivias phone rang. The screen showed Andrews name.
Hello? she said, trying for normalcy.
Hey, hows the treatment going? Should I visit?
Its fine. Doctors say I need another week.
Behind his words a womans laughter and music driftedcertainly not a hospital soundtrack.
Andrew, can we meet? BlytheMae misses you.
I cant yet. Strict regimen. Ill be home soon.
When?
When the doctors let me.
After the call, Olivia collapsed into tears at the kitchen table. Grace sat beside her.
He was on the phone, but the background was a party, not a ward.
I know Im a failure, Mum, but I cant yet.
What about BlytheMae? Have you thought of her?
Every day. I want her to have a family.
What kind of family, Olivia? One where Daddy lives with a lover and Mum lies?
The next morning, after Grace left for a short trip, BlytheMae approached the kitchen.
Mum, when will Daddy come back from the hospital?
Olivia looked at her daughter, surprised by the seriousness in the girls eyes.
Sit down, love. I need to explain something.
He isnt in a hospital?
Do you know?
Yes. Im not little. I saw photos on your phone of Daddy and Aunt Sue making pancakes. Hospitals dont make pancakes.
What do you think about that?
He probably doesnt love us any more. He loves Aunt Sue.
Olivia hugged her, feeling the ache inside her chest tighten.
Adults sometimes make mistakes. Daddys human, he can err.
Why did you say he was in the hospital?
Because I hoped hed see his mistake and return.
What if he doesnt?
I dont know, sunshine. I really dont.
BlytheMae fell silent, then asked, Mum, why dont we just live without Daddy? Just the two of us. That would be easier.
Olivia stared at her, realizing her child had already decided for them both. It was time to stop the selfdeception.
Youre right. Lets live just us.
Can we move to Grandmas? She said shed take us in.
If you dont mind a tiny flat, yes.
I dont mind, just no more nighttime crying.
Did you hear me crying?
Of course. Im not deaf or blind. Mum, can we stop lying to each other?
Lets.
Olivia typed a message to Andrew that night:
We need to meet. BlytheMae knows about Aunt Sue.
He replied within an hour:
How does she know? What did you tell her?
Nothing. Kids arent blind. Come tomorrow, well talk.
Two days later Andrew arrived, looking guilty and bewildered. BlytheMae, seeing her father, smiled but kept her distance.
Dad, are you still sick? she asked.
No, love.
Then why did Mum say you were in the hospital? Youre living with Aunt Sue.
Andrew stammered, unprepared for such bluntness from an eightyearold.
BlytheMae, go to your room, Olivia said. I need to speak with him.
When the child left, Olivia faced Andrew.
So, what now? she asked.
Olivia, I
No explanations. Just tell medo you want to keep the family or not?
Andrew was silent.
Enough, Olivia said. Lets sort out BlytheMaes supportmaintenance, birthdays, visits.
Its not that simple, Andrew murmured.
It is. You live with another woman. Ive covered for you, lied to my daughter and my mother. Enough!
I never planned this.
But it happened. We must decide what to do.
Andrew looked at his wife, noticing how she had hardened, become confident, no longer the docile girl who would endure everything for the sake of the family.
I dont want a divorce, he said finally.
And what do you want? For me to keep covering your betrayals? To keep lying to my child? To stay home while you play family with Aunt Sue?
Give me time to think.
No time, Andrew! BlytheMae understands everything. She needs certainty. Either you come back home and we try to rebuild, or we split civilly.
How do I choose a family?
No more Aunt Sue. No more trips to a lovers flat. An honest, open life.
Andrew stared, considering.
I need to think.
Give me a week. No more delays.
A week later Andrew called, asking for a meeting. They met in a café, without BlytheMae.
Ive decided, he said. I want to try to restore the family.
What about Aunt Sue?
Its over.
Andrew, Ill give you one chance. One. If you cheat again, its over forever.
I understand.
Well go to a family therapist together.
And no more secrets from BlytheMae. If youre away for work, she knows where and why. If youre late, you call home.
Alright.
Olivia looked at him, unsure if they could succeed. The pain and lies were deep, but for BlytheMae it was worth trying.
Then you can come home tomorrow. BlytheMae will be happy.
That evening Olivia told her daughter about the conversation.
He said he wants to come back, not live with Aunt Sue anymore.
Do you believe him? BlytheMae asked seriously.
I want to. What about you?
I do too. But if he lies again, well go to Grandma.
Agreed?
Yes, Olivia smiled, amazed at her childs wisdom.
The next day Andrew returned, bearing flowers for Olivia and a new doll for BlytheMae. That night they all dined together like a proper family.
Dad, BlytheMae asked suddenly, wont you ever live with Aunt Sue again?
No, love. Ill live with you.
What if you want to?
I wont.
What if you do?
Andrew looked at his wife, then his daughter.
If that ever happened, Id tell you straight away.
Okay, BlytheMae nodded. Will Mum stop saying youre in the hospital?
No more, Olivia promised.
Then we can keep going.
Laughter filled the room as BlytheMae returned to her meal, as if a verdict on the familys future had just been spoken. Time would tell if trust could be rebuilt, but Olivia knew she would never lie to herself, to her daughter, or to anyone again.
Later, curled in her little bed, BlytheMae thought how strange adults were, why they tangled everything up when truth could be simple. Yet the most important thing was that Daddy was finally home, and no longer did they have to pretend not to know where he truly lived.
