The Empty Bench George Edmonds placed his battered flask on his lap and fiddled with the lidtesting for
Im sixty-six and, since the start of January, Ive been living with a fifteen-year-old girl who isnt my daughter.
My father-in-law thought we would always look after him. My husband grew up in a warm, loving family.
“Dad, please don’t come to visit us anymore! Every time you leave, Mum starts crying and doesn’t stop until morning. I ask her, ‘Mum, are you crying because of Dad?’ but she always says it’s just a sniffle. But I’m old enough to know that sniffles don’t sound like tears.
Dad sat with me at a café, stirring his cold coffee while my ice cream—an absolute masterpiece—remained untouched. Any six-year-old girl would be excited, but not me. I had decided, even last Friday, it was time for a serious talk with Dad.
He was silent for ages before saying, ‘So what should we do, sweetheart? Not see each other at all? How will I manage?’
I wrinkled my nose—just like Mum’s—and said, ‘No, Dad. I can’t be without you either. Here’s what we’ll do: call Mum and tell her you’ll pick me up from nursery every Friday. We’ll cafe if you want, and you can tell me all about your and Mum’s week. If you ever want to see Mum, I’ll take her picture every week and show you. Deal?’
Dad smiled and nodded. We agreed. I felt relieved and finally had my ice cream, but I wasn’t done yet. With chocolate moustaches, I turned serious and said, ‘I think you need to get married… You’re not that old!’
He chuckled at my generous fib.
‘Not that old, not that old!’ I insisted, ‘Mum’s friend, Uncle Steve, who’s been round twice, is actually quite bald right here.’ I touched my head and suddenly realised I’d let out Mum’s secret. Dad’s reaction was intense—‘Who’s this Steve? Mum’s boss?’ I shrugged. ‘Maybe. He brings sweets. And cake. And flowers for Mum.’
Dad stared at his hands, deciding something important. I waited, realising men need a gentle nudge from a woman—especially one they love.
Finally, Dad sighed, raised his head, and spoke with tragedy and love, though I didn’t know about Romeo or Othello, I understood people suffer and find joy over tiny things.
‘Let’s go home. I want to talk to Mum.’
I knew this was important. I quickly finished my ice cream, wiped my lips, sniffled, and looked seriously at Dad: ‘I’m ready. Let’s go.’
We didn’t walk—we half ran. Dad took my hand, and I fluttered behind like a bright little flag. When we reached our building, the lift was just leaving. Dad scooped me up and raced up the stairs.
At last, when Mum opened the door after Dad’s anxious ringing, he got right to the point: ‘You can’t do this! Who is Steve? I love you. We have Oly…’
Still holding me, Dad hugged Mum. I wrapped my arms around both their necks and closed my eyes because the grownups were kissing…
Sometimes, in life, it only takes a loving little girl to bring two stubborn adults back together—because she loved them both, and they loved her, and each other, but let their pride get in the way…
Share your thoughts in the comments below and give us a like if you enjoyed this story! You know, I need to share something thats been weighing on my mind. So, last Saturday, I was out with my dad.
Monday, 12th February Ever since our son got married, he barely pays us a visit. Its as if we hardly
Claire stood before the open fridge, her hand pressed against her forehead, frustration simmering in her eyes.
June 14th I travelled for a visit, longing to see you, but children are like strangers now.
At sixty-two, I never imagined I could fall in love again as deeply as I did in my youth. My friends
Ive been married for twenty years and never suspected anything was off. My husband travelled a lot for
The most heartbreaking thing that happened to me in 2025 was discovering that my husband was having an affair—and that my brother, my cousin, and my father all knew about it the entire time.
We had been married for eleven years. The woman my husband was involved with worked as a secretary at the company where my brother works.
Their affair began after my brother introduced her to my husband. It wasn’t a coincidence. They encountered each other at various workplaces, meetings, business events, and social gatherings that my husband attended. My cousin met them in the same circles as well. They all knew each other. They all saw each other often.
For months, my husband continued to live with me as if nothing was wrong. I attended family gatherings, talked with my brother, my cousin, and my father—never knowing that all three were aware of his affair behind my back. No one warned me. No one said a word. No one even tried to prepare me for what was happening.
When I found out about the infidelity in October, I first confronted my husband. He confirmed the affair. Then I talked to my brother. I asked him directly if he knew. He said “yes.” I asked since when. He answered: “for several months.” I asked why he hadn’t told me. He said it wasn’t his problem, that it was an issue between a couple, and that “men don’t talk about things like this to each other.”
Next, I talked to my cousin. I asked him the same questions. He knew as well. He said he’d seen the behaviour, the messages, and the signs that made everything clear. When I asked why he hadn’t warned me, he said he didn’t want to cause trouble and didn’t have the right to interfere in someone else’s relationship.
Finally, I talked to my father. I asked if he knew too. He said “yes.” I asked since when. He said, for a long time. I asked why he hadn’t said anything. He answered that he didn’t want conflict, that these matters should be resolved between spouses, and that he wouldn’t get involved. In reality, all three gave me the same answer.
Afterwards, I moved out of the house, and now it’s listed for sale. There were no public scenes or physical confrontations, because I won’t lower myself for anyone. The woman continued to work at my brother’s company, and both he, my cousin, and my father maintained normal relations with my husband and her.
For Christmas and New Year’s, my mother invited me to celebrate at her house, with my brother, cousin, and father in attendance. I told her I couldn’t come. I explained that I couldn’t sit at the table with people who had known about the affair and chosen to keep quiet. They celebrated together. I was absent from both occasions.
Since October, I haven’t had contact with any of the three men. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive them. The most painful thing that happened to me in 2025 was discovering that my husband was having an affairand
