Family Secret
I never liked going to see my grandmother. Even as a child, I could sense she didnt care for me, but for the life of me, I couldnt understand why my parents insisted on visiting her, and dragging me along every time.
That granny never missed a chance to make a sly remark about my bad blood, hinting that my mum would suffer because of me. Mum always stood up for me, insisting it wasnt true, but my grandmother wouldnt let it go.
She didnt spare my parents either. Every visit felt like a day ruined.
One time, things got especially uncomfortable when Mum and Dad left me alone while they argued loudly in the kitchen. With the door shut, I poked around the room and spotted a beautiful book. Picking it up, I realised it wasnt a book at all but a photo album. Some of the photos slipped out and scattered onto the carpet as I opened it.
I crouched to collect them, and thats when one photo grabbed my attentionMum hugging some man Id never seen before. He definitely wasnt Dad. They looked so happy and carefree.
Who could that be? I wondered.
Just then, Granny stormed in, spotted the photos in my hands, snatched them away, and shouted something at me.
I was stunned.
I glanced out at Mum and Dad. Dad said sharply, Come on, Edward, were going home. Grab your things.
So, I shrugged and followed them out.
Did I ask Mum about the photo right away? Of course not. Even at eight, I knew this was something to mention only when we were alone.
A few days later, I got my chance. But Mum just laughed at my question and insisted Id got muddledit wasnt her, just some old relative of Grannys. Her denial was obvious. Granny was her mother, after all, and it was entirely possible that she kept photos from Mums past, even ones shed rather forget. That sort of thing happens, doesnt it?
I searched for that album again, but it had vanished. Granny clearly hid it somewhere.
So, I began to suspect there might be a family secret at play. At least, thats what I wanted to think.
Time passed, the album never resurfaced, and eventually I let it all slip from my mind.
Ive fancied Emma for as long as I can rememberever since our first year at university. I remember the first time we crossed paths: I was hanging around outside with some mates, and she walked past with a friend. I watched her go, heart thumping, but she didnt even look my way. Later that day, I spotted her in a lecturefelt chuffed but never got up the nerve to talk to her. In all four years of uni, we only ever nodded to each other in passing. We werent even formally introduced.
Even today, we just nodded hello and Emma swept past.
So, thats who youre in love with, piped up Sophie, whod only joined our group this year but fit in straight away.
What gives you that idea? I tried to act nonchalant, still watching Emma as she drifted away.
Oh, I dont know. You only ever have eyes for her, not for me. And that daft grin you wear Sophie laughed.
I turned to her and sighed. Youve caught me out. What now?
Nothing, she grinned. Actually, if you like, I could introduce you, set up a little date? Honestly, it looks like youre pining from afar.
No! I said immediately. Dont you dare.
Why not? Are you scared? Sophie raised an eyebrow, smirking. Didnt think youd chicken out
I am not scared!
Alright then. No big deal. Sophie shrugged and we moved on, but I was definitely relieved she let it drop.
Later on, Sophie rang. Our friend had changed the venue for his birthday drinks, apparently. Can you say that again, Sophie? Where is it? I scribbled the address down. Do you know why the change of plan?
She didnt know, and hung up, leaving me a bit lost, trying to figure out where in London this restaurant was, and how to get there.
How odd I muttered. Strange.
With just an hour to go, and the pub now halfway across the city, there was nothing for it but to get moving.
To my surprise, when I arrived, only Sophie was there.
Isnt anyone else coming? I asked.
The main thing is, Im here! Sophie smiled knowingly.
I sat opposite her, suspicious. And?
And what? she smiled again.
Then, a man approached and sat nearby.
Good evening! Im Richard Bennett, he said, handing me a card.
Edward, I replied, taking the card and tucking it away, trying to work out who this man was. His face was oddly familiar.
Where have I seen him before? I wondered.
Richard reached into his jacket, pulled out a wallet, and then a photograph, sliding it to me.
I glanced at the photo and stared in disbelief. There was my mum, young and smiling, arm in arm with a younger version of this man. Suddenly I realisedId seen this before, years ago, in Grannys photo album.
Thats my brother, Richard said softly.
But Mum doesnt have a brother, I blurted.
I know. Thats your mother. And the man next to her is my brotheryour real father.
What?! I exclaimed. That cant be!
Im sorry, but its true. Its a sad story, Richard replied gravely.
Youre mistaken. My father is someone else entirely.
Legally, yes. But in reality no.
I stared at the photo, searching for any resemblance. Did I look anything like the man in the picture? Not at all.
What do you want from me? I asked, awkwardly.
And why did you say its sad, connecting your brother to being my father?
There was no cryptic message, Richard laughed gently. Im just telling you the facts.
I shook my head.
If it were true, Mum would have married your brother. She didnt.
I doubt your dad knows hes not your biological father, Richard said.
Thats all a bit complicated, I argued.
Theres more to it, he nodded. Our parents didnt allow my brother to marry your mother, and her parents wouldnt let her marry him. Thats the reason.
Could that be true? I just sat there, not knowing what to say.
Why are you telling me all this now? I finally managed to ask.
My brother has passed away. I think you and your mother should receive part of his estate. Theres something else too
What? I asked, bracing myself.
You cant have children. And were relativesfairly distant, but still.
Why cant I have children? I said, startled.
My brother suffered from a mental illness, and it can be inherited. Youd likely pass it on, too.
I had no words. The notion that I shouldnt marry or have kids just because of some family storywell, it threw me.
I shook my head, looking over to where Sophie was sitting, but shed slipped away.
Richard caught my eye.
Your mum refuses to speak to me, so I have no choice but to reach you like this.
Im sorry, but I side with my mum. None of this is true, and weve nothing further to discuss.
I stood up and left the restaurant.
First thing I did was try to ring Sophie. Did she know all along? Did she deliberately send me into this bizarre meeting? I needed answers.
But her phone was switched off
I went straight home to my mother, but didnt say a word about what had happened.
For a while, I just sat at the kitchen table, staring into my cup of teasomething Ive done since I was a boy. I used to lose myself in the tiniest details of objects, or get caught up watching clouds change shape from the window.
I remembered how, as a lad, Id sit at the table doing homework while Mum checked on me. When she was there, I did what I was supposed to. When she left the room, Id drop my pen and start exploring, only to get scolded when she came back: How have you managed to do nothing? What will become of you? But despite all that, I made it, even got into uni on my own.
Edward! Off in a dream again? Mums voice startled me.
Not at all. Just thinking, I replied.
She was alone in the kitchen, so I reckoned this was my chance.
About what? she asked.
Oh things like, say, hereditary diseases
I raised my eyes to watch her reaction. Her expression grew anxious.
Why the sudden interest? she said carefully.
I pulled Richards business card from my pocket and read it aloud.
Does the name Richard Bennett mean anything to you?
And in a flash, I realisedBennett was Grannys maiden name.
Hes family, isnt he? I asked.
Suppose so. Why? Mum was ready to defend.
Well I saw that old photo of you with a strange man, and just recently, I met that mans brotherRichard. Thats who I had dinner with!
Mum shrugged.
And? As you said, were related. Why couldnt I be in a photo with him?
His brothers deaddid you know?
Mum paled.
No I didnt.
He told me Im his brothers son.
Thats not true, Mum said firmly.
I scoffed. Are you sure? I might get it checked.
Go ahead! Mum said quickly. Im curious to see how youll manage that. Will you go to Dad and confess you think hes not actually my father?
No, not yet. No need. I have Richardhes supposedly my uncle. I can check with him.
Mum thought for a moment.
But you and he are related anyway, regardless. Only your dads side is totally separate.
I realised she was right.
Still, Im going to do it! I snapped, suddenly annoyed.
Edward, you can trust me. Your dad is your real dad.
But I have to be sure! Ill talk to Dad and come clean about everything. Richard said his brother had a genetic illness, and I want to knowI want a normal family, kids and all!
Two weeks later, Mum, Dad, Richard, and I sat in the living room. In my hand was a sealed envelope with the results of a DNA test inside.
Everyone watched as I hesitated.
Go on, Edwardopen it up! Dad nudged me.
I was shaking. What if I was about to find out Dad wasnt really my dad? Why did Mum ever agree to this? What would I do if it turned out to be true? I didnt want thatDad is my father, and thats all I wanted.
No I whispered, handing the envelope to Mum.
Mum took it, passed it to Richard.
You wanted the truth? she said quietly. Look.
Richard took the sheet out, read it, and then said softly, Sorry to trouble you. I really thought there might be an heir, but it seems not
Relief washed over me: my parents really are my parents.
Mum, why did Richard think I was his brothers son? I asked one day as we strolled through Hyde Park.
She sighed. You see, I really did date his brother. We wanted to get married. But your grandmother was dead set against it. I tried to stand my ground, went my own way. We were so close to marrying, but then it happened.
She trailed off.
What happened, Mum?
He hit me. And that was it. I ran away, sat on a park bench, and cried. That was when your dad found me. The rest you knowweve told you the story a hundred times.
Yeah, I smiled. He asked you to marry him right there, and you said yes. Straight off to the register office.
Exactly But Richards family thought I was already pregnant when I married your father. And so did your granny. You were born a bit earlythat gave everyone something to talk about. But the truth was different, all along.
Back at university, Id sometimes wonder about Sophieshe vanished after all that happened. Some said she was only around to bring me and Richard together. Apparently, Richard is wealthy, and his brother was too. Not that any of that matters now.
Today, walking along the corridor, I spotted Emma ahead of me. I hurried up to her, almost automatically.
This time, instead of just nodding, I blurted, Hi! How are you?
Hello! Emma smiled. Im fine, thanks.
In that moment, I realised she really was a regular girl, just one I liked a lot.
Are you doing anything tonight? I asked, plucking up courage. Fancy going out somewhere?
Sure, she said, to my surprise.
I walked away with a spring in my step. I was grateful Id met Richard, grateful the family secret had finally dissolved. It never really was a secret, just a shadow hanging over me for years. And, thanks to all this, I had a newfound confidenceone hundred percent sure of myself at last.
