13May
I am writing this in a quiet moment after a long, exhausting week. The house feels empty, yet every room echoes with the arguments that have taken place. I will try to capture everything as clearly as I can, for once I have a record of what has happened.
It began when little Emily, my eightyearold, was sitting at the kitchen table, stirring her porridge with a spoon. I cant come home yet. The doctors orders are strict. Ill be back as soon as Im allowed, she announced in her small, serious voice.
Her mother, Helen, then said, Your fathers in hospital. Emilys eyes widened. But hes at Aunt Sallys house, she corrected, spreading her hands. Mum showed me photos on her phone theyre cooking together and laughing.
Grandma Ethel, who had arrived for the weekend to help with the housework while Andrew claimed he was recuperating from an operation, almost dropped her teacup. She had come from her flat in Manchester to stay with Helen and Emily, thinking her soninlaw was truly ill.
Did you hear that, dear? Ethel asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
What did I say wrong? Emily asked, puzzled. Dad lives with Aunt Sally. Mum showed me the pictures.
A cold shock ran through Ethels chest. In that instant her daughter Helen emerged from the bathroom, hair damp, wrapped in a robe.
Mom, why are you so pale? Helen whispered, seeing the worry in her mothers eyes.
We need to talk, Ethel said quietly, gesturing toward the childrens room.
Emily, go watch your cartoons, Helen told her daughter. I havent finished my porridge yet.
Finish it later, Helen replied. Come on, love.
When Emily left, Ethel turned back to Helen.
Explain whats really happening, she said.
Helen sat opposite her, avoiding her mothers gaze. What do you want to know?
The fact that Andrew isnt in any hospital. Hes staying with Aunt Sally, and youre covering it up. Youre lying to both me and the child.
Helens eyes fluttered between the corner of her robe and the floor. Mother, you dont understand
Then explain it to me! Why does my daughter protect a cheating husband? Why do you keep lying to both of us?
Helen began to sob. Because Im scared of losing him!
Ethel pulled her daughter into a hug, smoothing her hair. Their familys story has never been simple. Helen and Andrew met at universityshe studying English literature, he law. Both came from modest backgrounds, sharing a cramped dormitory.
Helen was always the quiet, homeoriented type. She never stood out at school, and boys paid little attention to her. Andrew, on the other hand, was the campus heartthrobtall, goodlooking, brilliant, captain of the debating society. When he took notice of the shy literature student, all of Helens friends were stunned.
Did you charm him with some sort of witchcraft? they teased. How did you manage to snag such a catch?
Helen herself could hardly believe it. Andrew bought her flowers, took her to the cinema, introduced her to his friends. She waited for the moment when he would tire of her and look elsewhere, but that never came. He genuinely loved her modesty, kindness, and the way she listened.
After graduation they married. Andrew found a job at a law firm in London, Helen became a primaryschool teacher, and a year later Emily was born. The early years were happy; Andrews career took off, Helen raised their daughter, and they dreamed of buying a flat of their own.
Gradually, though, Andrew started staying later at work. He claimed he had new clients, a promising promotion. Helen, proud of his achievements, never suspected anything.
About six months ago the first signs appeared. Andrew began traveling on business more often, received a promotion, bought a new car. When he was home, he seemed distant, preoccupied. He answered Helens questions with tired sighs about stress.
Andrew, why dont we take a short holiday together? Just the three of us? Helen suggested.
I cant right now, love. Its a busy period, he replied. Ill manage.
Months slipped by. Andrew rarely slept over. He blamed nighttime calls on client negotiations. Helen started to feel uneasy but pushed the doubts aside.
Then, a month ago, she walked into his study and saw his phone displaying a bright, intimate conversation with a woman named Sophie. The messages left no room for doubta fullblown affair.
Helens first impulse was to scream, to throw his things out, to file for divorce. But then she thought of Emily, a small child who would be left without a father, and of herselfshe had given up her teaching job after Emilys birth and had no independent income.
She decided to keep quiet and pretend ignorance.
Andrew, who is Sophie? she asked as calmly as she could.
Its a new business partner, helping with some paperwork, he said.
She nodded, believingor at least behaving as if she believed.
Two weeks ago Andrew claimed he needed an operation for appendicitis and would be in hospital for a while. Helen wasnt surprised; she already knew he was sharing a flat with Sophie. Yet she continued the charade, playing the role of the devoted wife.
Ethel, having noticed the strain, pressed Helen for the full story. Helen recounted the messages, the nightly business trips, the flat for Sophie. Ethel listened, shaking her head only rarely.
How long will you endure this? Ethel finally asked.
I dont know. Maybe hell come to his senses. Maybe its just a midlife crisis, Helen whispered.
But hes only twentynine. What crisis could that be? Ethel scoffed.
I love him, Mum. And Emily needs a father, Helen replied, tears welling.
Your child is not a fool, Ethel snapped. Emily understands more than you think. She knows her father lives with another woman and that youve lied about a hospital.
Later that evening, after Emily had gone to bed, Helen received a call from Andrew.
Hey, he said, his tone light. Hows the recovery? Any chance I could visit?
Its strict, Andrew. The doctors say I need to stay put for another week, Helen replied, hearing faint laughter and music in the background.
Maybe well see each other soon, he said. When the doctors let me.
Helen hung up, feeling the weight of the lie crushing her. Ethel sat beside her, silent.
The next morning, after Ethel left for the day, Emily approached her mother at the kitchen table.
Mum, when will Daddy come back from the hospital? she asked, her face unusually serious.
Helen looked at her daughter, seeing a depth of understanding beyond her years.
Emily, sit down. I need to tell you something, Helen began.
About Daddy not being in the hospital? Emily asked.
You know?
Of course I do. He lives with Aunt Sally. I saw the pictures on your phone they were making pancakes together. Hospitals dont make pancakes.
What do you think about it? Emily shrugged.
Probably he doesnt love us any more. He loves Aunt Sally, she said.
Helens heart ached as she held her child. Adults make mistakes. Daddy is still a person and can err.
Why did you say he was in the hospital? Emily pressed.
Because I hoped he would realise his mistake and return, Helen confessed.
What if he doesnt? Emily asked.
I dont know, love. I dont know, Helen admitted.
Emily fell silent, then spoke: Mum, why dont we just stop waiting for Daddy? Lets live on our own, just the two of us. That would be better.
Helen looked at her daughter and realized the child had already decided for them both. It was time to stop the deception.
Emily, youre right, she said. Well live on our own.
Can we move in with Grandma? Emily asked. She said shed take us.
Yes, if youre okay with a small flat, Helen replied.
Will you still cry at night? Emily asked softly.
Yes, I do, Helen answered. But Ill try not to.
Did you hear me crying? Emily whispered.
Of course. Im not deaf or blind, Helen replied, a faint smile forming.
Lets promise no more lies, Mum? Emily asked.
Well try, Helen said, hugging her tightly.
That night Helen sent a text to Andrew: We need to meet and discuss everything. Emily knows about Aunt Sally.
He replied within an hour: How does she know? What did you tell her?
Nothing. Children arent deaf. Come tomorrow, well talk.
The next day Andrew arrived, looking nervous and guilty. Emily, seeing her father, smiled brightly but kept her distance.
Daddy, are you still sick? she asked.
No, love, he answered.
Then why did Mum say you were in hospital? You live with Aunt Sally, dont you? Emily asked, eyes bright.
Andrew fumbled for words; he was not used to such blunt honesty from an eightyearold.
Emily, go to your room, Helen said. Your father and I need to talk.
When the child left, Helen faced Andrew.
So, what now? she asked.
He started, but she cut him off. Do you want to keep this family together or not?
He stayed silent.
Fine, she said. Then lets sort out Emilys futuremaintenance, birthdays, holidays.
Its not that simple, Andrew protested.
It is, Helen replied. You live with another woman. I covered for you, lied to my mother and my child. Enough.
I never meant for this to happen, he said.
It happened. Now we have to choose.
Andrew looked at Helen, noticing how she had hardened over these weeks, how she was no longer the meek woman who would endure everything for the sake of the family.
I dont want a divorce, he said finally.
Then what do you expect? That I continue to hide your betrayals? That I keep lying to Emily? Helen snapped.
Give me time, he begged.
There is no time, Andrew. Emily understands everything. She needs certainty. Either you return home and we try to rebuild, or we part ways cleanly.
I cant decide, he whispered.
Then no more Aunt Sally. No more secret trips. No more lies, Helen demanded.
Andrew thought for a long moment. I need a week, he said.
Ill give you a week, Helen replied, but not a day more.
A week later Andrew called, asking to meet. They met at a coffee shop, Emily nowhere in sight.
Ive decided, he said. I want to try to rebuild our family.
What about Sophie? Helen asked.
Its over, he replied.
Andrew, Ill give you one chance. One. If you betray us again, its over forever, Helen warned. Well go to a family therapist together.
Agreed, he said. No more secrets from Emily. If Im away for work, shell know where I am. If Im late, Ill call.
Helen watched him, uncertain whether they could truly recover. Yet for Emilys sake she would try.
That evening she told Emily about the conversation.
He says he wants to come back home. He wont live with Aunt Sally any more, she said.
Do you believe him? Emily asked seriously.
I want to, Helen answered. What about you?
I hope he does, Emily replied. But if he lies again, well go to Grandma.
Agreed, Helen said, smiling at her daughters unexpected wisdom.
The next day Andrew returned home with a bouquet of roses and a brandnew doll for Emily. They ate dinner together like a proper family. Emily asked, Dad, are you no longer living with Aunt Sally?
No, love. Ill live with you, he said.
Will you ever want to leave? Emily pressed.
I wont, he promised.
Will Mum still say youre in hospital? Emily asked.
No, Helen replied, shaking her head. I wont lie any more.
The night ended with laughter, and Emily returned to her bed, thinking about how strange adults can be. She wondered why they make everything so complicated when telling the truth would have been simpler.
The most important thing now is that Daddy is truly home, and no one pretends otherwise.
Lesson learned: Honesty may be painful, but lies only build walls that later collapse under their own weight. By facing the truth, even when it hurts, we give ourselves a chance to mend what we have broken.
