Michael arrived at his last job for the day. The door was opened by a serious-looking boy of about ten, with a fair-haired girl, perhaps a couple of years younger, standing at his side.
Mum will be home soon, do come in! The tap in the kitchens dripping, the boy said. Michael stepped in and set about fixing the tap.
Dad would have sorted it, but hes a pilot. Hes hardly ever home, the boy explained.
Soon after, the childrens mother arrived, paid Michael for his work, and the boy walked with him to the door.
Theres no pilot dad. Mum made it up, the boy admitted quietly as they reached the gate.
That day, Michael had finished his last joba new bathroom tap for an elderly womanwhen the office rang. They wondered if he could see to another kitchen tap on his way home. Michael had spent the last half year working for a small company which specialised in plumbing repairs, cleaning, and other odd jobs.
He drove over to the address hed been given and rang the bell. The door was answered by the serious boy, with his young sister peeking out from behind his elbow.
Are there no adults at home, then? Michael asked, brow raised. They werent supposed to enter homes unless an adult was present.
Mum will be back soon, the boy assured him. The taps in a sorry stateI tried to fix it with some tape but it just wont stop dripping. And dont worry, weve got money.
Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Michael let himself in and got to work, replacing the worn washer in the kitchen tap.
And my desk wobbles, and the light switch in my room doesnt work, the little girl piped up suddenly.
Our dad would usually sort things like this, but hes a pilotalways away flying far, far away. He just cant make it home, she continued, clearly repeating what her mother must have told her.
Not long after, their mother appearedan attractive woman, perhaps in her mid-thirties, looking utterly worn out and longing for a rest.
Its impossible to get anything done when youre always busy, her son explained. You kept saying youd call the handyman but never had time, so I did it myself.
She paid Michael, and at the girls reminder, arranged for him to come back the following day to look at the desk and switch. Michael left his card. The boyhed learned by now his name was Matthewstepped out with him to take out the rubbish.
We havent got a pilot dad, Matthew confided quietly as they walked. Mum tells us things she thinks were too young to understand. If he was real, hed have visited at least once, wouldnt he? And its always Mum who buys the birthday gifts, but she says theyre from Dad. I saw her choose that doll for Annas birthday, but she told us it was from him.
Who knows, ladsometimes people just cant make it no matter how much they want to, Michael replied gently, though Matthew only looked at him with sad eyes and said nothing.
That evening, as Michael sat at home, his mind couldnt escape one word: Pilot. It stirred up so many memories. He too had once been a pilot, in another life…
Hed lived in a bustling English city, flying all over Europe. His wife, a stunning woman, had wanted him to give up the skies, to settle down. Theyd had no children.
So you go off soaring in the clouds while I stay here alone? Not likely.
One day, her parents decided to emigrate. Once settled, they wrote to invite them. Michael refused, and soon after, his wife left him and moved abroad.
Michael kept flying until ill health forced him into early retirement. Hed logged countless hours, built a distinguished careerbut suddenly, he was a pensioner.
He moved to a small town to be near his mother, but just half a year later she passed away, leaving him alone. The loss hit him hard, and for a month he drifted through pubs and the company of casual friends. Then one night, he dreamed of his mother, who looked at him reproachfully, tears in her eyes.
He woke up, sent everyone away, pulled himself together, and redecorated the flatbut loneliness crept in.
One day, perusing the local paper, he saw a job advert: a company was looking for handymen with their own van. He decided to give it a go. He liked that he could take days off as and when he pleased, and the money was useful.
The next day, his last call again took him to Matthew and Annas home. He thought the childrens mother would be late returning from work, but she was already home this time.
Michael tightened the desk leg, fixed the faulty switch, mended a shelf in the hall, and straightened the kitchen cupboard doors.
A glance into the bathroom made him shake his head. You lot need a full refurb in here.
Ill hire you if youll do it, replied the woman, who introduced herself as Lucy. Weve got some savingsshould be enough to pay you.
While he worked, they got to know each other. Lucy was a nursery school teacher.
You must be hungry after all this. Wont you stay for supper? she asked timidly.
The children coaxed him as well, pleading until he joined them at the table.
Supper became a long evening of conversation. When the children were asleep, Michael found himself telling Lucy things hed never said aloud to anyone else. She listened quietly, cheek resting on her hand, with a gentle wisdom and warmth in her eyes.
Lucy hadnt any husband, just two failed relationships and two children three years apart. The pilot father was a story shed made up and always meant to explain once the children were older.
It was midnight by the time Michael set off home. He promised to be back the next eveningthere was still plenty of work to do.
The following evening, Lucy opened the door and froze in surprise. Standing there was Michael, dressed in his pilots uniform, holding flowers and a Victoria sponge.
Dad! Our pilot dad has come home! Anna cried, running into his arms.
Im back, he said, his eyes turning hopefully to Lucy. I just didnt recognise you at first, its been so long. Isnt that right, Lucy? There was only one answer Lucy could giveshe nodded, smiling through tears.
And so Lucys incomplete little family became whole and happy at last.
Matthew, uncertain at first, finally believed his father had come home.
Michael adopted both Matthew and Anna. A year and a half later, they welcomed a baby boyand the familys happiness was truly complete.
If youd like to hear more of our stories, do leave a comment and perhaps a likeit truly inspires us to write on.
