**The Seventh of July! It cant be! Just a coincidence. But the name, Andrewhis middle name and surname are different. Though adoptive parents can change those. Even the first name** She stared at the portrait of the man, as if hoping to see something familiar.
The woman in the HR department of the town council had just processed the paperwork for a new employee. Then she picked up the phone:
*”Emma Andrews, could you come to my office? Your new colleague is here.”*
Soon, the head of housekeeping walked in and immediately addressed the older woman standing there:
*”Youre the new cleaner?”*
*”Yes.”*
*”Im the facilities managerEmma Andrews.”* She introduced herself briskly before asking, *”And you?”*
*”Vera,”* the woman replied, then corrected herself upon seeing the expectant look. *”Vera Louise.”*
*”Come with me, Ill show you your work area.”* They stepped out of the office, still talking. *”Youll be responsible for the entire third floor”*
***
Vera was overjoyed to have this job. Smiling to herself, she surveyed her new domain:
*”Two years left till retirement. Maybe Ill stay on after. Eight hundred quid a month, plus bonuses. At least Derek and I can live comfortably now. The kids are grown and gone. Blimey, I dont even know the mayors name! What if someone asks? Lunch soontheres a board downstairs with all the mayors photos. Why didnt I check?”*
***
On her way back from the canteen, she passed the display and read the mayors name: *Andrew Bennett born 1983.*
*”Goodness, hes young. Not even forty.”* Then it struck her. *”Andrew? 1983?”*
She turned back and checked the birth date: *”The seventh of July! It cant be! Just a coincidence. But the nameAndrew. Different middle name and surname. Though adoptive parents can change those. Even the first name”*
She studied the portrait for a long time, as if searching for something familiar.
***
The new job kept her busy, pushing stray thoughts aside.
That evening, she talked with Derek at home. He went off to watch football in his room, and Vera retreated to hers.
Their flat was spaciousthree bedrooms. The kids had moved out, leaving plenty of room. Derek still slept with her sometimes, but less and less often.
Now, lying in bed, her mind wandered to her youthand to the secret shed never shared with her husband.
Before Derek, shed had a son. His name was Andrew. Shed only been nineteen thenno money, no job, just a cramped dormitory from her college days, unfit for raising a child. Shed lasted six months before giving him up.
Three years later, she married Derek. They never asked about each others past. Soon, they had their own childrentwo daughters.
The girls grew up. One went to university, married, and had kids in school now. The other married and lived in London.
Vera herself never landed a proper career. For twenty years, shed worked as a housekeeper in a factory workshop. Then the place went under, and everyone was laid off. A friends daughter suggested this cleaning job at the town hall. She took it.
And now Mayor Andrew Bennett, born 1983.
No, Vera wouldnt complain about her life. But all these years, shed wondered about the son shed given up. Hed even appeared in her dreams a few times. Now, she just wanted to knowwas this him? Was he happy?
***
Days passed.
Vera was cleaning her floor when she heard voices. Mayor Andrew Bennett walked past, deep in conversation with a colleague. Spotting her, he nodded and continued on.
Suddenly, she saw *him*Victor, the boy shed loved forty years ago. Handsome, carefreenothing like the serious man shed imagined hed become. But now, looking at Andrew Bennett, she realized: *this* was how shed wanted Victor to be.
But Victor had left as soon as hed learned she was pregnant. Said hed go find work. Shed waited, hopedthen understood hed just run off.
*”Is Andrew Bennett my son?”*
*”If I hadnt given him up, he wouldnt be where he is. But my daughters turned out fineone married with a house and car, the other doing well. I have them but no son.”*
*”Would I even have married Derek otherwise? Noeverything wouldve been different. For me, for him, for Andrew. Then again, maybe he isnt mine. How many wild coincidences are there in the world?”*
*”Does it even matter? He has parentshe was only six months old when I left him. They probably never told him he was adopted. Different surname. Different life. Mustve been happynot every lad from nowhere becomes mayor.”*
***
After lunch, a younger colleague, Lily, approached her:
*”Hey, Auntie Vera!”*
*”Hi, love.”*
*”Were celebrating Lucys birthday on Fridayshe cleans the sixth floor. Turning forty-five. You in?”*
*”Course!”* Vera smiled.
*”Twenty quid each. And bring somethinga salad or whatever.”*
*”Sure.”* Vera fished out her purse and handed over the cash.
*”We do this for everyones birthdays.”*
*”Lily, just call me Vera. Were colleagues.”*
*”Right you are, Vera!”*
***
On Friday, they gathered after work in an empty office on the seventh floor. A table was set.
Then, as always happens in offices everywhere, toasts were made. Sips of red wine followed each one.
Then the door openedand in walked Andrew Bennett. He smiled.
*”Lucy OReilly, happy birthday.”* He handed her a small box. *”A little something.”*
*”Thank you, Andrew!”* Tears welled in Lucys eyes.
*”Andrew, join us!”* Emma insisted.
*”Just for a bit.”* He sat downright beside Vera.
She swiftly filled a clean plate with salad and slices of ham. Wine was poured. The mayor gave a toast.
Vera watched him, her heart trembling. This *was* her son. She was sure now.
***
Andrew stayed twenty minutes, then excused himself.
*”Now *thats* a proper man,”* said Kate, the longest-serving employee, who knew everything about everyone. *”The old mayor wouldnt have dreamed of sitting with us.”*
*”How longs Andrew been here?”* Vera asked.
*”A year. Remember? We voted him in last time.”*
Truthfully, Vera didnt. Derek had always handled such things.
*”Course, you know his parents are loadedproper posh,”* Kate went on. *”But guess what? Theyre not his real parents.”*
*”No!”* Lucy gasped.
*”Came out two years ago when he was running. They say *he* didnt even know. Funniest part? He didnt bat an eyelid.”*
*”Kate, how dyou know all this?”*
*”The old mayors deputy, Olivia, dug it up. Wanted her boss to stay in power. But you seefolks chose Andrew instead.”*
*”So he still doesnt know who his real parents are?”* Vera ventured.
*”Doesnt seem to. Loves the ones who raised him. Hes a good sort, our mayor.”*
Vera Louise stared at the door where Andrew had left. Her heart swelledjoy that her son had done well, sorrow that shed never hold him.
*”My fault,”* she thought. Smiling faintly, she whispered inside:
*”I wont disturb you, son. Ill just always be near.”*
