When Lucy went into labour, Simon was away long-haul driving again.
A few days later, tired but eager, he drove straight to the hospital without stopping at home. But there he was hit with shattering newsthe staff told him that his wife had signed away all rights to their newborn twin boys. She had insisted that she didnt want her older children, let alone two more, and had simply left. Simon, despite his doubts about his paternity, was livid.
Lucys crossed every line!
When he dashed home, she was already gone, leaving their three-year-old twins, Tom and Andrew, with Simons elderly grandmother, Vera. Now Simon was at a lossVera was the only family he had left, and she was well past her prime. But the thought of sending the boys to care was shameful, so on a friends advice, he decided to hire a neighbour to help with the children. Thankfully, Simon earned a good living as a lorry driver and could comfortably afford a nanny.
One bright morning, Simon knocked next door. Mary, the neighbours nineteen-year-old daughter, was shy but capable and worked in a local nursery. She hesitated at first, overwhelmed by the responsibility, but Simon persuaded her. Mary left her job, and together with Simon, brought the infantsDavid and Danielhome from the hospital. She moved in, as the babies needed around-the-clock care. Simon, unfortunately, was no use with nappies or baths, claiming he was a working man, not a childminder. It was tough for Mary, juggling two infants and two lively toddlers, but the younger twins were calm, feeding quietly and napping swaddled in their cots. Mary even found time to read childcare books and learn baby massage and exercises for healthy growth.
Their local nurse, Natalie, regularly popped in to share advice and help Mary learn the ropes. At first, Mary nearly gave upafraid shed make mistakesbut soon she grew attached, loving the boys as her own. Simon never stayed home long between trips, but when he was back, the six of them became a little family: Simon, Mary, and the four boystwin whirlwinds and two round-faced babies. They found comfort in each other, planning shopping trips for the lads, sprawling together on the sofa, laughing and tossing babies in the air, until one morning, Simon and Mary woke up to find themselves sharing the same bed.
One week later, they applied to marry at the registry office. By then, Simon had finalised his divorce and Lucy had lost all parental rights. No ones warnings swayed Marynot her parents, nor her friends, who muttered that Simon was only using her, that she was setting herself up for disappointment. But Mary adored her boys, was fond of Simon, and believed she was needed. She was sure Simon would value and love her, and wouldnt run offsurely not with four children.
Their wedding was humble, just close friends, no white dress or veilSimon thought all that unnecessary, and Mary didnt insist. That wasnt what mattered. They just wanted happiness.
But true happiness proved elusive. Simon soon showed he wasnt much of a husband; at home, he shirked housework and parenting, grumbling that he needed his rest after trips and enjoying one too many pints. He was away more often and gave little money for the household, leaving Mary to beg for enough to buy nappies or apples for the boys. If she tried to protest, his reply was harsh: If you dont like it, you can leave. But Mary couldnt abandon the childrenthey meant everything to her.
Two years passed like this. Then, one day, Simon came home after a run, ate his fill, and sat down heavily on the sofa, calling Mary over.
I wont beat around the bush, he said gruffly. Ive got another woman. She lives in the next village. I see her more than I see you, and we have a baby on the way. Im marrying her. I want a divorce. Sorry, but thats it.
Mary froze at the cold finality of those words. Where did that leave herand the children?
I wont let you take the boys from me, she whispered.
Fine by me. Ill have my own child.
Your own? And what are they, then? Mary gasped, trembling with anger.
Dont start lecturing me now, miss nursery nurse. I just want the divorce.
Alright, but only if you give me permission to adopt themand never tell them Im not their real mum.
Simon shrugged. Promise you wont bad-mouth me to the boys. They deserve to respect their father.
They divorced quickly and quietly. Mary told the boys their dad had gone overseas for work, building tall houses for the poor and would be away for a long time. She sold their house, bought another in a nearby town, and Simon didnt object. Mary didnt want anyone revealing the truththat the boys werent her flesh and blood.
Mary had finished hairdressing courses after school, and soon started trimming the neighbours hair. Her reputation grew, and people kept coming for her golden touch and kind heart. She made enough for the family to live comfortably, never expecting a penny from Simon.
Mum, is Dad coming back from his faraway job soon? Will he see us off to school in September? Andrew and Tom packed their school bags, carefully dividing pens and pencils. They were excited to show off their reading and drawing skills to their teacher. Mary put the schoolbags out of reach of David and Daniel, shook her head and smiled:
No, my loves. Dad has lots more houses to build.
Simon never rang or visited, and Mary neither knew nor cared about his whereabouts. Her boys were her world. Together, they learned to read, sang songs, played football and splashed in cold water on chilly mornings. In the evenings, theyd gather for tea, inventing funny stories together. After the boys fell asleep, Mary would write the stories in a thick notebook, imagining her grown sons one day laughing over the tales with their own children, recalling these happy evenings.
Jack and the Grey Wolf swept out the barn, gathered flour and baked a cakeJack hopped on his horse and took the cake to the princess
But when the princess tasted a piece, she turned into a little dogAnd joined the circusThen a magician reversed the spell!
Years went by. The boys grew up. The older twins married and made Mary a grandmother; the younger boys went to university. Every weekend the family gatheredcooking feasts, sipping tea and reading Mums Book of Tales, everyone laughing like children.
One significant weekend, it was David and Daniels birthday. The weather was warm. Outside, music played and a big table was set up. Daughters-in-law busied themselves in the kitchen, the men grilled burgers, and Kate and JuliaDavids and Daniels girlfriendslaid out the dishes. Mary leant against the doorframe, smiling, thinking how lucky she was.
So lost in thought was she, watching her family, that she hardly noticed the old man who shuffled into the garden. In a worn shirt, tracksuit bottoms, and old trainers on bare feet, he strutted round, then announced,
Ha! No one going to greet their old dad?
Everyone fell silent. Mary gasped, barely recognising Simon in the bedraggled figure, smelling heavily of stale beer. Simon staggered towards David, then Daniel, but they recoiled from the stranger.
Mary, tell them! Im their father! They ought to show respect! You promised!
Mary stared, horrified, unsure how to explain. How could she tell her sons that their hero dadbuilding cities for the needy abroadwas just a lonely drunk who once abandoned them?
Nobody spoke. They glanced uncertainly from Simon to Mary. At last, Andrew blurted out:
Show respect to our father? Whereve you been all these years, dad? You really think we dont see whats what? Its our mum who deserves all the respect. She raised us singlehanded and taught us how to live.
Our mum? Shes not your mother, just a nanny! Simon barked.
Marys vision blurred with tears. She turned away, walked to her room where her grandchildren slept peacefully, sat on the bed and covered her face. It felt as though her happiness had ended. She wept.
The bedroom door opened quietly. Mary looked up, tear-streaked, and saw her four sonsgrown men now, strong and handsomestanding together, arms around each other, smiling. In Andrews hand was Mums Book of Tales. He handed it to Mary, and she saw on the last page, scrawled in bold letters:
And they all lived happily ever after, because with them was their mumthe most wonderful and loved in the world!
There, Mary understood: True family is built by love and care, not by blood alone.
