Its not up to you to decide where my son lives, snapped his ex-wife, stepping over the threshold.
Dad, whens Mum coming? asked Jamie, pushing his maths workbook aside.
David glanced up from his newspaper and studied his son. At just eight years old, the boys eyes already held a quiet sadness that no child should carry.
Not sure, mate. She said shed be here at the weekend, and its only Wednesday.
But is she *definitely* coming? Last time she promised, then rang to say she had important things to do.
David sighed. How do you explain to a child that his mother now lived in another city with another man, and that Jamie had become more of a monthly obligation than a joy? Shed breeze in, buy him a toy, take him to a café, then vanish again.
Shell come, Jamie. She will.
Okay. The boy picked up his textbook again. Can I watch telly later?
Finish your homework first, then well see.
David tried to read his paper, but the words blurred. Three years since the divorce, and he still hadnt got his life sorted. Work, home, Jamiesame routine, day after day. His mates kept telling him to find a woman, start fresh, but how could he when his son still waitedalways waitedfor his mum?
By the time Jamie shut his books, dusk had settled outside.
Dad, whats for dinner tomorrow?
Fish fingers and chips. Your favourite.
Yeah! The boy grinned. And salad?
Cucumber salad. Obviously.
They rattled around the kitchen together, David pulling ingredients from the fridge while Jamie swung his legs on a stool, chattering about school.
Tom Parker fell over in P.E. today and scraped his knee. There was *blood* everywhere! Miss Johnson took him to the nurse.
Nothing serious, I hope?
Nah. Just a plaster. Dadwhy do Toms parents *both* come to parents evening, but its only ever you?
David froze, knife hovering over the half-sliced cucumber.
Well Mum and I have different jobs, different schedules.
Right. Jamie nodded, though he didnt look convinced.
After dinner, the boy obediently brushed his teeth while David tidied up and made tea. The flat was quiet except for the telly murmuring in the background.
Next day at the office, his colleague Mark brought it up again.
Dave, matelet it go! What mother? Shes practically checked out! Popping in once a month doesnt count. Jamie *adores* you. Youre a good dad.
You dont get it, Mark. Theres no *time*. School runs, homework, bedtime stories. Weekends are laundry, shopping, cleaning
So find a woman wholl help! Someone decent. Jamie could do with a stepmum.
What if he *hates* her? What if his mum storms back and kicks off?
She *wont*. Mark rolled his eyes. If she wanted to, shed have done it by now.
David didnt reply. Deep down, he knew Mark was rightbut admitting it hurt.
That evening, as Jamie scribbled in his workbook, the doorbell rang. David peeked through the peepholeand froze. Emma, his ex-wife, stood on the doorstep. He opened the door.
Hi, she said. Can I come in?
Course. Jamie! Mums here!
The boy barrelled out of his room and hurled himself at her. Emma hugged him stiffly, as if shed forgotten how.
Look how tall you are! Proper little man now.
Mum, are you staying long? Did you bring me a present?
Obviously. But first, I need to talk to Dad.
Jamie nodded sagely and scampered off. Emma drifted into the lounge and perched on the sofa. David lingered by the door.
Tea?
Go on, then.
He busied himself in the kitchen, returning with two mugs. Emma looked polishednew bob, designer blouse, manicured nails. Life in Manchester clearly suited her.
Hows work? he asked.
Good. Decent pay. You?
Fine. Jamies doing well. No dramas.
A pause. Then Emma straightened.
Dave, I came to talk. Oliver and I are getting married.
Congrats.
And I want Jamie to live with me.
Davids stomach dropped. His mug trembled.
*What*?
I want custody. Im stable nowgood job, Olivers great with kids. Youre just stuck in a rut. Always at work, Jamie left to his own devices
Are you *mad*? Hes settled here! School, friendsand since when did *you* care?!
I was young, scared. But Im ready now.
Have you *asked* Jamie what *he* wants?
Hes *eight*he doesnt know whats best. I can give him more.
David paced, fists clenched.
Three *years*, Emma. Three years of barely seeing him. Now you waltz in and decide youre Mum of the Year?
I have *rights*! Im his *mother*!
Mother? Mothers stay up all night when their kids ill. They help with homework, doctors appointments, *raising* them. What have *you* done?
I was *building a life*!
Yeah. And who was building *Jamies* life? Who?
*Keep your voice down!* she hissed.
David lowered it, but the fury remained.
Why now? Why *suddenly* do you want him?
Emma turned to the window.
Oliver wants kids. I cant have moredoctors orders. So we thought Jamie could
Ah. *Oliver* needs a ready-made child, and you remembered yours. Convenient.
Its not like that! Ive *missed* him.
Missed him? David scoffed. Missed calling? Missed his *birthday* last year?
I was *busy*
Enough. He cut her off. Jamie grew up without you. Now you swan in and demand him back.
Footsteps pattered down the hall. Jamie peered in.
Mum, can we go out? The cinema?
Emma forced a smile.
Of course, love. Just grown-up chat first.
Jamie vanished again. Emma waited, then stood, smoothing her blouse.
Dave, Ive made my mind up. Ill go to court if I have to. Ive got the money, the stabilitywhat do *you* have? A rented flat, a dead-end job
I love him. Do *you*?
Of *course*!
Then why three years of radio silence?
Emma grabbed her handbag.
Think it over. If you agree, well keep it civil. If not the courtsll decide.
You dont get to decide where *my* son lives, David said flatly.
*Our* son! Ive got *rights*!
Rights are *earned*.
She marched out, then turned.
Jamie! Come say bye!
The boy sprinted over, hugging her.
Mum, will I see you tomorrow?
Yes, sweetheart. Definitely.
When the door shut, Jamie frowned at David.
Dad were you fighting?
No, mate. Just grown-up stuff.
Mum looked upset.
David pulled him onto the sofa.
Jamie honestly. Would you want to live with Mum?
The boy chewed his lip.
Where does she live?
Manchester. Far away.
But school? My friends? Gran?
Youd start fresh.
Jamie shook his head.
Dont wanna. I wanna stay with you. Visit Mum sometimes.
Okay, son. Okay.
That night, David lay awake. Tomorrow, Emma would return for his answer. Would he fight? Could he *afford* to fight?
At breakfast, Jamie mumbled around his toast:
Dad if Mum took me, would you be sad?
David crouched to his level.
Jamie, *no ones* taking you. Were family, yeah?
Yeah. A small smile. But Mums family too?
Just further away. Like Auntie Claire.
At school, David lingered to chat with Mrs. Carter.
Jamies a bright lad, she said. Though he gets quiet sometimes. Missing his mum?
Divorce, David muttered.
Ever thought of remarrying? A proper familys good for kids.
He nodded vaguely.
Emma returned at seven sharp. Jamie hurtled towards herbut she held him at arms length.
Go play, love. Grown-up talk.
David nudged him away. Alone, Emma folded her arms.
Well?
Jamie stays with me.
Dave, *think*! Ive got a *house*. Oliver earns *triple* what you
Do you *love* him? Or just need a prop for your new life?
Emma flinched.
I *do* love him.
Then why three years of nothing?
Silence. Then, softly:
I thought hed *want* me.
David called Jamie in.
Your mum wants you to live with her. What do *you* think?
The boy glanced between them.
Is it far?
Very, Emma said quickly. But our house is *huge*youd have your own room, *toys*
Ive got a room here.
*Ours* is better.
Would Dad come?
No. Hed stay here.
Jamie shook his head.
Dont wanna. Dad takes me to school, helps with homework, reads stories.
*I* will!
Can you make pancakes? Play chess? Fix my bike?
Emma faltered.
Ill *learn*.
No. Im staying with Dad.
Emma whirled on David.
You *poisoned* him against me!
Mum, Dad *never* said youre bad, Jamie said firmly. He says youre just *busy*.
Emma sank onto the sofa, face in hands. When she looked up, her eyes were red.
I thought hed *choose* me.
David sat beside her.
Do *you* want him? Or just *Olivers* idea of a family?
A long silence.
I dont know, she whispered. I *want* to want him. Butwhat if Im *rubbish* at it?
Jamie wriggled between them.
Mum I *do* love you. Just wanna stay here.
Emma hugged him tightly.
Okay, she choked out. Stay with Dad. But can I visit more?
Course, David said.
And *call*?
Whenever.
She kissed Jamies head and stood.
Ill explain to Oliver.
At the door, Jamie clung to her.
Mum youre not cross?
No, sweetheart. Not cross.
A week later, Emma phonedtalked to Jamie for *ages* about school, friends, weekends. Promised to visit soon.
And a month after *that*, David met Anna at the park. Single mum, daughter Lilysame age as Jamie.
How longve you been on your own? she asked.
Three years. You?
Two. Hard, isnt it?
Sometimes. Worth it, though.
Jamie and Lily hit it off instantlyswings, sandpit, giggles.
Walking home, Jamie grinned.
Dad Lilys *proper* nice. And her mum.
Yeah. They are.
Can we see them again?
David ruffled his hair.
Course we can.
And for the first time in years, he let himself hope. Maybe Mark was right. Maybe life *could* start again.
Because Jamie was happy.
And that was all that mattered.
