Hold on a minute! Lucy Barker snapped, bright as ever. So this Mark hes not paying child support, is he?
I never even thought about it, Emily Clarke admitted, her voice trembling. And honestly, we dont need anything from him. Hes got a new family now
Oh, come on what are you supposed to do? I couldve asked earlier. By law the moneys for the kids, not for you! No one should have to worry about his new wife and baby.
Emily had been perfectly content with her own life. She and Mark raised their two daughtersMia and Lilyin the modest twobedroom flat Mark owned, both working fulltime.
Marks haulage company didnt bring in riches, but between his modest earnings and Emilys salary they managed to get by.
Lucy, however, never liked Mark.
Hes lazy and vague! she blurted, sharp as ever during their girls night. He could’ve found a side gigour family isnt tiny! He could’ve been a cab driver, for goodness sake! Instead he lies on the sofa after work! Hes exhausted, you hear me?
We dont even own a car, Emily replied timidly.
And why not? You can rent one nowtwentyfirstcentury, love! Lucy scoffed.
Hes kind, hardworking, never drinks, Emily defended fiercely. And he loves us girls!
Emily never held a grudge against Lucy. Theyd been friends since school, and Lucy always spoke her mind, never sugarcoating. Deep down she was generous, always ready to lend a hand or a few pounds until payday.
Luck with men had eluded her for years. By thirty she finally found happiness, married, and moved far away. Now they only talked on the phone, meeting once a year.
So when Mark burst in one evening with the bombshell that he was leaving her for another woman, Emily could barely stay on her feet.
Sophie and I are kindred spirits, he declared, eyes bright. Were on the same wavelength, and shes even expecting a boy.
So youve been seeing her for a while?
It doesnt matter, Mark shrugged. What matters is Im moving in with her, and you need to vacate the flat.
Soulmate turned out to be a school nurse named Sophie Reed, seven years younger than Emily. Theyd met a year earlier when Mia slipped in the playground and Mark had driven her home.
The flat theyd lived in for years, Mark revealed, wasnt actually his. A kind relative had let them stay, and now he wanted them outa coincidence, wasnt it?
It might have seemed odd that Emily knew nothing about the ownership. Mark paid all the bills; she never opened the statements. Their surnames were the same, after all.
Stunned, Emily didnt throw a tantrum. She packed, called a cab, and moved into a spare room of the threebedroom flat shed lived in before marriage.
She didnt lie to the girls. Elevenyearold Mia, unusually perceptive, saw instantly what was happening, turning away from her father with fierce independence. Lily followed her sisters lead.
Well still see each other, Mark tried, pleading, but when he realized no one was listening, he fell silent.
Soon it became clear he wasnt eager to see his daughters at all. Of course I have a son nowVictor! A proper heir! he bragged.
It was the girls who pulled Emily back from the brink. She suddenly understood she would smash herself to pieces for them; they didnt need any betraying fathers.
Living again in a cramped shared house was foreign. Uncle Jack, a drunk whod grown worse over the past twelve years, kept his rowdy crew over. Yet Mrs. Harris, an elderly neighbour, proved indispensable.
Oh, dear, you look miserable, she said compassionately, watching Emily wrestle with boxes while scolding the girls. Dont worry, love. There are plenty of blokes out there, but also good folk.
Mrs. Harris rallied the girls, involving them in tidying and preparing dinner, coaxing smiles from quirky stories of her own youth. She kept an eye on them when they returned from school.
Emily took a second job, often arriving home late. Mia, bright and responsible, helped with homework and looked after Lily. Under Mrs. Harriss guidance the girls quickly mastered simple recipes, and their room stayed spotless.
Youve got real luck with those girls! Mrs. Harris winked.
I know, Emily answered with a weary smile.
Six months later the family settled. They got along, cared for each other and the neighbours. Even Uncle Jack seemed to drink less in the childrens presence.
Mark saw the girls only a handful of times, but flooded social media daily with photos of Sophie, their newborn son, and his lavish outings. Emily never caught a glimpse, but Lucy did.
I cant believe it! Lucy barked, never losing her edge even in marriage. He dumped you, and you kept it from me? How could you?
Lucy, I know youll panic, stress, and you cant afford to be worried right now, Emily stammered weakly.
In what situation am I? Im pregnant, not ill! Dont you dare bring up my age! Lucy gasped, furious. Spill it, now!
Emily gave a brisk summary, almost detachedshed lived through it, wept, moved on. Its fine now, she said.
Fine? Lucy snapped. Im glad you and the girls are alive, but he he should pay for this!
Lucy, why so bloodthirsty? Let him live!
Ill think about it. And dont ever hide anything from me again, you wretchedheart!
Emily forced a smile; Lucys relentless chatter always managed to lift her spirits.
A month later, Mark reappeared, proclaiming he was suddenly rich. An uncle had died, leaving him a country house, a car, and a tidy sum.
Im taking the girls now, he announced grandly. Theyll have proper rooms, a roof that doesnt leak, unlike this dump.
Are you mad? Emily shouted, incredulous. You never cared about the children before
I had nothing to give them. Sophie finished a psychology course and says the kids need a proper environment, with a father watching over them. And you, they say, are always disappearing for work
What more do you want me to do on your Sophies orders? What experiment?
If you object, Mark said, ignoring her pleas, Ill take them through the courts.
Mrs. Harris arrived just in time. Assessing the scene, she barreled at the intruder and shoved him out the door. Mark fled, boasting he wouldnt be so easily driven away.
What now, Lucy? Emily sobbed into the phone. The flat is falling apart. The management cant fix the roof for years, the neighbours are nosy, and my earnings
Hold on! Lucy answered, bright as ever. That he isnt paying child support, is he?
I never thought about it. And we dont need anything from him. Hes got a new family
Oh, dear what are you supposed to do? I could have asked sooner. The law says the moneys for the kids, not you! No one should worry about his new wife and baby.
I
Youre just silly, forgive me! He should help with the housing! Youd at least turn the TV on sometimes!
No time for TV. You dont know!
I know. Sorry. At least until the babys born I have nothing else to do, and Im up to date on everything!
Heres the plan. I have a friend in your town. Ill ask her to explain everything to you. Expect a call. And dont give me any grief!
Lucys friend turned out to be a sharpminded solicitor named Alyssa Morgan. After a quick chat with Emily, she laid out Marks fate.
Hell have to pay child support, a third of his earnings as the law prescribes. Weve found a twobedroom rental; youll cover half the rent.
And make sure the girls stay healthy, because youll be partially responsible for their medical costs, Alyssa rattled off, tonguetwisting.
Whats that supposed to mean? Mark asked, helpless.
It means the girls will live with me, she shrugged nonchalantly.
And the court will likely grant custody to the mother, since the children want to stay with you, she added, still rapid.
In the end they agreed: Mark would pay child support, contribute to flat repairs, and would not fight for the girls.
Dont relax, Alyssa winked at Emily. Well pressure him into helping you buy a separate place. Everything will be alright.
Emily had no reason to doubt the energetic solicitor.
