Another Child

Katherine trudged back to her flat after work, stepping into empty rooms as usual. She flicked on the telly, turning up the volume, pretending someone was home. Her daughter, Emily, had already married and moved out. And her husband Daniel had left her for a younger woman.

Katherine still couldnt believe Daniel had betrayed her. Twenty-four years togetherharmonious, without a single row. Theyd even dreamt of celebrating their silver anniversary at a fancy restaurant. But fate had other plans. All those dreams crumbled.

“Mum, I never thought Dad would do this,” Emily sobbed. “Im furious at him. I wont speak to him again.”

“Love, dont do that,” Katherine pleaded. “He left *me*, not you. Youre his daughter, and he still loves you. Dont cut ties with him.”

She refused to turn Emily against Daniel, blaming herself instead.

“Maybe I didnt love him enough. Maybe I was too focused on work, not family.”

Daniel had met a younger woman in a café, sipping pints with mates after work. Their eyes lockedhers brown and lively, sparkling with mischief. Something about her gaze stuck in his head. He introduced himself. Lucy didnt mind. Before he knew it, he was at her rented flat. Then everything spiralled. He fell hard.

He couldnt lie to Katherine longshed already guessed. The confrontation was ugly.

“Kate, Ive fallen for someone else. I know Ive hurt you, but I wont lie,” he admitted.

It crushed her, but she forced herself to stay strong.

One evening, Katherine had just changed out of her work clothes when her phone chimed. Her sister, Margaret.

“Hey, Kate, you home? Need to talkbe right over.”

“Come on, then,” Katherine said, relieved not to spend another evening alone.

Margaret bustled in, loud as ever, arms laden with shopping bags. She unpacked posh snacks and a bottle of wine. Katherine frowned.

“Bit extravagant, Marg. Whats the occasion?”

“Ha! More like a crisis. My Sophies pregnant. The silly girls not even eighteen yet.”

“Seriously?” Katherine gaped. “But she turns eighteen soon, doesnt she?”

“Three months! And shes too far along for other options. Raised her right, didnt I? And now she cant even marry properlythat bloke she was seeing bolted. She doesnt want the baby, and neither do I,” Margaret snapped, pouring the wine.

Katherine listened, uneasy.

“Come on, Kate, lets drink. Im knackered from all this stress. Sophies been clubbing all hoursno idea who the father is. No wonder that lad ran.”

Margaret downed half her glass. Katherine sipped cautiously.

“Weve decided, Kate. Wanted your thoughtsyoure the eldest. Once the babys born, well leave it at the hospital. What if it comes looking for us later? Demands something?”

Katherine stared, breathless. “Are you mad? How could you even think that? Sophies young, but *you*?”

“Oh, spare me the lecture, Kate. Im not as proper as you. Sophie needs to finish college, not play mum. And Ive got my own life to sort.”

Katherine fell silent, thinking hard.

“How far along is she? Had a scan?”

“Yeah, its a girl. Probably just as wild as her mum,” Margaret scoffed, lighting a cigarette.

“Marg let *me* take her. Please, dont leave her there. Ive got a good job, a nice flat”

“Oh, brilliant. And when she grows up, youll tell her everything?”

“No. On my life, I wont. Shell be *my* daughter. Shell never know unless *you* blab.”

After hours of persuasion, Margaret agreed. But another problem arose: adoption required a two-parent home. Daniel had left, though they werent divorced yet. Katherine dreaded asking himhe had a new life now.

Sophie gave birth to a healthy baby girl, signing the papers without a glance. Katherine filed for guardianship, helped by an old friend who worked in social services. She named the baby Ruby.

Finally bringing Ruby home, Katherine took leave but refused to quit her well-paid managerial job. She rang her mum. Elizabeth lived nearby, alone since losing her husband two years prior. A retired nurse.

“Mum, I need to talk. Urgently.”

“On my way, love.”

When Elizabeth arrived, she froze at the sight of the newborn in the cot.

“Kate whose baby is this? When did this happen?”

Margaret had kept quiet. So had Katherine.

“Sit down, Mum. Have some tea. Ill explain.”

Elizabeth reeled as the truth spilled outSophies recklessness, Margarets callousness.

“How, Kate? We raised you both the same! We doted on Margaretshe was the baby!”

Once composed, Katherine pleaded, “Mum, help me. Rubys your great-granddaughter. I dont want to quit workcan you look after her? Id rather not hire a stranger.”

“Love, you dont need to convince me. Of course Ill look after her. Youll be a wonderful mother.”

“Thank you, Mum. I knew youd understand.”

Margaret never called, never asked about Ruby. But when Emily visited, she adored her instantly.

“Rubys my little sister now! Shes gorgeous!”

Ruby grew up bright and kind. Elizabeth and Katherine poured love into her. By four, she could name every chess piece.

Five years later, Katherine threw Ruby a party at a nearby café, inviting her nursery friends. Ruby beamed all day. Back home, the doorbell rang.

Daniel stood there, wretched. His new life had failed.

“Hi. Can I come in?”

Ruby darted into the hallway. “Its my birthday! Whore you?”

“Rubys five today,” Katherine said coolly. “My daughter, in case you didnt know.”

“Emily told me.” He ducked out, returning with a huge boxa towering dollhouse.

“Wow! Thanks!” Ruby hugged it and dashed off.

Katherine made tea, slicing the leftover cake.

“Kate, youre even lovelier now. Can I visit? I left Lucyjust wasnt right. Been alone nearly two years.”

“Rubys my whole world now. Shes not yours.”

“Kate, thats why I admire you more. If youd let Margaret abandon her but you didnt. I want her to call me Dad.”

After a pause, Katherine agreed. Daniel visited often, helping financially and emotionally. He took Ruby to swimming and dance classes.

One evening, after Rubys recital, they shared tea and cake. Laughing together, Ruby suddenly said, “Daddy, I really wanted you and Mummy at my show.”

Daniel choked upshed never called him Dad before. He scooped her up, spinning her.

“Youre my girl. Were a family now, right, Kate?”

“Hooray! Youre staying forever, Daddy!” Ruby giggled.

Daniel smiled at Katherine. “Never leaving my girls again.”

They finalised Rubys adoptioneasier since theyd never divorced. Just in case Margaret or Sophie ever changed their minds though unlikely.