Hold on a sec! Lucy piped up, bright as ever. Is this the bloke whos not paying any child support?
I never really thought about that, Emma admitted, shrugging. Honestly we dont need anything from him. Hes got a new family now
Oh dear what are you gonna do? Lucy sighed, a little too late. I shouldve asked earlier. By law the kids are entitled to support not you! And nobody should be fussing over his new wife and baby.
Emma was pretty happy with her own family life. She and Mark were raising two teenage daughters Sophie and Emily in Marks twobedroom flat, both working fulltime.
Marks delivery firm didnt bring in huge sums, but between his earnings and Emmas they managed to get by.
Lucy, though, never liked Mark much.
Hes a bit dodgy and lazy, shed say at their girls night, never holding back. He could at least pick up a side gig weve got a decent family! Maybe drive a taxi? Instead he just crashes on the sofa after work. Poor chap, huh?
We dont even own a car, Emma would reply, a little embarrassed.
And why not? You can rent one now its the 21st century! Lucy would retort.
But hes a good bloke, practical, never drinks, and he loves us girls, Emma would defend him warmly.
Emma never took Lucys jibes to heart. Theyd been friends since school, and Lucy was always blunt she said what she thought without sugarcoating it. Deep down she was kind, always ready to lend a hand or a few quid until payday.
Emmas love life had been a rollercoaster. It wasnt until she hit thirty that she finally found her happy ending and whisked Mark off to faraway hills. After that the two only spoke on the phone and met once a year.
So when Mark suddenly announced he was leaving for another woman, Emma barely stood on her own feet.
Were soulmates, he whispered confidently. Shes on the same wavelength, and shes even expecting a boy.
Youve been with her for ages then?
It doesnt matter, Mark waved it 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 Claire, about seven years younger than Emma. Theyd met a year earlier when Sophie fell at school and Mark drove her home.
The flat they’d lived in for years, as it turned out, wasnt Marks to begin with. A kind relative had let him stay there, and now he wanted them out what a coincidence, right?
It might look odd that Emma had never known about the ownership, but Mark paid all the bills himself. Emma never even opened the statements, especially since Mark and his relative shared a surname.
Stunned, Emma didnt even throw a fit. She packed a few bags, hailed a cab, and moved into a spare room in a threebedroom flat shed lived in before she got married.
She didnt lie to the girls. Elevenyearold Sophie, surprisingly sharp, caught on immediately and turned her back on dad, showing her independence. Emily mimicked her sister in everything.
Well still see each other, Mark tried to coax, but when he saw no one listening, he fell silent.
Soon it became clear he wasnt keen on seeing the daughters at all. After all, he now had a son Victor the proud little heir.
It was the girls who helped Emma pull herself together. She suddenly realized shed smash herself to bits for them, and no traitor dad was worth it.
Living in that minidorm felt odd. Uncle John, the neighbour, was still drinking more than twelve years ago and brought his mates over, while Mrs. Betty, the sweet old lady next door, proved indispensable.
Oh, my dear, shed say compassionately as Emma wrestled with boxes, tidying the room while scolding the girls a bit. Dont worry, there are plenty of blokes out there, and a good lot of decent people too.
Mrs. Betty got the girls involved in cleaning and cooking, sharing funny stories from her youth that made everyone laugh. She also kept an eye on them after school.
Emma had to pick up a second job, so she often got home late. Sophie, ever the responsible one, helped with homework and looked after Emily. Under Mrs. Bettys guidance, the girls quickly learned to whip up simple meals, and their room stayed spotless.
Lucky you with the girls! Mrs. Betty winked.
Know what I mean, Emma smiled wearily.
Half a year later life settled into a comfortable rhythm. They got along with each other and the neighbours. Even Uncle John seemed to cut back on his drinking around the kids.
Mark only saw the girls a couple of times, but he posted daily photos and videos of his new wife and son on social media. Emma never saw them herself; Lucy filled her in.
I didnt get a word! Lucy snapped, still sharp as ever. He dumped you and you never told me? How could you?
Lucy, you know me Id start worrying and panicking, but I cant let you stress over this, Emma tried to explain weakly.
What situation is that? Im pregnant, not sick! Dont you dare bring my age into this! Lucy huffed, practically wheezing with outrage. Spill it!
Emma gave a quick rundown, sounding almost detached shed already processed it, cried it out, and felt okay now.
Okay? Lucy retorted sarcastically. Im glad you and the girls are alive and well, but hes got to pay up!
Lucy, why so bloodthirsty? Let him live!
Fine, Ill think about it. But dont ever hide anything from me again, you drama queen!
Emma couldnt help but grin Lucy always knew how to lift her spirits with her blunt banter.
A month later, out of the blue, Mark announced he was suddenly a rich man. Some uncle had died and left him a country house, a car, and a tidy sum of money.
And now Im taking the girls, he declared pompously. Theyll have proper rooms, not this damp, leaky roof. Better than here, honestly.
Youve lost it, Emma blurted. Whats this about? You never cared about the kids before
Its simple I had nothing to give them. Claire finished a psychology course and says the kids need a normal environment with a dad around. And youre always disappearing for work
Right, what else do I have to do for your Claires orders? What experiment now?
If you object, Mark brushed her off, Ill take them to court.
Mrs. Betty swooped in at just the right moment. She sized up the scene, then barreled at Mark, shoving him out the door. He left, vowing he wouldnt be so easily pushed aside.
Lucy, what am I supposed to do? Emma cried into the phone. Our flat is a mess, the managing company has been unable to fix the roof for two years, the neighbours will complain, and my wages are stretched thin.
Hold on a sec! Lucy replied, bright as ever. Is this the bloke who isnt paying child support?
I never really thought about that. We dont need anything from him. Hes got a new family
Ugh what are you going to do? I couldve asked earlier. By law the kids are entitled to support not you! And nobody needs to worry about his new wife and baby.
Yeah, I
Youre being daft, honestly! He should help with the housing! At least turn the TV on once in a while!
No time for TV. You dont know what its like!
I know. Sorry. At least Ive got something to keep me busy until the baby arrives, and Im in the loop on everything!
Listen, Ive got a friend in your town. Ill ask her to give you a simple rundown. Expect a call, and dont give me any grief!
Lucys friend turned out to be a lively young solicitor called Alana. After a quick chat with Emma, she drew up the next steps for Mark.
Hell have to pay child support. Onethird of his earnings, as the law says. Weve found a twobedroom flat to rent youll cover half the rent.
And pray the girls stay healthy youll be covering part of any medical bills too, Alana rattled off in a rapidfire spiel to the bewildered Mark.
This means the girls will live with me, she added, shrugging.
The court will likely keep the children with their mother, especially since they want to stay with her, she concluded.
In the end they agreed Mark would pay maintenance, chip in for some flat repairs, and not try to snatch the girls away.
Dont relax just yet, Alana winked at Emma. Well make sure he helps you buy a place of your own. Everythingll be fine.
Emma had no reason not to trust the upbeat Alana.
