Victor Greene had been keeping an eye on Oliver so closely that Oliver never even realised he was being watched. After all, Victor had spent decades climbing the ranks in the civil servicehe was practically a professional spy in his own right! Up to now there had been no missteps; Oliver hadnt even invited anyone back to his flat.
He did everything by the book, but Victor knew patience was a virtue, and sooner or later Oliver would slip up. His gut feeling would never let him down.
It mattered a great deal to Victor, because it touched his own family. He remembered the days when Emily was just a tiny bundle of curiosity. When she arrived, Victor was initially dismayed that his child turned out to be a girl, not a boy. He never aired his disappointment, but somewhere deep down he felt a tiny tuga girl! he muttered to himself.
Just my luck, he thought, the universe hands me a daughter instead of a son. Who am I supposed to have a proper bloketotalkto when the going gets tough? Who will teach me the art of a real man?
Then, fate threw a curveball. He married late; his demanding job left little room for romance, and the women he dated never liked the long hours. Eventually he met Lily Harper, a spirited woman with a laugh that could outshine a London summer.
Lily was already approaching forty, so dreaming of a lateinlife son seemed a distant fantasy. Yet life had its own plans. One afternoon Victor didnt even notice when his little girl took charge of his world. The first time Emily beamed at him and, with her tiny hand, pinched his nose, he was completely smitten.
A few weeks later she waddled over, uncertain on her little feet, then suddenly squealed, Dad, dad! Victor scooped her up, pressed her close, and in that moment realised his top priority was the happiness of his little star. He swore he would never let anyone hurt his Emily.
Emily giggled, Victor, youre spoiling us! And Victor, ever the doting dad, bought his beloved daughters presents, gazing into their bright eyes and feeling a warm, smug satisfaction.
How, you ask, did Emily grow up so fast? Not long ago she clung to his massive hand while he escorted her to nursery, her eyes glued to his towering figure. Dad, youre huge! Will you buy me a teddy bear? shed ask, looking up at him as if he were a benevolent giant.
Time flew. Emily finished school, enrolled in a parttime university course, and landed a jobher own little rebellion against the notion that Victor should be the one to raise her. Dad, its time I stand on my own two feet. Ill learn on the job instead of wasting years, she declared, and Victor beamed with paternal pride at his clever, determined daughter.
One Saturday Lily baked a Victoria sponge, its fragrant aroma filling the kitchen like a secret treasure. Victor wondered if the girls were scheming to buy him something, maybe a new tie, but it turned out to be something altogether different. Emily had just turned twenty.
Dad, she said, flashing a mischievous grin, Im introducing you to someone special. Dont get all nervous now. She waved an invisible powder from her shoulder as if sprinkling magic. Oliver is very nice; were thinking of making it official. Ive invited him over for tea today. Oh, lookhes calling!
Lily opened the front door with a warm smile. Good evening, please come in. Im Lily Harper, and this is my husband, Victor Greene. Victor gave Oliver a firm handshake, his mouth suddenly dry.
It was as if a stranger had arrived to whisk his only daughter away. A stranger taking my little girl from home? Not on my watch! Victors inner voice of reason shouted, What are you doing, old man? You dont want your daughter to be unhappy, do you? Hes a good lad, stronghanded, and perhaps she deserves a life with both mum and dad?
Victor, however, ignored the voice of sanity. He decided Oliver was unworthy of Emily and concoced a plan to test him. He would make sure his daughter would never be hurt.
Weeks passed. Victor parked his officialuse Ford Fiesta outside Olivers terraced house, claiming latenight work as his excuse. Hed often follow Oliver home after hed dropped Emily off, quietly tailing the man to see what he was up to.
Then, one afternoon, he spotted a young woman approach Olivers doorstep with a small child clutched in her arms. Victor lunged, snatched the womans purse, and the childs hand, and they vanished through the hallway. Gotcha! he shouted to himself.
Now Victor was convinced that Oliver was hiding something, even though, deep down, he found the young man rather likableperhaps a little reminiscent of his own younger self, open and straightforward. Maybe his suspicions were a bit overblown.
Emily greeted her father with bright eyes. Dad, our wedding is in a week! Oliver and I booked a table at the café on Baker Street. Im thrilled! Victor stared at his daughter, suddenly embarrassed by his own snooping. He felt a blush creep up his neck.
Emily continued, Dad, Olivers parents will arrive tomorrow evening. Theyll pop round to meet us and will stay over at his place. Tonight his sister Nat, from Leeds, is coming with her little girl. Her husbands on a business trip but will join later.
At the wedding, Victor danced with Lily as if they were still newlyweds, finally deciding that endless suspicion was pointless. He resolved to keep work and family separate, at least until the next cup of tea.
A year later, Emily gave birth to a bouncing baby boy named Samuel. Victor, now a proud grandfather, wept a littledreams really do come true. He finally had someone to talk shop with, and Oliver proved to be a genuinely decent soninlaw.
Little Samuel grew fast, his cheeky giggles filling the house. Victor could hardly keep up, but the joy was undeniable. As for Olivers background checks? Victor kept those stories to himself, trusting only those nearest to his heart.
And that, dear reader, is why you should stay tuned for more of our little familys escapades. Do drop a comment, smash the like button, and subscribe for the next slice of life from the Greene household.
