Hey love, let me fill you in on whats been happening with the lot of us.
Two weeks after the funeral, James said firmly, I think Alice should stay with us. Hed been quiet for a while, but after the burial he finally spoke up.
Alice had been living with us all this time because, before her mum left, wed arranged a temporary guardianship for her. That paperwork was due to end in a month, so we needed to sort something out.
Jamess blunt tone set Jane off.
Is it because shes your daughter? she snapped, almost shouting. Just admit it already! I cant keep putting up with this!
What are you putting up with, Jane? James asked, bewildered.
Jane and Molly have known each other since they were babies. Their mums shared a hospital ward when they were born, and later they discovered they lived on neighboring streets, played in the same park, and ended up at the same nursery, school and finally the same university.
They look alike and have similar personalitiesMolly a bit more feisty, Jane far too sweet, at least thats what her mum used to say. Theyve never really fought; theyve always backed each other up, helped each other through tough times.
Thats lucky you have a friend like her, Mollys mum would sigh. Shell be like a sister to you.
You should treasure that friendship, Janes mum would add. Make sure it lasts.
They treasured it, even when a new girl, Poppy, showed up at university. They didnt let her in straight away, but Poppy was relentless, always trailing them, and eventually the three of them became a tight little trio.
Truth be told, without Poppy the two old friends hung out more often, and Poppy got a bit jealous. She even dropped out of the group for a spell when one of them got married and moved away, but she came back and the friendship revived.
Jane married next, at twentyfive, to an upandcoming engineer four years her senior. James and Jane wanted kids, there were no medical issues, but nothing ever happened. Then, three years into their marriage, Molly suddenly announced she was pregnant. She refused to name the father, though Jane suspected it was David, a bloke Molly had been seeing for a year who had vanished after a fight with her.
Ill manage on my own! Molly declared proudly. A shame my mum never got to see a grandchild, but Ive got enough cash for the baby and a nanny.
Of course, well help you, love, Jane said, genuinely happy for her friend.
Poppy rolled her eyes and kept reminding them a child needs a father and that its a huge responsibility. Youll only have kids with a husband, you know.
Jane and Molly just laughed it offPoppy could be a bit of a nag, but what can you do?
Anyway, Jane became Alices godmother. The little girl spent a lot of time at our place, and James loved looking after her. For a while we even forgot about our own babymaking woes.
Six years after Alice was born, Molly met the man of her dreams, Arthur. He was smart, goodlooking, kind and caring.
Just not meant to be together, Molly sighed.
What? Why? Jane asked, sitting up.
Probably married, Poppy sniped. Or his mums a proper hawk with eagle eyes.
No nonsense! Molly defended him. Yes, Arthur was married once, but they split ages ago. No kids, they barely speak. And his mother, Elizabethshes an absolute sweetheart.
So what now? Poppy asked.
Hes off on a work trip abroad, crucial for his career, Molly said, looking down.
Great, youve lost a fiancé! Poppy retorted, smirking.
Jane shot her a sharp look and made a sour face.
Doesnt he want you to bring Alice with you? Shes going to school soon, but she doesnt even speak any English yet.
Arthur gets it, he doesnt pressure me, but hes clearly upset.
Are you swapping a child for a man? Poppy jabbed again.
No, Molly sighed, exhausted.
The next day Jane sat down with James and talked seriously about taking Alice in.
We cant let Molly miss this chance, you know? she explained. Alice feels like family to us.
I get it, I get it, James chuckled. Im not against it. Is Molly on board?
Im not sure yet, Jane replied, then added, Youre still the best husband in the world! and squeezed his arm.
Molly was taken aback at first, kept pushing back, but eventually agreed.
Dont worry about sending money, she promised Jane.
Dont be ridiculous, James brushed it off.
We said our goodbyes with tears, promised to keep in touch daily, and Alice settled quickly into life with her godmother, knowing her mum would be back soon.
During one of our video calls, Poppy popped in, wine bottle in hand, whining about a new boyfriend who wouldnt commit or think about having kids.
You treat her like a spare tyre, always fixing things, and she just laughs at you, Poppy slurred, halfdrunk.
What are you on about? Jane asked, genuinely puzzled.
About Molly, of course. Shes my friend, but shes a bit of a schemer.
Poppy, either speak clearly or shut up.
Fine! Mollys mates kid is yours, so Victors fine with Alice staying. He wouldnt want a strangers child in his house!
Did you have a few too many glasses or what? Stop the nonsense! Jane snapped, disgusted.
Fine, Ill leave, but thats the truth, Poppy said, standing up and marching out.
James, tucking Alice to sleep, wondered why his friend bolted so fast.
We all have our secrets, love, he shrugged later, but honestly, Poppy has always been the third wheeljealous, shortsighted. I still cant figure out how you two became friends.
It was the first time James ever critiqued Poppy, and Jane believed him, though a tiny seed of doubt sprouted. She recalled how many times James had been with Molly without her knowing. He always loved having Poppy over, always fussing over Alice.
Molly noticed Janes mood shift, though Jane tried to act normal. Poppy never proved any betrayal, just her words.
Seen enough, havent you? Poppy had once snapped, Open your eyes and youll get it! and then vanished.
Jane started watching Alice closely, seeing little bits of James in herher laugh, the way she holds a spoon, her love of chocolate with nuts. It was almost eerie.
The suspicion gnawed at her, and she grew more irritable whenever she saw James and Alice together. They started snapping at each other over trivial things, and James, clueless, even suggested she see a doctor.
They went three days without speaking. Then the worst news cameMolly and Arthur were in a car crash. Arthur suffered serious injuries, and Molly didnt survive.
James and Jane poured a fortune and endless nerves into getting Mollys body back to England for a proper burial. In those dark days, Jane almost forgot her doubts, but they resurfaced as the grief faded.
Two weeks after the funeral, James repeated, I think Alice should stay with us.
Alice had been living with us all along under that temporary guardianship, which was set to end in a month, so we still had to decide. James firm tone again ticked Jane off.
Is it because shes your daughter? she yelled. Admit it! I cant keep swallowing this!
What are you swallowing, Jane? James asked, flabbergasted. Did you really believe that Poppy? I thought you were a sensible woman, not some conspiracy theorist!
No, seriouslywhat are you on about? There was never anything between me and Molly, nor could there have been.
Youll have to prove it, Jane snapped, teeth clenched. Ill make a decision only after a DNA test.
James, clearly caring, agreed to the test right away. It showed he wasnt Alices father. The shame hit Jane hard; she was glad she hadnt thrown those accusations at Molly outright.
Now she silently asks for forgiveness from her late friend for the rest of her days.
Alice stayed with us. Jane cut off Poppy completely, saying everything she felt in a harsh outburst. James pretended nothing had happenedwhy dredge up the past when his wife is finally expecting?
And thats where we are now. Talk soon, love.
