Sweetheart, we need to have a little chat.
About what? Lucy looked at her mum with wide, puzzled eyes.
Id like you to meet someone.
Lucy huffed and glanced away.
I dont want to meet anyone.
Darling, this is important to me. Please.
Fine. But Im not making any promises. You know I still love Dad.
No one will ever replace your father, and Ive told you so many times before. Your fathers right here, her mother pressed a hand to her chest in our hearts. I miss him so much, too. But he would want us to keep living.
A sting pricked Lucys eyes, as always when she thought of her dear father. Hed died when Lucy was ten. Her mother had spent half a year visiting his grave, tidying, bringing small gifts, sometimes sitting and talking with the weathered stone cross for hours. Then, one day, Granny and Aunt Jean sat her mum down behind closed doors. After that, her mum quietened, and their lives found a gentle rhythm again. Lucy first suspected her mother had a new friend a few months ago. Mum had become brighter, rushing to work, sometimes arriving home a bit late, but not for long she never wanted to leave Lucy alone. At night, they would curl up and share the days stories, a private tradition. Lucy cherished those moments, even if she believed herself to be quite grown up already at thirteen practically worldly!
Mum, are you going to bring this
Richard, her mother supplied.
Yes, Richard. Is he moving in with us?
No, actually. He asked us to move in with him. He has a large house. Therell be space for everyone.
I dont want to move anywhere.
Lets cross that bridge when we come to it.
Okay.
Whats this okay business?
Just means alright.
Means?
Oh, Mum, please, Lucy finally grinned. I know youre just trying to make me laugh.
***
Hello, Lucy, Richard extended his large, warm hand, her own swallowed entirely by his.
Hello. What shall I call you?
Whatever youd like.
Well, Uncle Richard sounds odd. Maybe just Richard.
Deal.
Richard welcomed them into his home. It sat on the edge of the village, just before the wild woods began.
Lucy, do you like dogs?
I love them, she did love them, always had. Shed never had one of her own, though. Mum always said a flat was no place for a dog. Come along, then, Ill show you. For now, Ive shut Patch away; let him get used to you, and youll be friends in no time.
Why Patch?
Have you seen that face? He looks as though hes about to go off pirating, only needs an eye-patch!
Lucy laughed. The dog did, indeed, have a rogues grin.
Have a wander, see what you think of the place. Id best go check the roast.
Alright.
Richard disappeared to the kitchen, where Ellen was tossing together a salad, humming quietly.
My love, Richard slipped his arms around her, I think Lucy likes me. And we were ever so nervous.
I think shes taken to the house, especially Patch!
For the first time in years, a deep happiness filled Ellen. Her friends were always moaning about their teenagers. With Lucy, thered never been trouble calm, thoughtful, old beyond her years.
That night, they decided to stay with Richard. Ellen peeked into the room Richard had called Lucys.
Darling, can I come in for a chat?
Sure, Mum, come look at this room. Its lovely Richard made it all ready for us. Look, she opened a bag eagerly this dressing gown is so soft! Slippers, and even a vase of flowers by the mirror.
He was terribly nervous, trying to pick things youd like.
Really, Mum, he didnt have to.
Tell me honestly, do you like him?
Mum, it matters more if you do. But yes he seems kind. And I do like this house. And Patch!
I knew the dog would win your heart. Though feeding him scraps under the table already!
He wont get spoiled!
Right, darling, time to rest. Its been a long day.
The next morning, Lucy appeared downstairs to find Richard absent.
Mum, wheres Richard?
Gone fishing.
Id have gone too. Remember how Dad used to bring us along
Of course I do.
***
Ellen and Lucy moved into Richards house. Lucy grew fond of her stepfather, who delighted them with gifts, sweets, and thoughtful advice, always ready to help with schoolwork or listen to worries.
At the weekends, they fished by the slow-moving river, or wandered among the ancient trees.
One day Lucy came home from school early to find her mother in tears.
Mum, whats happened? Is it Richard?!
No, darling, Im alright.
Richard dashed in, breathless.
Why all this shouting, Luce? Ellen, whats wrong?
Sit down, please.
Lucy and Richard stared wide-eyed as Ellen slid a letter to him.
I dont understand. Tumour? Ellen nodded.
Mum oh, Mum Lucys world reeled.
Within six months Ellen had faded to a wisp, her treatment set for September, but her body betrayed her first.
After the funeral, it was just Granny Ellens mum and Richard, sipping tea in the kitchen.
Mrs. Wilkins, if Lucy wishes, she can stay here. Her schools nearby, her friends. Moving elsewhere
Richard, lets ask Lucy herself.
Please, I couldnt bear it if you whisked her away.
Lucy, listening quietly outside, went in.
Granny, I want to stay with Richard, if thats alright.
The next half-year, they didnt so much live as simply exist. Richard returned from work; he cooked, helped with homework, while Lucy washed up and did the laundry.
Lucy, why dont you ever go out anymore?
Dont want to. People stare, sniggering because Im living with you. They dont understand. My best friends wont even talk to me.
Richards heart ached for her. He spent as much time as possible in her company.
That first Christmas without her mum, they laid out the table together, sipped fizzy drinks, and, to their surprise, even laughed. Lucy realised she truly felt at home.
Lucy, come quickly look whats turned up!
A litter of kittens huddled on the doorstep.
Will Patch be alright with them?
Oh, he loves cats, always has. Hes a strange one.
So Lucy became caretaker to the kittens as well.
***
Lucy breezed through her A-levels and went away to university. Richard and Granny accompanied her to every exam and grade announcement, never far away.
Lucy moved to the city, but every weekend she tried to visit Richards house.
At her wedding, her stepfathers eyes shone with tears; she looked radiant, her mother Ellen would have been proud.
She could see how fidgety Richard was by the dance floor.
Sam, do you mind if I dance with Richard?
Of course not.
Lucy went to him. The DJ announced, Father and daughter dance.
They swirled awkwardly at first, then easily.
Father and daughter?
Lucy tilted her head, smiling up at him.
Well, its true. You are my dad.
Truly?
Honestly.
Youre my girl, Luce. I love you so much.
Richard supported her through everything the birth of Lucys first son, then her second. Hed show up with casseroles, entertain the boys, or let Lucy and Sam sneak off on holidays alone. He became everything her parents could no longer be. Years passed. The boys grew.
Sometimes, Richard would call: Lu, I know you planned to visit this weekend, but I miss you so much mind if I come tomorrow? Then hed arrive, tinkering with the boys. When they visited him, he took them fishing, taught them to build fires, to find their way through the forest. Hed write riddles and hide cryptic notes around the garden, waiting with a treat at the end a cake Lucy had baked.
When Richard became unwell, Lucy rarely left his side, clutching his hand, whispering that all would be well. She could see, for all her adult years, he still looked at her and saw little Lucy, rolling in the grass with Patch, spinning to old rock records, laughing at the world.
Thank you, darling, for everything.
Oh Dad, dont say that. What for? Its me who should be grateful.
You say that to me every day.
And youll hear it for years to come.
I pray so.
That night, Richard slipped quietly away.
Everyone else had left the graveyard, yet Lucy lingered at his grave.
Thank you, for never making me feel I had a stepfather. You were my mum, my dad, my world. Thank you. Please, come to me in dreams at least, Dad. I miss you so very much.
