William settled comfortably at his desk with his laptop and a fresh mug of tea. There were a few things he needed to finish off. Suddenly, his phone rang, pulling him from his thoughts. The number was unknown.
Hello, William speaking.
William Davidson? This is the maternity hospital calling. Are you acquainted with Anna Smith? asked an elderly man, judging by his voice.
No, I dont know anyone called Anna Smith. Whats this about? William replied, confused.
The thing is, Anna passed away yesterday while giving birth. Weve spoken to her mother. Shes told us youre the father of the child, the mans voice trailed off, waiting for a response.
What child? What do you mean Im a father? I dont understand, William started to feel uneasy.
Anna gave birth to a baby girl. Yesterday. And youre her father. If you are William David Davidson. You need to come to the hospital tomorrow. There are decisions to be made the man spoke slowly and clearly.
What decisions? William was still at a loss.
Come down to the hospital on Kings Road tomorrow. Ask for Nicholas Peterson. Thats me. Well discuss it all then.
William stood there, phone in hand, listening to the dial tone. Eventually, he put it aside and tried to process what hed just heard.
Anna Anna who? he muttered, pacing the room. No, this doesnt make any sense Wait, let me think. How long are women pregnant for? Nine months, isnt it? Nine months ago its May now, so back then it was September. What happened in September?
He stared down at his mug of tea, wrinkled his nose, and put it back on the desk. He could have done with something stronger.
In September I was in Brighton, the memory hit him all of a sudden, and the scene snapped into focus. Two weeks on the coast Thats it! Anna!
William only vaguely remembered her now. Fair-haired, blue-eyed, he thought But how many Annas had there been? Did he really have to remember each one? William had never been married, even at forty, and hadnt planned to settle down. Kids had never crossed his mindnot ever. His life was set in its ways, and he wasnt about to turn it upside down because of some Anna
But shes dead now It echoed in his head.
How could she have died? he wondered aloud, glancing up at the ceiling as though expecting answers. She couldnt have been more than twenty
A cigarette wouldve helped, but hed quit. A strange feeling grew inside: pity, confusion, regrethe couldnt tell.
A child he said aloud again, as if talking to an invisible listener. Her mother can take care of her. Shes the grandmother, after all. And who says the childs even mine?
William had already made up his mind. Hed go to the hospital, meet the doctor, sign whatever was needed to disclaim responsibility, and get on with life. Just as before.
Even with his decision made, sleep wouldnt come easily. His mind ran in circles, and something restless stirred in his chest
He pictured Annas lifeless body and the thought crushed him. He swallowed hard, but couldnt quell the ache rising in his throat. He was completely seized by this feelingan ache that reached right through him. His eyes stung He remembered her. He remembered how she laughed. How she dashed along the seashore. How she looked at him, head over heels. That funny girl hed forgotten the moment he got home. Now she was lying in a hospital mortuary That was her body hed seen
William shot out into the corridor. With a gesture, he asked Nicholas Peterson for a moment alone.
He begged a cigarette off the first person he saw, inhaled greedily on the hospital steps, tossed it away, and strode back toward the doctors office.
Would you like to meet your daughter? Nicholas Peterson asked.
No. Id prefer to speak with Annas mother first. Where is she? William said, his eyes fixed on the doctor.
Shes waiting in the corridor. You just walked past her.
Right, Ill be back, William murmured, hurrying out.
He immediately spotted a slight woman in a black scarf sitting a little further down. In three steps, he was beside her.
Good afternoon, William managed, awkwardly.
Annas mother looked up. William nearly drowned in the sorrow that filled her eyes.
She looks so much like Anna, he thought unexpectedly, theyre identical.
My names Vera. Vera Davidson, she said quietly. Im Annas mum.
Im William. William Davidson, too, he replied, though there was no need.
I know. Anna told me about you. Shell never get to tell me anything again, Veras voice broke and she began to cry.
William was lost. He just stood there, clueless as to what to do, or what he was expected to do.
Vera wiped her tears and said,
Please, dont turn your back on your daughter. I cant let my own flesh and blood end up in a childrens home! You understand, dont you?
But why a childrens home? Youre her grandmother. Surely, theyll let you take her? William tried to reassure her, thinking, She hardly looks old enough to be a grandmother More like my age
They wont let me Ive got a medical condition. A heart problem Just acknowledge youre her father! Ill raise her myself, I wont ask anything of you, please! Vera implored, her hands stretched pleadingly toward him.
Lets go, William said, leading her back to the doctor.
Nicholas Peterson looked up from his paperwork.
What do I need to do to acknowledge paternity? William asked, nervous.
A DNA test, Nicholas answered, peering over his glasses. Have you decided on a name?
A name for whom? William still struggled to keep up.
For your daughter, the doctor smiled.
Would you like to see her? asked the doctor.
William sighed, looked at Vera, and quietly said,
No, I dont.
The formalities were handled surprisingly quickly. The test proved she was his. William had no idea what to do next, how this would fit into his life. He was completely unprepared for a child. But equally, he couldnt just leave her with Vera and turn away.
He couldnt bring himself to call the little girl his DAUGHTER. Just the child.
Ill help where I can. Ill send money, buy a pram, whatever they need, he decided before the baby was to be discharged.
When William finally saw the nurse carrying a pink, frilly bundle, his mouth went dry.
Vera took the bundle, brushed aside the lace, and asked,
Do you want to see her?
William didnt have time to answer. The office door burst open and Nicholas Peterson asked Vera to step inside for a moment.
Vera handed the bundle to William and disappeared inside.
He froze. Couldnt speak, couldnt even move. The bundle was warm in his hands and smelled sweet, impossibly sweet. Suddenly, it wriggled and made a sound like a kitten, then burst into a piercing cry. Startled, William glanced downand saw himself. The baby was his spitting image! He stared at the little girl and saw his own face
Feeling weak, William sank into a nearby chair, gently swaying her back and forth. She quietened and then gazed up at him, as if smiling.
A moment later, the young grandmother stepped out of the office.
Let me hold her, Vera held out her arms.
Ill keep her, William blurted out. She just smiled at me! He beamed the fullest, happiest smile of his life. Lets go home, Vera, he said softly. Then, firmly, Were going homeall three of us, together.Veras hands trembled; relief and disbelief overtook her grief. She pressed a grateful hand to her chest, speechless.
For a moment, the hospital corridor faded away, replaced by a quiet certainty William had never known. He cradled the tiny bundle, feeling a tentative courage flicker inside him, an unfamiliar tenderness filling the space where fear had been.
Well figure it out, he whispered, more to himself than anyone, surprised by how right it felt to say.
The babys fingers curled instinctively around his. She blinked up at him, her gaze steady and searching, as if daring him to run from this new life.
He smiled back, feeling a gentle weight settle upon his shouldersnot a burden, but a promise. As Vera drew close, her face softened by hope, William knew thatfor the first timehe was truly part of something.
They stepped out into the sunlight together, the world unchanged and yet completely new. William took his first, uncertain step as a father, the small hand in his own guiding the way. And as they walked, the tiny girl tucked close to his heart, he realized that sometimes lifes unexpected turns lead exactly where youre meant to be.
