Didnt Expect Him
Our dad left ages ago to find work somewhere, and vanished for good when I was in Year Six and my sister in Year Two. Before that, he kept going off for months at a time, always breezing in and out of our lives. He and mum were never married; dad was always a bit of a free spirit. He travelled around England sometimes up north, sometimes down south always gone where he fancied, but hed return with cash in his pocket and gifts for everyone. Mum put up with it because she loved him more than anything.
Johnny, come home soon, wont you? shed plead.
Oh, come off it, love. No need for tears. Just wait Ill bring you something nice.
Hed give her a careless peck on the cheek and disappear again. While he was away, dads brother, Uncle Colin, looked after us. I reckon he fancied mum, though he never said so, and never made any romantic gestures he was just always there when we needed him.
Hows it going, Theresa? Uncle Colin would say when he popped over. And how are the little ones?
Hooray, Uncle Colins here! Id shout and run up for a cuddle.
Hello, Daniel. Hed hug me quickly, not one for fuss.
Honestly, I sometimes wished he was my dad. On weekends, Uncle Colin used to take me and my sister, Millie, out for walks while mum had some peace. Sometimes shed come, but often shed just stay home, thinking about her tricky life.
As I got older, Uncle Colin brought home a climbing frame and fixed it up in the hallway. Dad hadnt been back in nearly half a year. I helped him screw in the brackets, while Millie watched as Uncle fitted the bar, the rope, and some rings.
Uncle Colin, why havent you got a wife? Youre clever with your hands any lady would be glad to have you, Millie chimed in with more wisdom than youd expect from a child.
Shed picked up a lot overhearing mums chats with her friends.
No one catches my eye, Millie. If I meet someone, Ill marry her, Uncle Colin replied.
Dont you want children of your own? Millie asked, shrugging in a silly way.
He set his tools down and said seriously, You two are enough for me right now. Why, do you want rid of me? he squinted playfully.
Millie, no fool that she was, protested, Me? Never! I love having you here.
Later that evening, I asked Millie why shed kept teasing him. He might get offended and stop coming round!
Dad brings presents, she sighed dreamily. Hell be back soon, I bet.
Silly. Youre bought off by presents. Do you realise how much this climbing frame cost?
Theyre no use to me, though. I want dresses and dolls. Im not a monkey climbing your bars.
This time Millies hopes were in vain. Dad didnt show up. One day, Uncle Colin came round and shut himself in the kitchen with mum. He tried to explain something to her, and she broke down in tears.
Dont cry, Theresa. Im not leaving you. You know what hes like always chasing an easy life.
Mum sobbed, loudly, and didnt stop for ages after that.
Uncle Colin stayed on, as always fixing things, helping out, taking us out. Eventually, he found the courage to tell mum how he felt. And Ill admit I eavesdropped without guilt.
Colin, you dont need me. Youre such a decent man. You deserve real happiness.
I think I know who I need, Uncle Colin insisted quietly.
What if Johnny comes back? mum asked.
Colin said nothing.
Ill wait for him no matter what. I love him, Colin! I cant help it. If you really want someone whos lost her heart
I tiptoed away from the door. I couldnt believe it daft, thats what she was! Waiting for someone whod thrown her away.
Life went on. Millie was just like dad happy wherever she was fed and cared for. I couldnt blame her. She soon understood there was no point waiting for dads presents. Uncle Colin did his best to provide for our growing family. Mum even had a son with him, little William. Uncle Colin was over the moon, and when mum finally married him, things settled.
I finished my A-levels without any grades below a C and was about to get a scholarship place at uni. Mum glowed like a freshly-polished teapot.
Weve got a scholar in the family, eh Colin?
What about us? Were no fools either, Uncle Colin joked.
Oh, stop it, I protested, blushing. Pour me some Prosecco instead, let me taste.
Oh, dont pretend youve never tried it, Millie snorted, and I glared at her.
William was crawling over the lot of us, trying to climb onto the table and cause mayhem. Uncle Colin scooped him up and sat him on his knee.
Come on, young man, behave yourself. Youre not a baby now.
William grabbed a spoon, held it to his nose, and went cross-eyed, making everyone laugh.
Was that the doorbell? Millie pricked up her ears.
Mum opened the door and stepped back, looking stunned. Standing there was dad. An awkward silence hung in the air. He glanced around.
Whats up? Go on, enjoy yourselves, he said.
No one spoke. William wriggled off Uncle Colins lap and started towards the stranger. Dad ignored him, and Mum grabbed William, clutching him as a shield. Uncle Colin got to his feet, a bit shaky.
Where are you going? mum demanded, voice strained.
I I need some air, Uncle Colin muttered, squeezing past his brother.
I stood up, thinking Id follow, and Millie was right behind me.
Millie dear, have a look at all these fancy clothes Ive brought for you, dad chirped.
To my surprise, Millie didnt even glance at the bags. She caught up to me in the hallway and whispered, Let me go after him. You stay here and listen to what happens.
But
Please, Danny! Youre better at overhearing things!
Fair enough she was right. I crouched down by the door, heart thumping at the thought that mum had finally got what shed been waiting for. The love of her life. What would happen to our family now?
So, Theresa, gone and married Colin, have you? dad sneered.
Mum stayed silent.
Theresa, come on, whats done is done. Who hasnt made a mistake? Its all over Im back now!
A scuffle followed, a slap sounded, and William began to howl in fright.
Johnny, go away. Get out.
Theresa, whats up with you?
I mean it! Leave, no one here was waiting for you.
Youre lying. I can see it in your eyes. Eyes cant lie.
Ive said all I need to, mum finished.
Dad left moments later and found me in the hall.
Eavesdropping, eh? Youll go far, you will.
But I honestly didnt care what he thought anymore. I stepped back into the living room, expecting mum to be falling apart. But she was there comforting William, tidying her hair and sorting the table, multitasking like Julius Caesar himself.
Phew. Nearly ruined the day for us, didnt he? mum chuckled, a bit crookedly. Where are the others?
William had already forgotten about the argument and was busy dragging chairs around.
Outside, I found Millie and Uncle Colin sitting together on a bench in the park across the road. She clung to his arm, resting her head on his shoulder. It looked like she was afraid to let go, in case he disappeared too. I walked up behind them quietly, watched for a moment, then stepped round and looked Colin in the eye.
Dad, come on, enough sitting about. Mums calling us home.
Colins hands trembled, and Millie placed hers over his. She looked up, smiling.
Please, lets go, Dad?
We went, hand in hand. It was a celebration after all Id finished school.
