Short Story: In- Or Out-laws

Short Story: In- Or Out-laws

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Cathy stopped dead when she saw who it was. Nathan, her son, collided with her.

‘Keep going, Mum,’ he said. ‘Don’t be nervous.’

She wasn’t nervous, she was horrified. She was meeting Nathan’s fiancee’s parents for the first time. Jim and Helen, Nathan had told her.

It was 30 years but Cathy recognised him at once. When he came forward to greet her, she saw that he recognised her too, but wasn’t saying anything.

The evening was a blur to Cathy. Wedding plans were discussed and tentative guest lists drawn up but Cathy couldn’t take it all in. What should she do? She’d never told Jim that their brief affair had resulted in her pregnancy.

A few days later, Alison asked if Cathy would come with her and her mum to choose her wedding dress. Cathy realised it was a chance for her to say something but what?

The dress shop was fortunately quiet. Cathy and Helen sat on a sofa while Alison and the assistants disappeared into the changing rooms with a selection of frothy dresses. This was Cathy’s chance but try as she might, she couldn’t say a word.

‘Are you all right?’ Helen eventually asked.

‘Nathan can’t marry Alison,’ Cathy blurted. ‘Jim is his father.’

Just then, Alison emerged from the changing-room, the proverbial vision of loveliness. The assistants fussed around her adjusting her train and head-dress.

Cathy felt Helen’s hand close over hers.

‘Don’t worry,’ she whispered. ‘Jim’s not Alison’s dad.’