**An Awkward Situation**
*”You’re his wife?”*
*”In every legal sense. I could even show you the marriage certificate, though I didn’t bring it with me—sorry,”* the woman replied, resting a protective hand on her swollen belly.
***
*”Sweetheart, I’ll be away on a work trip next week—the signal’s terrible out there, so don’t lose touch,”* said Richard Thompson.
*”Don’t worry about the cat. I’ll come by, feed him, clean the litter,”* muttered Emily, eyes still glued to her phone.
*”About the cat…”* Richard hesitated. *”You really don’t have to keep trekking across town after work just to feed one cat. The neighbour down the hall—I’ve known her for ages. She’ll pop in now and then to check on Chester.”*
*”You’ve been acting strange lately, Dad,”* Emily chuckled. *”Your neighbour’s a saint, apparently. Feeds the cat, picks up groceries, even nips to the chemist for you after work. Just luck, I suppose?”*
*”Yeah… lucky.”*
Shame twisted Richard’s gut—another lie to his daughter. His eyebrows knit together as he fought to keep his expression neutral. *She suspects nothing. Just teasing me,* he told himself.
…Richard and Emily’s mother had divorced seven years ago. It was civil, no screaming matches. They’d simply fallen out of love. After explaining things to Emily, they filed the paperwork with clean consciences. She took it in stride—on one condition: family holidays would still be spent together. Everyone agreed.
*”So, I’m your neighbour now?”* Olivia smirked.
*”Nothing else came to mind…”* Richard muttered, avoiding her gaze.
*”Right, because calling me your wife is just too complicated.”*
*”Liv, don’t be like that.”*
*”I’m a grown woman, Rich. But how much longer do we keep this ridiculous secret?”*
*”I don’t know—Christ, I don’t! What if she doesn’t understand? When she was little, she used to panic about one of us leaving. Kept asking if we’d abandon her. Feels like I’m betraying her now.”*
*”Listen, I won’t meddle in your relationship with Emily. But in two months, you’ll have two daughters, and you’ll have to make a man’s decision. You can’t hide a newborn forever.”*
*”We’ll figure it out!”* Richard said, though he had no idea how.
He’d met Olivia not long after the divorce. One look, and he’d known. But admitting it to his family? Impossible. He feared Emily would pull away, feared his ex-wife’s resentment poisoning their visits.
First, he worried about the ten-year age gap. Then about marrying Olivia in secret. Then about her pregnancy. Now, with the due date looming, the truth would burst forth like an abscess. *I’ll tell her when the time’s right,* he lied to himself.
Richard had gone to absurd lengths to hide his new life. He met Emily on neutral ground, dodging questions about his *”helpful neighbour.”*
That morning, fresh off his work trip, Emily decided to surprise him with a visit. No answer at the door. No pick-up after ten calls. Puzzled, she stepped outside. She hadn’t misread his texts—he’d landed hours ago. *He’s an adult, probably ran errands,* she told herself.
*”They took Richard to the hospital,”* a voice called out.
*”What? When? Where?”* Emily spun around.
An elderly woman leaned from a ground-floor window. She’d seen Richard return with luggage, then watched paramedics load him into an ambulance half an hour later.
*”From what I overheard, they’re taking him to cardiology. Walked himself out, thank God—no stretcher. So, not the ICU,”* the neighbour reasoned. *”Recognised you straight away—you’re his girl, always waiting for taxis here.”*
*”How long ago?”*
*”Over an hour.”*
Emily didn’t hear the rest. Trembling, she wrestled with the where and why. *Cardiology—that’s the heart. But he’s never had heart problems!*
*”Call the ambulance service—they might tell you where he is,”* the neighbour suggested, reading her mind.
Emily dialled with shaking hands. Minutes later, the operator confirmed the hospital. She hailed a cab, battling panic as dark thoughts swirled. Richard’s phone stayed dead.
*”They told me my father was brought here!”* Emily blurted at reception, eyes glistening.
*”If he’s been admitted, I’ll check. When was he brought in?”* the receptionist asked calmly.
*”I don’t know—half an hour? An hour? Please, help me!”*
*”Name and surname?”*
*”Thompson. Richard Edward. Born 12th March, 1973—”*
*”Wait in the corridor. I’ll check.”* The receptionist vanished, murmuring into a phone. She returned quickly. *”Cardiology ward. No visitors—quarantine in place. If you need to pass anything, he may be allowed into the corridor. Check visiting hours at the main entrance.”*
*”Thank you!”*
Emily sprinted outside. *If they said he can walk out, it can’t be too bad,* she reasoned.
Lost in thought, she barely registered reaching the lobby. A nurse checked records, then scowled. *”You’re outside visiting hours—and there’s a quarantine!”*
*”They just admitted him! He’s not answering! I don’t know if he’s got clothes, food, meds—let me in!”* Emily’s voice cracked.
A hand touched her shoulder. She whipped around, expecting security—but instead, a pregnant woman stood there, barely older than herself.
*”Emily, hello,”* Olivia said carefully.
*”Do I know you?”*
*”Not exactly. I know you—very well. But to you, I’m just the *neighbour* who feeds the cat and picks up prescriptions.”*
*”What? Are you here for Dad? Did he call you? What’s happening?”*
Olivia took a breath. *”Emily, I came because the hospital rang me. The thing is… I’m his wife.”*
*”You’re his *what*?”*
*”Legally, at least. I could show you the marriage certificate—not that I carry it around.”* She shielded her belly instinctively. *”Let’s talk outside. Richard’s fine—I brought him everything. Come on, I’ll explain.”*
Olivia steered her stepdaughter into the air, choosing words carefully.
*”How long? Why didn’t he tell me? And especially about—”* Emily’s gaze dropped to Olivia’s stomach.
*”This isn’t how I wanted us to meet. But if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. Richard kept waiting for the *right moment*—but life had other ideas.”*
*”Why keep it secret? This is mad.”*
*”He was terrified you’d shut him out,”* Olivia said sharply.
*”That’s ridiculous! I’ve been worried he was *lonely*—and now he’s got a wife *and* a baby on the way?”*
*”So… you’re not upset?”*
*”Are you joking? I’m *relieved*. Bloody childish, honestly. No wonder his heart’s acting up—living a double life!”*
Olivia exhaled. *”Emily—can I call you that?* Visiting’s restricted. I barely got in. If they allow it, you can come tomorrow. He’s stable—walking, but needs rest. Suspected mild heart attack.”*
Emily looked lost, adrift.
*”Since we’ve met like this… why don’t you come home? We’ll plan Rich’s punishment—nothing lethal,”* Olivia joked, steering her toward the car.
*”This feels… awkward.”*
*”It’ll be *more* awkward if the baby’s born and doesn’t recognise her own family! Come on—we’ll get along just fine.”*
