The father left after discovering his wifes affair with a colleague. A terrible row erupted at home.
He walked out when he found out about Mums fling with some bloke from the office. The house shook with the force of their shouting.
What did you expect? Im always alone! Youre never herenight and day at that bloody job. Im a woman, I need attention!
Oh, and whatll you say when I throw that Romeo of yours in prison, eh? Slip something in his file and lock him up, hows that?Dads voice was ice-cold. He was a police inspector.
You wouldnt dare! You wouldnt dare! Youve ruined everything!
Mum collapsed onto the sofa, sobbing. Dad gathered his few things and marched toward the door. I stood frozen in the hallway, halfway between the kitchen and the living room, ready to throw myself on the floor to stop him. What a stupid idea. Wed always been close, happy. Mum and Dad never fought. They told the same jokes, laughed together. Sure, Dad was always at work, coming home shattered, barely able to keep his eyes open. But when we were together, it felt right. How could Mum throw it all away? And would Dad ever forgive her?
Thomas, dont go.Mums voice was desperate, her hands shaking.Forgive me! Please stay. William, why are you just standing there?
But I didnt move. I blocked his path. At twelve, I still believed I could stop the end of the only family Id ever known.
Will, let me pass.Dads voice was heavy, the way he spoke at work. Never at home.
Dont go!I whispered.
Move!
The same cold tone.
Dad what about me?
He shoved me aside like an unwanted chair and stormed out. I think he left in a hurry to stop himself from doing something mad. Not just hitting Mumhe had his service pistol with him. His eyes burned with a rage so fierce I realise now it was better he walked away. That day, he became the man who pushed me aside like rubbish. And Mumthe one who brought this nightmare into our lives.
Romeo, of course, turned out to be a coward and left Mum soon after Dad did. She was alone, trapped in the wreckage. Husband gone, lover vanished, son blaming her for the mess. And me?
I started staying out late, falling in with the wrong crowd. First, it was petty theft, then bolder crimes. We got caught mugging some posh kidnot for all his money, just what he had on him. His bodyguard grabbed me and Charlie. Dad, by then head of the Criminal Investigation Department, was called to the station. Our surnameWhitmorewasnt common, and someone recognised him.
Out.Dads voice was clipped.
Sod off!I hissed through gritted teeth.
He dragged me from the cell.
What about Charlie?I thrashed against his grip.
He shoved me into an interview room and slapped me hard across the face. Blood and tears streamed down my cheeks as my hatred for him burned hotter.
How old are you?
What?I didnt understand.
How old? Fifteen?
It sounded ridiculous.
Congratulations! You dont even know your own sons age!
Because youre not mine!he roared.I married Margaret when she was already pregnant. Thought shed be a good wife. But she stayedand he used a foul word.
Then who is my father?I asked, stunned.
He tossed me a tissue and a bottle of water. Thomas sat across from me and sighed.
Im sorry I hit you. But youve let me down badly. Think I dont have my own problems?
Then go deal with them.I muttered.
Will on paper, youre mine. I pay child support properly. But if you keep this upIll wash my hands of you. Let them lock you upsee if I care.
What now?
What dyou mean?
Now am I going to prison?
He shook his head.
What about Charlie?
Listen, Charlies got his own father. Theyve got money, theyll manage. You worry about yourself. I dont get itprison fascinates you? Think its some paradise? Its hell. Especially for juvenileshell cubed.
I didnt want prison. But my life was full of pain, pain every time I looked at Mum. So I had my fun where I could. I told Thomas as much.
Right. No ones making your choices for you. Either start living rightstudy, build a future. Or keep on this path, and it usually ends badly. Dont fancy prison? Change your ways. Youre free to go.
I turned toward the door. His voice stopped me.
And dont blame your mother. In a divorce, both sides are at fault. What I said about her that was the anger talking. Forget it.
Thomas Dad, you loved each other! Maybe you could?I asked, hope fading.
Forget that too, son.
The lads from the gang didnt let me off easy. A few beatings left me bruised, but I got out. Charlie got off with probation thanks to his dad and went back to his old ways. I made my choice.
I forgave Mum. Tried my hardest. Part of me wanted to know where I really came from, but I never asked. No time for diggingschool was a mess, and catching up took everything I had.
I finished police training top of my class. Now, standing in my fathers office under his proud gaze, I understoodlife had brought us back together in the end.
