Michael arrived at the address for his last job of the evening. Answering the door was a boy, about ten, and alongside him stood a little blonde girl, a few years younger, clutching a worn-out teddy bear.
Mum will be home soon, please come in! The tap in the kitchen keeps dripping, the boy said earnestly, holding the door wide, while the girls curious blue eyes peered at Michael.
He hesitated. Company rules advised against entering a home without an adult present. Your parents about, then? he asked, glancing over his shoulder uncertainly.
Mum will be back any minute, promise. The kitchen taps leaking and I tried to fix it with some tape, but it just keeps going. Dont worry, weve got money to pay you, the boy insisted, cheeks pink with concern.
Taking him at his word, Michael stepped inside and headed to the kitchen. With practiced hands, he disassembled the tap and replaced the faulty washer.
My desk is wobbly as well, and the light switch doesnt work, chimed in the little girl, looking up at him with hopeful anticipation.
Dad wouldve done it himself, but our dads a pilot, the boy added quietly, his voice tinged with pride and longing. Hes always flying far away and can never get home.
A few minutes later, their mother returned. She was in her mid-thirties, her tired eyes and hurried walk betraying a long day. For a moment, she seemed surprised to find Michael in her kitchen.
You never get round to calling anyone, Mum so I did it myself, her son announced, unable to hold back a proud grin.
Smiling ruefully, their mother settled up with Michael. The girl pulled shyly at her mothers sleeve, reminding her about the desk and the troublesome switch. Arrangements were made for Michael to return the next day. As he slipped his card into her palm, the son whose name Michael now knew was Oliver followed him out the door, taking out the rubbish.
Suddenly, Oliver looked up, worry etched on his face. We dont have a pilot dad, he confided in a tremulous whisper. Mum made it up. She thinks were little and wont understand. If he ever existed, hed have come home at least once, right? And those presents she says are from him… she buys those herself. Last time, I saw her choose Emilys doll in the shop, but she told us Dad had sent it.
Michael frowned, unsure how to respond. Maybe maybe he cant come home. Lifes complicated sometimes, he offered gently.
Oliver just looked away, sadness heavy in his eyes.
Back in his own flat that night, Michaels mind whirred. Pilot. The word twisted in his chest, stirring old memories. Hed once flown planes from the busy airfield outside London, finding home in clouds, country after country beneath his wings. In those days, hed had a stunning wife bright as a summers day. She had begged him to stay grounded and build a life with her, but he hadnt listened.
He remembered her frustrated tears, Oh, so youll chase the clouds while Im left home alone? Not me, Michael. Not me! Eventually, her parents left for a new life abroad, and shed gone too leaving him with nothing but his memories and the skies.
Years passed. He flew until illness forced retirement. The hours in the cockpit counted for little when faced with silent evenings. Hed moved to a quiet town to care for his aging mum, only to lose her mere months later in a sudden illness. With nothing left to anchor him, hed fallen into lonely habits, the house always full of mates so he didnt have to face the silence. Then hed dreamed of his mother, her disappointed eyes urging him to pull himself together. By morning, hed thrown the lot out and set about making something of the place.
One day, hed seen a job advert in the village gazette: a company looking for handymen with their own car. He decided to give it a go the flexible hours suited him, and the extra cash didnt hurt.
The next evening, Michael returned to Oliver and Emilys house, expecting their mother might be late from work again but this time, shed made it home in time. He mended the wobbly desk, fixed the elusive switch, realigned the cupboard doors, and straightened the shelf in the hallway. When hed finished, he poked his head into the bathroom and shook his head in disbelief.
Youll need a full overhaul in here, he remarked.
Id be glad if you did the job, if youre willing, she replied. Her name was Grace. We do have a bit set aside. It should be enough.
As the work went on, Michael got to know her better. Grace worked as a nursery school teacher, her gentle warmth instantly evident. One evening, with the children already asleep, she offered, Wont you stay for tea? Youve done so much, you must be famished
Michael couldnt refuse. One cup became a long evening of conversation. For the first time in years, he opened up about his life, about being a pilot about love, about regret. Grace listened, her chin propped gently in her hand, kindness shining in her eyes.
She, too, was alone. No husband just two children spaced three years apart, and two failed shots at happiness behind her. Shed invented the pilot dad story, intending to explain it all when they were old enough to understand.
By the time Michael left, it was nearly midnight. He promised to return there was plenty of work yet to finish.
The following evening, Grace opened the door and froze with astonishment. Michael stood before her, donned in his old pilots uniform, clutching a bundle of bright flowers and a box of Victoria sponge beside him.
Daddy, Daddy the pilot has come! Emily squealed with delight, flinging herself into his arms.
Im back, Michael told them, his eyes brimming with hope as he looked at Grace. I just didnt recognise you right away; its been so long, hasnt it? With an awkward smile, he waited for her approval. Grace nodded, understanding filling her gaze.
Just like that, a once-broken family began to weave itself together. It took Oliver some time, but in the end he believed this was indeed his father returned to him.
Michael adopted Oliver and Emily as his own. And a year and a half later, another little boy completed their home.
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