Returning home earlier than expected, Zoe overheard her husband talking with her sisterand her world shattered.
Zoe had left work at the surgery early; her patient consultations had been cancelled, the doctor was under the weather. A rare treata free evening to make a proper dinner, not just the usual quick meal. She turned her key in the door quietly, not wanting to disturb Andrew if he was napping after work. But he certainly wasnt asleep.
There were voices coming from the kitchen.
I cant keep doing this, Linda. Hiding every weekend, Andrews voice sounded exhausted.
And what are you proposing? Linda, her sister, replied sharply. Just tell the truth? Own up?
Zoe froze at the barely open doorway. Something twisted inside her.
If Zoe finds out, itll all collapse, Andrew continued. Thirty years of marriage down the drain.
You have to decide, Lindas voice hardened. Are you going to keep going to her place every Saturday?
Her? Who was her?
How can I just leave her? Shes got nobody. Except me.
And do you have a wife or dont you?
Zoe gripped the doorframe, her heart pounding so hard she felt the whole house vibrating.
So much for fishing trips.
So much for those supposed weekends at the lakes with old Pete.
There was another woman. He went to her every single weekend.
Linda, if I tell Zoe, shell hate me. For lying. If I dont tell her Andrew sighed deeply. My conscience is killing me.
Conscience! Linda scoffed. Bit late for that, isnt it?
It used to be easier. But now shes getting worse
Look, maybe its time you were straight with Zoe.
Dont be daft! Andrew sounded scared. Shell murder meor worse, toss me out. Where do I go at sixty?
Zoe stumbled away from the door.
Thirty years shed made him packed lunches for his fishing trips. Ironed his shirts, washed his wellies. Worrying when he came home late. And all the while, it was for another woman.
And Linda knew.
Her own sister had covered for him.
Oh, how blind she had been.
Id better head off, Linda said. But think about ithow long can you keep this up? Itll come out, one way or another.
I know. I do.
Zoe heard footsteps toward the hall and darted into the bathroom.
She needed time.
Time to figure out what to do with the truth.
Time to decide how to carry on.
Maybe whether it was worth carrying on.
Zoe stared at herself in the mirror, unrecognisable through her tears. Was she really Zoe Parker, model wife?
More like model fool.
She emerged with a practiced face. Andrew sat at the table, flicking through the paper. So familiar, so ordinary.
Oh, Zo! Home early today, are we? he said, bright and false.
My shift ended early.
Linda dropped by. Sends her love.
Liar. She sent a lot more than that.
Shall I make dinner? Zoes voice was steady, but inside she was shaking.
Lovely. Whats on?
Cutlets. As always.
The next week was hell. Zoe watched every movement, listened to every wordand saw the lies everywhere. The way Andrew hid his mobile. The nerves every Friday evening. The way he packed his fishing gear.
By Saturday morning, she broke.
Andrew, why dont I come fishing with you today? she asked innocently.
He turned white.
What for? Youd be bored stiff.
Id like to give it a go. Might enjoy it.
No, no, really, not a good idea. Its cold, loads of midges. Best you stay home.
And with a guilty look, he left.
Zoe was left alone with thoughts that gnawed away like beetles.
On Monday, she forced herself to talk to her sister.
Linda, we need a chat.
About what? Linda was wary.
Just a heart-to-heart. Been ages.
They met at a caféneutral ground. Linda was nervous, fiddling with her ring.
How are you? Zoe asked gently.
Fine. And you two?
Everythings fine. Andrews mad about fishing these days.
Linda nearly choked on her coffee.
Is he? How often does he get out?
Every Saturday. Hes obsessed.
Men and their hobbies Linda muttered.
Do you know where exactly he fishes?
Me? No idea.
Her eyes flickered. Lying.
I was just thinking, maybe Ill come along. See what all the fuss is about.
Zoe, why? Leave the man be. Everyone needs their own space.
Space? Thats her word for infidelity?
Linda, Zoe leaned in close, Youre hiding something.
I dont know anything! Linda snapped. And I dont want to. Neither should you. Dont go poking your nose in.
She left.
Leaving Zoe with the bitter certainty: her sister was covering for him.
At home, Zoe began her own investigation. She checked Andrews pockets, scoured his wallet and peered into his car.
And she found it.
In the glove boxa series of monthly receipts. £150 each, regular payments.
Private Care Home Hope. Norwich.
A care home? Not a lakeside lodge, not a fishing huta care home.
Zoe sat, clutching the receipt, feeling her world finish crumbling. Care homes were for those who couldnt manage on their own.
So, Andrew had someone ill. Someone he supported. Someone he visited every Saturday.
A wife? A mistress?
She didnt sleep all night, her mind running through the worst possibilities.
Morning brought a decision.
She would go herself. To Norwich. See for herself what secrets her husband was hiding.
On Friday, she took a day off. Said she had an appointment.
The drive to Norwich took three hoursthree hours to work herself into a state beyond imagining.
The home was small, tidy. The sign read: For People with Disabilities.
Disabled residents.
Her heart sank. Could Andrew be supporting a disabled person shed never known?
Who are you visiting? asked the nurse at reception.
I Would it be possible to see whos registered under Andrew Charles Parker?
Are you a relative?
Im his wife.
The nurse checked her records.
Natalie Parker, Room twelve. Go ahead.
Parker.
She has his surname.
Zoe stood before Room 12, paralysed. Behind that door lay the truthtruth shed both dreaded and sought for years.
Natalie Parker.
Sharing her husbands name.
Her hand shook on the handle.
May I come in?
The room was bright, smelled of medicines and flowers. By the window, in a wheelchair, sat a young womanthirty-five at most. Dark hair, slender.
And so much like Andrew.
Are you here for me? the woman asked, voice weak but kind.
I Im Zoe. Are you Natalie?
Yes. Have we met?
Had they? How do you answer that?
Im Andrew Parkers wife.
Natalies face changed instantly. She went pale, eyes wide.
Oh God, she whispered. You know everything?
I do now. Zoe stepped forward. Please, tell me.
I cant Dad asked me not to ever say.
Dad.
Zoes knees went weak. She sat heavily in the chair by the bed.
Hes your father?
Yes. Natalie burst into tears. Please, dont blame him. He said you couldnt ever know, that it would break your heart because you never had children.
Wait Zoe raised a hand. Lets just How old are you?
Thirty-four.
Thirty-four. Born a year before their wedding. When Andrew was seeing someone else.
And your mother?
Mum died two years ago. Cancer. Natalie wiped her tears. Dad supported us. Sent money, visited. When Mum passed, he found this home for me. Ive got cerebral palsy, I cant live alone.
Zoe was silent, trying to absorb it.
Her husband had a daughter. A disabled daughter. For thirty years she never knew.
Hes so good, Natalie sobbed. Every Saturday he comesfood, medicine. He talks about you. Says youre wonderful.
He talks about me?
All the time. My Zoe, shes the best wife in England. He really loves you.
Zoe gave a bitter laugh.
The best wife hes lied to for thirty years.
He hasnt lied! Natalie protested. He was scared. He thought youd leave him if you found out. Because Im not normal. Im a burden.
Youre not a burden.
To Mum, I was. Natalie whispered. She used to say, Better if you hadnt been born. But Dad never did. He said, Im his daughter, hes responsible.
A knock at the door interrupted them. The nurse stepped in.
Natalie, visitors! Lovely, she smiled, then noticed Zoes face. Everything alright?
All fine, Mrs Jenkins. This is Auntie Zoe.
Aunt Zoe.
Ohfantastic! Andrews told us so much about you! Said youre so caring and understanding.
Caring and understanding. Zoe, whod plotted a detective hunt, suspecting her husband of betrayal.
The nurse departed, leaving just the two of them.
Tell me about your mum, Zoe asked gently.
She was beautiful. Dad was with her until he met you. When they found out about me, Mum pushed him away. Told him not to waste his life on a sick child. She wanted him to find someone healthy. Someone like you.
And he left?
He wanted to stay. Marry Mum. She wouldnt let him. Told him not to stay out of pity, not for my sake. If you love someone else, go.
And then?
He married you. But he didnt abandon us. He helped with money, and visited as I grew up. Mum made him promise never to tell you. She was afraid youd split up because of us.
Zoe sat in silence. Shed envied mothers all her life, sobbed after every failed IVF. But her husband had a child. All along.
Why didnt he tell me? she whispered.
He was afraid. He knew you longed for children. If you found out he already had a childa disabled onehe thought youd hate him.
For what?
For lying. For spending money on me instead of your children. For stealing his time.
Natalie fell silent, then added barely aloud:
He really struggles with it. Every week he asks, How do I tell Zoe? How do I explain? I say, Maybe shell understand, Dad?
Footsteps sounded in the corridor. Heavy, steady.
Andrew.
Oh no, Natalie breathed. He doesnt know youre here!
The footsteps came closer.
Hello sweetheart! Andrews voice outside the door.
Zoe turned.
Andrew stood there, holding flowers and a shopping bag. He saw Zoe and dropped the bag, stunned.
Zoe? he choked. Howwhere did you?
Came to meet your daughter, Zoe replied, calm as she could.
Andrew went pale, clutching the doorframe.
How did you find out?
Your cover wasnt as good as you thought.
He stepped inside, shutting the door, slumped into a chair.
Right, he said, defeated. You know. Thats it.
I know.
Do you hate me?
Zoe looked from him to Natalie.
I dont know. Still trying to process it.
Whats there to process? Thirty years lying. Pretending to go fishing. Stealing family money.
Dad, stop! Natalie interjected. Auntie Zoe, hes a good man. He was just scared!
Zoe went to the window.
Outside was a typical English gardentrees, benches, pathways. Ordinary life.
In here, her life was falling apart and being patched together anew.
I need time to think, she said finally.
Zoe didnt speak to Andrew for three days. Not a word. He drifted round the house like a ghost, trying to start conversations, but she ignored him. Cooked, cleaned, but as if he didnt exist.
She thought.
She thought about thirty years of ignorance. About her stepdaughter. About how her husband feared honesty more than lies.
On Wednesday evening, she cracked.
Sit, she said to Andrew. Were talking.
He sat opposite, hands folded, awaiting his sentence.
I visited Natalie again, Zoe began. Had a proper talk.
And?
And I realised something. Youre an absolute fool, Andrew.
He flinched.
A fool for thinking Id turn away from a child whos ill. A fool for suffering alone for decades instead of sharing the burden.
Zoe
Dont interrupt. Im not finished. She paced the kitchen. You thought I was so cruel Id abandon you because of an ill child. Believed I was petty
No! I was just terrified of losing you!
And you very nearly did.
Andrew lowered his head.
Im sorry. I know I dont deserve forgiveness. But please.
Stand up.
He did.
Tomorrow, were going to see Natalietogether. Im going to speak with the doctors about moving her in with us.
Andrew blinked.
What?
You heard me. If shes my daughter nowthen she lives with her family.
But shes disabled; she needs care.
Well get a nurse. Adapt a room. Well figure it out. Zoe took his hands. You know what I wanted most these last thirty years?
A child.
A real family. And now I have one. Idiot husband, special daughterstill a family.
Andrew cried. Zoe had never seen him weep like that.
You mean it? Youll accept her?
I already have. I bought pyjamas and shampoo for her yesterday. Well take it over tomorrow.
He hugged her, tightly.
I dont deserve you.
No, you dont, she agreed. But youll just have to put up with it. One rule, though: no more secrets. Ever.
I promise.
And another thing. I want Natalie to call me Mum. If Im going to be a mother, I want the whole thing.
A month later, Natalie moved in. She took the old box roomcosy, light. Zoe chose the wallpaper, curtains, duvet herself.
Mum, Natalie said on the first night, are you sure? Im such a burden
You say that word again and Ill slap you, Zoe warned. Youre not a burden. Youre my daughter. End of story.
That night, while Natalie slept, Andrew and Zoe sat in the kitchen with their tea.
You know, said Zoe, I feel like lifes only just begun.
At sixty?
Absolutely. Now were a true family. Not just a husband and wife quietly growing old together. Were parents. We have a daughter to lift up.
Andrew nodded.
Thank you.
Dont thank me. Just promise youll never be too afraid to tell me anything.
I wont.
From Natalies room, the sound of gentle laughter drifted out as she watched a comedy on her tablet.
And it was the most beautiful sound in the world.
