My wife left for her ill parents, and I decided to surprise her by visiting without telling her
Every morning, Emily woke to the sound of rain tapping against the windowsill, grey clouds looming outside. The weather seemed to mirror her moodrestless, uneasy, clouded with suspicion.
For three weeks in a row, my wife, Sarah, packed her gym bag and announced,
My parents arent well, Ill go stay with them for a few days.
At first, Emily took Sarah at her word. Hazel Brown, my mother-in-law, had recently had gallbladder surgery. Simon Brown, her father, often complained of high blood pressure. Sixty-five isnt an age to take health for granted.
Of course, go, Emily replied. Give them my best, let them know Im concerned.
Sarah left Friday evening and returned early Monday morning, worn out and subdued, as if she’d been through a tough shift. When Emily asked about her parents health, Sarah answered briefly:
Theyre better. But still weak.
What hurts most for your mum? Emily asked.
Everything. Its age, Sarah said, waving it off.
The story repeated a week later.
Again? Emily said, surprised.
Mum took a fall, bruised herself. Dads stressed. I need to help out, Sarah explained, stuffing clean shirts into her bag.
Should I come too? Maybe lend a hand?
No, itll be cramped. You stay home.
Emily agreed. Shed always kept a polite distance with my parents, never tried to intrude or give unwanted advice. Hazel Brown was reserved, never overly warm. Their relationship was cordial, but hardly close.
The third trip came the following weekend.
Whats the trouble this time? Emily asked, watching Sarah pack jeans and a jumper.
Dads much worse. His blood pressure is up and down. Mum cant manage alone.
Did you call their GP?
We did. You know what local doctors are like these days. Prescribed some pills and left.
Sarah spoke convincingly, but something about her voice made Emily uneasy. There was a rehearsed emptiness to her words, lacking the genuine worry youd expect.
Sarah, maybe they should be in hospital, if its that serious?
They dont want that. Afraid of hospitals. They say its calmer at home.
Sarah zipped her bag and kissed Emily on the cheek.
Dont be lonely, Ill try to be quick.
After Sarah left, Emily sat alone with mounting anxiety. She tried to recall the last phone conversation shed had with Hazel Brownit had been around a month ago. Hazel called to congratulate Emilys friend for her birthday.
Hazel sounded lively then, asking about Emilys work and sharing updates about her garden. No complaints about health. Quite the oppositeHazel boasted about her tomatoes and upcoming winter plans.
Thats odd, Emily murmured, staring at the autumn rain. If Hazels so ill, why hasnt she called me? She always used to.
Monday morning, Sarah returned, grimmer than before.
How are your parents? Emily asked.
Dads better. Mums still weak.
What did the doctor say?
Doctor? Sarah looked confused.
Yes, the GP. You said you saw him.
Oh right. He said to keep an eye out. If things get worse, hospital.
Sarah quickly changed and went to her computer. The conversation closed down.
That evening, as Sarah went for a shower, Emily picked up her phone. Shed never snooped before, but something told her she needed to look.
There were no calls to my parents. Neither incoming nor outgoing. Not once in two weeks had there been contact with Hazel or Simon.
How is that possible? Emily whispered. If Sarahs staying with them, why call them?
Normally, whenever Sarah left home, her parents called Emily at least once. To check how things were, or ask if anything needed to be sent to Sarah. This timenothing.
Sarah made her fourth trip the next Friday.
Parents again? Emily asked.
Yes. Mums got a fever. Could be flu.
Sarah, maybe I should come this time? Help out.
Why drag yourself into trouble? Sarah snapped. Youve enough on your plate.
Its no trouble. After all, theyre your parents. Which makes them mine too.
Emily, dont. The house is cramped. You might catch something.
Sarah sounded sincere, but wouldnt meet Emilys gaze. She packed hurriedly, as if she was running late for a train.
Which train are you taking? Emily asked.
Just the usual. Seven oclock.
I can walk you to the station.
No need. Ill manage.
Sarah kissed Emily and hurried out. The flat was left full of awkward silences and odd coincidences.
Saturday morning was spent pondering. Thoughts tangled in Emilys mind, making her restless. On one hand, accusing Sarah of deception without proof felt unfair. On the other, there had been too many peculiarities over the last month.
Am I just a paranoid spouse? Emily scolded herself. Maybe her parents really are ill and Im making a fuss?
By midday, Emily made up her mind. If Hazel and Simon were sick, surely theyd appreciate someone caring for them. Emily would bake a homemade cake, buy some fruit, gather some treats and pay a visit.
Ill surprise them, Emily decided. And Sarah too.
The kitchen was soon filled with chaos and warmth. Emily prepared dough for her mothers special cake recipe. While it baked, she popped out for fruit juice, oranges, and bananas.
By three, everything was ready. The fragrant cake was cooling on the table, fruit and juice packed. Emily put on a nice dress, freshened up, and made her way to the station.
On the train, Emily smiled, picturing Sarah surprised by her sudden visit. Sarah would open the door, see Emily with her gifts, blink in confusion, then break into a grin.
Emily? What are you doing here? Sarah would ask.
I came to check in, Emily would answer. See how the patients are.
The trip to the Browns house took an hour and a half. Hazel and Simon lived in a small town on the outskirts of Birmingham, in a two-storey home with a garden. Sarah grew up there, knew every corner.
Emily knocked at the familiar gate and pressed the bell. A minute later, Hazel opened the door.
Emily? Hazel exclaimed in surprise. What brings you here?
She looked finecheeks rosy, eyes bright, not a single trace of illness. Hazel wore a tracksuit, hair tied neatly back.
Hello, Hazel, Emily said, a little flustered. I came to see you. Sarah said you were unwell.
Unwell? Hazel laughed. What illness? Were fit as fiddles! Where did you hear that?
Emily felt her face flush, heart racing. Her bag of treats suddenly felt impossibly heavy.
But Sarah She said she was looking after you. That you werent well.
Looking after? Hazel shook her head. Emily, we havent seen our daughter for a week! Maybe longer!
Inside, Simon Browns voice called,
Hazel, who is it?
Emilys come to visit! Hazel shouted back.
Simon appeared in the hallway. Seventy, grey-haired but sturdy, dressed for his workshop, probably just finished tinkering.
Oh, our daughter-in-law! Simon beamed. What brings you here? You rarely visit!
Simon, where is Sarah? Emily asked directly.
How should I know? Simon shrugged. Maybe at work? Or at home with you?
She told me she was here, caring for you because youre ill.
Simon exchanged looks with Hazel.
Emily, were fine. Sarahs not been here. Last saw her when was it, Hazel?
St Peters Day, in July, Hazel remembered. She came for her dads birthday.
Thats right. Not even a phone call since, Simon confirmed.
Emily felt something inside her break. Every excuse Sarah gave, every trip for sick parentslies. Plain, unvarnished lies.
Emily, are you alright? Hazel asked kindly. You look a bit pale. Come in, have some tea.
Thank you, but Id better go, Emily mumbled.
Go? Youve only just arrived! And brought cakeI can see it! Hazel protested.
Next time, Emily said, handing over the bags. These are for you. Enjoy.
But wheres Sarah? Simon asked, confused. Why isnt she with you?
I dont know, Emily replied truthfully.
Hazel and Simon walked Emily to the gate, exchanging puzzled glances. Emily made her way to the bus stop, barely feeling her feet.
Thoughts crowded her mind: Where had Sarah spent her weekends? With whom? Why use her parents as a cover? And how long had this gone on?
The bus to the station took half an hour. Emily gazed out at gloomy September landscapes, trying to piece her thoughts together. Each trip to the sick parents was a cruel joke. Every excusea cold manipulation.
So, while I was worried about her parents, she Emily couldnt finish the thought.
On the train back, Emily reached for her phone, intending to call Sarah, but changed her mind. What to ask? Where are you? With whom? Why lie?
Better to wait at home. To see her face when Sarah tried yet another story.
Emily arrived back by eight. The flat was quiet, empty. She sat on the sofa and waited.
Sarah returned on Monday morning as usual. The keys jangled, the door opened. Sarah walked in, weary, rumpled, with her gym bag in tow.
Hi, Sarah grunted, heading to the bedroom. How was the weekend?
Fine, Emily replied calmly. And you?
Rough. Parents are really bad.
Oh? What exactly is wrong?
Mums feverish, Dad checked his blood pressure all night. Were exhausted.
Sarah spoke, eyes down, emptying dirty laundry into the basket, unpacking medicine.
Sarah, Emily said softly. Look at me.
Sarah glanced up, her eyes anxious.
Where were you these last few days? Emily asked directly.
Where do you think? With my parents. I told you.
Your parents are well. They havent seen you in a week.
Sarah froze, a shirt clutched in her hand.
What are you talking about?
I visited them yesterday. I wanted to help. Hazel laughed when I asked about illness.
Sarah paled.
You went to see them? Why?
Because I believed you. I thought they were genuinely ill.
Emily, you dont understand
What dont I understand? Emily cut her off. That youve lied to me for a month? That you used your parents as cover?
Its not a lie
What is it then? Emily stepped closer. Sarah, where did you spend your weekends? With whom?
Sarah turned to look out the window.
I cant explain right now.
Cant or wont?
Emily, trust me. It isnt what you think.
What do I think? Emily asked coolly.
That I have someone else. Another woman.
Isnt that the truth?
Sarah said nothing. The silence stretched on. At last, she sighed heavily.
There is, Sarah admitted quietly.
Emily nodded. Oddly, she felt no anger, just emptiness and clarity.
Understood.
Emily, its not serious! It just happened
Happened a month ago?
No, earlier. I didnt know how to tell you.
So you lied about your parents.
I wanted to figure things out. To see what I needed.
And did you?
Again, Sarah said nothing.
Im askingdid you figure out what you need?
I dont know, she answered honestly.
I do, Emily said. I need someone who doesnt lie. Someone who doesnt use sick parents as an excuse for an affair.
Its not just a fling
Call it what you want. The fact isyou lied to me for a month.
Emily walked to the bedroom and took out a small suitcase.
What are you doing? Sarah asked, alarmed.
Im packing. Emily filled the bag with essentials. Ill stay with a friend. Well sort things out.
Sort what out?
Youwith your feelings. Mewith divorce paperwork.
Emily, dont rush! Lets talk calmly!
About what? Emily closed the suitcase. About how you strung me along for weeks? How I worried about your healthy parents?
I never wanted to hurt you
So you hurt me worse.
Emily grabbed her documents, phone, charger.
If you want to explaincall. But I doubt you can excuse a month of lying.
What about our home? Our family?
Family is trust, Emily replied. The home can be sorted with lawyers.
Emily walked to the door.
Wait, Sarah pleaded. Cant we try again? Ill end it, well start over
Start with what? More lies about sick parents?
I wont lie again. Promise.
Sarah, Emily paused at the doorway. You promised to be a faithful wife. See how that turned out.
Emily left the flat and closed the door. In the hallway, quiet music played from upstairs.
Outside, fine rain fell. Just as it did a month ago when it all began. Emily turned up her collar and walked to the Underground.
Her phone rang as she went down the stairs. Sarah flashed on the screen. Emily declined the call and put her phone away.
Her decision was made. Living with someone whod used her parents as cover for a month of cheatingshe couldnt do it anymore. Trust was shattered; the family, gone.
Next came talks with solicitors, division of property, a new life. But at least it would be honest. No more lies about sick parents, no more hidden weekends with another woman.
The tube carried Emily away from the past, into an unknown but truthful future.
