Father Is No Worse Than Mother
Anna met her second husband at a conservation camp in the Lake District, where they were saving nests of rare birds from would-be poachers. Shed arrived with her ten-year-old son, Jack.
Tony was the heart and soul of the projecta wild-eyed, enthusiastic biologist, completely mad about wildlife. Hed started running these quirky eco-tours with his oldest mate; it was both a passion and a handy way to top up his income.
On the third day, Anna slipped on some mossy stones and hurt her ankle. Tony turned out to be not just a keen naturalist, but also a practicing GP. He bandaged her ankle, carried her to her tent, and then fussed over her for the rest of the week like a mother hen.
While Jack was gleefully helping the scientists, the adults felt a bit of a spark. Still, both of them kept things propereach had a marvellously rocky romantic history, and neither of them wanted to tumble headfirst into a new infatuation.
After the holiday, Anna threw herself into work, doing her utmost to forget the fleeting woodland romance. Tony, for his part, was convinced it was nothing but a bit of harmless holiday frolic. Yet, two weeks later, he found himself searching for her address
Six months later, they moved in together; a year after that, they married.
Tony leapt into fatherhood with both feethed always wanted children but hadnt found time, constantly whisked off by work or hobbies. Jack, whod been raised by mum and grandma, quickly started calling his new stepdad Dad. Soon they bought a roomy flat with a balcony overlooking Regents Park and began plotting a baby together. Anna had long dreamed of a daughter, and to her delight, so had Tony. They picked the name Emily ahead of time. Life, it seemed, was as close to perfect as you could wish.
Everything changed with the arrival of twins. Along with Emily, the parents found themselves graced with a son, Ben. Chaos ensued: nappies, pureed peas, and sleepless nights. Annas mum did her best to help with the babies. Tony started working at a big pharmaceutical companythose extra mouths werent going to feed themselves. The job meant endless business trips and mind-numbing reports. Soon enough, Tony realised he wasnt particularly keen to return at night to a flat full of bawling babies and an exhausted wife whose conversation now rarely strayed beyond sleep patterns and bottle temperatures.
He told himself that as breadwinner, he was surely entitled to a bit of personal space and a decent nights kip. Anna, however, insisted that children are a shared responsibility and that a husband should also pitch inat least a bitwith the daily grind of parenthood. The squabbles grew frequent; the rare peaceful conversation ended in a row about family roles.
The twins going off to nursery was a lifeline. They werent even three when Anna managed to return to her job as a designer. Jack became a proper little helper. The tension in the flat eased. Though not for long.
Two years later, Tony fell in love. His new colleagueevery bit as passionate, independent, and charming as he used to beturned his world upside-down. In a fit of scrupulous honesty, Tony confessed everything to Anna and announced theyd be better off apart.
Ill always support you and the children, I promise. Well sort out the housing situation within the year. But for now, Im asking you to take the kids and move back in with your mum. Ill handle the divorce paperwork myself.
But didnt we buy this flat together? You know, because we were planning on filling it with a big family? said Anna evenly.
Dont make things more complicated than they already are! Im offering a civilised solution! Tony snapped.
Ill have to think about it, Anna replied, just as calm as ever.
She pondered for a week, then gave him her verdict:
Youve fallen in love with someone else. Fair enough, it happens all the time. But the childrentheyre not just mine, are they? Theyre yours too. Theyll always be our children, right? I wont demand my share of the flat, although Im perfectly entitled toits all yours. Move in with your new wife if you like. But lets split the parenting. Ill take Jack and Emily. Ben stays with you.
Tony was dumbstruck.
Youre out of your mind! I cant raise a toddler all by myself! Ive got a job! He needs his mother!
Really? Anna arched an eyebrow. Didnt you always want your own kids and a proper family? Well, here you are. I work too, or have you forgotten? Trying to build your shiny new life while leaving all three with me? Absolutely not. You can at least handle one. Its only fair.
The ensuing fight rattled the windows.
Tony stormed out, slamming the door, and set about telling anyone whod listenmates, family, colleagues. Shock and horror followed. People called Anna, pleading, scolding, accusing her of being cruel and inhumane. Even her own mother said she could never forgive her. But Anna stuck to her guns: Why is a father less capable than a mother? He loves them. Besides, Bens not a baby anymore, and very independent.
Cornered and desperate, Tony agreed. His own mother refused to look after Benher health wouldnt allow it. Tonys new flame vanished within three weeks upon witnessing daily life as a single dad. Looking after someone elses child, as it turned out, wasnt in the job description.
***
Three months passed.
One evening, Anna went to pick up Jack, whod been staying at his dads. Tony answered the door. The flat was spotless, it smelled of porridge, and Ben was contentedly playing Lego on the floor.
Tony looked tired but at peace.
Come in, he said quietly.
Jack dashed off to gather his things, leaving Anna and Tony in the kitchen.
You know, Tony started, not meeting Annas eye, those first few weeks I absolutely loathed you. I thought this was the cruelest revenge. But then I just got to know Ben. Turns out, he loves tomatoes and oranges. Hes terrified of the hoover. Hes mad about building things. He snores, hilariously, when he sleeps. And hell only fall asleep if someone scratches his back.
He looked up at her:
I became his dad. A real one. Not just the weekend sort, but every single day.
Anna listened in silence.
Im not asking forgiveness for everything that happened. But I Im grateful. He nodded toward his son. For him. For us.
I knew it, Anna said at last.
Knew what? That Id manage?
Well, yes, that too. But most of all, I never doubted that youd come to love him. Properly. It was always all or nothing with us, Tony. In love, in work, andturns outin parenting, as well.
So, was it revenge after all?
Anna smiled, and as she left the kitchen, she answered:
No. It was the only way I could recognise the man I married. And I think I finally found him again.
She left him there in the quiet flat with their son. And for the first time in ages, both of them knew that even though the marriage was over, somehow, in some wonderfully odd way, the family had survived.
