*”You decided to have a baby without a husband? Aren’t you ashamed, Mum?”* Lisa asked with a sharp edge in her voice.
Right after her prom, Lisa sent off her university applications. She had no doubt she’d get in—her A-level results were strong, even better than last year’s admissions required.
That summer was blistering hot. Her best friend, Emily, suggested spending a few weeks at her aunt’s place in Brighton. The idea was tempting—two or three weeks by the sea, no parents hovering, just diving headfirst into that exciting taste of freedom. But as the trip loomed closer, Lisa grew restless. Not because she’d never travelled without her mum before—but because she wouldn’t see Daniel for weeks.
Lisa’s mum, Grace, had just turned thirty-seven. She’d split from Lisa’s dad when she was barely three. Lisa had no real memories of him. Not that there was much to remember. Her parents had married young, barely knowing each other, and the first real challenges—sleepless nights, a crying baby, no money, the constant bickering—had torn them apart.
As Lisa grew up, Grace had tried dating, but it never worked out. Either the men weren’t keen on raising another man’s child, or Lisa took an instant dislike to any candidate for the role of stepdad.
Then Daniel came along two years ago. He visited often—though never stayed the night, at least not that Lisa noticed. He was fun, always bringing little gifts, and on her last birthday, he’d surprised her with a massive bouquet of red roses.
And just like that, Lisa fell for him. Daniel was younger than Grace by only two years—but to Lisa, that difference mattered. She convinced herself she was the better match. Every glance from him felt loaded, every laugh meant just for her. She was eighteen—if he had to choose between her and Grace, surely he’d pick her? That’s how she saw it, anyway. And when jealousy took over, it clawed at her insides.
Leaving for the seaside meant anything could happen. He might propose to Grace while she was gone. Then he’d be lost to her forever.
The night before the trip, Grace was fussing in the kitchen while Lisa agonised over how to confess her feelings to Daniel.
*”Lisa, love, pop to the shop—forgot the cheese, and we’re nearly out of mayo,”* Grace called from the doorway.
*”Mum, I haven’t even finished packing,”* Lisa muttered.
Grace sighed and went herself.
Minutes later, the doorbell rang. Daniel. Lisa’s pulse jumped. This was her chance—no mum in the way.
She played the perfect host, ushering him to the sofa, filling the silence with small talk, then flicking on the telly and sitting close. He glanced at her but didn’t move away.
When their shoulders brushed, something in Lisa snapped. She grabbed his arm, pressed closer. His cheek was right there—so close she could smell that hint of aftershave under his usual scent. It made her bold. Before she could think, she kissed his cheek.
Daniel didn’t flinch, just leaned back and stood up. His face was pure confusion. Shame burned through her. She’d imagined it all. To him, she was just Grace’s kid—nothing more.
The front door clicked. If Daniel had something to say, the moment was gone. Grace bustled in, breathless.
*”Daniel! You’re early! Can you believe I forgot the cheese? And the mayo—it’s this trip, it’s got me all frazzled. I’ll whip up the salad, then we’ll eat.”* She beamed at him, the kind of look Lisa had never gotten from him.
Her chest ached. Jealousy twisted inside her. She bolted to her room.
*”What’s got into her?”* Grace asked, bewildered. *”Did something happen?”*
*”What’s for dinner?”* Daniel dodged, steering the conversation away.
Grace laughed it off, but not before tossing a teasing, *”I’ve got news for you—later.”*
Lisa pressed her ear to the door. The sound of their voices, their laughter, made her stomach churn.
At dinner, she couldn’t look at him. But Daniel acted like nothing had happened, so she forced herself to laugh along, pretending he was still just *Grace’s* Daniel.
But that tiny moment of closeness still lingered, leaving her unsettled.
*”So, what’s this news?”* he asked over tea.
*”Patience!”* Grace winked playfully.
Lisa hated when her mum acted like a giggly schoolgirl.
*”Lisa’s leaving tomorrow—my baby, all grown up,”* Grace sighed. *”I’m nervous. Maybe I shouldn’t let her go…”*
*”I’m not going alone. And we’re staying with adults,”* Lisa snapped.
*”Lisa’s sensible. She’ll be fine,”* Daniel said, smiling at her. Her heart flipped. *”Besides, what’s there to do here all summer?”*
*”Oh, enjoy three whole weeks without me in the way,”* Lisa said coldly, staring him down.
*”Lisa! What’s wrong with you today?”* Grace frowned.
*”Nothing.”* Lisa shoved her chair back—scraping it loud enough to annoy Grace—and stormed off.
Later, Grace knocked on her door. *”Let’s talk. You’ve never been like this. What’s going on?”*
Lisa stayed facing the wall, knees to her chest.
*”Did you pack?”* Grace tried.
Lisa clenched her jaw. *Obviously. Can’t you see the bloody rucksack?*
*”Why are you angry?”* Grace pressed.
*”You act like an idiot around him. All the giggling, the flirting—it’s pathetic.”*
Grace sighed. *”It’s just happiness, love. You’ll understand one day.”*
Lisa shrugged off her touch.
*”Is that why you came in?”*
*”Turn around. I can’t talk to your back.”*
Lisa rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling.
*”I wanted you to know first,”* Grace said softly. *”I love you more than anything. But… I’m having a baby.”*
The words took a second to sink in.
*”A baby? Daniel’s?”* Lisa’s voice dropped. *”So you’re getting married?”*
Grace shook her head. *”No. He’s married. But that doesn’t matter.”*
*”Married? Mum, listen to yourself! You’re having a baby with a married man? Aren’t you ashamed?”*
Grace stiffened. *”Why should I be? I’m a grown woman.”*
*”Oh, right. Would you say that if it was me?”* Lisa’s voice rose. *”Why won’t he leave his wife?”*
Grace hesitated. *”It’s complicated. Maybe later, after the baby—”*
*”You haven’t even told him?”* Lisa sat up sharply.
Their eyes locked. Grace looked away first.
*”I… didn’t want him to think I was trying to trap him.”*
Lisa scoffed. *”You’ll be on maternity leave, I’ll be at uni—how will we live? He’ll be retired by the time this kid finishes school, Mum! You’re doing this alone again? Just get rid of it.”*
Grace paled. *”I’d never do that. You’ll marry someday, and I’ll be alone—”*
*”You’ll have grandkids!”* Lisa’s voice cracked. *”He hasn’t left her yet—he won’t. You know it. It’s embarrassing. You’re too old for this!”*
Grace stood, hurt flashing across her face. *”I didn’t expect you to be so cruel.”*
*”What did you expect? A congratulations? Your grandkid and kid being the same age—that’s normal to you?”*
Grace left without another word.
Lisa knew she’d gone too far. Women had babies at forty all the time. But thinking of Grace and Daniel like that—it sickened her.
The next morning, they barely spoke. Emily’s dad picked Lisa up. As she stood in the doorway, backpack slung over her shoulder, she almost pleaded with Grace to reconsider—but she stayed silent.
*”Bye,”* was all she said.
Grace called after her, *”Call me!”*
The guilt gnawed at her in the car. She almost texted Grace, but Emily and their friends were laughing, distracting her. She’d do it later.
She had fun—swimming, sunbathing—but after two weeks, the novelty wore off. Oddly, she missed Grace. And she barely thought about Daniel.
When she returned, tanned and glowing, Grace wasn’t at work. She was sitting on the sofa, staring blankly.
*”Mum? I’*”Mum? I’m back,”* Lisa called from the hallway, but Grace didn’t move—just whispered, *”Daniel’s gone… car crash…”* and Lisa’s world shattered as she realised the baby in Grace’s arms, with Daniel’s eyes, was all they had left of him.
