**Diary Entry – An Awkward Situation**
*”Are you saying you’re his wife?”*
*”In every possible sense. At the very least, legally—I could show you the marriage certificate if I’d brought it. But I didn’t,”* the woman replied, resting a hand on her rounded stomach.
***
*”Sweetheart, I’m leaving for my shift next week, and the signal’s patchy there. Don’t lose touch with me,”* said Edward Townsend.
*”Don’t worry about the cat. I’ll come by to feed him and clean the litter,”* muttered Emily, eyes glued to her phone.
*”About the cat…”* Edward hesitated. *”Love, there’s no need for you to trek across town after work just for him. Mrs. Jenkins downstairs—you know, the neighbour—she’s offered to pop in now and then to check on Whiskers.”*
Emily laughed. *”Bit odd, Dad. Is your neighbour some sort of saint? Feeds the cat, picks up milk, even fetches your prescriptions. Lucky you.”*
*”Yes… lucky.”*
A pang of guilt twisted in Edward’s chest. He clenched his jaw, willing his face not to betray him. *She suspects nothing. Just teasing me,* he thought.
***
Edward and Emily’s mother had divorced seven years ago—amicably, without drama. Their love had simply faded. They’d sat Emily down first, explaining it plainly, and she’d taken it well, on one condition: family holidays would still be spent together. Everyone agreed.
***
*”So, I’m your *neighbour* now?”* Claire smirked.
*”Couldn’t think of anything else…”* Edward mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
*”Calling me your wife was just *too* difficult, I see.”*
*”Claire, don’t be like that.”*
*”I’m a grown woman, Ed. But how long are we going to keep up this charade?”*
*”I don’t know, Claire, I just *don’t*! What if she doesn’t understand? When she was little, she’d have these nightmares—one of us leaving, abandoning her. It feels like I’m betraying her.”*
Claire sighed. *”I’m not meddling in your relationship with Emily. But in two months, you’ll have *two* daughters. You’ll have to make a decision—a man’s decision. Or do you plan to hide a newborn?”*
*”We’ll sort it!”* Edward said, though he had no idea how.
***
He’d met Claire shortly after the divorce. Knew immediately she was *the one*. But admitting it to his family? Impossible. He feared Emily would pull away, that his ex-wife would spitefully interfere.
First, he’d fretted over their age gap—Claire was nearly a decade younger. Then over their secret wedding. Now, over the pregnancy. But the due date loomed, and the truth would soon burst like a boil. *I’ll tell her when the time’s right,* he lied to himself.
Edward had gone to great lengths to hide his new life. Meetings with Emily were brief, always on neutral ground. And Emily, like any sharp young woman, needled him relentlessly about his *”mysterious neighbour.”*
***
The morning he returned from his shift, Emily decided to surprise him with a visit. But no one answered the door—or his phone, no matter how many times she called. Confused, she stepped back outside. He’d texted from the airport: landed safely, heading home, would call that evening.
But he wasn’t home. *He’s an adult,* she reasoned. *Probably ran errands.*
*”They took Edward to the hospital,”* an unfamiliar voice cut through her thoughts.
*”What? When? Where?”* Emily spun around.
An elderly woman leaned out of a ground-floor window. *”Saw him come home with his suitcase—shift must’ve ended. Half an hour later, an ambulance arrived.”*
*”Cardiology, from what I heard. Walked out himself, thank God—not on a stretcher! So not intensive care.”* She peered at Emily. *”You’re his daughter, aren’t you? Always waiting for your taxi out here.”*
*”How long ago?”*
*”About an hour.”*
Emily barely heard the rest. Her hands shook. *Cardiology—that’s the heart. But he’s never had heart problems!*
*”Call the ambulance service,”* the neighbour suggested. *”They’ll tell you where he is.”*
Emily dialled with trembling fingers. Minutes later, the operator gave her the hospital details. She hailed a cab, fighting panic the entire way. Edward’s phone remained off.
***
*”Please—the ambulance said he was brought here!”* Emily choked out at reception.
*”If he’s been admitted, I’ll check. How long ago?”* the clerk asked calmly.
*”I don’t know—half an hour? An hour? Please, just help me!”*
*”Name and date of birth?”*
*”Edward Townsend, 12th March 1973.”*
The clerk stepped away, murmuring into a phone. Returning, she said, *”Cardiology. No visitors—ward’s under quarantine. You can leave items at the desk. Visiting hours are posted at the main entrance.”*
Emily bolted outside. *If he can walk to the corridor, it can’t be serious, right?*
She barely registered reaching the ward before a nurse scowled. *”You’re outside visiting hours! And there’s a *quarantine*!”*
*”My father was just admitted! He’s not answering his phone! I need to see him!”* Emily’s voice cracked.
A hand touched her shoulder. She turned—expecting security—but found a pregnant woman, barely older than herself.
*”Emily, hello,”* Claire said gently.
*”Do I know you?”*
*”Not exactly. I know *you*—very well. But to you, I’m just the ‘neighbour’ who feeds the cat and picks up prescriptions.”*
*”What? Are you—wait, did *Dad* call you?”*
Claire took a breath. *”Emily… I’m his wife.”*
*”You’re *what*?”*
*”In every legal sense. I’ve got the marriage certificate—just not on me.”* She cradled her stomach. *”Let’s talk outside. Edward’s stable. I’ve brought his things. Come on.”*
***
*”How long? Why didn’t he *tell* me?”* Emily’s voice wavered.
*”He was terrified you’d reject him,”* Claire said bluntly.
*”That’s ridiculous! I’ve been worried he was *lonely*—and now he’s got a wife *and* a baby on the way?”*
*”So… you’re not upset?”*
*”Are you joking? I’m *relieved*! Bloody childish, keeping this secret—no wonder his heart’s acting up!”*
Claire laughed. *”Come home with me. We’ll plan his punishment—nothing too harsh.”*
*”Bit awkward, honestly…”*
*”It’ll be *more* awkward when the baby’s here and doesn’t recognise her sister!”* Claire looped an arm through hers. *”Trust me, we’ll get on just fine.”*
**Lesson learned:** Secrets fester. The truth, however awkward, is kinder in the end.
