Nobody Was Expecting Him When our dad, with his free-spirited ways and his habit of leaving for work in far-off places, disappeared for good, I was in Year 6 and my sister Masha was just starting school. He and Mum had never married—Dad was a roamer, always coming back with money and gifts when it suited him. Mum loved him blindly and put up with his absences, while Dad’s brother, Uncle Nick, watched over us whenever Dad was gone. Uncle Nick was quietly dependable, never making his feelings obvious, but always there for us. He fixed things, took us for walks at weekends, and one year installed a gymnastics wall in our hallway—by then, Dad had been absent for nearly six months. As we grew, Uncle Nick became more central, even as my sister clung to Dad’s memory and his promises of presents. But Dad never returned. Uncle Nick stepped up even more, supporting Mum, eventually confessing his feelings. Mum battled with her heart, torn between loyalty to Dad and the genuine devotion of Uncle Nick, but ultimately, our family changed; Mum married Nick, had another son, and stability returned. As I graduated from school with good marks, our family was celebrating when, out of the blue, Dad walked in the door, disrupting our lives with his unexpected presence. But this time, Mum stood firm, and Uncle Nick—our real dad in every way that mattered—stayed. Even though our world was shaken, in the end, our new family endured. Nobody had been waiting for him.

Never Expected

Our dad vanished when I was in Year Five and my sister, Lucy, was just starting Year One. Technically, it wasnt suddenhed been drifting in and out of our lives for years. Never married to Mum, Dad was a free spirit, always off trying his luck in one part of the country or another. Hed return whenever fancy took him, arms laden with cash and gifts, grinning like nothing had happened. Mum put up with it because she loved him fiercely, hopelessly.

Roger, will you please come home soon? she said, more times than I can recall.

Oh come on, dont get all weepy. Wait for meIll bring presents.

Hed kiss her offhandedly and slip away. When he was gone, Dads brother, Uncle Thomas, looked after us. I always suspected Thomas liked Mum, though he never showed it, never made any special fuss over her. He was simply steadfast. We always knew hed be there if we needed him.

How are you holding up, Sarah? Uncle Thomas would ask as he popped round. How are the little ones?

Uncle Thomas is here, hooray! Id shout, rushing to hug him.

Alright, Matthew, hed reply, giving me a firm squeeze.

If Im honest, I used to wish he was my real dad. On weekends, Uncle Thomas took Lucy and me to the park while Mum rested. Sometimes shed come too, other times she preferred to stay in, brooding over her lot.

As I grew older, Uncle Thomas installed a gym wall in the hallway one winter after Dad had been gone nearly six months. I helped screw in the bars; Lucy stood back, watching him fit the rings and rope with easy skill.

Uncle Tom, why arent you married? Youre good with your hands. Any woman would snap you up, Lucy observed, sounding far more mature than her years.

Shed picked that wisdom up eavesdropping on Mums chats over tea with her girlfriends.

Just havent met the right woman, Lucy. If I do, Ill marry.

Dont you want children of your own?

Lucy spread her arms wide in comic fashion.

Thomas paused with the spanner, suddenly thoughtful. Ive got you two for now. Is that alright? Or are you trying to shoo me off? he squinted at her playfully.

Lucy wasnt foolish.

Me? No! Uncle Tom, we always want you.

That night, I said to her, Why do you badger him? He might get offended and stop coming.

But Dad brings presents Lucy replied dreamily. Hes bound to be home soon.

Oh, you daft girl. You let him buy you. Do you even know how much these gym bars Uncle Tom bought cost?

I dont care, I want dresses and dollsnot gym stuff. Im not a monkey.

This time, Lucy waited for Dad in vain. He didnt show up. One day, Uncle Thomas came by, shut himself in the kitchen with Mumand I overheard her weeping bitterly.

Sarah, please dont cry. I wont leave you. You know what Rogers likealways off chasing something sweeter, softer.

Mum wailed loudly, a raw sound. She kept sobbing after he left.

Uncle Thomas didnt abandon us. He kept comingfixing things, taking us out, helping wherever he could. Eventually, he gathered his courage and confessed his feelings to Mum. I listened, heart pounding, guilty but unable to help myself.

Tom, you dont need me. Youre such a good man. You deserve true happiness.

Thats for me to decide, isnt it? Thomas replied stubbornly.

What if Roger comes back?

Thomas said nothing.

Ill always wait for him. I love him, Tom! I cant help it. If you want someone like me, broken.

I tiptoed away from the door, furious at Mum. How could she be so foolish, hanging onto a dream?

And so life went on. Lucy took after Dadshe warmed to whoever fed her. Was it fair to blame her? She seemed to finally grasp that waiting for gifts made little sense. Uncle Thomas did his best, working hard for our growing family. Mum gave birth to his son, Jamie. Thomas was over the moonpositively glowing. They registered as a married couple, and life slowly settled down.

I finished school with decent marks and was accepted into university on a full scholarship. Mum beamed with pride.

Well have a scholar in the family, Tom!

Well, were not simpletons ourselves, are we?

Oh stop it! Scholar indeed, I blushed, waving them off. Just pour me some bubbly. Let me taste it.

As if you havent already tried, Lucy snorted, and I scowled fiercely at her.

Jamie clambered all over the furniture, trying to crawl onto the table and knock things over. Thomas whisked him up and settled him on his lap.

Come on, lad, behave now. Youre not a baby anymore!

Jamie grabbed a spoon, pressed it to his nose, and went cross-eyed, making everyone burst out laughing.

And now someones at the door? Lucy pricked up her ears.

Mum opened the door and stumbled back into the room; Dad was framed in the doorway. A heavy silence dropped over us. Dad looked around, shrugged.

Whats wrong with you lot? Carry on with the party.

No one spoke. Jamie slid off Thomass knee, toddling over to the stranger. Dad ignored him; Mum scooped Jamie up, shielding herself behind him. Thomas stood, slightly swaying.

Where are you going? Mum asked, voice trembling.

II just need some air.

He went out, nudging Dad aside. I stood up, ready to follow, Lucy right behind me.

Lucy, look at the fancy bits I brought you! Trendy clothes and all, Dad called.

To my surprise, Lucy didnt even glance his way. She chased after me into the hallway, whispering urgently.

Let me go after Uncle Tom. You stay and listen to what goes down.

But

Please, Matt! Youre better at listening in!

She was right. Maybe I shouldve been a spy.

Lucy darted after Thomas, and I hid in the corridor, stomach churning. Mum had finally got what she wantedthe love of her life. What would happen to our family now?

So, Sarah, whats this then? Married Tom, have you? Dad said, mocking.

Mum didnt answer.

Come on, whatever happened is in the past. Doesnt matter now. Im back!

There was a scufflea sharp slap, Jamies frightened cry.

Just leave, Roger. Go onget out.

Sarah, whats this about?

I mean it! Go. No ones missed you here.

Liar. I can see it in your eyes. Eyes always tell the truth.

Well, Ive said my piece, Mum snapped.

Dad stepped out after a moment, saw me in the corridor.

Eavesdropping, are you? Thatll get you far.

But I didnt care what he thought of me. I went into the lounge, expecting to find Mum falling apart. She wasntshe was soothing Jamie, tidying her hair and straightening the table at once, like a whirlwind.

Well, that almost ruined our celebration, she said, with a crooked smile. Now, where are they?

Jamie soon forgot the fight, dragging the chair around, content.

I slipped outside. Lucy and Thomas were across the street in the park. She clutched his arm, head nestled against his shoulder, afraid hed vanish if she let go. I came up quietly behind, longing to speak my mind. I circled the bench, met Thomass lost gaze.

Dad, quit moping. Lets go home. Mums calling.

Thomass hands shook. Lucy laid her small palms over his. She lifted her head, looked at him.

Please, Dad. Lets go.

We walked together. After all, we had something to celebratemy graduation.