**Diary Entry**
Victor Greyson had been keeping an eye on Oliver without him ever realicing. Not that it was surprisingVictor had spent years in the right positions; he was a professional. So far, though, thered been no slip-ups. Oliver never brought anyone home, never did anything suspicious. But he wouldnt fool Victor. He knew patience was keysooner or later, Oliver would make a mistake. His instincts had never failed him before.
This mattered deeply to him. It was personal. It concerned himVictor Greysonand his family. Oh, how perfect life had been when little Eleanor was small! When she was born, hed been disappointed she wasnt a boy. Of course, hed never let it show, but something inside him had rankleda *girl*. Him, a respected man, and suddenly a daughter instead of a son! Who would he talk to, man to man, when things got hard? Who would he teach, mould into someone worthy?
And then just a girl. Hed married latework had always come first, and women never liked the hours he kept. Then he met Lucyhis *Love*! But Lucy was nearing forty, too. Too late now for a son.
Then, something unexpected happened. Without even realising it, Victor had been utterly charmed by his little girl. The first time she smiled at him, the first time her tiny fingers wrapped around his nose, he was done for. And when she took her first unsteady steps, suddenly excited by something, and ran to him, shouting, Daddy, Daddy!he scooped her up, pressed her close, and knew then that her happiness was all that mattered. His little girl, his star. Hed *never* let anyone hurt her.
Lucy would laugh. Vic, you spoil us! And he didbuying gifts just to see their delighted faces.
How had Eleanor grown up so fast? It felt like yesterday she was clutching his hand on the way to nursery, tilting her little head back to gaze up at him. Daddy, youre so *big*! Will you buy me a teddy? *Please*? The way she looked at him made him feel invincible. Now here she wasfinished school, enrolled in university part-time, working. Dad, its time I stood on my own feet, shed said. Work will give me experiencewhy waste time? And Victor had swelled with pride. His Eleanorso clever.
Then, disaster. Lucy baked a pie, eyes twinkling like she had a secret. Victor thought maybe the girls wanted somethingmoney, perhaps. But no. It was something he hadnt even considered. Too soonEleanor had only just turned twenty.
Dad, she smiled, brushing invisible dust off his shoulder. I want you and Mum to meet someone. Dont freak outOlivers lovely. Were thinking of getting married. Hes coming for tea tonight. Thenthe doorbell. Lucy answered first. Good evening! Come inlovely to meet you, Oliver. Im Lucy. This is Eleanors father, Victor.
Victor nodded, shook Olivers hand, his mouth dry. This man was here to take his little girl away. A stranger, stealing his Eleanor!
Another voice, the voice of reason, whispered: *What did you expect? Dont you want her happy? He seems decentfirm handshake. Or should she stay with you forever?*
But Victor wasnt listening. Oliver *wasnt* good enough. Full stop. So he devised a planhed *check* this boy.
For weeks, he waited. After Eleanors evenings with Oliver, Victor would slip away, tailing him in his work car. *What if hes seeing someone else? What if hes hiding something?*
Thenproof. Outside Olivers flat, a woman with a little girl approached. Oliver kissed her, took her bag, held the childs handthen disappeared inside. *There it was!*
But Eleanor was glowing when he saw her next. Dad, the weddings in a week! We booked the café todayIm *so* happy. Victor stared, guilt twisting in his chest.
Then she added, Olivers parents are visiting tomorrow. Theyll stay at his placehis sister and niece came tonight. Her husbands away, but hell join later.
At the wedding, Victor danced with Lucy like a young man. Maybe suspicion was pointless. Maybe hed blurred work and life too much.
A year later, Eleanor gave him a grandson. *Little Samuel.* Victornow a grandfatherwept. Dreams *did* come true. Now he had someone to talk to, man to man. Oliver turned out to be a good sort, after all. And little Sam? Already babbling, soon to walk. *This* was joy.
As for following Oliver? Victor decided hed take that secret to the grave. You had to trust family.
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