Another Child
Susan dragged herself back to her flat after work, stepping into those empty rooms. Shed switch on the telly straight away, turning up the volume, pretending someone was home. Her daughter, Emily, had already married and moved out. And her husband well, Mark had left her for a younger woman.
Susan still couldnt believe Mark had betrayed her. Twenty-four years together, no rows, no bitterness. Theyd even talked about celebrating their silver wedding anniversary at a nice restaurant. But fate had other plansall their dreams had crumbled.
“Mum, I never thought Dad would do something like this,” Emily had sobbed. “Im furious with him. I wont speak to him again.”
“Love, dont do that,” Susan had urged. “He left me, not you. Youre his daughter, and he still loves you. Dont cut ties because of me.”
She didnt want Emily to turn against her father. Deep down, Susan blamed herself. Maybe she hadnt loved him enough, hadnt paid enough attention. Perhaps shed focused too much on her career and not enough on family.
Mark had met a younger woman at a pub, out with his mates after work, sipping a pint. Their eyes had lockedhers were brown, sparkling with mischief. Something about that look stuck with him. Hed walked over, introduced himself. Alice hadnt minded. Before he knew it, he was at her rented flat. Then things spiralledhe fell hard.
He couldnt keep it from Susan forever. Shed already guessed, and the confrontation was ugly. Mark confessed.
“Sue, Ive fallen for someone else. I know Ive hurt you, but I wont lie to you.” It was brutal, but she forced herself to stay composed.
One evening, Susan had just changed out of her work clothes when her phone rang. Her sister, Claire.
“Hi Sue, you home? Need to talkIll pop round.”
“Just got in. Come over,” Susan said, relieved she wouldnt spend another evening alone.
Claire burst in, loud as ever, arms full of shopping bags. She hugged Susan, then started unpackingposh cheeses, wine, the works. Susan frowned.
“Claire, whats all this? Celebrating something?”
“Hardly,” Claire scoffed. “My Lilys pregnant. Bloody idiotshes not even eighteen yet.”
“Seriously?” Susan blinked. “She turns eighteen in a few months, doesnt she?”
“Thats the pointthree months too late. Shes too far along to do anything about it. Raised her right, didnt I? And now she cant even get married properly. The lad she was seeing bolted soon as he found out. Doesnt want the baby. Neither does she, frankly. Neither do I.”
Susan listened, uneasy.
“How far along is she? Had a scan?”
“Yeah, its a girl. Probably just as wild as her mum,” Claire snapped, lighting a cigarette.
“Claire let me take the baby. Dont leave her at the hospital. Ive got the flat, a good job, decent salary.”
“Dont be daft,” Claire snorted. “What happens when she grows up and you tell her the truth?”
“I wont. Shell be my daughter. Shell never know unless you or Lily blab.”
It took hours, but Susan finally convinced her. Then came another problemadoption required a two-parent household. Mark had left, but they werent divorced yet. Neither had bothered with the paperwork. Susan racked her brainsshe couldnt ask Mark. He had his new life now.
Lily gave birth to a healthy baby girl, signed the papers without even looking at her. Susan filed for guardianship. An old friend who worked in social services helped fast-track the process. She named the baby Ruby.
Once Ruby was home, Susan took leave but refused to quit her jobher salary was too good, and shed worked too hard for her managers position. She rang her mum, Helen, who lived nearby. Widowed two years ago, Helen had been a nurse.
“Mum, I need to talk. Urgently.”
“On my way, love.”
When Helen arrived, she froze at the sight of the newborn in the cot.
“Susanwhose baby is this? When did this happen?”
Helen knew nothing. Claire hadnt breathed a word about Lilys mess, and Susan had kept quiet, assuming Claire would explain. But she never didbarely spoke to their mum these days.
“Sit down, Mum.” Susan poured her a cup of tea. “Drink this. Ill explain.”
Helen was stunned. Her youngest daughter had let this happen?
“How, Sue? Your father and I raised you both the same. We loved Claire even moreshe was the baby!”
Once Helen had calmed down, Susan made her plea.
“Mum, I need your help. Rubys your great-granddaughter. Youre fit as a fiddle. I dont want to quit workmy salarys too good. Could you look after her? I could hire a nanny, but why pay a stranger?”
“Love, dont twist my arm. Of course Ill help. Youll be a wonderful mother, and Id love to be part of this.”
Susan hugged her. “Thank you.”
They avoided mentioning Claire. She never called, never asked about Ruby. But when Emily visited, she was thrilled.
“Rubys my little sister now! Shes gorgeous!”
Ruby grew up bright and kind. Helen and Susan poured love into her. By four, she could name every chess piece.
**His New Life Hadnt Worked Out**
Ruby turned five. Susan threw a party at a local caféanimator, kids from nursery, the works. Ruby beamed all day. Back home, the doorbell rang.
Mark stood there, looking wretched. Susan understood instantlyhis new life had failed.
“Hi. Can I come in?”
“Sure.” Ruby darted into the hallway. “Its my birthday today! Who are you?”
“Rubys five,” Susan said. “My daughter, in case you didnt know.”
“Emily told me.” He stepped out, returned with a huge boxa giant doll.
“Wow! Thank you!” Ruby dashed off.
Susan made tea, sliced the leftover cake.
“You look radiant, Sue. Can I visit? I left Aliceshe wasnt right for me. Been alone nearly two years.”
“I have a daughter now. Shes not yours.”
“But I love you more for it. If youd let Claire abandon Ruby, Id think less of you. Id love for her to call me Dad.”
After a long pause, Susan agreed. Mark visited oftenhelping financially, taking Ruby swimming and to dance class. Susan marvelled at how he managed it all while working.
One day, after Rubys recital, they sat drinking tea with cake Mark had brought. Ruby suddenly piped up:
“Dad, I really wanted you and Mum to watch me today.”
Mark nearly choked. Shed called him Dad. He scooped her up, spinning her.
“Youre my girl now. Were a family, right, Sue?” He looked at her hopefully.
“Yay! And youre not leaving again, Dad?” Ruby giggled.
“Never. Youre my girls.”
They formalised Rubys adoptionafter all, theyd never divorced. Just in case Claire or Lily ever came to their senses though Susan doubted it.
