Maybe its time I finally meet your son? Daniel set his coffee mug down and looked at Poppy. She froze, as if his words had caught her off guard.
Why rush? she replied, lighttoned, but the tension in her shoulders gave away how nervous she really was. Max is just getting used to the idea that his mum has someone.
Weve been seeing each other for four months, Daniel said gently. Im not asking you to move in or start a pictureperfect family straight away. I just want to get to know the little bloke who means so much to you.
Poppy turned to the window. Hes only seven. I dont want to hurt him
Hurt? Daniel protested. Poppy, think of me too. If you keep me at arms length, what kind of relationship are we even talking about?
She faced him again, a flicker of fear in her eyes that vanished as quickly as a flash of light.
Alright. In a couple of weeks, okay? Just give me time to sort things out. Daniel nodded. Those two weeks stretched into nearly three months. Every time a new excuse popped up Max fell ill, he had a test, he was in a bad mood they postponed. Then, one Saturday, Poppy called herself and invited him over.
The boy was thin, darkeyed and way too serious for his age. He sat on the sofa clutching a toy car, eyes darting warily.
Hey, Daniel sat down nearby, not too close. Nice ride youve got there.
Max stayed silent, studying him.
Max, speak up, Poppy called from the doorway, arms crossed. Hello.
Hello, the boy whispered.
Daniel didnt press. He pulled out his phone and showed a picture of his own car.
This is the one I drive. Fancy a spin sometime? Maxs eyes lit up, then he glanced quickly at his mum.
Can I? he asked.
Well see, Poppy answered evasively.
Gradually the ice cracked. Poppy softened, letting Daniel take Max out for walks. He whisked the lad to parks, the zoo, the cinema, bought the toys he asked for, explained how an engine works, showed how to drive a nail and hold a screwdriver.
Look, you turn clockwise here, Daniel guided Maxs tiny hand. Feel the thread moving?
Yeah, Max stuck out his tongue in concentration. What if I turn the wrong way?
Then you unscrew it, Daniel grinned. No big deal, just start again.
They spent hours tinkering with the car. Max handed over tools, peppered Daniel with questions, got oil all over his elbows and beamed with pride. Evenings were spent on board games while Poppy cooked.
Fishing became their ritual. Every second Sunday they drove to the river, set up rods, and waited. Max learned to thread a worm, to be patient, to give the line a gentle tug.
Dad, Ive got a bite! he shrieked once as the float plunged.
Easy, dont yank, Daniel said, moving closer. Pull smoothly, like this. The carp was small, but Maxs grin was worth any trophy.
At home they watched action movies that Poppy wouldnt let on unless Daniel was there. Max would snuggle up, peek over her shoulder, and comment on every scene.
Thats impossible, right? That never happens in real life, hed say when the hero took down ten foes.
Yeah, they overhype it for drama, Daniel replied. But the point is the hero looks after the people he loves. Max nodded thoughtfully.
When maths started to bite at school, Daniel stepped in. His background in engineering and finance helped him break down the problems in plain English.
I dont get these stupid fractions, Max frowned at his workbook.
Imagine you have a pizza, Daniel said, pulling out a piece of paper. You eat half thats one half. Got it?
Right.
And if you cut it into four pieces and eat one?
One quarter? Daniel smiled. Exactly. Now try the problem thinking of pizza.
Five minutes later Max had the correct answer scribbled down.
Got it! he shouted.
See? Well done, Daniel patted his head. Grades climbed, and the teacher praised Maxs progress at the parentteacher evening. Poppy beamed with pride.
All thanks to Dan, she told friends. He spends so much time with Max.
Daniel grew attached to the boy. He woke up thinking of ways to make Maxs day brighter, planned weekends, chose presents, fretted over every low mark more than Max himself. Love slipped in quietly, then settled deep.
When Max turned ten, Daniel finally broached the big question.
Lets get married, he said one evening.
Poppy snapped the magazine shut, eyes wide.
What?
Were practically a family, Daniel continued. I love you and Max. Why wait?
Poppys face hardened.
No.
Why not? Daniel asked, expecting anything but that flat refusal.
Im already divorced. Thats enough for me.
Im not your exhusband.
I know, she softened a little. But I dont want to tie the knot again. Im fine as we are. Are you unhappy?
Daniel sighed. He wasnt unhappy, just a bit yearning for more.
Fine, lets keep it this way.
Years rolled on. They lived together in Poppys flat, holidayed on the coast in summer and up in the Cotswolds for winter. Daniel covered most of the bills, never asked for anything in return. Hed drop hints about marriage now and then, but Poppy always shut them down.
Maybe we could have another kid? he asked when Max turned thirteen.
Poppy stared at the ceiling, silent for ages.
My health isnt great. Doctors say its risky.
We could get a second opinion, see a specialist.
No, Dan. I dont want any more children. Im happy with Max. Daniel didnt push. He accepted her choice, though a quiet sting lingered.
After eight years together, the little irritations grew into fullblown arguments. Poppy started picking at the tiniest things a dish not washed properly, a laugh a bit too loud, a toothpaste tube left open.
You always do everything wrong, she snapped one night as Daniel walked in from work.
What do you mean? he asked.
Everything! she shot back.
He tried to smooth things over, helped more around the house, watched his step, but she seemed to be waiting for a reason to pick a fight.
Maybe you need a break? he suggested. Lets get away, just the two of us.
Dont, she snapped. I dont want that! Max noticed the tension and tried to keep his head down, becoming a quiet observer of the growing rift.
One evening Daniel came home early and saw a foreign jacket hanging in the hall a mans jacket. His heart dropped.
Poppy? he called.
She bolted out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her, but Daniel caught a glimpse of a man in their bed.
Dan, its not what you think, she whispered.
Really? How long? he asked hoarsely.
She stayed silent, eyes downcast.
Answer me! he demanded.
Three months. The same three months of constant nagging, provocations.
So thats why, Daniel said slowly. You pushed me to the edge. You wanted me gone so you could blame yourself.
I never wanted to hurt you, she pleaded. I just found someone else and turned our life into a nightmare?
He packed a bag in twenty minutes. Max was nearby, fiddling with a toy.
Dan, youre leaving? Max asked.
Daniel sat on the floor, pulling Max up by the shoulders.
Max, Ill always be here for you. Call me, Ill come. Well see each other like before.
You promise?
I promise.
But Poppy wasnt done. A week later she called him, voice icy.
Dont ever contact my son again.
What? Poppy, are you out of your mind?
If you try, Ill sue. Youre nothing to him, understood? No rights at all. She sounded like a cold piece of metal.
I raised him for eight years! Daniel shouted.
And what? Youre not his father. Legally, hes not yours. She slammed the line.
Daniel tried to call Max, but his number was dead. A short text finally arrived: Mum said I cant talk to you. Sorry.
He missed the boy hed come to love as his own. Time went on.
One day an unknown number rang while Daniel was cooking.
Dan? Its me.
Max! Thank God, Ive been waiting to hear your voice!
Im an adult now. Mum cant stop me. They arranged to meet at a café. Max had grown taller, broadershouldered, but those dark, serious eyes were still there.
Hows it going? Daniel asked.
Surviving, Max chuckled. Mums a nightmare. She keeps shouting, saying you ruined her life.
Me? Daniel laughed. Now Im the bad guy?
Exactly. Im the rebellious one because I dont accept her new men. Im a terrible son, Max said, halflaughing, halfsad.
A month later Max called at two in the morning.
Can I crash at your place? Ive left home.
Of course, come over.
Poppy raged, calling, screaming, begging him to return. He ignored the calls, their contact reduced to occasional holiday greetings.
By twentytwo Max had changed. He called Daniel dad and moved into a modest flat nearby.
Dad, I want to buy a car, he texted. Help me pick one?
Sure thing. They spent a Saturday hopping between showrooms, debating pros and cons, just like old times.
Then Daniel met Eleanor, a friendly accountant who loved cooking and reading.
Ive got an adult son, he warned her straight away. Not biologically mine, but he means the world to me.
Eleanor smiled. I love kids. Want to meet him?
Max was cautious at first, but Eleanor never tried to replace his mother or wedge herself between him and Daniel. She just showed up with hearty meals and jokes.
Nice one, Max said. Better than my mum.
They married quietly, no grand ceremony. Six months later Eleanor announced she was pregnant.
Youre going to be a dad again, she said, holding a test strip.
Daniel, now fortyfive, stared at the two lines, hardly believing it.
Really?
Really. Maxs excitement burst out.
Cool! Ill have a little brother or sister! Dad, thats awesome!
Are you okay with that? Daniel asked.
Max frowned playfully. Why would I be against it? Im thrilled for you. Youve earned it.
He helped set up the cot, paint the walls. The three of them became a proper family.
Poppy, meanwhile, kept sending nasty messages. Daniel blocked her numbers, but she kept getting fresh ones.
I dont get why shes so angry, he confessed to Eleanor one night. I never did anything wrong. I just loved Max.
Shes mad because she lost control, Eleanor replied. Max chose you. She cant forgive that.
Im not at fault! he said.
Of course not. You were a real dad to him.
Life settled. A new baby was on the way, sleepless nights, first steps, first words. Max, now a grown man, still called Daniel dad and was eager to be the best big brother.
Poppy could write whatever she liked. Daniel knew the truth. He never stole her son; he simply loved the boy and kept looking after him, even now that Max was an adult.
If anyone thought his actions were a crime, hed be ready to face the consequences.
