Victor Gregory had been keeping an eye on Oliver without him noticing. Not that it was surprising Victor had spent years in professional surveillance roles. But so far, there were no leads. Oliver never brought anyone home, never acted suspiciously. Still, Victor knew betterhe just had to wait, and Oliver would slip up. His instincts had never failed him before.
This mattered deeply because it was personal. His family. His own flesh and blood. He remembered when little Emily was bornhow disappointed hed been that she wasnt a son. He hadnt shown it, of course, but something inside him had twisted. A girl! Him, a respected man, with a daughter instead of a boy. Who would he share a pint with when times got tough? Who would he teach to be strong, to be a proper man?
But thenwell, it was too late now. Hed married late, always too busy with work, and women never liked the long hours. Then he met LucyLucy, who was nearly forty herselfso dreaming of a son was pointless.
And then, unexpectedly, he was completely smitten. He didnt even realize it happening. The first time Emily smiled at him, the first time her tiny fingers grabbed his nosehe was done for. Then came the day she wobbled on unsteady legs, suddenly excited by something, and ran to him shouting, *”Daddy! Daddy!”* He swept her into his arms, held her close. That was the moment he knewthis little girl was his whole world now. His star. His joy. Hed never let anyone hurt her.
Lucy would laugh, *”Victor, you spoil us!”* And he did. He loved buying gifts for his girls, watching their eyes light up.
But how had time flown so fast? It felt like yesterday he was walking Emily to nursery, her small hand clutching his, her blonde head tilting back as she gazed up at him. *”Daddy, youre so tall! Will you buy me a teddy?”* Shed look at him like he could move mountains. Now shed finished school, enrolled in university, and taken a joball her own decision. *”Dad, its time I stood on my own feet. Working will give me experiencewhy waste time?”* He swelled with pride. His clever girl.
Then, one evening, Lucy baked a pie, her eyes twinkling like she had a secret. Victor thought maybe the girls were planning to ask him for something. But no.
*”Dad,”* Emily said, brushing invisible dust off his shoulder. *”Theres someone I want you and Mum to meet. Justdont overreact. Olivers lovely. Were thinking of registering soon. Hes coming over for tea tonightoh, thats him at the door now!”*
Lucy answered first. *”Good evening! Come in. Lovely to meet you, Oliver. Im Lucy. And this is Emilys father, Victor.”* Victor nodded, shook Olivers hand, his mouth suddenly dry.
This man was here to take his daughter. His Emily. A stranger, walking into his home to steal her away.
Another voicereasonwhispered, *”What did you expect? Dont you want her happy? Hes a good lad, firm handshake. Or did you think shed live with you forever?”*
But Victor wasnt listening. He decided right thenOliver wasnt good enough. And just like that, a plan formed. Hed test him.
For weeks, after dropping Emily home, Victor would tail Oliver in his work car, pretending he had late shifts. What if he had another woman? What if he wasnt what he seemed?
Then, finallyproof. A woman and a little girl approached Olivers flat. He kissed her, took her bag, held the girls hand. They disappeared inside. *Ah-ha!*
But thenEmily met him at the door, beaming. *”Dad, the weddings next week! We booked the café today. Im so happy!”*
Victor stared, guilty. He should be ashamed. And then
*”Olivers parents are coming tomorrow. Theyll stop by in the evening to meet you. His sister and niece were visiting tonightNatalie, from out of town. Her husbands away on business.”*
At the wedding, Victor danced with Lucy like a young man again. Hed had enough of suspicionno sense mixing work with life.
A year later, Emily gave birth to a grandson. *Little George.* VictorGranddad noweven cried. Dreams did come true. Now he had someone to share a pint with, someone to teach. Oliver turned out to be a fine man.
And soon, little George would be running, babbling. Before he knew it, the boy would be talking. That was lifes true joy.
As for spying on Oliver? Victor decided never to mention it. You had to trust family.
