Not exactly a secret but my grandad was married before he met and married my grandma, his first wife died (I don’t even know what of) so his first family was then raised by other relatives so he could get on with his life and make a new family, which he did. It sounds horrendous now but socially men didn’t bring their families up back then.

Anyhow I think on some level there was shame because it was never talked about although the other family were on the periphery of my mum and her siblings life. My mum was fond of her half sister but they weren’t close.

As a child I didn’t know who all these people were (who by then had their own families) and it was all a bit confusing. But I think I picked up enough not to ask. Only mum left now sadly but I wish for her sake the shame and secrecy hadn’t been there, I wonder if it left her with guilt. These things about our parents we only appreciate when we’re well grown ourselves.

I think being secretly rich is a nice kind of secret. Maybe your mom’s tucked a bit away for her future.