Coming clean

to Steve was too scared Would tell Emma his secret. she run for the hills?

Bye, Sophie. See you Monday.' What' s the rush?' Sophie asked. Not another date with Emma?'

I smiled. My boss is a hopeless romantic and takes a keen interest in everyone else' s love lives.

Yes. It' s going really well.' Have you told her about the twins?'

Not yet,' I admitted.

She sighed at me.

You need to tell her soon before somebody else does,' she said.

The truth was, I wanted to, but I was scared.

Being a single parent was hard. Girlfriends not only had to like me, they had to like the twins too.

My kids are amazing, but even I admit there are times when they' re a handful.

After a couple of shortlived romances, I stopped mentioning the twins. I didn' t want to confuse them by introducing them to girlfriends before I knew if the relationship was going anywhere.

Now, I' d met the right person, I wanted her to meet my family so much, but kept putting it off.

My sister Nicky babysits, but she' s at college and needs to get home by 11pm. I was running out of excuses as to why our dates always ended early.

That evening, we were meeting at the cinema.

I decided to tell her about the twins after we' d seen the film. I' d start by showing her some of the photos I had on my phone.

Unfortunately, my plan didn' t work out the way I had hoped.

We were in the bar, having coffee, but the second I took out my phone to show her the pictures it rang.

It was my sister so I told Emma I needed to take the call and headed outside.

Nicky couldn' t get Oliver to stay in bed.

I' m at my wits' end,' she complained.

OK, I' ll be there as soon as I can.'

I went back inside and told Emma I had to go.

But it' s only just gone 10 o' clock.'

I know, I' m really sorry. I' ll call tomorrow and explain.'

Of course, by the time I got home, the crisis was over and Oliver was sound asleep.

Sorry I ruined your date,' said Nicky, but I didn' t know what else to do. You need to hurry up and tell Emma about the twins.'

Funny you should say that. I was about to do that when you called.'

When I phoned Emma the next day, she was frosty.

Why do you keep running off? Are you married?'

I swallowed hard. It was now or never.

No. I have six-year-old twins Oliver and James. I' ve been leaving early because my sister babysits. She has to get home.'' The line went quiet. Are you still there?''

What happened? Are you divorced?'

No. I was widowed, a little over three years ago.'

Emma gasped.

Steve, I' m so sorry! Why didn' t you tell me you had children?'

It was a very good question.

I was worried in case it put you off.'

She laughed.

Kids don' t scare me. I' ve got three younger brothers and two sisters.'

I felt a glimmer of hope. You don' t mind that I' m a single father?'

Of course I don' t mind,'' she said. If they' re half as nice as their dad, they' ll be great. When do I get to meet them?'

That night, I scrubbed Oliver and James until their faces shone.

You need to be on your best behaviour. No shouting, no jumping, and definitely no sticky sweets. Is that clear?'

They nodded and smiled like little angels. Seconds later, the doorbell rang.

Don' t move!' I said as I opened the door. Hi, Emma. Are you ready to meet the terrible twins?'

I' m ready,' she said.

We' d hardly got into the room before Oliver raced across to say hello, followed by James.

I' m Oliver. I' m six,' Oliver shouted.

I' m James. I' m six too.' What did I say about keeping still?' I asked.

Hi, guys. It' s great to meet you at last,' Emma grinned.

She plonked herself down on the sofa and the twins piled on top of her. It was like the opening scene from The Simpsons.

The three people I loved most in the world already looked like a family. I couldn' t help grinning. With any luck, I wouldn' t be a single father for very much longer.