Victor Grayson had been shadowing Oliver for ages, and Oliver never even sensed it. After all, Victor had spent decades climbing the ranks of the police hes a true professional! Still, nothing had gone awry yet; Oliver hadnt brought anyone home.
He wasnt doing anything overtly shady, but you cant fool Victor forever. He knew he just had to be patient, and eventually Oliver would slip up. Victors gut never lets him down.
It meant a lot to him, because it touched his own family. He remembered how brilliant things felt when his daughter, Poppy, was a baby. When she was born, Victor felt a sting of disappointment that it wasnt a boy. He never showed it, but inside there was that tiny itch a girl! he thought.
Imagine, mate, expecting a son and getting a daughter instead. Who would he now have a proper mantoman chat with when life gets tough? Who would teach him about the world, who would shape a real man?
And then a girl! Victor had married late; his long hours always got in the way, and his demanding job didnt win over the ladies.
Later he met Lucy. Lucy was already pushing forty, so dreaming of a son was off the table!
Then something unexpected happened. Victor didnt even notice how his little daughter took over his heart. The first time she smiled at him and tugged his nose with her tiny hand, he melted.
One afternoon Poppy waddled in, unsure on her little feet, then suddenly burst out, Dad, Dad! Victor scooped her up, pressed her close. In that instant he realised that the most important thing in life was her happiness his little star, his girl, hed never let anyone hurt her.
Lottie giggled, Victor, youre spoiling us! Victor bought gifts for his beloved girls and, looking into their shining eyes, felt pure joy.
How did Poppy grow up so fast? Not long ago she was holding his big hand while he walked her to nursery, looking up at him and saying, Dad, youre so tall! Will you buy me a teddy bear? He felt like a god. Now shes finished school, started a parttime course and got a job, deciding her own future. She told him, Dad, its time I be independent. Ill learn on the job straight away, no point wasting time. Victor beamed with pride shes sharp as a tack.
One afternoon Lucy baked a cake, her eyes twinkling like a secret treasure. Victor wondered if the girls were planning to ask him for something, maybe a favour. But it turned out to be something he hadnt even considered. Poppy had just turned twenty.
Dad, Poppy beamed, waving an invisible sparkle at him, I want you and Mum to meet someone, but dont get nervous. Oliver is a great bloke; were thinking of applying together. I invited Oliver over for tea today. Oh, here he is, ringing!
Lucy opened the door first, Good evening, come in, lovely to meet you Oliver, Im Lucy Grayson. She introduced Victor, who gave Oliver a firm handshake, though his throat suddenly went dry.
This guys come to whisk my daughter away, your only girl, from our home! a voice of reason whispered, What? You dont want your daughter happy? Hes a good lad, strong hands, why keep her forever with mum and dad?
Victor ignored that inner voice. He decided Oliver wasnt good enough for Poppy period. A plan formed: hed test the guy, wouldnt let anyone hurt his daughter.
Weeks later Victor parked his work car outside Olivers house. Hed been trailing Oliver after hed driven Poppy home, using late shifts as an excuse. He wanted to see what Oliver was up to.
Then one evening he saw a young woman and a little girl approach Olivers front steps. He watched as Oliver kissed the woman, took her bag, and led the child inside. There you go, Victor thought, so thats whats happening.
Victor knew Oliver wasnt who he claimed to be, yet there was something familiar about him he reminded Victor of his own younger self, open and straightforward. Maybe he was being too paranoid.
Poppy greeted her dad, eyes shining, Dad, our weddings next week! Weve booked the café with Oliver. Im so excited.
Victor stared at his daughter, embarrassed that hed been spying on his future soninlaw. Then Poppy continued, Dad, Olivers parents are coming tomorrow evening, theyll stay over. Tonight Olivers sister and her daughter are coming too, Natalie from Manchester. Her husbands on a business trip, hell join later.
At the wedding Victor danced with Lucy like a youngster, deciding it was enough to keep suspecting everyone. Hed mixed work and life enough.
A year later Poppy had a baby boy, little Samuel. Victor, now a proud grandfather, cried dreams really do come true. He finally had someone to talk mantoman with, and his soninlaw Oliver turned out to be a topnotch bloke.
Young Samuel grew fast, shouting Boo! and soon started babbling. Life was full of joy. Victor kept the whole Oliverinvestigation to himself, trusting only his close ones.
