WITH two cherished children, a successful husband and a job she loves, Sophie, 35, appears to have a dream family life.
But mum Sally, 60, says her daughter is living a lie – and she is helping her keep her forbidden secret . . .
BENDING down to kiss my grandson’s soft hair as I tuck him under the covers, I feel a rush of love.
Babysitting my two precious grandchildren while my only daughter is on a date is my favourite thing to do.
But Sophie* isn’t having dinner with her husband, she is meeting her secret lover.
And I am helping her cover her tracks.
Everyone thinks my daughter has the perfect family life — married for more than a decade with two charming children and a beautiful home.
But only I know that she has secretly been cheating on the father of her children for the past two years.
And I’m not just willing to help her in her deception, I’m absolutely delighted about it.
I’ve never liked my daughter’s husband, Dave. I’ve always known she could do better.
When I was first introduced to him at a restaurant in 2013, I thought he was brash, loud and full of himself. At the time, I was confident the romance would fizzle out.
She’d had boyfriends before and had always remained very independent, but as I watched her dote on Dave, I was dismayed.
Gorgeous, clever and witty, Sophie, then 23, had a great job in PR and could have had her pick of men. I knew she’d soon come to her senses.
But to my horror, two years into their relationship, Dave proposed while they were in Paris.
The day they got back from holiday, I answered my door to Sophie grinning and showing off a sparkling diamond on her fourth finger.
Anger bubbled away My heart sank, but I painted on a smile and hugged them. As the wedding drew closer, I still hoped she’d suddenly see the light.
Once, I carefully asked her if it was definitely what she wanted, but she snapped back at me that of course it was. I never said anything after that, worried it might drive a wedge between us.
Sophie knew I’d never warmed to Dave and constantly made excuses for him. She’d somehow justify it when he forgot her birthday or didn’t turn up to big family events.
When he did show up at parties, I’d watch him flirt with other women in front of Sophie. My heart broke to see her bravely try to brush it off.
On her wedding day, Sophie looked so happy, but I knew it wasn’t going to last. Dave was drunk before the evening meal. It wasn’t the happy ending I’d dreamed of for my daughter.
A year later, they came to my home to tell me Sophie was pregnant. I realised with a sickening jolt that Dave was here to stay, and I bitterly regretted holding my tongue about my true feelings.
When my granddaughter, now nine, was born, followed by my grandson a year later, Sophie gave up her glittering career to look after the children.
Dave wasn’t hands on, going to the pub after work as an estate agent every evening and waltzing off on golf weekends.
Sophie struggled to look after two small children and the home, having no life of her own. Outwardly, they looked like the perfect, happy family — but I knew Sophie was beginning to resent him.
She was exhausted and my anger towards Dave bubbled away silently. I helped her as much as I could with the children and, two years ago, Sophie went back to work part-time in PR.
She started making more of an effort with her appearance and a glimmer of the old Sophie returned.
She’d mentioned a colleague called Ben a few times — he featured in nearly all of her stories about work.
But I noticed she always left his name out of conversations when talking to Dave.
One day, when Dave was away on yet another golf weekend, Sophie asked if I’d mind looking after the children so she could go for a drink after work.
She would never have gone if Dave was at home — even though he went out with friends all the time — so of course I said yes.
When she came home, she mentioned Ben a lot, laughing about what he’d said to her. Seeing her happy gave me a burst of excitement . . . but also suspicion.
I didn’t hesitate before telling her that if she ever wanted to go out for a drink with Ben again, I would always watch the children.
I was delighted that she was finally getting something for herself, a person who made her happy
Mum, Sally
She gave me a knowing smile — she understood me completely.
After I had babysat a couple of times, she came to my house in the middle of the day, unannounced, for a cup of tea. “Ben and I are having an affair, Mum,” she confessed.
I smiled and she quickly changed the subject, clearly glad to have got the secret off her chest.
I was delighted that she was finally getting something for herself, a person who made her happy.
I wrapped my arms around her when she left and promised that her secret was safe with me.
“If this is what it takes for you to be happy, you know I’ll support you. Dave doesn’t need to know,” I reassured her.
For the last two years, every time Dave is away — usually once or twice a month — I babysit.
I arrive after the children have gone to bed, so they don’t know their mum has gone out, and she never stays out overnight.
This way, there’s no risk of them telling Daddy that Mummy has been away. It’s nice to see her smile again. I feel like I’ve got my daughter back.
Because she’s cheerful, the children seem happier, too. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to her and her kids.
I’d like to meet the man who has made her so happy, but the less I know, the less covering my tracks I need to do.
Sometimes, Sophie will tell Dave, in front of me, that she’s coming over to my house to help me with something — but I know she’s not going to turn up. I’m happy to be her cover.
Dave is far too arrogant to ever imagine Sophie might be cheating on him. And, if I’m completely honest, I enjoy the feeling of secretly getting my own back on him for treating my daughter badly.
It’s immoral, but my daughter and my grandchildren’s happiness are the most important things to me.
Sophie will never break up the family while the children are young. I hope she does one day, but she told me the children’s happiness is her priority.
I don’t ask questions about Ben and she tells me very little about him or their feelings for each other.
It’s easier not to slip up that way. I have no idea whether Sophie will keep the affair going, or if it will fizzle out. If it does end, I’d encourage her to find another lover.
If Dave were a better man, I’d possibly encourage her to work on the marriage
Mum, Sally
I know what it’s like to be in a loveless marriage.
I stayed with Sophie’s father until she grew up and left home, for her sake, but we were both unhappy for more than a decade.
If I had my time again, I would do what Sophie is doing and find someone else outside the marriage.
Sophie still has a good relationship with her dad, but neither of us would ever share her secret with him.
And as I’m single, I don’t have to worry about keeping Sophie’s secret from a partner.
I’ll never tell another soul.
As a mother, I want to do everything in my power to make sure her life is happy — and if that means helping her cheat on her husband, so be it.
If Dave were a better man, I’d possibly encourage her to work on the marriage.
But thanks to Sophie’s affair, I happen to think he’s getting his just deserts.
*Names have been changed
