Hey, you wont believe whats been going on with Victor Graham and Oliver Hughes. Victors been keeping an eye on Oliver so quietly that Oliver hasnt the slightest idea. After all, Victor spent decades climbing the ranks in the police hes a proper professional! Still, nothings happened yet; Oliver hasnt brought anyone home, hasnt done anything out of the ordinary.
You cant fool Victor, though. He knows you just have to wait for a slipup, and his gut never lets him down. This whole thing is personal for him its about his own family. He still remembers when Ellie was a newborn. When she arrived Victor was a bit miffed that she wasnt a boy. He never showed it, but inside he felt that little sting a girl, not a son! he thought.
Imagine that a little girl instead of a lad! Who would he confide with when life gets rough? Who would teach her about the world and help shape her into a proper person?
Then the girl! Victor married late; his job always got in the way, and a demanding career never sat well with the ladies.
After that he met Lily. Lily was already pushing forty, so dreaming of a son was off the table.
And then the unexpected happened. Victor didnt even notice when his tiny daughter completely stole his heart. The first time she giggled at him and tugged his nose with her little hand, he melted.
One day Ellie shuffled over, a bit hesitant, and then burst into his arms shouting, Dad, dad! Victor scooped her up, pressed her close, and in that instant realised the most important thing in his life was her happiness. His little girl, his little star hed never let anyone hurt her.
Ellie laughed, Victor, youre spoiling us! Victor bought gifts for his beloved girls, and looking into their bright eyes made him feel pure joy.
How did Ellie grow up so fast? Not long ago she was clinging to his big hand while he walked her to nursery. Shed stare up at him and say,
Dad, youre huge! Will you get me a teddy bear? She looked at him like he was omnipotent. Now shes finished school, enrolled in a parttime course and landed a job. Shes taken charge of her own future and said,
Dad, its time I stand on my own. At work Ill learn straight away, no point wasting time. Victor swelled with pride his Ellie was a clever one.
Then Lily baked a pie, her eyes mysterious like a secret treasure. Victor wondered if the girls wanted to buy him something or ask for a favour. But no it was something else he hadnt imagined. Ellie had just turned twenty.
Dad, Ellie smiled, flicked an invisible speck off his shoulder, I want you and Mum to meet someone, but dont get nervous. Oliver is really nice, were thinking of applying. Ive invited Oliver over for tea today. Oh, here he is, calling!
Lily was the first to answer the door: Good evening, come in, lovely to meet you, Oliver. Im Lily Vaughan. She introduced Victor, And this is Victor Graham, Ellies dad. Victor nodded, shook Olivers hand, and his mouth went dry.
This blokes come to take my daughter away, your only child, from our home! A rational voice inside shouted, What are you thinking? You want the best for your girl, right? Hes decent, stronghanded, why would you keep her with mum forever?
But Victor ignored that voice. He decided Oliver was unworthy of Ellie period. A plan formed in his head: hed test the lad, he wouldnt let anyone hurt his daughter.
Weeks later Victor was parked outside Olivers flat in his work car. Hed been tailing him after Oliver dropped Ellie home, pretending it was for work. Hed followed him quietly a few times, just to see.
He wondered if there was something else, if he might be making a mistake letting a good man near his girl. Meanwhile Ellie was sewing a wedding dress, planning the celebration with Lily.
One afternoon Victor finally saw a woman approach Olivers building with a little girl. He grabbed the womans bag, took the childs hand and they vanished inside. Gotcha! he thought.
Victor now knew Oliver wasnt who he claimed to be. Yet, oddly, he liked the bloke; saw a younger version of himself open, simple. Maybe his suspicion was unnecessary.
Ellie greeted her dad brighteyed: Dad, our weddings in a week! Weve booked the restaurant with Oliver. Im thrilled.
Victor stared at his daughter, feeling embarrassed for spying on his future soninlaw. Ellie continued,
Dad, Olivers parents are coming tomorrow evening, theyll stay over. Tonight Olivers sister and her daughter are arriving Natalie from York, her husbands on a business trip and will join later.
At the wedding Victor danced with Lily like a youngster. He decided it was time to stop the needless doubts, to keep work and home separate.
A year later Ellie gave Victor a grandson Samuel! The new granddad even teared up. Dreams really do come true. Now Victor finally has someone to chat with over a pint and a proper bloke to rely on Oliver turned out to be a great soninlaw.
And baby Samuel is already babbling, shouting Boo! Hell start talking soon, youll barely keep up. Such joy!
Victor decided never to tell anyone about his little investigation. Some things are best kept between close ones.
Thats the whole tale, mate. Talk soon.
