**7th of July! It cant be! Just a coincidence. But the nameAndrew.**
Vera stood there, staring at the portrait on the wall, as if hoping to find something familiar in the mans face.
The woman in HR at the town council had just finished processing the paperwork for the new employee. Then she picked up the phone.
“Mrs. Inna Andrews, could you come to my office? Your new cleaner is here.”
Soon, a stern-faced woman walked in and addressed the older lady standing near the desk.
“Youre the new cleaner?”
“Yes.”
“Im the facilities managerInna Andrews,” the woman introduced herself briskly, then asked, “And you?”
“Vera,” the new cleaner answered, then corrected herself at the questioning look. “Vera Alexandra.”
“Come, Ill show you your workspace,” Inna said, leading her out of the office. “Youll be responsible for the entire third floor.”
***
Vera was thrilled to have landed this job. Smiling to herself, she surveyed her new domain.
*Two years until retirement. Maybe Ill even stay on after. Eight hundred pounds a month, plus bonuses. At least Dmitri and I can live decently now. The kids are grown and gone Oh, I dont even know the mayors name! How embarrassing if someone asks. Lunch soon. Theres a board downstairs with all the mayors photoswhy didnt I check?*
***
On her way back from the canteen, she passed the display and read the name: *Andrew Borisovich, born 1983.*
“Goodness, hes so young. Not even forty,” Vera thought, then froze. *Andrew? 1983?*
She turned back and checked the birthdate.
**7th of July.**
*It cant be. Just a coincidence. But the nameAndrew. His patronymic and surname are different, though. Adoptive parents can change those. Even the first name*
She studied the portrait for a long time, as if searching for something she recognised.
***
The new job kept her busy, pushing stray thoughts aside.
That evening, she talked at length with Dmitri. Then he retreated to his room to watch football, and Vera went to hers.
Their flat was spaciousthree bedrooms. The children had moved out, leaving plenty of room. Dmitri still slept beside her sometimes, though less and less.
Now, lying alone, her mind wandered back to her youth. To the secret shed never shared with her husband.
Before Dmitri, shed had a son. His name was Andrew. Shed been nineteenno money, no job, living in a cramped student dormitory unfit for a child. She lasted six months before giving him up.
Three years later, she married Dmitri. They never asked about each others past. Soon, they had their own childrentwo daughters.
The girls grew up. One went to university in Manchester, married, had grandchildren in school. The other married and moved to London.
Vera herself never got a proper trade. For twenty years, she worked as a facilities manager in a factory until it went bankrupt. Then a friends daughter suggested this cleaning job at the town hall. She took it.
And now Mayor Andrew Borisovich, born 1983.
Vera didnt regret her life. But all these years, shed wondered about her son. Hed even appeared in her dreams. Now, she just wanted to knowwas this him? Was he happy?
***
Days passed.
Vera was cleaning the third floor when she heard voices. Mayor Andrew walked past, deep in conversation, nodding politely as he went.
For a moment, she saw *him*Vitaly, the boy shed loved forty years ago. Handsome, carefree, never serious. Shed wished hed grow into someone steady, dependable. She couldnt picture it back then. But now, looking at Andrew Borisovich, she realisedthis was the man shed once imagined Vitaly becoming.
But Vitaly had vanished the moment he learned she was pregnant, promising to return with money. She waited. Then understood hed run.
*Is Andrew Borisovich my son?*
*If I hadnt given him up, would he be where he is now? But my daughters turned out well. The eldest has a big house, a car. The youngers doing fine too. Daughters but no son.*
*Would I have married Dmitri otherwise? Noeverything wouldve been different. For me, for him, for Andrew. Or maybe the mayor isnt my son at all. How many strange coincidences are there in the world?*
*Does it even matter? He has parentsloving ones, by the looks of it. They probably never told him he was adopted. A different surname. A happy childhood. Not every boy from nowhere becomes mayor.*
***
After lunch, young cleaning assistant Helen approached her.
“Hi, Auntie Vera!”
“Hello.”
“Were celebrating Lyubas 45th on Fridayshe cleans the sixth floor. You joining?”
“Of course!”
“Great! Twenty quid each, and bring something for the buffet.”
Vera handed over the money.
“We always celebrate birthdays together,” Helen added.
“Helen, just call me Vera. Were colleagues.”
“Sure, Vera!”
***
Friday evening, they gathered in an empty office on the seventh floor. A table was laid.
The usual office party unfoldedtoasts, sips of wine after each one.
Then the door opened.
Andrew Borisovich walked in, smiling.
“Happy birthday, Lyuba Olegovna,” he said, handing her a small gift.
“Thank you!” Lyuba beamed, eyes glistening.
“Join us!” the facilities manager urged.
“Just for a minute,” he agreed, taking the seat beside Vera.
She quickly served him salad and cold cuts. Wine was poured. He gave a toast.
Vera watched him, heart trembling. *This is my son.* She no longer doubted.
***
He stayed twenty minutes before excusing himself.
“What a man!” Katya, the longest-serving employee, sighed. “The old mayor wouldnt have dreamed of sitting with us.”
“How long has he been here?” Vera asked.
“A year. Remember the election?”
Vera didnt. Dmitri handled voting.
“His parents are wealthy, you know,” Katya added. “And not his real ones.”
“What?” Lyuba gasped.
“Found out during the campaign. Rumor says even he didnt know. The best part? He didnt care. Still adores them.”
“How do you know all this?”
“The deputy mayor under the old regime dug up dirt, trying to keep her boss in office. Didnt workpeople chose Andrew.”
“So he doesnt know his real parents?” Vera asked quietly.
“Doesnt seem to. And why would he? His lifes perfect.”
Vera gazed at the door hed left through. Her heart ached with joy and sorrow. Joy that her son had done so well. Sorrow that she could never hug him.
*My fault.*
She smiled to herself.
*I wont disturb you, son. But Ill always be near.*
