Coincidences Never Happen
Its been nearly four years since Mum passed away, but I still remember the bitterness and unbearable ache inside me. The emptiness was especially sharp that evening after the funeral. My dad, Arthur, sat crumpled by grief, and I was already exhausted from crying. A heavy silence filled our large, well-built house.
I was sixteen then, fully aware of how much it hurt for both of us. The three of us had always been so happy together. Dad put an arm around my shoulders and said quietly, We have to keep moving forward, love. Somehow, we have to get used to this.
Time moved on. I trained as a nurse and had recently started working at the village surgery. I lived alone now; my dad had remarried a year ago and lived in the next village with his new wife. I harboured no resentment. Life moves on, and one day Id get married too. Dad was still young.
I stepped off the bus in a lovely dress and good shoes; it was my fathers birthday, the only real family I had left.
Hello, Dad, I said with a bright smile. We shared a warm hug in the garden, and I handed him his present. Happy birthday!
Hello, pet, he smiled back. Come on in, the tables all set.
Lucy, at last! called out Katherine from the kitchenshe was Dads new wife now. My two have been famished.
Dad had been with Katherine for a year now. She had a daughter, Megan, thirteen, who was frankly rather unpleasant, as well as a ten-year-old son. I hardly visited; this was just my second time all year. Megan always seemed impossible, never shy about her language, and her mum couldnt care less.
After the birthday wishes and pleasant chit chat, Katherine turned to me with her endless questions.
Got yourself a boyfriend then? she asked.
I do, yes, I replied.
So, are you planning a wedding? she pressed.
I flushed a bit at her bluntness. Well well see, I muttered.
Thing is, Lucy, Katherine forced a thin smile, me and your dad have talked, and from now on he wont be sending you money. Theres just too much going out to you and weve got a big family to look after. Youre a grown woman now, youve got a jobperhaps its time to think about a husband supporting you. Your dads got a new family now and has to put us first
Hold on, Dad tried to interrupt, that wasnt quite how we said it. I told you I send Lucy less than I do everyone else
But Katherine cut him off, almost shouting, She treats you like a cash machine, and were supposed to suffer for it!
Dad fell silent, looking ashamed. I felt sick and excused myself, heading outside to sit on the bench. Any hope for a happy birthday was gone. Megan followed, slumped down beside me.
Youre rather pretty, she said. I nodded, not wanting to talk. Dont mind my mum, shes only nasty because shes pregnant, Megan added with a sly smirk. You just waityoull see what shes really like. She laughed and ran back inside.
I got up and left. Glancing back, I saw Dad watching from the doorway as I walked away. Three days later, he turned up at my house with Katherine unexpectedly.
You caught me off guard, I said as I welcomed them in. Fancy a cuppa?
Katherine looked all around, wandering through the house. This is a solid house. You don’t see many like it in the village.
My dads handy; built a lot of it himself with Uncle Bill, didnt you, Dad?
Oh, stop it, love, he grumbled modestly. Just did it for the family.
I know that, Katherine chimed in. Im lucky with him. Weve actually come to talk about the house.
I instantly knew what she was after. Im not selling my share, I said, staring straight at her, then at Dad. I grew up here. It means too much to me.
Ooh, clever girl, she hissed with open venom, then elbowed Dad. Well?
Dad mumbled, Lucy, we need to sort this somehow. Theres five of us now, and a baby on the way. The house is just too small. If we sell, you can buy somewhere smaller, maybe, and if you havent enough, Ill help with a loan
Dad, I cant believe youre saying this!
Katherine exploded, He has a new family now! Its not your house anymore. Youre hogging too much space for one person. Time to move on.
Dont shout at me, I said, standing up. Id like you both to leave.
After they went, I felt truly awful. Of course Dad was entitled to happiness, just not at my expense. The house was my last link to Mum, and I wouldnt sell my share.
Later, Tom came round and was taken aback at my tear-stained face.
Whats happened, sweetheart? he asked.
I collapsed into his arms and poured out everything. Tom, ever steady from his job at the local police station, just listened, then calmly tried to reassure me.
Your dads a good man, Lucy. Hell never go against you. Its Katherineshes got him wrapped round her finger. Try not to worryIll get some solicitors on it from town. Just dont sign or sell anything.
Back home, Dad was restless. At first, life with Katherine was fine, but lately shed grown cold, always asking for more money, obsessed with selling the house. He was starting to regret his choices. Then Katherine announced her pregnancy.
That evening, Dad stepped out to ring me, wanting to make peace, when he overheard Katherine in the lounge on the phone.
She just wont budge, she was grumbling bitterly. Well have to push her harder. Ill convince him too. If not, Ill work something out with him.
Dad stepped in and asked, Who was that?
Oh, just a mate, she replied.
Dont lieyou were talking about the house.
She sat down, pulling a pitiful face. Her friends an estate agenthe can find a buyer. Lucy will be glad, shell get good money.
But I heard you say Ill work something out with him. What did you mean?
Ah, that was about the garagemaybe we can sell that too she lied glibly.
Dad believed her, and his suspicions faded.
One autumn evening, I was heading home late after my shift. Tom had promised to walk with me but got called out on an urgent case. I just wanted to get home quickly. Suddenly, a car pulled up. A big, rough-looking man got out and bundled me into the back seat. We sped off. I was terrified.
Who are you? What do you want? I sobbed. Youve made a mistake. But they just laughed.
Theres no such thing as coincidence, love, the man said coldly. Do what we say, and nothing will happen to you or your dad.
What does my father have to do with it?
Youre going to sign the house overbuyers are waiting. Do it, and you get your money in two days and move out.
This is illegalIm not signing anything. Ill call the police. I wont sell my home He struck me, and I tasted blood.
Were not scared of the police, or your boyfriend, he sneered. If you dont sign, youll both pay for it.
The car screeched to a halt at the edge of the village. The man shoved papers at me and shone a torch.
Sign heretry not to bleed on the contract. It goes to the solicitor in the morning.
At that instant, blue lights flashed behind. A patrol car, then another. The driver panicked and tried to escape, but in his hurry he swung into a ditch.
As it turned out, Tom had asked his mate Max to keep an eye on me when I worked late. Max saw me being dragged into the car, phoned Tom, and the force sprang into action.
Later, we learned the thug was Katherines lover, and she was carrying his child. The two of them had plotted to sell the house for a big profit, and I, unwilling to give up my share, was the last obstacle. Shed planned to get rid of Dad after.
Time has passed, and things are back where they should be. Dad divorced Katherine and moved back into the house. He runs his own small parts shop now. Evenings find the three of usDad, Tom, and mesat at the table together. For Dad, the old house has become twice as precious.
Dont worry, Dad, youll never be alone, I told him with a smile.
So, are you getting married, then? he replied, grin twitching.
Tom grinned at me. Ive proposed, and shes said yes. Weve put in the wedding notice and the big days soon.
Even after I move in with Tom, well visit you all the time, Dad. Well be living nearby
Dads eyes shimmered with tears as he looked at Mums photograph. Im sorry, love. I made a right mess of things. Forgive me.
Its alright, Dad. Everythings OK now. And itll only get better.
That chapter of my life taught me: never let anyone take away what truly matters to you, no matter the pressure. Family and home mean the world.
