Katherine trudged back to her flat after work, stepping into those empty rooms once again. She immediately switched on the telly, turning up the volume to pretend someone was home. Her daughter, Emily, had already married and moved out. And her husband her husband Daniel had left her for a younger woman.
Katherine still couldnt believe Daniel had betrayed her. Theyd spent twenty-four years together in harmony, without rows or quarrels. Theyd even dreamed of celebrating their silver wedding anniversary at a nice restaurant. But fate had other plansall their dreams had crumbled.
“Mum, I never thought Dad would do something like this,” Emily sobbed. “Im so cross with himI wont speak to him again.”
“Love, you mustnt do that,” Katherine urged. “Your father left *me*, not you. Youre his daughter, and he still loves you. Dont cut ties with him.”
She didnt want to turn Emily against Daniel, blaming herself instead.
“Maybe I didnt love him enough didnt pay enough attention. I shouldve focused more on family instead of my career.”
Daniel had fallen for a younger woman hed met at a pub while having a pint with mates after work. Their eyes lockedhers were hazel, full of mischiefand something about that look lodged deep in his heart. Hed walked over and introduced himself. Alice hadnt objected, and before he knew it, he was at her rented flat. Then everything spiralledhe was smitten.
He couldnt deceive Katherine for long. Shed already guessed, and the confrontation was painful. Daniel confessed honestly.
“Katie, Ive fallen for someone else. I know Ive hurt you, but I wont lie about it.”
It was brutal, but she forced herself to stay composed.
One evening, just as Katherine got home and changed, her phone rang. It was her sister, Claire.
“Hiya, Katieyou home? Need to pop round, got something to discuss.”
“Just got income over,” Katherine said, relieved not to spend another evening alone.
Claire arrived, loud as ever, arms laden with two bulging bags. They hugged before she started unpackingfine cheeses, posh crisps, a bottle of wine. Katherine frowned.
“Claire, whats all this? Whatre we celebrating?”
“Celebrating? More like commiserating,” Claire scoffed, pouring the wine. “My Sophies pregnant. Bloody idiotshes not even eighteen yet.”
“Seriously?” Katherine gasped. “But she turns eighteen in three months, doesnt she?”
“Exactly! Three months. But shes too far along now to you know. Weve raised her right, pampered herand now she cant even marry properly. That boy shes been seeing? Dumped her soon as he found out. She doesnt want this baby, and neither do I,” Claire snapped, draining half her glass.
Katherine listened, uneasy.
“How far along is she? Has she had a scan?”
“She has. Its a girl. Probably just as flighty as her mum,” Claire muttered, lighting a cigarette.
“Claire let me take the baby when shes born. Please dont leave her at the hospital. Ive got my flat, a good jobI can manage.”
“Dont be daft,” Claire snorted. “And when she grows up, youll tell her everything?”
“No, I swear itshell be *my* daughter. Shell never know if you dont blab.”
It took hours of persuasion, but Claire finally agreed. Then came another snagadoption required a two-parent household. Daniel had left, but they werent yet divorced. Neither had bothered with paperwork. Until Sophie gave birth, Katherine wrestled with how to solve this. She didnt want to ask Danielhed moved on, started another family.
Sophie had a healthy baby girl and signed the papers without even looking at her. Katherine began the adoption process, helped by an old friend who worked in social services. Soon, she was the legal guardian of a baby she named Daisy.
Once home with Daisy, Katherine arranged leave but refused to quither salary was too good. She rang her mum, Margaret, who lived nearby, widowed two years after losing Katherine and Claires dad. A retired nurse, shed always been practical.
“Mum, I need to talkurgently.”
“Alright, loveIll be round soon.”
When Margaret arrived, she froze at the sight of the newborn in the crib.
“Love whose baby is this? When did this happen?”
Claire hadnt told her about Sophies mess, and Katherine had stayed quiet, assuming Claire would explain. But Claire rarely spoke to their mum anyway.
“Mum, sit down,” Katherine said, handing her a cup of tea. “Let me explain.”
Margaret was stunned by Claire and Sophies recklessness.
“How could this happen? We raised you both the samespoiled Claire, even! She was our youngest!”
Once Margaret calmed down, Katherine made her plea.
“Mum, I need your help. Daisys your great-granddaughter. Youre fit as a fiddlecould you look after her? I dont want to quit work, and hiring a nanny seems silly when familys here.”
“Love, no need to twist my arm,” Margaret said softly. “Of course Ill help. Youll be a wonderful mumwell manage.”
Katherine hugged her tight. “Thank you. I knew youd understand.”
They avoided mentioning Claire, who never called about the baby. But when Emily rushed over, she was thrilled.
“Daisys my little sister now! Look how sweet she is!” She adored her instantly.
Daisy grew up bright and kind. Margaret and Katherine poured love into her, and by four, she could name every chess piece.
**Five Years Later**
For Daisys birthday, Katherine booked a party at a local café, complete with a magician and nursery friends. Daisy beamed all day. Back home, the doorbell rang.
Daniel stood there, looking wretched. Katherine knew instantlyhis new life had failed.
“Hi can I come in?”
“Suppose so,” she said. Daisy darted into the hall.
“Its my birthday today! Whore you?”
“Daisys fivewe just got back,” Katherine said. “Shes my daughter, in case you didnt know.”
“Emily told me,” Daniel said, stepping out briefly before returning with a huge boxa dollhouse inside.
“Wow! Thank you!” Daisy grabbed it and vanished into her room.
Katherine made tea, slicing the leftover cake.
“Katie, youre even lovelier now. Your eyes they glow. Could I visit sometimes?” Daniel asked hesitantly. “I left Alicenot my sort, really. Been on my own two years now.”
“But Ive a daughter who isnt yours,” Katherine said. “Shes my world.”
“Katie, thats why I love you more. If youd let Claire abandon Daisy well. Id think less of you. I *want* her to call me Dad.”
After a pause, Katherine agreed. Daniel visited often, helping financially and emotionallytaking Daisy swimming, to dance class. Katherine marvelled at how he balanced it with work.
One evening, after Daisys recital, they sat having tea and cake. Daisy suddenly said,
“Daddy, Im glad you and Mummy came today.”
Daniel nearly chokedhis first time hearing “Daddy.” He scooped her up, spinning her gently.
“Youre my girl. Were a family now, arent we, Katie?” He looked at her hopefully.
“Yay! Daddy, youll never leave again, will you?” Daisy giggled.
“Never. Youre my favourite girls.”
They finalised Daisys adoptionsince theyd never divorced, it was straightforward. Just in case Claire or Sophie ever changed their minds though that seemed unlikely.
