July Seventh! This Can’t Be Happening! Just a Coincidence. And the Name’s Andrew.

**The Seventh of July!** It couldnt be. Just a coincidence. But the nameAndrew. The middle name and surname were different. Then again, adoptive parents could change those things. Even the first name She stared at the portrait of the man, as if hoping to see something familiar.

The woman in the human resources office of the town council finished processing the paperwork for the new employee. Then she picked up the phone.

*”Mrs. Innes, could you come to my office? Your new staff member is here.”*

Soon, the head of facilities walked in and immediately addressed the older woman standing by the desk.

*”You’re the new cleaner?”*

*”Yes.”*

*”Im Mrs. Innes, head of facilities,”* she introduced herself, then asked directly, *”And you are?”*

*”Vera,”* the woman said, then corrected herself after seeing the expectant silence in her bosss eyes. *”Vera Alice.”*

*”Come, Ill show you your workspace,”* Mrs. Innes said, leading her out of the office. *”Youll be responsible for the entire third floor.”*

***

Vera was overjoyed to have landed the job. Smiling to herself, she surveyed her new domain.

*”Two years until retirement. And I can even stay on after. Eight hundred pounds a month, plus bonuses. At least Derek and I can live comfortably now. The kids are grown and gone. Oh, I dont even know the mayors name! How embarrassing if someone asks. Lunch soon. Theres a board on the first floor with photos of all the mayors. Why didnt I check?”*

***

On her way back from the canteen, she paused by the display and read the mayors name: *Andrew Barrow. Born 1983.*

*”Oh, hes still young. Not even forty,”* Vera thought, then it hit her. *”Andrew? 1983?”*

She turned back, scanning the birthdate.

**The Seventh of July!** It couldnt be. Just a coincidence. But the nameAndrew. The middle name and surname were different. Then again, adoptive parents could change those things. Even the first name

She stared at the portrait for a long time, as if searching for something familiar.

***

The new job kept her busy, pushing strange thoughts to the back of her mind.

That evening, she talked at length with Derek. Then he retreated to his room to watch football, while she went to hers.

Their three-bedroom flat felt spacious now that the children were gone. Derek still shared her bed sometimes, but less and less often.

Lying in bed, her thoughts spiraledmemories of her youth, of a secret shed never shared with Derek.

Shed had a son before him. Andrew. She was only nineteen then. No money, no job. A dormitory from trade school wasnt meant for raising a child. She lasted six months before giving him up.

Three years later, she married Derek. They never asked about each others past. Soon, they had their own childrentwo daughters.

The girls grew up. One went to university in the county town, married there. Grandchildren in school now. The other married and moved to London.

Vera never got a proper profession. Twenty years as a facilities manager in a factory, until it closed. Then her friends daughter suggested this cleaning job at the council. She took it.

And now Mayor Andrew Barrow, born 1983. Vera didnt regret her life. But shed never forgotten her son. Hed even appeared in her dreams a few times. She just wanted to knowwas this him? Was he happy?

***

A few days passed.

Vera was cleaning her floor when voices echoed down the hall. She saw Andrew Barrow walking briskly, deep in conversation with a colleague. Spotting her, he nodded and passed by, still talking.

Suddenly, she saw Victorthe boy shed loved forty years ago. Handsome, carefree. Shed never imagined him serious, professional. But seeing Andrew Barrow now, she realized*this* was how shed wanted Victor to be.

But Victor had left the moment he learned she was pregnant. *”Off to find work,”* hed said. She waited, hoped. Then understoodhed run.

*”Is Andrew Barrow my son?*

*If I hadnt given him up, would he be like this? But my daughters turned out well. The eldest married, big house, car. The younger ones fine too. Daughters but no son.*

*Would I have married Derek otherwise? No. Life wouldve been differentfor me, for Derek, for Andrew. Unless maybe he isnt mine. How many unlikely coincidences are there in the world?*

*Does it matter? He has parentshe was only six months old. They probably never told him. Different middle name. His childhood mustve been happy. Its not every day a boy from nowhere becomes mayor.”*

***

After lunch, her young colleague Emma approached.

*”Hey, Auntie Vera!”*

*”Hello.”*

*”Were celebrating Lucys birthday on Friday. She cleans the sixth floor. Turning forty-five. You in?”*

*”Of course!”* Vera smiled.

*”Then its twenty quid. And bring somethinga salad, whatever.”*

*”Got it,”* Vera said, handing over the cash.

*”We do all the birthdays.”*

*”Emma, just call me Vera. Were colleagues.”*

*”Sure, Vera!”*

***

Friday evening, they gathered on the seventh floor in an empty office. A table was set.

The usual office affair. Toasts in order. Sips of red wine after each.

Then the door openedand in walked Andrew Barrow.

*”Lucy, happy birthday,”* he said, handing her a small gift.

*”Thank you!”* Lucys eyes welled up.

*”Join us!”* Mrs. Innes urged.

*”Just for a bit,”* he agreed, sitting beside Vera.

She quickly filled a clean plate with salad, slices of ham. Wine was poured. He gave a toast.

Vera watched him, trembling inside. This was her son. She no longer doubted.

***

Andrew stayed twenty minutes, then excused himself.

*”What a man,”* said Cathy, the longest-serving clerk. *”The old mayor would never have sat with us.”*

*”How longs he been here?”* Vera asked.

*”A year. Dont you remember the election?”*

Truthfully, Vera didnt. Derek handled all that.

*”You know his parents are loaded, right?”* Cathy continued. *”And that theyre not his real parents?”*

*”What?”* Lucy gasped.

*”Came out during the campaign. Some say he didnt even know. And the best parthe didnt care.”*

*”How do you know all this?”*

*”The old mayors deputy, Olivia, dug up dirt to keep him in power. Didnt work.”*

*”So he still doesnt know who his real parents are?”* Vera asked.

*”Doesnt seem to. Loves the ones who raised him. Our mayors a good man.”*

Vera stared at the door hed left through. Joy and sorrow tangled in her chest. Joythat her son had done well. Sorrowthat she could never hug him.

Well, it was her fault. She smiled and whispered in her heart:

*”I wont disturb you, son. Ill just stay close.”*