They stepped out of the maternity ward together, just the two of them. No one met them, no camera flashes, no bouquets. And anyway, it would look rather oddflowers, for a man
No, his mother was alive, nothing tragic there. Unless you count the fact that she simply didnt want the child. Not at all. She told her husband straightaway, with nothing hidden. Yet hed pleaded, pressed, even resorted to a few veiled threats.
After all, he was nearly forty now, and still no children. What if this was his only chance to have a legacy? So they struck a deal She gave birth, they divorced right then and there, and she readily agreed to pay child maintenance.
Simon was first inclined to refuse, pride swelling up in his chest. But his ex-wife advised, Life is long. Anything can happen. Youre not a youngster anymore, while Im quite a bit younger than you. I dont want the child, but hes still my son, and youll need a safety net someday. Just in case
Restless days followed, but Simon remained unruffled. So many single mums all round! Why was he any different? There were plenty of lads raised by hand, after all What was the trouble, as if children in a fathers care must wilt? Not at all; little Thomas Simon grew, gained weight, and was a thoroughly happy child.
But as Thomas grew older, came the curious questionsabout his mother. And how do you tell a child his mother wanted nothing to do with him? Simon awkwardly dodged:
I found you in a basement.
What basement?
That one, in the building next door.
From then on, the basement became a magnetic pull for Thomas. On walks, slipping away from his distracted father, the boy peeked through cellar grates, calling softly for Mum. Silence always replied
But one day one day Thomas heard something! His heart stopped, then pounded so loudly it drowned out all other sounds.
The door to the block stood ajar, and Thomas bolted for the basement. It was inky darkness at first, but his eyes soon adapted. He pressed deeper, trying to call out, but a knot in his throat stifled himhe could only whisper through tears:
Mum? Mummy, are you there? Its meThomas Ive come for you!
But Mum didnt answer. Thomas stopped, sobbed again and tried to listen. A faint rustle tickled his ears from a corner, and, wiping away muck and tears, he went towards it.
Surely Mum must be ill, he thought. Otherwise, shed have come out long ago and surely found me. But it wont matter now; hed find his mother himself, and shed be so happy, ever so happy!
On he went through his tears, smiling through the gentle sobs. Everyone else he knew had a mumat last, he would too! But tucked in the corner among rags, all that awaited was a cat. A wary tabby stared at the uninvited guest, carefully shielding her kitten.
Mum?
Disappointment nearly split Thomas in two; his legs gave way and he slumped onto the floor. Then, head lifting, he peered back at the cat
When youre just five, your mind works differently. Logic is another animal entirely. Sometimes, its far more honest and clear than adult sense.
Thomas pondered over the cat. He recalled little Hope from his nursery group, who bragged about her glorious mane of hair and swore her dad was a centaur. And Anton had proved, or so he swore, that his father was from Mars. So why couldnt a cat be his mum?
The cat sussed him out at oncethis boy was harmless, to her and to her kitten. Cautiously, she stepped closer and rubbed her ear against his small hand.
So you are my mum, arent you?
Thomas asked it with such hope, so much belief that even he was convinced. Hed have boxed the ears of anyone who dared contradict him. The boy hugged the cat, who wrapped her paws back round him.
Simon didnt notice his sons absence right away, but when he did, he called out instantly. Thomas gave no answer. Simon scrambled across the playground, checked under every bush, grew frantic.
Thomaaas! Tommy, come on out! Tom, where are you?
The minutes ticked by, stretching out and leaving Simon that much grayer, until at last Thomas emerged from the cellar.
He strolled slow, clutching the cat and her kitten to his chest, and when his father rushed over, announced:
I found my mum. And, I think, this is my sister They were in the cellar, where you found me.
Simon was taken aback, utterly speechless. Should he lay out the truth? But how? How do you explain such things? In the end, he simply went along.
And how do you know shes your mum?
Thomas shrugged.
I just know She looked at me, thats how! Dad, lets head home. I think Mums tired.
Thomas was over the moon. Now, at last, hed found his mum! Never mind that sister turned out to be a brotherthat was even better. Now they could play proper boy games, and at bedtime, their mum would purr them a story.
At nursery, others took it in stride. So what if your mums a cat? Kesha had shown everyone a picture of his dad, an aeroplane.
Simon fretted for ages, not knowing how to broach the subject, how to reveal whats what. Eventually, seeing Thomas so content, he let it be. Things had a way of sorting themselves out
At home, the place turned topsy-turvy. Thomas, the cat, and the kitten leapt and romped, overturning every cushion and chair. The cat herself, still young, was up for all their mischief.
You lot will be the death of me! Simon scolded, setting things back in place.
Thomas, with a bit of shoelace clenched in his fist, the kitten and the cat all glanced at Simon and at each other They shrugged in unison and galloped off to trouble Dad some more. And why not? Mum had said it was fine!
