Id been keeping an eye on James for years without him ever suspecting a thing. After all, Id spent nearly four decades climbing the ranks at the Ministry of Transport I was a professional, after all. Still, thered been no overt signs yet; James never brought anyone home, never lingered after work.
I wasnt a fool. My gut told me that, given enough time, James would slip up. Intuition never steered me wrong, especially when the matter hit close to home my family, my daughter, my own peace of mind.
Back when Poppy was a newborn, Ill admit I was a bit disappointed shed come into the world as a girl instead of a boy. I never voiced it, but somewhere deep down a knot tightened. What am I going to talk to, a proper lad, when life gets rough? I wondered. Who would teach her, who would shape her into a real woman?
Id married late. My job left little room for a social life, and the long hours didnt endear me to the ladies. Then Lucy entered the picture. She was already approaching forty, so teenage dreams of a son were out of the question, but we built a quiet life together.
One afternoon, without even noticing, I felt my little Poppy seize my nose with her tiny hand and grin. When she waddled over, her steps unsure, and called out, Dad, dad! I scooped her up, pressed her close, and realised that my greatest happiness now lay in her bright eyes, her laughter, her future. Id never let anyone hurt her.
Victor, youre spoiling us! Poppy would giggle, and Id buy her ribbons and dolls, watching the sparkle in her eyes. It seemed like only yesterday shed been clutching my finger as I walked her to nursery, pointing up at the sky and shouting, Dad, youre huge! Will you get me a teddy bear? I felt like a king then.
Time flew. Poppy finished school, enrolled in a parttime course, and landed a job shed chosen herself. Dad, Im ready to be independent. Ill learn on the job straight away, no time to waste, she told me, and I swelled with pride at her determination.
Lucy baked a pie one evening, her eyes twinkling like a secret treasure. I wondered if the girls were plotting to ask me for something, maybe a favour. It turned out to be something wholly different. Poppy, now twenty, smiled and brushed an invisible speck of dust from my shoulder. Dad, I want you to meet someone. Dont get nervous. James is a good lad, were thinking of making it official. Ive invited him over for tea. Oh, look, hes calling!
Lucy opened the door first. Good evening, come in. Pleased to meet you, James. Im Lucy Harrington. And this is my husband, Edward. I nodded, shook Jamess hand, and felt my throat dry as if a stone had lodged there.
A voice in my head whispered, What are you thinking? You want your daughter happy, dont you? Hes a decent chap, stronghanded, why would you stand in the way? I ignored that whisper. In my mind, James was unworthy of my Poppy, and I resolved to test him.
Weeks passed before I finally saw my chance. I parked my official car by Jamess driveway and, under the pretense of work, followed him as he escorted Poppy home. I kept a careful distance, watching for any sign that he might be hiding something.
Then, one afternoon, a girl appeared at Jamess front step, clutching a little childs hand. James kissed the girl, took a bag from her, and vanished inside. My suspicion deepened, though a part of me felt a strange kinship with the young man he reminded me of myself at his age: open, straightforward, perhaps a little naïve.
Poppy greeted me with a bright smile. Dad, our wedding is next week! James and I have booked a venue. Im over the moon. I stared at her, suddenly embarrassed that Id been tailwatching my own daughters fiancé. She continued, Jamess parents will be here tomorrow evening, and his sister Natalia will drop by with her daughter later, as her husband is away on business.
The wedding day arrived. I danced with Lucy as if we were teenagers again, and I finally decided that my endless doubts had run their course. It was foolish to let work bleed into family life any longer.
A year later, Poppy gave birth to a baby boy I named him Samuel. I wept with joy, feeling the fullness of a life finally balanced. My soninlaw James proved to be a fine fellow, and our little grandson began babbling, his tiny voice filling the house with new laughter.
As for the night I shadowed James? That story stays between us. Some things are best kept close to the heart, shared only with those we trust.
