Dad left us ages ago, back when I was in Year Five and my sister Sophie was just starting Year One. To be honest, he didnt just go missinghe vanished without a trace. Before that, hed bugger off for months at a time, working who knows where, show up again whenever it suited him, always with a wad of cash and pressies. He and Mum werent married, mind, Dad was a proper free spirit. One minute hed be up north, the next down south, then just stroll back when he fancied. Mum put up with it, though. She loved him to bits.
Oliver, do come home soon, wont you? shed ask him, all hopeful.
Oh, come on, dont get all soppy on me. Ill be back with gifts, just wait for it, hed reply, giving her a half-hearted kiss before shooting off again.
While he was gone, it was Dads brother, Uncle Nick, who looked after us. I think Mum was his cup of tea, but he never said a word about it, never did anything out of line. We just knew we could count on him.
How are things, Theresa? Uncle Nick would ask when he popped round. How are the little ones?
Uncle Nicks here! Id shout, charging over for a hug.
Hey Tom, hed smile, giving me a quick squeeze.
If you ask me, hed have made a better dad. At weekends, Uncle Nick would take us to the park so Mum could put her feet up, sometimes shed join, sometimes she just needed a bit of peace to reflect on her tough luck.
When I got a bit older, Uncle Nick brought home a climbing frame and set it up in the hallway. By then, Dad hadnt shown his face for nearly six months. I helped screw in the bars and ropes, while Sophie watched Uncle Nick sort out the rings and the ladder, always quick and clever with his hands.
Uncle Nick, why havent you got a missus? Sophie piped up, showing that funny grown-up wisdom little girls seem to pick up from Mums chats with her friends.
Not met the right one, Sophie. If I do, Ill marry her, Nick replied.
Dont you want kids of your own?
Sophie pulled a face, arms wide.
Ive got you two for now, havent I? Are you trying to get rid of me? he teased.
Wide-eyed, Sophie protested, Me?! Never! Ill always want you round.
Later that evening, I asked her, Why dyou keep grilling him? Youll upset him and hell stop coming round.
Dad brings the best presents Sophie sighed dreamily. Hell be back soon, youll see.
You muppet. Presents arent everything. That climbing frame mustve cost a fortune!
I dont care about that! I want dresses and dolls. Im not a monkey like you, swinging on bars.
Turned out Sophie waited for Dad in vain. He never did come. One day, Uncle Nick locked himself away with Mum in the kitchen. I could hear him trying to reason with her while she sobbed and sobbed.
Oh, Terry, come on, dont cry. Im not going to leave you lot. You know what hes like, always chasing something sweeter.
Mum started wailing, proper oh-oh-oh-ohId never heard her in such a state.
But Uncle Nick kept coming over, fixing stuff, taking us out. Eventually, he plucked up the courage to talk to Mum about how he felt. I listened in, absolutely shameless.
Oh Nick, you dont need a mess like me! Youre a good man, you deserve proper happiness.
I know what I want, thanks very much, Uncle Nick said stubbornly.
What if he comes back?
Nick didnt say a word.
Id wait for him anyway. I still love him, I can’t help it. Dont know why… If you really want a woman like me, one with no heart, Mum finished.
I tiptoed away. I honestly thought Mum had lost the plotholding out hope for someone like Dad. Bonkers, truly.
Life carried on. Sophie was just like Dad, always keen where theres food or fun on offer. Could I blame her? She finally twigged Dad wasnt likely to come back. Uncle Nick did everything he could for us. Mum had a son with him, little Freddie. Uncle Nick was over the moon; couldnt stop grinning. After that, Mum and Nick tied the knot in a quiet register office ceremony, and we settled into a steady routine.
I finished school with decent marks and was set for university, tuition sorted. Mum was thrilled, positively glowing.
Therell be a scholar in the family, eh Nick?
What about us, then? Were not dimwits, Nick joked.
Oh, stop it! Im no academic genius, I blushed, waving them off. Just pour me a bit of champagne, will you?
As if you havent had it before, huffed Sophie, and I shot her a look.
Freddie was clambering over all of us, itching to get up on the table. Nick scooped him onto his knee.
Oi, behave, son! Youre not a baby anymore!
Naturally, Freddie grabbed a spoon, put it on his nose, went cross-eyedhad everyone in fits.
Then there was a ring at the door.
Mum answered and backed into the lounge. There, in the doorway, was Dad. Silence hung in the room. Dad looked around.
Well, go on, carry on. Dont let me stop the party, he said.
No one spoke. Freddie scrambled off Uncle Nicks lap, heading for the stranger. Dad ignored him. Mum scooped Freddie up, shielding him. Uncle Nick stood, a bit shaky.
Where are you off? Mum said in a voice that wasnt quite hers.
I… need some air, Uncle Nick mumbled and slipped out, gently nudging his brother aside.
I got up to follow, Sophie close behind.
Here, Sophie, look at the stylish clothes I brought for you! Dad called out, trying to tempt her.
To my surprise, Sophie didnt even glance at him. She came after me into the hall and whispered.
Ill go after Nick. You stay and see what happens.
But
Oh, come on, Tom! Youre the best at listening in.
She had a point, so I stayed backsometimes I think I missed my calling as a spy.
Sophie dashed out, and I hung back, my stomach in knots. Mum had waited years for this man, for love. What now?
So, Terry, whats this? Youve married Nick? Dad sneered.
Mum didnt answer.
Terry… whatever happened, it happened. Doesnt matter. Im back!
I heard muffled noises, a slap, Freddie wailing.
Go on, Oliver, get lost, Mum spat.
Terry, whats got into you?
I mean it! Leave. No one was waiting for you.
Youre lyingI can tell by your eyes. Eyes never lie.
Enough! Thats all Ive got to say, Mum snapped.
Dad left just a moment later, caught me in the hallway.
Eavesdropping, eh? Good for you. Youll go far.
Couldn’t care less what he thought. I wandered into the lounge, half expecting Mum to be in bitsbut she was there soothing Freddie, sorting her hair, straightening up, like shed never been interrupted. Multi-tasking like Julius Caesar.
Well, that nearly ruined the party! Where are the others? Mum said, a crooked smile on her face.
Freddie, having got over the row, was busy shoving his chair around.
I went outside. Sophie and Uncle Nick were across the street in the park, sitting on a bench. Sophie held tight to his arm and leant her head on his shoulderlike she was scared hed leave if she let go. I came up behind, watched for a moment. Id wanted to say this for ages. I walked round, looked Nick in the face:
Come on, Dad. Lets head home. Mum wants you, I told him.
Nicks hands shook a little. Sophie laid hers on top, looked up:
Really, lets go home, Dad?
So we did. It was an important day, after allmy graduation. We were a family.
