Opening the door to my ex-husband, I frozethere stood a blonde woman in shiny high heels beside him.
“Mum, why does Auntie Lucy have such pretty shoes, and you dont?” asked six-year-old Emily, peering at the neighbours feet through the window.
Sarah set down her mug of cold coffee and looked at her daughter. The little girl stood by the windowsill in her favourite pink pyjamas, her nose pressed to the glass.
“Whats wrong with my shoes?” Sarah smiled, though something pinched inside her.
“Theyre not ugly, just old. Auntie Lucys are shiny, with heels. You always wear trainers.”
Sarah walked over and wrapped an arm around Emilys shoulders. Outside, their neighbour Lucy was indeed strutting past in glossy high heels, a smart coat, and a designer handbag. A polished woman in her forties, newly divorced and clearly doing well for herself.
“Em, beauty isnt about shoes,” Sarah said softly. “Its about who you are inside.”
“But shoes matter,” Emily insisted. “Dad used to buy you nice things, didnt he?”
At the mention of her father, Sarah stiffened. David had left six months ago, saying he wasnt happy anymore. The divorce wasnt final, but their family had already shattered.
“Dad bought a lot of things,” she answered carefully. “But now its just you and me, love.”
“Whens Dad coming back?”
The question came daily, and every time, Sarah didnt know what to say. David saw Emily once a weeka few hours together before bringing her back. Each time, Emily hoped hed stay.
“I dont know, sweetheart. Maybe hell call today.”
As if on cue, the phone rang. Sarah glanced at the screenDavid.
“Hello,” she answered, forcing calm into her voice.
“Hey. Hows Emily?”
“Shes fine. Asking about you.”
“Right. Listen, we need to talk. Properly.”
His tone was cold, businesslike. Sarahs stomach twisted.
“About what?”
“Not over the phone. Im coming over. Now.”
“Emilys here.”
“It concerns her too.”
He hung up before she could reply. Sarah looked at her daughter, still by the window.
“Em, Dads coming over.”
The girls face lit up.
“Really? Is he staying for dinner?”
“I dont know, love. He just wants to talk.”
Emily raced off to change into her favourite dress. Sarah stayed in the kitchen, trying to steady her nerves. Something about Davids voice had set off alarm bells. He usually just arranged visitswhat was so urgent?
She tidied herself quicklynot for him, but for herself. Whatever happened, shed face it with her head high.
Half an hour later, the doorbell rang. Emily burst out in her best dress, saved for special occasions.
“Dads here!” she cheered.
Sarah opened the door. David stood there in an expensive suit, smelling of unfamiliar cologne, looking… happy. Beside him was a young womana blonde in her mid-twenties, wrapped in a stylish coat and wearing the same shiny heels Emily had admired.
“Hi,” David said, as if bringing her along was perfectly normal.
Sarahs face burned. Emily peeked out from behind her, staring at the stranger.
“Dad, whos that?”
“Em, this is Chloe,” David said, ruffling her hair. “My… girlfriend.”
Chloe smiled, but it didnt reach her eyes. “Hey, Emily. Your dad talks about you all the time.”
“Can we come in?” David asked. “We really need to talk.”
Sarah stepped aside, letting them into the hallway. Chloes gaze swept over the flatthe worn sofa, the peeling wallpaper, Emilys drawings taped to the wallwith barely hidden disdain.
“Living room,” Sarah said tightly.
They sat at the table. Emily perched beside David, eyeing Chloe curiously. Sarah folded her hands in her lap.
“So. Whats this about?”
David cleared his throat. “Chloe and I are serious. Were moving in together.”
“Congratulations,” Sarah said flatly. “Why tell me?”
“Because we want Emily to live with us.”
The room tilted. Emily frowned at her father.
“Live where, Dad?”
“With us, princess. Weve got a big, beautiful place. Youll love it.”
“What about Mum?”
David and Chloe exchanged glances. Chloe answered first.
“Mum would stay here. Youd live with Dad and me. Id be like your new mum.”
Emily scowled. “I already have a mum. I dont want another one.”
“Dont be difficult,” David said gently. “You always wanted us together, didnt you? Now you can be.”
“Not without Mum.”
Sarah clenched her fists. “David, can we talk alone?”
“No point hiding things,” he shrugged. “Chloes family now.”
“Family?” Sarah nearly laughed. “David, we have a child. You cant just snatch her away like a toy!”
“Nobodys snatching,” Chloe cut in. “But admit itshed have a better life with her dad. Were stable, comfortable.”
“And Im not?”
Chloe glanced around. “Lets be honest, this isnt ideal. Plus, Emily deserves to see a proper family.”
Sarah stood. “Emily, go to your room.”
“But Mum”
“Now, please.”
The girl slunk off, glancing back at the adults. Once the door shut, Sarah turned on David.
“Have you lost your mind? Bringing your fling here to announce youre taking my child?”
“Sarah, be reasonable,” David said placatingly. “Look at the facts. Youre barely scraping by. Two jobs, no time for Emily”
“I provide for her!”
“The bare minimum. We can give her private school, holidays, everything.”
Chloe nodded. “And she needs a father figure. Stability.”
“Stability?” Sarah scoffed. “You left us for some girl half your age, and now youre lecturing me on parenting?”
“Watch it,” David warned. “I didnt abandon anyone. We just grew apart.”
“Funny, I didnt notice. All I saw was you running off when things got hard.”
Chloe bristled. “I wont be insulted! David and I love each other. And Ill be a great mum to Emily.”
“Really?” Sarah stepped closer. “Do you know she hates porridge but loves pancakes? That shes terrified of thunderstorms and needs a nightlight? That shes allergic to strawberries? Do you know how to calm her when shes hysterical?”
Chloe faltered. “Ill learn”
“Youll learn. I already know. Because Im her mother. I carried her, fed her, stayed up when she was sick. Taught her to walk, to talk. And you think you can just waltz in and replace me?”
“Nobodys replacing you,” David said. “But she has a right to be with her father.”
“And her mother! Or did you forget that?”
David stood. “Fine. If you want a fight, youll get one. I can afford the best lawyers. Can you?”
Sarahs blood ran cold. He was righthe had money, connections. All she had was love.
“Money isnt everything,” she whispered.
“Love doesnt pay the bills. Emily deserves more.”
“Emilys fed and clothed!”
“In charity shop rags,” Chloe sneered. “Ive seen what she wears.”
Sarahs cheeks burned. Yes, most of Emilys clothes were second-handbut always clean, always mended.
“Charity shops have good things too,” she said.
“Of course,” Chloe said patronisingly. “But new is better.”
“And shiny heels matter more than a mothers love?”
“Whats that got to do with anything?”
“Everything. This morning, Emily asked why she doesnt have pretty shoes like other women. And I felt ashamed. Ashamed I cant give her everything. But I give her all I can.”
David sighed. “Sarah, were not trying to hurt you. We just want the best for Emily.”
“And what happens when you trade Chloe in for a newer model? Where does that leave my child?”
“That wont happen,” Chloe said firmly. “Were in love.”
“He loved me once too.”
Silence. From Emilys room came quiet sobs.
“Happy now?” Sarah spat. “She heard every word.”
She stormed into Emilys room. The girl was curled on her bed, crying into her pillow.
“Mum, I dont want to go with Dad,” she hiccupped. “That ladys mean.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Her eyes are cold. And she looked at our flat like its rubbish.”
Sarah sat
