‘Oh right, so that’s how it is, is it? I knew as much. This is why I never told you about us. You’re so… precious! You don’t own me! If you loved me, surely looking after the one I love shouldn’t be a cross you have to bear?’

I sighed. ‘Oh, son, you have so much to learn from life. Well, you have Daisy now, so you can simply wash your hands of me, can’t you? But just remember, when it all comes crashing down, who are you going to turn to, hey?’

‘What do you mean? This is ridiculous. Why are you so concerned with us? You barely even tell me anything about my own life. That’s no fairy tale by all accounts. Where’s my dad? Why did you not want me knowing him?’ Ben asked with pain in his voice.

I felt my hand rush to my head and I began to fuss with my hair.

‘Why are you asking so much of me today, Ben! You know it’s hard for me to talk about such things. It was so hard for me back then, all alone without your father.’

‘Exactly,’ Ben threw his hands up ‘Who is he? Did Dad have an affair? Is that why he left us? Can you tell me that? If he didn’t do anything wrong to me, surely I have the right to know!’

‘Ben! Son!’ I moaned. ‘Don’t do this. Don’t do this.’ I fell into a chair at the kitchen table, weighed down with the past.

‘This is what I mean!’ Ben placed his coffee cup down with a force. A small amount of fear penetrated me. I had never seen or heard Ben act this way before and for a second, I wondered what he might do. He was a strong man like his father and I knew what atrocities his father was capable of and therefore it wouldn’t surprise me if it was in him too. But I couldn’t tell him that. Even after all these years and having not spent any time with him; blood was blood.

‘This is what you do. As soon as I start to ask questions, you fall apart!’ Ben shouted.

I threw my hands over my face ‘Oh, son! Is this what being with Daisy has done to you?’ I pulled my hands away and looked at him. ‘All this doubt? All these questions? You were a good boy once. Kind, quiet, considerate. I did everything to protect you, can’t you see?’

‘I’m a man now, Mum, you can’t keep treating me like I’m a baby. There are things I need to know! And if you won’t tell me, then I will have to go and find out for myself. You really have left me with no choice.’ Ben walked towards the kitchen door. I jumped up and ran up behind him. I had fought so hard to keep everything so perfect for us, it couldn’t have all been for nothing. Yet here he was, a grown man, and my son was turning on me.