**”July the seventh! It can’t be! Just a coincidence. But his name is Andrew too. His middle name and surname are different. Though adoptive parents can change those, even the first name…”** She stared at the man’s portrait for a long time, as if hoping to see something familiar.
The woman in the HR department at the town council had just processed the paperwork for the new employee. Then she picked up the phone.
*”Emily Andrews, could you come to my office? Your new colleague is here.”*
Soon enough, Emily walked in and immediately addressed the older woman sitting across from her.
*”You’re the new cleaner?”*
*”Yes.”*
*”I’m the facilities managerEmily Andrews.”* She introduced herself briskly before asking, *”And you?”*
*”Grace.”* Seeing the expectant look in Emilys eyes, she corrected herself. *”Grace Alexandra.”*
*”Come along, I’ll show you your workspace.”* They stepped out, still talking. *”Youll be responsible for the entire third floor…”*
***
Grace was thrilled to have landed this job. Smiling to herself, she surveyed her new domain.
*”Two years till retirement. Maybe I can stay on after. The pays decenteight thousand pounds a month, plus bonuses. At least Derek and I can manage comfortably now. The kids are grown and gone. Oh, I dont even know the mayors name! How embarrassing if someone asks. Lunch soontheres a photo display of all the mayors on the first floor. Why didnt I check earlier?”*
***
On her way back from the canteen, she paused by the display and read the mayors name: *”Andrew Bennett… born 1983.”*
*”Oh, hes so youngnot even forty,”* Grace thought, and then it struck her.
*”Andrew?! 1983.”*
She turned back, scanning for the birth date.
*”July the seventh! It cant be! Just a coincidence. But his names Andrew too. The middle name and surname are different. Adoptive parents can change thoseeven the first name…”*
For a long moment, she studied the portrait, hoping to find somethinganythingrecognisable.
***
The new job kept her occupied, pushing other thoughts aside.
That evening, she talked at length with her husband. Eventually, he retreated to his room to watch football, while Grace went to hers.
They had a spacious three-bedroom house now that the kids had moved out. Derek still occasionally shared her bed, but less and less often.
Now, lying alone, her mind wandered back to her youthand the secret shed never shared with her husband.
Shed had a son before Derek. His name was Andrew. Shed been just nineteenno money, no job, living in a cramped student dormitory that was no place to raise a child. Shed lasted six months before giving him up.
Three years later, she married Derek. They never asked about each others pasts. Soon, they had their own childrentwo daughters.
The girls grew up. One went to university in London, married, and now had school-age children. The other had also married and lived in Manchester.
Grace herself had never acquired a proper trade. For the last twenty years, shed worked as a facilities supervisor at a factory until it went under. Then a friends daughter suggested this cleaning job at the town hall.
And now… Mayor Andrew Bennett, born 1983. Grace had no complaints about her lifebut shed never stopped thinking about her son. Sometimes he even appeared in her dreams. She just wanted to knowwas this him? Was he happy?
***
A few days passed.
Grace was cleaning her assigned floor when voices echoed down the corridor. She looked up to see Andrew Bennett walking briskly, deep in conversation with a colleague. Noticing her, he nodded politely and continued past, brushing close enough for her to catch his scentsomething crisp and expensive.
Suddenly, she saw Danielthe boy shed loved forty years ago. Hed been charming, carefree, and shed always wished hed be more serious, more driven. But shed never imagined it. Now, looking at Andrew Bennett, she realised this was exactly how shed once wanted Daniel to be.
But Daniel had vanished the moment hed learned she was pregnant. *”Ill go find work,”* hed said. Shed waited, hopedthen understood hed simply run away.
*”Could Andrew Bennett really be my son?”*
*”If I hadnt given him up, would he be where he is now? But my daughters turned out wellone married with a nice house and car, the other equally settled. Daughters… but no son.”*
*”Would I have married Derek if Id kept him? Noeverything wouldve been different. For me, for Derek, for Andrew. Or… maybe he isnt mine. How many impossible coincidences happen every day?”*
*”Does it even matter? He has parentshe was only six months old when I let him go. Theyve probably never told him hes adopted. Different surname. He mustve had a happy childhoodhow else would an ordinary boy become mayor?”*
***
After lunch, a younger colleague, Hannah, approached her.
*”Hey, Auntie Grace!”*
*”Hello, love.”*
*”Were celebrating Lucys birthday on Fridayshe cleans the sixth floor. Turning forty-five. You in?”*
*”Of course!”* Grace smiled.
*”Great! Twenty quid each. And bring somethinga salad, or… you know, something fun.”*
*”Got it.”* Grace pulled out her purse and handed over the money.
*”We do this for everyones milestones.”*
*”Hannah, just call me Grace. Were colleagues.”*
*”Sure thing, Grace!”*
***
On Friday, they gathered after work in an empty office on the seventh floor. A table was laid out.
Then, as always happens in offices everywhere, toasts were made. Small sips of red wine followed each one.
Suddenly, the door openedand in walked Andrew Bennett. He smiled warmly.
*”Lucy OConnor, happy birthday!”* He handed her a small wrapped box. *”Just a little something.”*
*”Thank you, Andrew!”* Tears glistened in Lucys eyes.
*”Andrew, join us!”* Emily invited.
*”Just for a bit,”* he agreed, sitting beside Grace.
Grace quickly served him a clean plate with salad and slices of ham. Wine was poured. Someone made another toast.
Grace studied him discreetly, her heart trembling. This was her sonshe no longer doubted it.
***
Andrew stayed twenty minutes, then excused himself.
*”What a man!”* said Kate, the longest-serving employee who knew everything about everyone. *”The old mayor wouldnt have dreamed of sitting with us.”*
*”How long has Andrew been here?”* Grace asked.
*”A year. Remember, we voted him in last year?”*
Truthfully, Grace didnt. Derek handled all that.
*”You know his parents are loaded, right?”* Kate continued. *”But guess whattheyre not his real parents.”*
*”Youre joking!”* Lucy gasped.
*”Came out during the election. Apparently, he didnt even know. Funny thinghe didnt react at all. Just carried on like nothing happened.”*
*”How do you know all this, Kate?”*
*”The old mayors deputy was Olivia Parker. She dug up everything on Andrew, trying to keep her boss in power. But you see how that turned out.”*
*”So… he still doesnt know who his real parents are?”* Grace ventured.
*”Doesnt seem to. He adores the ones who raised him. Our mayors a good man, through and through.”*
Grace gazed at the door Andrew had left through. Her heart swelled with joyand sadness. Joy that her son had done so well. Sadness that shed never hold him.
*”My fault,”* she thought, smiling faintly.
*”I wont disturb you, son. Ill just… always be nearby.”*
