While You Were Away on Business
“Emily, Im home! Come and greet me!”
“J-James?! Why are you back so early? Werent you supposed to return in three days time?”
Emily, a woman about thirty, appeared in the hallway. She hastily pulled her silk dressing gown tighter and looked at me, puzzled, as I stood on the doorstep.
“I wanted to surprise you, Em. Looks like I did! Or arent you happy to see me?” I grinnedtall, broad-shouldered, feeling pleased with the effect.
“Im very happy, of course! You head straight to the kitchen, Ill warm up some dinner”
Feeling rather proud of myself, I nodded and made my way to the kitchen. To my surprise, I found an impressive spreadstrawberries, chocolate, a meal fresh from the oven as if prepared specially for my return.
“Well, Em, youve outdone yourself! You cooked up a storm How on earth did you know I was coming back? You really are perceptive!”
Piling my plate high, I sat down to tuck in heartily. Emily still hadnt joined me, but I figured she must be getting dressed up nicely for her loving husband. She always made a special effort.
“James, I We”
“This roast is fantastic, Em! The salad, the pancakesabsolutely delicious Oliver?!”
I spun round to see my wife, Emily, arm-in-arm with my own brother, Oliver. Emily looked sheepishly at the floor, and Oliver, dressed in shorts and a vest, rubbed his brow as if hed just been woken up.
“Yes, it’s me, James. Hello, mate”
“Hallo. So, would you both care to explain whats going on here? Though I suppose its already obvious”
“James, I I’ve wanted to tell you for a while. Im in love with your brother, Oliver, and I want to be with him, only him. Im sorry.” Emily rattled off, barely daring to look at me.
My plate slipped from my hands and crashed to the floor, the food scattering everywhere.
“So, if Ive got this right you two have just”
“Yes. Just now, we were together.”
“Brilliant, just bloody brilliant, Emily! And you, Olliewhat a pair you make! My dearest family, eh? Now I see why that lovely dinner was made and more importantly, for whom.”
Emily couldn’t meet my eye. I could tell that if she dared look up, all her courage would melt away.
“And Sophie? What about our daughter? Does she know?”
“No, she She has no idea.”
“And where is she now?”
“Next door with Mrs Jones, watching cartoons.”
“How often do you cart her off to the neighbours?”
“For about six months now”
I had no more questions. In fact, I had no emotions left. The long journey had worn me out and the thought of launching into an argument seemed pointless. By nature I wasnt one to hold grudges, being known for my calm temperament. But if someone pushed me too far, best keep out of the wayas the saying goes. Though, that was more the exception than the rule. Still, what had unfolded with my wife and my own brother was beyond comprehension. I was left reeling, but only for a moment.
“You have ten minutes to pack your things and be out. Time starts now,” I said, sipping my tea. I didnt even look at Oliver.
“What on earth did Emily see in him? Looks just like me, a matching mole and all Never held down a job, not the brightest spark Shes only going to lose out with him. Well, its her choice!” I mused, quietly finishing my tea.
“Im not budging until you consent,” Oliver suddenly piped up, straightening himself.
“And what sort of consent are you demanding?”
“Divorce Let Emily go. She doesnt love you.”
“I can see very well who my wife loves.” I smirked. “Want a divorce? Youll get one, but its through the courts! Lets see how much you two waste on solicitors”
“James” Emily put her hand on my wrist. “James, can we please just keep things amicable? Youre not like this, youre a good man, I know you are”
I shook my head.
“Fine,” I replied. “But Oliverdont expect me to call you brother ever again.”
“Theres something else we wanted to ask.”
“Go on, then.”
“Let me keep the flat after the divorce, James!” Emily smiled her most dazzling smile, still stroking my wrist. “Sophies really attached to this place, and shes made so many friends at school If we have to split the flat, we wont have money to buy somewhere new, wed have to move back to the countryside”
I rested my chin on my folded arms, deep in thought. Sensing I was wavering, Emily poured on the charm even thicker:
“James, love, please, do this for Sophie. Youll land on your feetyou always do, what with your income! Please, shes your only daughter. I just want whats best for her”
“Enough, Emily,” I said quietly. “Ive got a better idea.”
“And whats that?” she asked, her eyes lighting up. “Are you thinking of leaving the car for us as well? Sophie would be thrilled!”
“Sophie will be living with me.”
“What?!” Emily was stunned. “Are you being serious? You havent a clue how to look after children! Youre always away on business, for days and weeks on end Shed barely recognise you on the street.”
“Lets ask her, shall we?” I replied, and went to fetch our daughter.
A few minutes later, I returned holding Sophie by the hand. She was ten, just starting year five. She clung tightly to me, grinning from ear to ear.
“And whats the point in bringing her in here? So she can get involved in all this as well?” Emily shot at me, venom in her voice.
Ignoring her, I sat back at the kitchen table, put Sophie on my lap and began:
“Sophie, darling, can I ask you a few questions?”
“Of course!” Sophie beamed, clearly pleased with the attention.
“But you must promise to answer truthfully! Because now, Im speaking to you as Id speak to an adult.”
“Like you talk to the men at your office?”
“Exactly.”
She nodded eagerly, her mouth open in anticipation.
“Tell me, has your mum ever upset you? Has she hit you at all this week?”
At that, Sophie grew bashful, looking away as she nervously fidgeted with the seam of her dress.
“What on earth are you suggesting?” Emily shrieked. “Leave her alone!”
“Be quiet, Emily. Im talking to my daughter,” I said firmly, stroking Sophies head. “Dont be afraid, Sophie. Remember your promise?”
Nodding, she blinked back tears. She wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered against my chest:
“Yes, she smacked me three times. Once for a bad mark at school, then for spilling milk, and the third time when I shouted at Uncle Oliver. She was kissing him while you were away for work”
“Its all right, love, hush now. Im here with you. Your mum wont hurt you anymore,” I soothed.
“Shes making it up!” Emily interjected, voice rising. “I havent laid a finger on her”
“So youd have the flat and the car, all in the name of whats best for Sophie?” I asked, giving a wry smile. “Sophie, one more question, if thats all right?”
“Okay”
“If you could choose, darling, who would you want to live with: me or your mum?”
Sophie hesitated, glancing from me to Emily. Emily reached out, desperate to win her over.
“But if you promise never to go away for ages again?”
“I promise!” I answered at once.
“Then I want to live with you, Dad.”
“You little” Emily started, raising her hand, but I gathered Sophie into my arms, putting myself between them. All this while, Oliver stood awkwardly silent in the background.
“Well, Emily, theres nothing more to discuss. You wont see her again,” I said calmly, leading Sophie to her room.
Moments later, I helped her pack her things. Fortunately, my travel bag was already sorted. We left for a hotel across town I often used for work.
A couple of months later, we were in court. With Emily and her new husband lacking stable income, a place to live, and the ability to care for Sophie, the judge decided she would live with me. Especially as Sophie wanted to stay with her dad. Only him.
We split the flat as the law required, and I sold my half. Weekend visits with her mother were arranged, but Sophie settled in with me at our new place. I changed my work scheduleno more months away on business. Sophie started smiling more often, and that was worth more than all the money I could ever earn.
The lesson I took from all this? Life can throw you the most unexpected curveballs, but at the end of the day, the love and trust of a child is the one thing you can never let slip through your fingers.
