Hold on a moment! my dear friend exclaimed brightly. Is this the chap whos not paying any maintenance, is he?
I never quite wrapped my head around the whole maintenance thing, I replied. Besides, we dont need anything from him. Hes started a new family now
Blast what are you to do about it? I couldve asked earlier. By law the moneys for the children, not for you! And no one ought to be bothered by his new wife and baby.
Emily had been content with her own family life. She and George raised their two daughtersRosie and Lucyin the modest twobedroom flat that George owned, both of them working to keep the household afloat.
George ran a small haulage firm; he didnt earn much, but when his salary was added to Emilys, they managed to get by.
Emilys longtime mate, Katie, never liked George much.
Hes a drifter and a layabout, she would snap at their ladies night, as she always did. He could have found a side giganyone could, with a family that size! A cab driver, perhaps? Instead he just lounges on the sofa after work! Hes exhausted, you see!
We dont even own a car, Emily would reply timidly.
And why not? You can rent one nowthis is the twentyfirst century, after all!
But hes kind, hardworking, never drinks, and he loves us girls, Emily would defend him warmly. Hes a good father.
Emily never held a grudge against Katie. Theyd been school friends, and Katie was always blunt, speaking her mind without sugarcoating it. In truth she was kind, always ready to lend a hand or a few pounds until the next payday.
For years Emilys luck with men was poor. It wasnt until she reached her thirties that she found true happiness and set off with George to a distant county. Afterwards they kept in touch only by telephone, meeting once a year.
So when George suddenly announced he was leaving for another woman, she barely kept her footing.
Were soulmates, Ruth, he said confidently. Were on the same wavelength, and shes even expecting a boy.
Youve known her long? Emily asked.
Thats irrelevant, George shrugged. What matters is that Im moving in with her, and youll need to vacate the flat.
Ruth, the school nurse whod once tended to the students, was seven years younger than Emily. Theyd met a year earlier when Rosie fell badly at school and George drove to fetch her.
It turned out the flat George and Emily had lived in for years didnt belong to him at all. A kindly relative had let them stay, and now the relative wanted the place back. What a coincidence, indeed.
It might have seemed odd that Emily knew nothing of this, but George had always paid the utilities himself. She never saw the bills, especially since he and the relative shared a surname.
Stunned, Emily didnt even launch a scene. She packed a few belongings, called a cab, and moved into a spare room in a threebedroom house where she had lived before marriage.
She didnt lie to the girls. Elevenyearold Rosie was unusually perceptive and instantly grasped what was happening, turning away from her father and asserting independence. Lucy simply mimicked her sister.
Well still see each other, George tried to coax, but when he realised no one was listening, he fell silent.
In truth, he showed little desire to see his daughters. After all, he now had a sonVictora proper lad and heir.
It was the girls who steadied Emily. She suddenly realised she would gladly give her all for them; no treacherous fathers were needed in their lives.
Living again in a cramped shared house felt strange. The neighbour, Uncle Henry, still drank more than he did twelve years earlier and often brought his mates over. Yet Aunt Vera proved indispensable.
Oh, you poor thing, she said compassionately as Emily struggled with her boxes, trying to keep the girls calm. There are plenty of blokes about, but also plenty of good folk.
Aunt Vera rallied the girls, involving them in tidying up and cooking dinner, coaxing smiles with amusing stories from her own youth. She also kept an eye on them when they returned from school.
Emily took a second job, often arriving home late. Rosie, bright and responsible, helped with her own lessons and assisted her sister. Under Aunt Veras guidance, the girls quickly learned simple recipes, and their room remained impeccably tidy.
Youve got luck with the girls! Aunt Vera winked.
I know, Emily sighed, smiling wearily.
Six months later the family settled into a steady rhythm. They lived amicably, looking out for one another and for the neighbours. Even Uncle Henry seemed to drink less in the childrens presence.
George saw his daughters only a handful of times, yet he posted daily photos and videos of his new wife and son on social media. Emily never saw them herself, but Katie kept her informed.
I never understood! Katie snapped, still sharp as ever. He dumped you, and you never told me! How could you?
I know youll worry, Katie, and you cant afford to be in my shoes, Emily tried to explain, weary.
What shoes, you say? Im pregnant, not ill! Dont you dare mention my age! Katie huffed, her voice trembling with anger. Spill it, now!
Emily gave a brief account, speaking almost dispassionatelyshed long since processed the pain, shed the tears, and was, after all, doing fine.
Fine? Katie retorted cruelly. Im glad you and the girls are alive, but that scoundrel must pay!
Katie, why such bloodlust? Let him live!
Fine, Ill think about it. But you better not hide anything from me again, you wretched snitch!
Emily could not suppress a smile; Katie always knew how to lift her spirits with her outspoken nature.
A month later George burst onto the scene, declaring himself a wealthy man. An uncle had passed away, leaving him a country house, a car, and a tidy sum.
And now Im taking the girls, he proclaimed grandly. Theyll have rooms of their own, better than here. The roof leaks, theres no repair
Youve lost your mind, Emily exclaimed, genuinely baffled. Whats this about? You never cared about the children before
Its because I have nothing to give them, he muttered. Ruth finished a psychology course. She says children should grow up in a proper setting with their father watching over them. And youre always off at work
Good grief! What else do I have to do on Ruths orders? What experiment now?
If you object, George brushed her off, Ill take the children through the courts.
Aunt Vera arrived just in time. Assessing the situation swiftly, she shoved the uninvited guest out the door. George left, vowing he wouldnt be so easily dismissed.
Now what do I do, Katie? Emily sobbed into the phone. The flat is truly falling apart. The management company hasnt fixed the roof in two years, the neighbours keep complaining, and my wages are stretched thin
Hold on a minute! Katie responded brightly. Is this your bloke not paying maintenance?
I never quite figured it out, Emily said. We dont need anything from him. Hes started a new family
Ugh what are you to do? I couldve asked sooner. By law the moneys for the children, not for you! No one should be bothered by his new wife and baby.
Yes, I
Youre a fool, for heavens sake! He should help with the housing! At least turn the telly on now and then!
Theres never time for TV. You dont know
I know. Sorry. As long as the baby isnt born yet, Ive got nothing else to do, and Im up to date on everything!
Listen, I have a friend in your town. Ill ask her to explain everything to you plainly. Expect a call, and dont you dare try to dodge me!
Katies friend turned out to be a lively young solicitor named Alison. After a quick chat with Emily, she sketched out Georges future in a few brisk sentences.
Hell have to pay maintenance, a third of his income as required. Weve found a twobedroom flat to renthalf the cost will be on you.
And pray the girls stay healthy, because now youll be paying part of their medical expenses too, she rattled off, like a tonguetwister, to the bewildered man.
Emily, whats that supposed to mean? George asked helplessly.
It means the girls will live with me, Alison shrugged.
And rest assured the court will keep the children with their mother, especially since they want to stay with her, she added, still in that rapidfire tone.
In the end they agreed George would pay maintenance, contribute to flat repairs, and would not contest taking the girls away.
Dont relax, Alison winked at Emily. Well squeeze him until he helps you buy a new place. Everything will be fine.
Emily had no reason not to trust the energetic Alison.
