Hold on a moment! my friend Katie replied brightly. Is it that your ex isnt paying child support, or what?
I never quite figured out the whole thing, I said. Besides, we dont need anything from him. Hes got a new family now
Ughwhat are we to do with that? Katie huffed. I should have asked sooner. By law the money belongs to the children, not to you! No one should be worrying about his new wife and baby.
Emma Carter had been fairly content with her domestic life. She and her husband James Thompson raised their two daughtersAmelia and Lily in a modest twobedroom flat in Camden, both working to keep the household afloat. James ran a small haulage firm; it didnt bring in much, but combined with Emmas earnings they managed to get by.
Katie never liked James much.
Hes a bit lazy, isnt he? she would snap at their weekly girls tea. A proper man would have found a side gigmaybe drive a cab! Instead he just collapses on the sofa after work. He looks exhausted, doesnt he?
We dont even own a car, Emma would protest meekly.
And why not? You can rent one nowadaysthis is the twentyfirst century, love!
But hes kind, handy, never drinks, and he loves us and the girls, Emma would defend him fiercely.
Emma never held a grudge against Katie. Theyd been friends since school, and Katie was always bluntsaying whatever was on her mind, never sugarcoating. Beneath that brusqueness she was generous, always ready to lend a hand or some cash until the next payday.
For years Emmas luck with men was poor. It wasnt until she turned thirty that she found a sort of happiness, and she and James moved away together to the countryside. After that they only spoke on the phone and met once a year.
So when James suddenly declared he was leaving for another woman, Emma could barely stay on her feet.
Were soulmates, he said, confiding. Were on the same wavelength, and shes even expecting a boy.
Youve known her long then?
It doesnt matter, James brushed off. What matters is Im moving in with her, and you need to vacate the flat.
His soulmate turned out to be a school nurse named Rachel Whitfield, a plainlooking woman seven years younger than Emma. Theyd met a year earlier when Amelia tripped at school and James drove her home.
As it happened, the flat James thought was his was never his at all. A kindly relative had let him stay there, and now the relative wanted the place backwhat a coincidence.
It might have seemed odd that Emma knew nothing of this, but James handled all the utility bills himself; Emma never saw the statements, and they even shared the same surname. Stunned by the upheaval, Emma didnt throw a fit. She packed a few things, called a cab, and moved into a spare room in the threebedroom house where she had lived before marriage.
She didnt lie to her daughters. Elevenyearold Amelia was unusually perceptive and grasped at once what was happening, turning away from her father and displaying a quiet independence. Lily simply followed Amelias lead.
Well still see each other, James tried to coax, but when he saw they werent listening, he fell silent.
Soon it became clear he had little desire to see the girls at all. Of course I have a new son nowVictorour little champion and heir!
It was the girls who steadied Emma. She suddenly realised that for their sake she would smash herself to pieces, and no traitorous fathers were needed.
Living again in a cramped boardinghouse felt strange. The neighbour, Uncle Joe, drank even more than he had a dozen years before and kept a small gang of youths over. Yet the neighbour Mrs. Margaret, an elderly widow, proved invaluable.
Oh, my dear, you look so sorrowful, she said compassionately as Emma struggled to sort her belongings, tidying the room while scolding the girls gently. Never mind, there are plenty of blokes out there, but good people too!
Mrs. Margaret rallied the girls, pulling them into cleaning and cooking, coaxing smiles with amusing anecdotes from her own life. She also kept an eye on them when they returned from school.
Emma had to take a second job, often arriving home late. Amelia, ever the bright one, helped with her own lessons and assisted Lily. Under Mrs. Margarets watchful eye the girls quickly learned to make simple meals, and the room stayed tidy.
Youre lucky to have the girls, Mrs. Margaret winked.
I know, Emma replied with a weary smile.
Six months later the family had settled. They got along, looked after each other and the neighbours. Even Uncle Joe seemed to drink less in the childrens presence.
James only saw the girls a handful of times, but he posted daily pictures and videos of his new wife and son on social media. Emma never saw them herselfKatie told her.
I dont understand! Katie snapped, still sharp as ever. He ditched you, and you never told me! How could you?
I know you, Katie youll start worrying, but you cant in your position, Emma tried to explain weakly.
What position? Im pregnant, not ill! Dont you dare comment on my age! Katie fumed. Spill it!
Emma gave a brief, almost detached account. Shed long since processed the pain, shed the tears, and moved on.
Fine, Katie retorted. Im glad the girls are alive and well, but that that bastard should pay!
Katie, why so bloodthirsty? Let him live!
Never mind, Katie said, just dont keep any more secrets from me, you wretched thing!
Emma couldnt suppress a smileKaties bluster always lifted her spirits.
A month later James burst onto the scene again, proclaiming himself a rich man. An uncle had died, leaving him a country house, a car and a tidy sum of money.
Im taking the girls now, he announced grandly. Theyll have proper rooms, better than this damp flat where the roof leaks and no one fixes it.
Youve gone off your rocker, Emma exclaimed. What are you thinking? You never cared about the children before
I had nothing to give them, he shrugged. Rachel finished a psychology course and says the kids need a proper upbringing with a father present. And youre always off at work
Good grief! What else am I supposed to do on Rachels orders? What experiment now?
If you object, James said, ignoring her protests, Ill take the children through the courts.
Mrs. Margaret arrived just in time. Assessing the scene, she barged in and literally shoved James out the door. He left, declaring he wouldnt be so easily thwarted.
What am I to do, Katie? Emma cried into the phone. The flat is truly falling apart. The managing company cant fix the roof after two years, the neighbours will complain, and my wages are thin
Hold on a moment! Katie answered cheerily. Is it that your ex isnt paying child support?
I never even thought about that. We dont need anything from him. Hes got a new family
Ughwhat to do with that? I could have asked earlier. By law the money belongs to the children, not to you! No one should be bothered by his new wife and baby.
Yes, I
Youre being foolish, forgive me! He should help with the housing! You could at least turn the telly on once in a while!
No time for the telly. You dont know!
I know. Sorry. At least until the baby arrives I have nothing else to do, and Im up on all the gossip!
Listen, I have a friend in your town. Ill ask her to explain everything clearly. Expect a call, and dont you dare give me any more grief!
Katies friend turned out to be a sprightly young solicitor named Laura Bishop. After a quick chat with Emma, she laid out Jamess future plainly.
Hell have to pay child supportonethird of his earnings as the law prescribes. Weve found a twobedroom flat to rent; youll cover half the rent.
Make sure the girls stay healthy, Laura added briskly, youll also be responsible for part of any medical expenses. Well see how it goes.
Whats that supposed to mean? James asked helplessly.
It means the girls will live with me, Laura said, shrugging.
And rest assured, the court will keep the children with their mother, since they want it, she continued in the same brisk tone.
In the end they agreed James would pay support, contribute to repairs, and would not try to snatch the girls away.
Dont relax just yet, Laura winked at Emma. Well squeeze him into helping you buy a separate flat. Everything will turn out fine.
Emma had no reason not to trust the lively Laura.
