Hold on a sec! my best mate Kate chirped, waving her phone. Is this your ex not paying child support or what?
I laughed, I never even thought about that. Honestly we dont need anything from him. Hes got a new family now”
She rolled her eyes. Seriously? I couldve checked that ages ago. By law the kids are entitled to maintenance not you! And no one should have to worry about his new wife and baby.
Nora was pretty happy with her own life. She and Ian raised their two daughters Rose and Lily in the twobed flat Ian owned. Both worked, and even though Ians haulage firm didnt bring in a fortune, between them they managed to get by.
Kate, however, never liked Ian much. Hes lazy and dodgy, shed snap at their girlsnight out. He should be picking up a side gig weve got a decent family here! Maybe drive a cab? Instead he just sprawls on the sofa after work. He looks exhausted, you know?
Nora answered timidly, We dont even own a car.
Why not? You can rent one now its the 21st century, love! Kate laughed.
Its fine, hes decent, hardworking, doesnt drink, and he loves us, Nora defended, eyes bright.
Kate never held a grudge. Theyd been friends since school, and Kate always said exactly what came to mind, never sugarcoating. Deep down she was a good person, always ready to lend a hand or a few pounds until payday.
It took Nora until her thirties to find true happiness, and shed moved away with Ian to a quiet town in the Cotswolds. After that they only talked on the phone and met once a year.
So when Ian suddenly announced he was leaving for another woman, Nora was flat on her feet. Weve got a connection with Ruth, he said, all confident. Were on the same wavelength, and shes even expecting a boy.
Been seeing her long? Nora asked.
It doesnt matter, Ian waved it off. What matters is Im moving in with her, and youll need to clear out the flat.
Ruth was a school nurse, seven years younger than Nora, and theyd met a year earlier when Rose fell at school and Ian swooped in to fetch her.
Turns out the flat Ian had been living in didnt belong to him at all. A kind relative had let him stay, and now the relative wanted the place back. No wonder Nora never heard a thing Ian paid the council tax and utilities himself, and the bills never came to her. Plus they all shared the same surname with the relative.
Stunned, Nora didnt throw a tantrum. She packed, called a cab, and moved into a spare room in a threebed flat that shed lived in before getting married. She didnt lie to the girls. Rose, at eleven, is unusually sharp and instantly sensed what was happening, turning away from her dad and acting independent. Lily simply mimicked her sister.
Ian tried to coax, Well still see each other, but when he saw no one listening, he fell silent. It soon became clear he wasnt eager to see the girls at all after all, his new son Victor was now the heirapparent.
Thankfully the girls pulled Nora out of the gloom. She realised shed smash herself on the rocks for them, and no traitor dad was needed.
Living in a minidormitory was strange. The neighbour, Uncle Jim, drank more than he did twelve years ago and kept a few mates over. But Aunt Vera, the elderly lady downstairs, turned out to be a lifesaver.
Oh, you poor thing, she said sympathetically as Nora wrestled with boxes, cleaning up while the girls sulked. Dont worry, there are plenty of idiots out there, but plenty of good folk too!
Aunt Vera got the girls involved in tidying and cooking, cracking jokes about her own mishaps, and kept an eye on them when they got home from school. Nora had to pick up a second job, so she often got home late.
Rose, bright as a button, helped with homework and looked after Lily. Under Veras watch, the girls quickly learned to whip up simple meals and kept the room spotless.
Youve got luck with the girls, Vera winked.
I know, Nora answered with a weary smile.
Half a year later life steadied. They got along, looked after each other and the neighbours. Even Uncle Jim seemed to cut back on the drinking in front of the kids.
Ian only managed a few facetoface meetings with the girls, but he posted daily photos and videos of his new wife and son on social media. Nora never saw them herself Kate told her anyway.
I cant believe it! Kate snapped, never losing her edge even now that shes married. He dumped you and you never told me! How could you?
Nora tried to placate, Kate, you know me Id start worrying, but I cant afford to be anxious in your shoes.
What shoes? Im pregnant, not sick! Dont you dare bring up my age! Kate huffed. Spill it!
Nora gave a quick rundown, sounding almost detached shed already processed it all, cried it out, and moved on.
Fine? Kate teased. Im glad you and the girls are alive, but he should pay up!
Kate, why so bloodthirsty? Let him live! Nora retorted.
Whatever, Ill think about it. And dont hide anything from me again, you drama queen!
Nora couldnt help but grin Kate always knew how to lift her spirits with her blunt banter.
A month later Ian burst back, claiming hed become rich overnight. An uncle had died, leaving him a country house, a car and a tidy sum.
And now Im taking the girls, he announced grandly. Theyll have proper rooms, a roof that doesnt leak, not this shabby flat.
Nora stared, Are you out of your mind? You never cared about the kids before
Its not my fault I had nothing to give them. Ruth finished a psychology course and says the kids need a normal setup with their dad. Youre always off at work
Great, what now? What experiment am I supposed to run?
If you object, Ian shrugged, Ill get the court to take the kids.
Aunt Vera swooped in just in time. She shoved Ian out the door, and he left, huffing that he wouldnt be so easily brushed aside.
Kate, what am I supposed to do? Nora sobbed into the phone. The flat is in ruin. The management company cant even fix the roof, the neighbours are breathing down my neck, and my wages are thin
Hold on a sec! Kate replied. Is this the bloke who isnt paying child support?
I never figured that out. We dont need anything from him anyway. Hes got a new family
Ugh what are you supposed to do? The law says the kids are entitled to maintenance, not you! And his new wife and baby shouldnt be a worry.
Yeah, I
Youre being daft, love! He should help with the house! 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 else to do, and Im on top of everything!
Listen, Ive got a friend in your town. Ill ask her to give you a clear rundown. Expect a call. And dont start giving me the cold shoulder!
Kates friend turned out to be a sharptongued solicitor called Alana. After a quick chat with Nora she laid out Ians options.
Youll be owed child support a third of his income, as the law dictates. Weve found a twobed flat to rent; youll cover half the rent.
And pray the girls stay healthy, because youll now be paying part of their medical bills too, she rattled off, tonguetwisting fast.
Ian looked helpless. What does this even mean?
It means the girls will live with me, Alana shrugged. And the court will likely keep the children with their mother, because thats what they want.
In the end they agreed Ian would pay maintenance, chip in for flat repairs, and he wouldnt try to snatch the girls away.
Dont relax, Alana winked at Nora. Well push him to help you buy a new place. Everything will be fine.
Nora had no reason not to trust Alanas energy.
