They stepped out of the hospital togetherjust the two of them. There was no one waiting outside with balloons or filming them on their phones, no bouquets handed over with awkward smiles. And to be honest, it wouldve looked a bit odd anywayflowers for a man
His mum was alive and well, by the way. She was absolutely fine. Except for the fact that, as it turned out, she didnt want a child. At all. And she was completely upfront with her husband about it straight away. But he pleaded, properly begged, and yes, there mightve been some gentle ultimatums thrown in as well.
He was nearly forty, after all, and still no kids. What if this was his one shot at having someone to carry on the family name? They managed to strike a deal His wife gave birth, and then they went straight to filing for divorce. She had no problem agreeing to pay maintenance, either.
At first, Edward wanted to turn it downhis pride got in the way. But his ex said, Lifes a long haul. Anything can happen. Youre not a young lad anymore, and Im much younger than you. Even if I dont want this child, hes still mine. You might as well have something to fall back on. Just in case
So, the uneasy days began, but Edward didnt let it get him down. Loads of single mums out there, arent there? Why should he be any worse? Plenty of kids with complicated families too, so Ed never saw the problemwho says kids dont thrive with a dad? George Edwardson, his little boy, grew bigger, put on weight, and was genuinely a happy little chap.
When young Georgie got older, though, he started with all the questions about his mum. But really, how do you tell a child that his own mum just didnt want him? Edward scrambled for something and blurted out, Found you in a cellar, mate.
A cellar? Which one? Georges eyes widened.
That one there, you knowthe one beneath the house just next door.
And right then, the cellar became a sort of magical pull for George. On walks, whenever his dad wasnt paying enough attention, George would peek through the cellar grates, softly calling for his mum. But the only reply he ever got was silence
Until one day one day, he actually heard something! His little heart absolutely thudded in his chest, so loud that it blocked out every other sound.
The entrance to the blocks stairwell was ajar, and George dashed down into the cellar. It was pitch black at first, but his eyes soon got used to it. He kept going deeper, trying to call out, but his throat closed up with a sob, and all he managed was a hoarse, bubbly whisper, Mum? Mummy, are you there? Its meGeorge Ive come for you!
But there was no answer. George stopped, sniffled, and tried to listen. A quiet rustle came from a corner, and, wiping tears off his cheeks with a grubby fist, he headed that way.
He convinced himself his mum must be poorlywhy else wouldnt she have come out to find him yet? Never mind, hed find her himself now, and shed be so happy, absolutely over the moon!
George wiped his eyes and kept going, crying and grinning at the same time. All his friends had mumsnow he would have one too! But in the far corner, nestled on an old pile of rags, there was only a cat. A wary cat, carefully sheltering a tiny kitten beneath her.
Mummy? George asked in a small voice.
Disappointment nearly tore him in two; his knees went weak, and he slumped down onto the floor. Then he looked up and caught the cats gaze again
When youre five, you think differently. Logic works in its own peculiar way, and sometimes it makes more sense than anything adults could come up with.
George stared at the cat, thinking. He remembered Emma from his class, who always swore her dad was a centaur because she had lovely long hair. And Toby would insist his dad was an alien, and no one could prove otherwise. So really, why couldnt his mum be a cat?
And the catwell, the cat seemed to understand that this boy meant no harm, that he wouldnt touch her or the kitten. She crept closer and rubbed her head gently against his palm.
So you really are my mum? he asked with hope bursting out of him, so sincere he genuinely believed it himself. Hed have fought anyone who said otherwise. George scooped up the cat and hugged her close, and the cat hugged him right back
Edward didnt notice his son was missing immediately, but when he did, he panicked. He called out, George! Georgie, come on, mate! George, where are you?
Several agonisingly long minutes crawled by, leaving Edward that much greyer, until his son finally emerged from the cellar.
He walked out slowly, pressing the cat and her kitten tight against his chest. And to Ed, he declared, I found mum. And this, looks like my little sister They were down in the cellar, where you found me.
Edward was dumbstruck, with no idea how to respond. Should he tell his son the truth? How on earth do you even do that? So he just nodded along.
How did you know it was her? he couldnt help asking.
George shrugged. I just knew She looked at me in that special way! Dad, lets head home. I think mums a bit tired.
George was happier than hed ever been. Hed found his mum! Never mind that his sister turned out to be a brotherin fact, that was even better. Proper lads games now, and at night, his mum would purr them both a bedtime story.
At nursery, the other kids just went with it. Mums are cats, dads are aeroplanesnothing to bat an eyelid at. One of the boys even showed everyone a photo of his dad as a plane.
Edward worried for ages about how hed ever explain real life to his son. But looking at how happy George was, he decided to leave it be for now. Life would sort itself out in time.
And home turned into a madhouse after that. George would be leaping about with the cat and her kitten, and the three of them would leave the flat in absolute chaos. The cat was young and just as happy to mess about with the kids as they were with her.
You lot are going to be the end of me! Ed would grumble as he put things back where they belonged.
George, gripping a shoelace, the kitten, and the cat, would all pause, look at Ed, then at each other exchange a quick shrug, and go straight back to winding Dad up. Why not? After all, mum let them!
