**Diary Entry**
My own flesh and blood betrayed his mother.
At the school prom, every girl wanted a photo with him. Yet he chose Sophie… She wasnt particularly pretty, clever, or accomplished. But her father? A local bigwig. And her prom dress? The most extravagant. She got into university toojust like that. Once she took his hand that night, she never let go. Years passed, and before long, she led him straight to the altar.
When he was little, people fawned over him like he was a painting. Not only was he handsome, but he had this way about himcharming, eager to please. Anyone who picked him up would be met with an affectionate cuddle. Even strangers slipped him sweets. Mary feared theyd spoil him rotten. In school, girls squabbled over himeveryone wanted to be his friend, then his sweetheart. Nicholastop of his class, star athlete. Only trouble was, he was poor. Not that it mattered to the local girls. Their idol could wear the same jeans until they frayed at the knees, and no one would mock him.
At the prom, all the girls clamoured for a picture with him. He chose Sophie.
Before the wedding, Mary sold her pig and gave him the moneyevery last penny. He took it, all those thousands, and walked away without a word.
Mary had come to the village years ago with a baby in her arms. Some said the boys father bought her the house to keep her quiethim being a married man. No one ever saw her family. She lived simply, working at the village shop, keeping a small garden. Suitors came and went, but she turned them all away. *I have a man already*, shed say. What a joke.
Then, on Nicholas first day of school, she met Victorthe new PE teacher, fresh out of university. Their eyes met by chance, then sought each other again. Before she knew it, they were courting. Victor taught Nicholas to ride a bike, to patch a tyre. They walked in the woods in winter, planted the garden come spring. But Mary hesitated to tell the boy the truthshe noticed how he stiffened whenever she touched Victor.
*Why, love? Hes good to us. Hell be your father now.*
*I dont want you to love him! Only me!* hed grumble.
One morning, Nicholas woke to find Victor in their bed.
*This is how itll be now, lad,* Victor said, meaning every word.
*No! I dont want you here!* he shrieked. He refused breakfast, bolted outside. Mary found him at dusk.
*Is he still here?* he asked, tears in his eyes.
*He is.*
*Make him leave. I wont go in otherwise.*
*Son, hes never harmed you. Well be a proper family.*
*I dont want proper! Just you! Hes not my father!*
Victor left that day, suitcase in hand. He held Mary, kissed her forehead.
*Think on it, Nicholas. Im no enemy to you.*
*No!* The boy turned away.
*If you let him stay, Ill run off!* he swore.
Mary chose her son. Victor vanishedno one saw him again. That New Year, she had another boy, George. She worried Nicholas would resent him, but he doted on the baby, never asking where he came from. Mary, though, carried her guilt.
*My Nicholas is so grown now,* shed boast to friends. *So wiseI go to him for advice!*
Theyd stifle laughs, knowing full well it was his *advice* that left her alone.
She was glad when he took up with Sophie. Her family had moneytheyd help him rise in the world.
One Saturday, she waited for him as usual. Pies cooling, jelly set. The train had come and goneno Nicholas.
*Mum!* George raced in from the pitch. *Nicholas went home with Sophie!*
They waited. He never came. Not that night, not the next morning. He barely glanced at her when he dashed past.
*Mum! Were getting married!*
She meant to scold him for staying out, but he cut her off.
*Youll help, wont you? Sell a pig or something.*
*Of course, love. Whens the wedding?*
*Dunno yet. Well have it in Londonnot this backwater.*
By the next weekend, Mary sold the pig. He took the money without counting, without thanks, and ran back to Sophie.
The village knew everything. Word spreadSophies family were planning a grand do. Nicholas never came home. No courtship, no proper arrangements. Gathering her courage, Mary went to the in-laws, offering help.
*What help could you be?* Sophies mother sneered. *Weve hired professionals. And you? Youre neither wife nor widow. Your boy grew up a bastard because of you! Think were pleased to take in your sort? Were tolerating himfor our daughters sake. Stay away.*
Mary stumbled home, humiliated. How had she raised such a son? Shed given him everything.
The wedding was the talk of the villagethree days of hired bands, lavish feasts. But the real scandal? The grooms mother wasnt there.
Mary stayed indoors, waiting, hoping. Maybe hed come last minute. He didnt. The bridal cars sped past her house, horns blaring. She buried herself under the blankets; George pretended to read.
That evening, George slipped into the party.
*Nicholas! How could you? Mums been crying all day!*
*Listen, runt. Tell her to stop. Ive got a deal with Sophie and her lotmarry her, and I never set foot home again. I gave my word.*
George swung at himNicholas caught his wrist, twisting hard.
*Piss off before anyone sees you. Dont ruin this for me.*
Mary waited on the doorstep. She didnt ask where hed been. They hugged.
**Lesson:** A mothers love is boundless, but a sons loyalty? Thats another matter entirely.
