Dad, you remember Mary Penelope Winter, dont you? It’s too late today, but come over tomorrow. Ill introduce you to my little brother, your son. Thats all. Goodbye.
The boy slept right by her doorstep. Alice blinked, startled, at the sightwhy would a child be sleeping in someone elses hallway at such an early hour? Ten years as a teacher didnt leave her blind or indifferent, so she couldnt just sweep past. Alice bent over and gently shook the boys thin shoulder.
Hey, young man, wake up!
Huh? The boy staggered to his feet, awkward and sleepy.
Who are you? Why are you sleeping here?
Im not sleeping. Its just your doormat is so soft. I sat down and mustve nodded off, didnt mean to, he murmured.
Alice had only lived in this block for six months. Shed bought the flat after she divorced her husband, hardly knew any neighbours, but she could tell this child didnt belong to the building.
He looked all of ten or eleven, wearing old but clean clothes. He shifted from foot to foot and bounced a little in place.
It struck Alice that he needed the loo. Quick, go on then; Im running late for work. She let him in.
He eyed her with pale blue, uncommonly bright eyes.
Such a rare shade… she thought absently. While her guest washed his hands, Alice rustled up a ham sandwich.
Here, have a snack.
Thank you! He was nearly at the door already. You saved me. Now I can wait in peace.
And who are you waiting for? Alice asked.
Granny Antonia, Antonia Mayhew. She lives nearby. Do you know her?
I know her a little, but she was taken to hospital by ambulance the day before yesterday. I saw them carrying her out on the stretcher when I was coming home.
Which hospital? The boys voice shook.
Probably St. Georges. Their ambulance was on shift, so most likely shes there.
I see. And whats your name? he asked, finally giving in to introductions.
Alice Margaret. She was already halfway out the door, rushing to work.
Throughout the day, as she wrestled with school timetables and staff complaints, thoughts of the boy kept tugging at her.
Must be my thwarted motherly instincts, Alice thought mournfully. Shed never had childrenher marriage had ended for that reason. When her husband left for a woman who gave him a daughter, she let him go with surprising calm.
On lunchtime break, Alice called the hospital. Antonia had suffered a stroke, prognosis bleakshe was seventy-eight, after all.
After work, Alice found the boy again, perched on the stairwell windowsill.
Ive been waiting for you, he beamed. They wouldnt let me see Granny, and she wont be coming home soon.
Alice learned his name was Edwinnot Eddie, but Edwin. She sat him down, set out tea and biscuits, and started her polite interrogation.
Have you run away from home? Arent your parents beside themselves with worry?
I havent got parents. I live with my aunt.
Well then, your aunt must be frantic! Alice sounded worried now.
No, she isnt. I told her Id visit Granny. She doesnt know Grannys in hospital. I dont want to live with her really, even though shes kind and hardly ever drinks. But my uncle drinks every day, gets nasty. They have four children of their own, soon five, and then theres me.
He shrugged, voice small. They said theyd send me to a childrens home, but I dont want that. Am I troubling you much? Mum used to call me a hyperactive child, just like my dad. Same pale eyes. My mums been gone for two years.
What was your mothers name? Alice asked softly.
Mary Penelope Winter. She was good and pretty. She used to work as a secretary for some factory boss, but cant remember the name.
And your father? Alice interjected, sensing something unfolding.
There was never a father. There just wasnt, Edwin said quietly.
And then Alice understood the odd ripple of concern that had swept through her at this meeting. The eyes. Those rare, blue eyesshed seen them before, only once, in her own fathers face.
Her father had been a factory director.
The thought came like a gust of cold wind: a romance between a secretary and her boss, what could be more banal? Had her father known Mary bore his child? Had he noticed her sudden disappearance from the front office?
And she she must have loved him deeplyto give the boy his name.
Alice had longed for a brother or sister as a child. Now, without thinking, she handed Edwin a pound coin.
Quick, nip across to the shop and get a loaf of bread, she said, and sent him out.
Immediately, she rang her father.
Dad, do you remember Mary Penelope Winter? Its late, but tomorrow, please come over. I want to introduce you to your youngest son. GoodbyeI’ll explain everything tomorrow.
She laid out bedding on the sofa in the front room for Edwin when he came back.
She was vague about the futurethe only certainty was that she wouldnt let her little brother vanish into a wretched family or a home.
Her father arrived at dawn. Alice hadnt slept. Shed always admired her father: always present, always calm, unlike her mother, whom she more endured than loved. It was her father who championed her going into teaching when her mother moaned it was for failures and commoners. Hed approved her marriage for love, wiped her tears when it ended.
That morning, he was himself: precise suit-creased trousers, polished brogues, a discreet, expensive aftershave. He walked in, grumbling, Whatever have you conjured now? Some brother? I hardly slept, worried.
Quieter, Dad. My guests sleeping. She ushered him to the kitchen. Come, have breakfast.
Over tea and toast, Alice filled him in.
Her father frowned, then sighed. Its all so odd. Yes, I had a secretary Mary Winterclever, sweet, beautiful. Used to look at me as if I was all golden. I couldnt help myself; Im no saint. Her affection was flattering. But abandon your mother? Never crossed my mind.
One day Mary, all casual, asked if Id like a son. I said, I have a daughter; dont need a son now. Soon after, her mother fell ill, so she took time off to care for her and left for her village.
They hired a temporary replacement. Mary returned a year later, looking fresh as an apple. I joked, Get married? Have a little boy yet? Yes, and my husband is nice, she told me, face calm. But her surname stayed Wintereven said they rented a flat. These days everyones in civil marriages.
Afterwards, it was all strictly business between us. Hers and mineno more. Then, a few years back, she fell ill, off sick a while, then passed away. I only learned when I had to sign off a hardship payment for her estate.
She was very young to die. But dont go pinning some son on me, Alice. She had a husband.
Just then, Edwin appeared, polite and neat. As he entered, her father suddenly blanchedthe resemblance between them now, glaringly apparent.
Lets have introductions… her father managed, hand shaking ever so slightly as he extended it. Frederick Michael Winter.
Edwin Frederick Winter, the boy said, placing his hand trustingly in the older mans steady grip.
At that instant, both lifted their eyebrows in identical surprise.
Seems Im blessed with Fredericks today, Alice joked with a trembling smile.
Young Edwin went off to wash; Frederick Senior stared at Alice.
I dont understand. He looks just like me at that age. But Mary said she married, had a boy by her husband?
She wasnt married. She went home to keep her pregnancy secret from you, said Alice. Ask HR when she was on maternity. She made up the marriage so you wouldnt feel guilty. She really loved you. Edwin says he never had a father. Understand? Never.
Her father frowned. Odd, Mary had no sisters, brothers. Only a mother, whos passed. So where did this aunt and granny come from?
Theyre distant relatives, Edwin piped up, standing in the hall. Aunt Vals not my real aunt. They took me in when Mum died. We had to leave the rented flat, so thats where I went. They even get some money for meUncle always complains its not enough.
But I remembered you, Mr. Winteryour photo stood in a frame on Mums mirror, now its tucked in her album. I thought you were Mums favourite actor. Asked her, but she said shed tell me when I was older.
Alice gave Edwin a good breakfast and sent him off to the Saturday morning cinema showing.
Well, Dad, any doubts left? Alice asked.
I suppose not. But well still need a DNA test. Legalities, you see, her father replied, lost in thought.
The aftermath swelled with drama: Fredericks wife, Eleanor, swooned, feigned migraines and heart palpitations, insisted she needed to convalesce at Brighton. Only weeks later did she dare to meet the boy. She liked Edwinbut not enough to take him in. A visitor, yes. A wardno. My nerves cant take it, she declared.
No one pressed. Frederick found joy in spending hours with Edwin, discovering mutual quirks: mutual dislike of rice pudding, fierce love for cats.
Alas, Eleanor was allergic, and Edwin never had a permanent home to adopt a kitten.
They both lisped slightlyuncannily identicaland looked more alike as time passed.
Finally, after months of paperwork, Frederick gathered Edwin and Alice. From this day, youre legally my son. This is your new birth certificate. Truth is, you’ve always been mine, I just never knew. Forgive me, if you can. I cant make you call me Dadcall me what you wish. But know this: youre not alone. You have me, and you have Alice.
I knew you were my dad from the start, Edwin smiled. I saw it when I met you.
Kids are too sharp these days, Frederick laughed, pulling the boy in close. Alice saw her fathers eyes shine, though he quickly composed himself.
Edwin stayed with Alice, but sometimes visited Eleanor. Frederick Senior came by every day. Together, Alice and Edwin found the smallest kitten being given away beside the supermarketEdwin picked the sickliest. They called him Marmalade. At that moment, Edwin felt utterly happy.
PS: Frederick set a white marble headstone for Mary. He and Edwin often visit her resting place with flowers.
One day, after leaving fresh blooms, Edwin said, Do you know, Dad, the night before Mum died she said I mustnt cry too much. She wasnt disappearing foreverjust changing worlds, and shed watch over me from there. She promised to help from afar. Only now I realiseit was her who led Alice to me, and then you as well! I know it for certain. Do you believe, Dad?
Of course, I do, Frederick answered.
