Hold on a tick! chirped Claires best mate, Katie, as she tossed a fresh cup of tea across the kitchen table. Is this the bloke whos dodging child support or what?
Claire sighed, shaking her head. I never quite sorted out the paperwork. Honestly, we dont need anything from him. Hes moved on hes got a new family now.
Katies eyebrows shot up. Well, what are you supposed to do about that? I couldve asked sooner. By law, the childsupport is for the kids, not for you! And no one should be fretting over his new wife and baby.
Claire was perfectly happy with her own domestic life. She and Mark had raised their two daughtersEmma and Lucyin the modest twobedroom flat Mark owned, both of them working fulltime.
Mark ran a small haulage firm. It didnt earn a fortune, but combined with Claires salary they managed to get by. The only snag was that Mark didnt sit well with Katie.
Hes vague and lazy! Katie blurted, as usual, during their monthly girls night out. He should be picking up a side hustlesomething solid, like a cab driver. Instead he collapses on the sofa after work! Hes exhausted, can you believe it?
Dont we even own a car? Claire answered timidly.
And why not? In the 21st century you can just rent one! Katie replied, smirking.
Marks a decent chaphardworking, doesnt drink, and he loves us and the girls, Claire defended him warmly.
Katie never took offence. Theyd been friends since school, and Katie was always blunt, saying whatever popped into her head. Underneath, she was kindhearted, always ready to lend a hand or a few quid until payday.
Life with men hadnt been kind to her until she turned thirty, when she finally found love and slipped away with her husband to the countryside. Now they only spoke on the phone and met once a year. So it was a shock when Mark suddenly announced he was leaving for another woman. He breezed in one afternoon with the bombshell, and Claire could barely stay on her feet.
We and Laura are soulmates, Mark said, leaning in conspiratorially. Were on the same wavelength, and shes even expecting a boy.
Youve known her how long?
It doesnt matter, Mark waved off. What matters is that Im moving in with her, and youll need to vacate the flat.
Laura, the soulmate, turned out to be a school nurse, seven years younger than Claire, with a perfectly ordinary face. Theyd met a year earlier when Emma tripped at school and Mark had driven to pick her up.
It turned out Mark didnt actually own the flat. A kindly relative had let them stay there, and now he wanted them out. What a coincidence, right?
It might have seemed odd that Claire was clueless. Mark paid the utility bills himself, and Claire never even glanced at the statementsespecially since he and his relative shared a surname.
Stunned into silence, Claire didnt throw a tantrum. She packed a bag, called a black cab, and moved into a spare room in a threebedroom house where shed lived before marriage.
She didnt lie to the girls. Elevenyearold Emma, unusually perceptive, immediately sensed something was up and turned her back on her dad, showing off a fresh dose of independence. Lucy, ever the copycat, followed suit.
Well still see each other, Mark tried to coax, but when he saw no one listening, he dropped the subject.
In fact, he soon proved he wasnt eager to see the girls at all. Of course Ill see them nowafter I have my son Victor, the little lad wholl inherit everything! he bragged.
It was the girls who helped Claire pull herself together. She suddenly realised shed do anything for them and that no traitorous dads were needed in their lives.
Living in a minidormitory was a novelty. The neighbour, Uncle Dave, now drank more than he did twelve years ago and ran a ragtag gang of his mates. Meanwhile, Auntie May, the elderly neighbour, proved indispensable.
Oh dear, you look frazzled, she cooed, watching Claire wrestle with boxes while the girls sulked. Dont worry, there are plenty of scallywags out there, but a good bunch too!
Auntie May rallied the girls, roping them into tidying up and whipping up dinner, peppering the chores with amusing anecdotes from her youth. She also kept an eye on them when they came home from school.
Claire had to pick up a second job, often returning home late. Emma, ever the responsible one, helped with homework and looked after Lucy. Under Auntie Mays watchful eye, the girls quickly mastered simple cooking, and their room stayed spickspan.
Youve struck gold with the girls! Auntie May winked.
I know, Claire replied, exhausted but smiling.
Six months later the familys routine settled. They got along with each other and the neighbours. Even Uncle Dave seemed to cut back on the drink around the kids.
Mark only managed to see the girls a couple of times, but he flooded his social media with daily photos and videos of Laura and their son. Claire never spotted them herself, but Katie did.
Im not following this! Katie snapped, still sharp as a tack. He ditched you, and you didnt tell me a thing? How could you?
I know youd start worrying and freaking out, and thats not good for you right now, Claire tried to explain weakly.
What situation? Im pregnant, not ill! And dont you dare bring up my age! Katie fumed. Spill it already!
Claire gave a brisk rundown. She sounded almost detachedshed already processed everything, shed tears, and moved on.
Fine, Katie retorted, but that should pay for his sins!
Katie, why so bloodthirsty? Let him live! Claire pleaded.
Well, Ill think about it. Just dont hide anything from me again, you drama queen!
Claire couldnt help but grin. Katies blunt banter always managed to lift her spirits.
A month later, a sudden turn of events: Mark declared himself a wealthy man. An uncle had died, leaving him a country house, a car, and a tidy sum of cash.
And now Im taking the girls, he announced grandly. Theyll have proper rooms, a roof that doesnt leak, unlike this dump. He gestured disdainfully at the cracked ceiling.
Youve lost your mind, Claire laughed in disbelief. You never cared about the kids in the first place.
Its simple, Mark replied. Laura finished a psychology course and says the kids need a proper environment with a father present. You, on the other hand, are always off at work.
Great, what else do I have to do for your Lauras orders? Another experiment? Claire shot back.
If you object, Mark said, ignoring her questions, Ill take the kids to court.
Auntie May swooped in just in time. Assessing the scene, she shoved the unwelcome guest out the door with a vigor that surprised everyone. Mark stormed out, vowing he wouldnt be so easily pushed away.
Now what do I do, Katie? Claire sobbed into the phone. The flat is a proper wreck. The management company cant fix the roof after two years, the neighbours keep complaining, and my wages are well, modest.
Hold on a sec! Katie answered brightly. Your expartner isnt paying child support, is he?
Honestly, I never figured that out. We dont need anything from him. Hes got a new family
Uuuh what are you supposed to do? I couldve asked earlier. The law says the moneys for the children, not you! And no one should worry about his new wife or baby.
Exactly Claire muttered.
Youre an idiot, Katie laughed. He should help with the flat! At least turn the TV on once in a while!
I never have time to watch TV. You wouldnt understand!
I know. Sorry. At least until the babys born Ive got nothing to do, and Im up on all the gossip!
Listen, I know a lady in your townshes a solicitor. Ill ask her to give you the lowdown. Expect a call, and dont you dare ghost me!
The lady turned out to be a lively young lawyer named Alana. After a quick chat with Claire, she laid out Marks fate.
Youll be receiving child supportonethird of his income, as per the guidelines. Weve found a twobedroom flat to rent; youll cover half the rent.
And make sure the girls stay healthymedical expenses will now be partly your responsibility, Alana rattled off like a tonguetwister.
Alana, whats that all about? Mark asked helplessly.
It means the girls will live with their mother, she replied, shrugging.
The court will likely keep the children with you, since theyve expressed they want to stay, she added, still in rapid fire.
In the end, Mark agreed to pay child support, contribute to flat repairs, and desist from trying to snatch the girls away.
Dont relax just yet, Alana winked. Well squeeze him into helping you buy a new place. Everything will be fine.
Claire had no reason to doubt Alanas energy. The whole saga settled, and the family found a new rhythm, laughing at the absurdities of life while keeping a roof over their heads and a warm kitchen in Auntie Mays trusty hands.
