Wife and Father
Sophie only pretended to be eager to meet Matthews parents. What for? She wasnt planning to live with them, and as for his father, rumoured to be quite well-off, she knew from experience that money just meant trouble and suspicion.
But if you sign up for the role, youd best play it to the endsince shed set her sights on marriage.
Sophie dressed nicely but kept it simple, aiming to come across as a sweet, unassuming girl.
Meeting your fiancés parents is always fraught with unseen pitfalls, but making the acquaintance of clever in-laws is a test of nerve in itself.
Matthew thought she needed reassuring.
Dont fret, Soph, really, dont. Dads a bit glum but reasonable. They wont say anything dreadful. Theyll warm to you. Dads a bit eccentric, but Mum is the life of the party, he assured her as they stood at the gate.
Sophie just smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her shoulder. So, a gloomy father and a sociable mothera combination she found quietly amusing.
The house didnt impress her much. Shed seen plenty grander.
They were greeted straight away.
Sophie didnt feel particularly nervous. Why would she? People are just people. She already knew Pamela, as Matthew had mentioned, had spent most years as a housewife, took the odd holiday with friends, but was otherwise unremarkable. His father, Charles, wasnt one for laughter, but at least he was quiet. His name, though, pinged a bell in Sophies memory…
They were greeted at the door…
And Sophie almost froze, not stepping inside. And that was that. The mother-in-law-to-be was a stranger, but the father she recognised at once. Theyd met three years ago. Not often, but enoughand always mutually beneficial. Bars, hotels, restaurants. Of course, neither Pamela nor Matthew had the faintest clue about this.
Well, here we are.
Charles recognised her too. There was a glint in his eyesa flicker you could read as shock, amazement, or maybe something darker, plans hatchingbut he said nothing.
Matthew, blissfully oblivious, introduced her with enthusiasm.
Mum, Dad, this is Sophie. My fiancée. Id have brought her round sooner, but shes a little shy.
Oh, Lord…
Charles extended his hand.
His handshake was firm, even somewhat cold.
Very pleased to meet you, Sophie, he said, and in his tone was a thread of… something Sophie couldnt place. Maybe annoyance. Or maybe a warning. Or…
Sophie wondered how shed get herself out of this one, ready for Charles to expose who she was.
Pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Smith, Sophie replied, playing along, her heart pounding. What would happen now…
But nothing happened.
Charles managed what passed for a smile and pulled out a chair for her at the table.
Perhaps he was biding his time, planning to shame her later.
But no such confrontation came.
A realisation dawned on Sophiehe wouldnt reveal her. If he did, hed expose himself to Pamela as well.
Once she relaxed, the evening flowed easily enough. Pamela regaled Sophie with stories of Matthews childhood, while Charles listened with interest, occasionally asking about Sophies work. Ha, he knew plenty about her. His dry wit no longer rattled her. He even cracked a couple of jokes, making Sophie laughalthough beneath the jokes were references only the two of them would catch.
Like when, looking at Sophie, he remarked:
You know, Sophie, you remind me of a former… colleague of mine. Very clever, always knew how to handle people. Any sort.
Sophie kept her cool:
People have talents for all sorts of things, Mr. Smith.
Matthew, lovesick as ever, gazed at Sophie with open adoration, missing every nuance. He truly loved her. That was the most important thing. And perhaps the saddestfor him.
Later, when conversation turned to travel, Charles glanced at Sophie and said:
Im one for quiet places myself, away from all the chaos. I like to sit in peace, especially with a good book. What about you, Sophie? Any favourite kinds of places?
A loaded question.
I like it busy and lively, love being surrounded by people, Sophie replied, not taking the bait. Though sometimes, extra ears can be a risk.
For a moment, just a flicker, Pamela seemed to notice something amiss. Her brow creased, but she quickly brushed her doubts aside.
Charles knew. He knew Sophie wasnt one for solitude, and he understood why.
When the evening ended and it was time to call it a night, Charles hugged Matthew.
Take care of her, son. Shes… special.
It sounded like both a compliment and a dig. Only Sophie caught the double meaning.
It felt as if the very air turned cold in the room at that word. Special. Hed chosen it well.
***
At night, when the house fell quiet, Sophie found sleep impossible.
She lay awake, reliving the unexpected reunion and worrying over what came next. The outlook wasnt bright. She guessed that Charles, like her, was lying sleepless. For him, the shock of the meeting; for her, the dread of the upcoming conversationif not everything.
She quietly got up, pulled on a hoodie over her pyjamas, and slipped out. She intentionally made enough noise descending the stairs so that anyone awake would hear, and wandered out onto the verandaexpecting Charles would see her.
She didnt have to wait long.
Cant sleep? he asked, appearing behind her.
Sleep just wont come, said Sophie.
A gentle breeze fluttered by.
She caught the familiar scent of his aftershave.
He stared at her intently.
What do you want from my son, Sophie? Gone was any pretense of warmth. I know exactly what youre capable of. I know how many men like me have crossed your path. I know youve always only ever chased money. You never tried to hide it. Youve always named your price, even if delicately. Why Matthew?
If he wasnt going to sugarcoat things, neither would Sophie. She flashed a hard smile.
I love him, Mr. Smith, she sang, is that not possible?
He wasnt convinced.
Love? You? Thats laughable. I know your type, Sophie. Ill tell Matthew everythingwhat you used to do, who you really are. Do you think hell still marry you after that?
Sophie stepped closer, until only an arms length separated them. She tilted her head, regarding him quizzically, as if she hadnt seen enough.
Go ahead, Mr. Smith, she said slowly, but your wife will hear our little secret too.
Thats
It isnt blackmail, its fairness. Tell everyone how you and I met, and you wont be able to hide what we did, either. Trust me, Ill make sure of it.
Theyre not the same thing…
Oh really? Will you say that to your wifes face?
Charles fell silent. His attempt at intimidation had failed. He realised she had him cornered. They were stuck together in this.
What would you tell her?
Her, and everyone else. Matthew too. Ill tell them all exactly what kind of family man you are, and those late nights at workeverything. Ill have nothing to lose. Want to protect your son from me? Be my guest.
That was a tough position. If he told his son not to marry her, it would mean the end of his own marriage, too.
You wouldnt dare.
I wouldnt? Sophie almost laughedhe could dare, but not her? I wont say a thing if you wont breathe a word about my motivessince youve got your own little skeletons. After all, Pamela really does prize a faithful husband.
Hed once wept drunkenly to Sophie about how he cheated, and how Pamelathe good, loyal wifewould never forgive him. He knew Sophie wasnt bluffing.
Fine, he muttered. Ill keep quiet. And so will you. No one will say anything. Lets just forget what happened.
Thats why Sophie wasnt worried. Hed lose more than she would.
As you wish, Mr. Smith.
The next morning, they left Matthews parents home. Under the burning gaze of her future father-in-law, Sophie bade farewell to his wife, whod already begun to call her daughter. Charless eye twitched.
He wanted to warn his son about Sophies deceit, but the cost was too high. Losing Pamela meant losing half his fortune. She wouldnt leave empty-handed. And their son wouldnt forgive him easily…
Later, Sophie and Matthew spent a fortnight at his parents during the summer.
A proper English holiday.
Charles did his best to avoid Sophie, hiding behind errands. But one day, home alone, his suspicion got the better of him. He decided to snoop through Sophies baghoping to find something that could give him an edge.
Powder compact, diary, little notebookand just as he was losing hope, his eyes landed on a white-and-blue pregnancy test. Two clear lines.
I thought disaster was my son marrying No, this is disaster! He put the test back, barely managing to shut the bag before Sophie walked in.
Oh, rummaging through a ladys things now, are we? Sophie teased sharplybut didnt seem bothered.
Charles didnt even deny it.
Youre pregnant with Matthews child?
Sophie took the bag from him, looked him in the eye, and said, Looks like youve ruined the surprise, Mr. Smith.
Charles was furious. Now there was no wriggling freeif he outed her, his own secret would come to light as well. Silence was his only hope, watching helplessly as his son walked into a trap.
***
Nine months passed then another six.
Matthew and Sophie were busy raising Emily.
Charles hardly ever visited. He wanted nothing to do with them. He didnt see the girl as his granddaughter. Sophie frightened himher icy indifference to Matthew, her mysterious past.
Again, it happened.
Pamela was headed over to see Matthew and Sophie.
Coming with me, Charles?
No, got a headache.
Again? Thats happening often lately.
Its nothing, just tired. You go ahead.
Charles always played illmigraine, cold, earache, sore feethe always found something. Took a couple of pills for effect too. He couldnt bear to see Sophie. But couldnt confess the truth either.
The evening dragged, haunted by unwanted thoughts.
He lay down with a book.
Then he noticed how late Pamela was. Already eleven, and still no sign of her. Her phone was switched off. Of course, he rang Matthew.
Matt, is everything alright? Has Pamela left yet? Shes not home.
Dad, last person I want to talk to right now is you.
And hung up…
Charles was about to drive over when he saw Sophies car pull up outside. He knew something was upbut the sight of Sophie nearly knocked the wind out of him.
What are you doing here?? Tell me! Whats happened?
Sophie appeared the picture of calm. She poured herself some wine. Sat down, perfectly at ease.
Its all fallen apart.
What do you mean?
Us. All of us. Matthew found some old photos from four years ago on a café websitethe Oasis party, remember? He wanted to book something for our anniversary, saw their site… and there we were. Front and centre. The photographerdamn himuploaded the lot! Now Matthews gone mad. Your Pamelas talking about divorce. And as for melooks like Ill be divorcing your son after all, just as you wanted.
Charles slumped, scenes flashing through his mind: that party, the warnings, the photographs he begged them not to take… But whod have thought it would end up like this?
He collapsed beside her, on the floor.
Why come here?
Decided to slip out for the evening, Sophie smiled. Homes a mess. Emilys with the nanny. Fancy a drink?
She poured his own wine for him.
They sat on the veranda and drank. The only thing binding them now was the summer hum in the background.
Its all your fault, said Charles.
Sophie nodded, watching her glass.
Mm.
Youre impossible.
So Im told.
You dont even care about Matthew.
I do. But I care for myself more.
You only love yourself.
No argument there.
He reached for her chin, tilting her face up to his.
You know I never loved you, he whispered.
I believe you.
***
In the morning, when Pamela returnedready to forgive her husband, even if it cost her endlesslyshe walked in to find Sophie and Charles together. Still asleep.
Whos there? Sophie called out, waking.
Its me, said Pamela, staring at the ruins of her life.
Sophie, catching sight of her, merely smiled quietly. Charles woke a moment later, but he never went after his wife.
