Another Child
Katherine trudged back to her flat after work, stepping into the empty rooms. She switched on the telly immediately, turning up the volume to pretend someone was home. Her daughter, Emily, had already married and moved out. And her husband Well, David had left her for a younger woman.
She still couldnt believe David had betrayed her. Twenty-four years togetherhappy, without fights or bitterness. Theyd even dreamed of celebrating their silver anniversary at a nice restaurant. But fate had other plans.
“Mum, I never thought Dad would do this,” Emily had sobbed. “Im angry with him, and I wont speak to him again.”
“Love, you mustnt do that,” Katherine urged. “He left me, not you. Youre his daughter, and he loves you just the same. Dont cut him off.”
She refused to turn Emily against David, blaming herself instead. Maybe she hadnt loved him enough, hadnt paid enough attention. Perhaps shed focused too much on her career and not enough on family.
David had met a younger woman in a café while having pints with his mates after work. Their eyes lockedhers were warm brown, sparkling with mischief. That look stayed with him. He approached her, and Alice didnt mind. Soon enough, he was at her rented flat. Then everything spiralledhe fell in love.
He couldnt lie to Katherine for long. Shed already suspected, and the confrontation was painful. David confessed honestly.
“Kate, Ive fallen for someone else. I know Ive hurt you, but I wont lie to you.” His words stung, but she kept her composure.
One evening, Katherine had just changed out of her work clothes when her phone buzzed. Her sister, Margaret, was calling.
“Kate, you home? Ive got something to discussbe there soon.”
“Come over,” Katherine replied, relieved not to spend another evening alone.
Margaret arrived, loud as ever, carrying two bulging bags. They hugged, and she started unloadinggourmet treats, a bottle of wine. Katherine frowned.
“Maggie, whats the occasion?”
“Hardly an occasion,” Margaret scoffed. “My Lilys pregnant. The stupid girl isnt even eighteen yet.”
“Seriously?” Katherine gasped. “But she turns eighteen in three months, doesnt she?”
“Exactly. But its too late nowshes too far along to do anything about it. Raised her right, and look what she does. Cant even marry properlythe boy she was seeing dumped her. She doesnt want this baby, and neither do I.”
Katherine listened, shocked.
“Alright, lets have a drink. Im exhausted from thinking.” Margaret downed nearly half her glass. “Lily hasnt a clue who the father isshes been clubbing every night, staggering home at dawn. No wonder the lad wants nothing to do with her.”
Katherine took a sip, uneasy.
“Weve decided, Lily and I,” Margaret continued. “When she gives birth, well leave the baby at the hospital. But Im worriedwhat if the child grows up and comes looking for her? Starts demanding things?”
Katherine stared, aghast. “Margaret, are you mad? How could you even think that? This is your own flesh and blood!”
“Oh, dont lecture me. Lily needs to finish college, not raise a baby. And shes not the maternal typeshed dump it on me. Do I need that? Ive got my own life to sort out.”
Katherine hesitated. “How far along is she? Have they done a scan?”
“They have. Its a girl. Probably just as reckless as her mother,” Margaret muttered, lighting a cigarette.
“Margaret give her to me. Please, dont abandon her. Ive got a good job, a decent salaryI can raise her.”
“Oh, come off it!” Margaret scoffed. “And when she grows up, youll tell her everything.”
“No. I swear on my life, shell never know. Shell be my daughter.”
After hours of persuasion, Margaret finally agreed. But another problem aroseadoption required a stable family, and David had left. They werent divorced yet, though. Katherine dreaded asking him for helphed moved on, started a new life.
Lily gave birth to a healthy baby girl and signed the adoption papers without a second glance. Katherine arranged guardianship with the help of an old friend who worked in social services. She named the baby Sophie.
Once home, Katherine took leave but refused to quit her jobher salary was too good. She rang her mother, Helen, who lived nearby, widowed two years prior after losing her husbandKatherine and Margarets father.
“Mum, I need to talkurgently.”
“Of course, love. Ill be right over.”
When Helen arrived, she nearly fainted at the sight of the newborn in the crib.
“Katewho is this? When did this happen? Whats going on?”
Margaret had kept quiet about Lilys mess, and Katherine hadnt mentioned it either. Now, she poured her mother a cup of tea.
“Sit down, Mum. Ill explain everything.”
Helen was horrified. “How could Margaret do this? We raised you both the sameif anything, she got more love, being the youngest!”
Once Helen calmed down, Katherine made her request.
“Mum, I need your help. Sophies your great-granddaughter. I dont want to quit my jobcould you look after her? Id rather not hire a stranger.”
“Kate, you dont even need to ask. Of course Ill help. Youll be a wonderful mother.”
Margaret never called, never asked about the baby, and barely spoke to Helen. But when Emily visited, she was overjoyed.
“Sophies my little sister now! Shes gorgeous!”
Sophie grew up bright and kind. Helen and Katherine poured all their love into her. By four, she could play chessat least, she knew all the pieces.
Sophie turned five. Katherine threw a party at a nearby café, inviting her nursery friends and hiring an entertainer. Everyone had fun, especially Sophie.
Back home, the doorbell rang. Katherine opened it to find David on the doorstep, looking utterly miserable. She knew instantlyhis new life had failed.
“Hi. Can I come in?”
“Sure.” Sophie darted into the hallway. “Its my birthday! Who are you?”
“Sophie just turned five,” Katherine said. “This is my daughter, in case you didnt know.”
“Emily told me.” He stepped out briefly, returning with a huge boxa lavish doll.
“Wow! Thank you!” Sophie grabbed it and dashed off.
Katherine poured David tea and set out cake.
“Kate, you look even lovelier now. Your eyes shine. Can I visit sometimes?” he asked cautiously. “I left Alicenot my kind of person. Ive been alone for nearly two years.”
“Ive got a daughter now, and shes not yours,” Katherine replied.
“Kate, thats why I love you even more. If youd let Margaret abandon Sophie, Id think differently. I want her to call me Dad.”
After a pause, Katherine agreed.
David visited often, helping financially and emotionally. He took Sophie swimming and to dance class. Once, after her recital, they sat at home, laughing over cake.
“Daddy, Im so glad you and Mummy came today!”
Davids breath caughtSophie had called him Daddy for the first time. He lifted her, spinning her gently.
“Youre my little girl now. Were a family, arent we, Kate?” He looked at her hopefully.
“Yay! Daddy, you wont leave again, will you?” Sophie giggled.
“Never. You and your mum are my world.”
They formalised the adoptiontheyd never divorced, after all. Just in case Margaret or Lily ever changed their minds though that seemed unlikely.
