Deceit. [COMPLETED.]

Chapter 5

Home coming.
[KIRK ATTWOOD.]

My wife looked tired.

I apologised for being late and said that there had been just too much traffic.

She pursed her lips and studied my expression. 'At this time of night?'

I said that I had been stuck behind a slow moving lorry.

Behind the cold exterior, she was just happy to have me home and in that split second I knew that everything was going to be alright. The chances of ever seeing Max again was as remote as flying to the moon so why was I even worried about a small inconsequential white lie that was going to harm no one and that could never be proved or disproved.

'Some sort of construction work I think,' I said. 'Took up both lanes.'

I continued to embellish on my story until my wife became bored. 'I know they've got to transport these things but why at this time of night? That's what I want to know. Why not during the early hours when no one is on the roads.'

Cheryl huffed a disgruntled sigh and I followed her back in doors eager to change the subject onto that of our daughters. I asked how they were.

'Well they're all in bed if that's what you mean,' my wife said curtly.

And I deserved that to be fair. I had never been late home. It had developed into a tradition with the family that our girls would always wait for me to come through the front door with all three climbing on top of me in one giant rugby tackle.

But not tonight. No. Because I took a beautiful woman home instead.

I looked longingly up the stairs and felt a pang of guilt at what I had done.

'The eldest might still be awake.'

I turned back to see Cheryl nod in approval for me to go up and see.

'But don't you dare go charging in and waking them all up,' she chided quickly, 'or you're going to have to deal with them not me. They've all got school in the morning remember.'

I crept into Elizabeth's room to see her eyes snap open.

'Hi pumpkin.'

'Hi daddy.'

My daughter was one of those children who held onto the idea of hope as if it was the last breath she would take on this earth. At Christmas or when family or friends came around she would often stubbornly stay awake hoping desperately not to miss out on whatever she thought was going on downstairs and it was no surprise to see that she had laid awake hoping that I might come in.

She stretched her arms out for a hug which I gave.

Her room was littered with everything a young girl would want; dolls, toys, posters of the latest Walt Disney movies and of course her very own music centre. My daughter had simple needs and that suited both our bank balance and any arguments with her sisters because rest assured if one wanted something then the other two would want it as well.

We chatted quietly both shrouded in semi darkness with my daughter's face just visible in the light from the hallway. We spoke quietly of what she had done at school; she was still struggling with her English, something I promised to help with. I even suggested we should read a few stories together.

'How about that Famous Five books we bought you?' I asked pointing to a shelf behind me that was full of books of all sizes.

She looked pensive.

'Oh now come on, they're lovely,' I lied, aware at how quickly I was becoming accustomed to such a thing. 'They're easy to read and they all have wonderful adventures. You'll enjoy them I promise.'

And this is where we as parents are hypocrites. Cheryl and I had bought those books  a few years ago but I had to confess I had not read a single one in my entire life.

'It will be fun,' I continued. 'We can both read a chapter in turn.'

But I was talking to a child who was clearly struggling to keep her eyes open and who was desperately trying hard to know the correct response to a father who had just come home and had asked to read what could be to her the worst book on the shelf. I let it be.

'Anyway, your choice,' I said kissing her on her forehead before getting up and walking to the door.

She nodded sleepily. 'Ok daddy. I'll think about it.'

Cheryl had the telly on low when I came down and was watching a crime drama. I sat down and leant back into the gentle folds of our sofa taking in a deep breath that I exhaled in a slow satisfying sigh. I still had a few days to go before starting on my new job, plenty of time to complete odd jobs around the house and still time to relax before tackling the most challenging opportunity I had ever faced.

'So how was your last day?' Cheryl turned round to face me the minute her Tv drama had stopped for an advert.

One good routine we had as a family was that I would always get any of my frustrations from work out of my system during my first night home. After that anything to do with my job had to be left well and truly where it belonged which was under our stairs in the suitcase that I carried to work.

'Fine,' I replied happy to reminisce. 'There were no tears at bedtime if that's what you mean. People said that they were sad to see me go which was nice but the girls in the duty free shop on board gave me a guard of honour which was really sweet.'

It had been a good ship with many good people on board and one I had served on for the last six years. As a cross channel ferry I would have happily stayed there but my new job was the challenge I simply couldn't refuse.

I shifted my posture so I could face Cheryl as I enthused about how the shop girls had sprayed me with copious amounts of perfume. 

I started to laugh.

'They were determined to give me a send off that I would never forget. I have no idea what perfume they used but it stank I can tell you.'

There was a pause.

'Lavender.'

I looked at her and shrugged. 'Oh I've no idea. Why?'

All I remember of that occasion was that I went back to my room and had a quick shower before I left to come home.

There was another long pause as my wife studied my face.

'We women know these things,' she said not breaking eye contact. 'And you my darling husband smell of lavender.'

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Women are very intuitive aren't they?

Thanks for your continued support and as usual vote when you can.

Take care. Cheers. JU x