Hold on a minute! Lucy chirps, bright as ever. And this Mark of yours hes not paying child support, is he?
I never really sorted that out, Emily admits, sighing. Honestly, we dont need anything from him. Hes moved on with a new family
Oh, dear what are we to do? I could have asked sooner, you know. By law the kids are entitled to maintenance, not you. No one should have to worry about his new wife and baby.
Emily is content with her own life. She and Mark raise their two daughtersCharlotte and Sophiein a modest twobedroom flat in Manchester, both of them working full time.
Mark runs a small transport firm that doesnt bring in much, but combined with Emilys salary they scrape by.
Lucy never liked Mark much.
Hes a bit shady and lazy! she snaps, her usual blunt tone ringing out during their girls night. He could pick up a side gigour family isnt tiny! He could be a cab driver, for example. Instead he sprawls on the sofa after work! Hes exhausted, you see!
We dont even own a car, Emily replies timidly.
And why not? You can rent one nowadaystwentyfirstcentury, love! Lucy laughs.
Hes kind, handy, doesnt drink, Emily defends him fiercely. And he loves us girls!
Emily doesnt take Lucys barbs to heart. Theyve been friends since school, and Lucy has always spoken her mind, choosing words without sugar. Deep down shes generous, always ready to lend a hand or a few pounds until payday.
Her love life, however, stays unlucky until her thirties, when she finally finds happiness and moves away with Mark to a quiet town outside the city. They keep in touch by phone and meet once a year.
So when Mark suddenly declares hes leaving for another woman, Emily is stunned.
Hannah and I are kindred spirits, he says, halfheartedly. Were on the same wavelength, and shes even expecting a boy.
So youve known her for ages?
Thats irrelevant, Mark waves it off. The point is Im moving in with her, and you need to vacate the flat.
Hannah turns out to be a school nurse, seven years younger than Emily, with an ordinary look. They met a year ago when Charlotte fell badly at school and Mark drove to collect her.
It also emerges that the flat Mark and Emily have lived in isnt his property at all. A kindly relative let them stay there, and now the relative wants the place backwhat a coincidence, right?
It might seem odd that Emily never knew this, but Mark always paid the council tax and utilities; she never looked at the bills, especially since he and his relative share a surname.
Overwhelmed, Emily doesnt explode at Mark. She packs a few things, calls a black cab, and moves into a spare room of a threebedroom flat she once shared before marriage.
She tells the girls the truth. Elevenyearold Charlotte is unusually perceptive and immediately understands whats happening, keeping her distance from her father. Sophie mirrors her sisters reactions.
Well still see each other, Mark tries to sound sweet, but when he sees no one listening, he drops the subject.
Soon it becomes clear Mark has little interest in seeing his daughters. After all, he now has a sonVictora budding little lad he dotes on as his future heir.
Emilys daughters, however, become her salvation. She realises she would do anything for them and that no deadbeat dad is needed.
Living in a cramped shared house feels foreign. Uncle Joe, a neighbour, drinks even more than he did twelve years ago and brings his mates over. Yet Mrs. Brown, an elderly resident, proves indispensable.
Oh, you poor thing, she says sympathetically as Emily wrestles with boxes, trying to tidy the room while scolding the girls. Dont worry, there are plenty of blokes out there, but also plenty of good folk!
Mrs. Brown rallies the girls, gets them helping with the chores and cooking dinner, and keeps them laughing with amusing tales from her own life. She watches over them when they return from school.
Emily picks up a second job, often getting home late. Charlotte, bright and responsible, helps with homework and looks after Sophie. Under Mrs. Browns guidance the girls quickly master simple meals, and the room stays spotless.
Youve got real luck with the girls! Mrs. Brown winks.
I know, Emily replies with a weary smile.
Six months later the family settles into a routine. They look after each other and their neighbours. Even Uncle Joe seems to drink less and bring fewer friends over when the children are around.
During that time Mark manages to see the girls only a couple of times, but posts daily photos and videos of his new wife and son on social media. Emily never sees them herself; Lucy tells her about them.
I cant believe it! Lucy snaps, never losing her edge even after marriage. Hes dumped you, and you never said a word to me?! How could you?!
Lucy, I know youll panic and worry, but I cant be a burden right now, Emily says, trying to soothe.
In what situation, huh? Im pregnant, not ill! Dont start lecturing me about my age! Lucy huffs, almost shouting. Spill it, now!
Emily gives a brisk summary, her tone almost detachedshes already processed the hurt, cried it out, and moved on.
So its good? Lucy asks, sarcasm dripping. Im glad you and the girls are alive and well, but that man needs to pay for his deeds!
Lucy, why so bloodthirsty? Let him live his life!
Fine, Ill think about it later. And dont ever hide anything from me again! You selfish
Emily cant help but smile; Lucys relentless chatter always lifts her spirits.
A month later, Mark bursts onto the scene, bragging that hes suddenly rich. An uncle has died, leaving him a country house, a car and a tidy sum of money.
Im taking the girls now, he declares triumphantly. Theyll have proper rooms, better than this damp flat with a leaking roof and no repairs.
Are you out of your mind? Emily gasps. What are you even thinking? You never cared about the children
I simply had nothing to give them. Hannah just finished a psychology course and says the kids need a stable environment with their father present. And youre always disappearing for work
Brilliant! What else do you expect me to do on Hannahs orders? What experiment now?
If you object, Mark snaps, ignoring her, Ill go to court and take the kids.
Mrs. Brown swoops in just in time. Assessing the scene, she shoves the unwelcome guest out the door. Mark storms out, stubbornly insisting he wont be pushed aside so easily.
What am I supposed to do, Lucy? Emily cries into the phone. The flat is falling apart. The management company has been unable to fix the roof for two years, the neighbours are complaining, and my income
Hold on a minute! Lucy answers brightly. And this bloke isnt paying child support, is he?
I never sorted that out. We dont need anything from him anyway. Hes got a new family
Oh, dear what now? I could have asked earlier. By law the kids are entitled to maintenance, not you. No one should be worried about his new wife and baby.
I
Youre being foolish, forgive me! He should help with the housing! At least turn the TV on once in a while!
I never have time to watch TV. You dont know that!
I do. Sorry. At least until the baby arrives Ive got nothing 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 clearly. Expect a call, and dont give me any grief!
Lucys friend turns out to be a lively young solicitor named Claire. After a quick chat with Emily, she sketches out Marks obligations.
Hell have to pay child support, a third of his income as usual. Weve found a twobedroom flat to rent; youll cover half the rent.
And make sure the girls stay healthynow youll also help with part of their medical bills, she adds briskly. Then well see what else comes up.
Emily, whats that about? Mark looks helplessly at Claire.
It means the girls will stay with me, Claire says, shrugging.
And rest assured, the court will keep the children with their mother, because thats what they want, she repeats, almost tonguetwisting.
In the end they agree Mark will pay maintenance, contribute toward flat repairs, and wont try to snatch the girls.
Dont relax, Claire winks at Emily. Well keep pressing him until he helps you buy a separate place. Everything will be fine.
Emily has no reason not to trust the energetic Claire.
