Get away from me! I never promised to marry you! In fact, I dont even know whose child this is.
Maybe its not even mine at all. So go on with your life, and Ill go on with mine. Thats what Victor said to the stunned Victoria.
She stood there, unable to believe her ears or eyes Was this really Victor, the man who once loved her and treated her like a queen?
Was this the same Vic, who called her his darling Vicky and promised her the world?
Standing before her now was a slightly flustered, and therefore angry, stranger…
Victoria cried for a week, giving Vic a little wave goodbye forever.
But given her age she was already thirty-five and her plain looks, knowing her chances of finding happiness as a woman were shrinking, she decided shed go through with having the baby.
Victoria gave birth to a loud little girl right on time. She named her Emily.
Emily grew up a quiet, undemanding child, never causing her mother any real trouble. It was as if she already understood that fussing would get her nowhere.
Victoria treated her daughter decently, but it was clear there was no real motherly love in her heart.
She provided food, clothes, toys but as for a comforting hug, a gentle word, time in the park there was none of that.
Young Emily would often reach out to her mother, but Victoria would always pull away she was too busy, too tired, always had a headache or too much to do. The maternal instinct simply never woke up in her.
When Emily was seven, something unexpected happened Victoria met a man.
Not only that, she brought him home. The whole village was gossiping! How reckless Victoria must be.
This man, not local, no steady job, no fixed address for all anyone knew, he might be a conman! Thats the talk that was going round.
Victoria worked at the grocery shop, and he his name was George was hired on to help unload the delivery vans. Thats how they met and things quickly developed.
Soon, Victoria invited her new beau to move in. The neighbours were scandalised who was she bringing into her home?
She should be thinking of her little girl, they muttered. To make things worse, George hardly spoke so he must be hiding something.
But Victoria turned a deaf ear to all their chatter. It was as if she knew this was her last chance to find happiness as a woman.
But before long, people began to change their minds about this quiet man.
Victorias house, without a man around, had really suffered fences had fallen, the porch was rickety and the roof leaked. But George soon mended the porch, patched up the roof, and straightened the garden fence.
Every day he worked at something, and the house came to life before their eyes. People noticed he was handy, and began asking him for help. George would say,
If youre old or truly skint, Ill do it for free. Otherwise, pay me a bit, or perhaps with some groceries.
For some hed work for a bit of cash, for others for tinned goods, meat, eggs, or milk.
Victoria tended a garden but shed never had much dairy at home without a man about. Now, the fridge enjoyed fresh cream, real milk, and even butter.
In short, George was a proper jack-of-all-trades a dab hand at anything, really.
Victoria herself, never much of a beauty, suddenly blossomed. Her face lit up, she softened, she was clearly happier.
She even grew gentler towards Emily. She started to smile, and for the first time you noticed, she had dimples. And by now, Emily was already off to primary school.
One afternoon, Emily was sitting on the porch, watching Uncle George tinker away everything he touched just seemed to work.
Afterwards, she wandered off to her friends house next door and lost track of time. It was evening when she finally returned. As she opened the gate, she stopped in her tracks.
Right there in the middle of the garden stood a set of swings! The wind set them moving, and they seemed to beckon her, calling her over.
These these are for me? Uncle George! Did you really make these for me? Swings?!
For you, Emily, of course for you! Give them a try! George, who was usually so quiet, laughed brightly.
Emily perched on the seat and swung as high as she could, the wind singing in her ears she felt like the happiest girl in all of England.
Victoria left early for work, so George took over cooking too. He made breakfast, lunch and what pies he baked! The casseroles too!
It was George who taught Emily to cook well and lay a proper table. Youd never have known there was so much to this reserved, silent man.
When winter came and days grew short, George would walk Emily to school and back. He carried her bag and shared stories from his own life.
He told her about caring for his ailing mother, even selling his flat to pay for her treatment.
He shared how his own brother had tricked him out of their family home. He wanted Emily to understand how hurtful family could sometimes be.
He showed her how to fish in summer, just at dawn, theyd go to the river together, sitting quietly while they waited for the fish to bite. It was George who taught her patience.
A little while later, George bought her first childs bicycle and taught her to ride. He dabbed her knees with antiseptic when she came off and grazed them.
Shell hurt herself, George, Victoria would mutter.
Shell be fine. She needs to fall, to learn how to get up again, hed reply quietly but firmly.
One Christmas, he gave her her very own pair of skates. That evening, they all sat together at the holiday table, set by George with Emilys help.
They waited for the chimes of Big Ben, toasted each other, laughed and enjoyed the meal. Everyone was merry.
Next morning, Victoria and George were woken by Emilys wildly excited screams.
Skates! Thank you, thank you! Theyre mine! Real, white, brand new skates! she shouted, clutching them to her chest, tears of joy running down her face.
Then she and George headed to the frozen river, George clearing off the snow while Emily helped. He taught her to skate, led her by the hand until she could stand firm.
When Emily finally managed to skate well without tumbling, she squealed with happiness. As they left the river, she threw her arms around his neck:
Thank you for everything! Thank you, Dad
Now George cried. Quiet, manly tears he wiped away so Emily wouldnt see, but they froze on his cheeks as soon as they fell.
Emily grew up and went off to London to study. Life was hard as it is for most but George was always there.
He came to her graduation. He brought her care packages of food so his girl wouldnt ever go hungry.
It was George who walked her down the aisle on her wedding day. When Emily had children, he waited outside the hospital window with her husband, anxious for news. He watched his grandchildren and loved them as his own.
And then, as we all must, he passed away. At the graveside, Emily and her mother stood quietly, and as Emily scattered a handful of earth, she whispered,
Goodbye, Dad You were the best father in the world. I will always remember you.
He stayed in her heart forever. Not as Uncle George, not as her stepdad, but as her FATHER.
Because sometimes, a father isnt the one who gives you life, but the one who raises you, who shares in your sorrows and joys, who stands beside you, no matter what.
