Hold on a sec! Lucy chirped. Is this that you know, the bloke who isnt paying any child support?
Honestly, I never really thought about it. We dont need anything from him anyway. Hes got a new family now
Ugh what are we supposed to do? I couldve asked you earlier. By law the kids are entitled to maintenance. Thats on him, not you! And nobody should have to worry about his new wife and baby.
Emma was pretty happy with her own life. She and Peter were raising their two daughters, Emily and Sophie, in a modest twobedroom flat in Manchester. Both of them worked Peter ran a small haulage firm that didnt bring in a lot, but combined with Emmas salary they managed to get by.
Lucy, however, never liked Peter much.
Hes vague and lazy! shed snap at their girlsnight out. If he wanted a side hustle, he couldve found one theyve got a decent family! Maybe a cab driver? Instead he just lounges on the sofa after work! He looks exhausted, you know?
We dont even own a car, Emma replied shyly.
Whats that to you? You can rent one now its the 21st century, love!
But hes kind, responsible, doesnt drink, and he dotes on us! Emma defended him fiercely. He loves the girls.
Emma never held a grudge against Lucy. Theyd been mates since school, and Lucy was always blunt she said what she thought, never sugarcoated it. Underneath, she was a solid friend, always ready to lend a hand or a few quid until payday.
Emmas love life had been a bit of a rollercoaster. By thirty she finally found her happiness and moved away with Peter, settling somewhere far from the city. After that they mostly talked on the phone and saw each other once a year.
So when Peter suddenly announced he was leaving for another woman, Emma was taken aback. He just walked in one day and dropped the bomb, and Emma could barely stand.
We and Claire are soulmates, he said, all confidence. Were on the same wavelength, and shes even expecting a boy.
So youve been seeing her for ages?
It doesnt matter, Peter waved it off. What matters is Im moving in with her, and you need to vacate the flat.
Claire, the soulmate, was the school nurse a perfectly ordinary looking woman, seven years younger than Emma. Theyd met a year earlier when Emily slipped in the playground and Peter went to pick her up.
As it turned out, the flat Peter had been living in wasnt actually his. A kindly relative had let him stay, and now the relative wanted the place back. Funny coincidence, huh?
It might have seemed odd that Emma knew nothing about the ownership. Peter paid the utility bills himself, and Emma never looked at the statements. They even shared the same surname thanks to the family connection.
Emma was so stunned that she didnt even throw a fit. She packed a bag, called a taxi, and they moved into a spare room in a threebedroom flat where shed lived before getting married.
She didnt lie to the girls. Elevenyearold Emily is sharp as a tack and instantly caught on to what was happening. She turned her back on Dad and acted independent. Sophie, ever the copycat, followed suit.
Well still see each other, Peter tried to say sweetly, but when he realised no one was listening, he dropped the subject.
Soon it became clear he wasnt keen on seeing the girls at all. After all, he now had a son Victor the little hero hed brag about.
Luckily the girls pulled Emma back together. She suddenly realised shed do anything for them, and no cheating dads were needed in their lives.
Living in that minidorm again felt weird. The neighbour, Uncle John, still drank more than he did twelve years ago and had his own crew over. But Mrs. Brown, the sweet old lady next door, turned out to be a lifesaver.
Oh dear, youre a mess, shed say, watching Emma wrestle with boxes, trying to keep the girls calm. Dont worry, there are plenty of blokes out there, but also plenty of good folk.
Mrs. Brown got the girls buzzing, roped them into cleaning and cooking dinner, and kept the house warm with stories from her younger days. She also kept an eye on them when they got home from school.
Emma had to pick up a second job, so she was often back late. Emily, the clever one, helped with homework and looked after Sophie. Under Mrs. Browns watchful eye, the girls quickly learned to whip up simple meals and kept their room tidy.
Youve got it good with the girls! Mrs. Brown winked.
I know, Emma sighed, smiling wearily.
After six months things settled. They got along with the neighbours, even Uncle John seemed to drink less when the kids were around. Peter only managed to see the girls a couple of times a year, but he flooded his social media with cheerful pictures of Claire, the baby, and his new life. Emma never saw them until Lucy brought it up.
Did you even tell me he left you? He dumped you and you kept it a secret? Lucy snapped, still sharp as ever. Whats your excuse? Im pregnant, not ill! Dont bring my age into this!
Lucy, you know I wouldve freaked out if Id kept it from you, Emma replied, trying to sound calm. Ive already gotten over it, cried my eyes out, and now things are looking up.
Looking up? Lucy snorted. Im glad you and the girls are alive, but that bloke should pay for his mess!
Lucy, why so bloodthirsty? Let him be!
Ill think about it, Lucy muttered. Just dont hide anything from me again, you drama queen!
Emma tried not to laugh Lucy always knew how to lift her spirits with her blunt banter.
A month later Peter burst in, bragging that hed become rich overnight. Some uncle had died and left him a country house, a car, and a tidy sum of cash.
So Im taking the girls now, he declared grandly. Theyll have proper rooms, a roof that doesnt leak, and a decent place unlike this dump.
Youve gone mental, Emma laughed. You never cared about the kids before
Honestly, I had nothing to give them. Claire just finished a psychology course and says the kids need a normal home with a dad around. Youre always off at work
Right, what else do I have to do on Claires orders? Another experiment?
If you object, Peter cut her off, Ill take them to court.
Mrs. Brown swooped in just in time. She gave Peter a swift shove out the door, and he left huffing, swearing hed be back.
Lucy, what am I supposed to do? Emma nearly sobbed into the phone. The flat is falling apart, the management cant fix the roof after two years, the neighbours keep complaining, and my wages barely stretch.
Hold on a sec! Lucy answered brightly. Is this the bloke whos not paying child support?
I never sorted that out. We dont need anything from him and his familys new anyway
Ugh why didnt you check sooner? By law the kids are entitled to maintenance. Thats his job, not yours! And his new wife and baby shouldnt stress you.
Yeah, I guess
Youre an absolute fool, love! He should be helping with the house! You should at least watch the telly once in a while!
No time for TV, you dont know my life!
I know. Sorry. At least until the baby arrives Ive got nothing to do, so Im on top of everything!
Listen, I know a solicitor in your town Alisha. Shell explain everything in plain English. Expect her call, and dont give him any more grief!
Alisha was a lively, cheeky young lawyer with a bright smile. After a quick chat with Emma, she laid out the plan.
Youll be getting child support onethird of his income as usual. Weve found a twobedroom flat to rent youll cover half the rent.
And make sure the girls stay healthy, because youll also chip in for their medical bills, she rattled off, like a tonguetwister.
Is that all? Peter asked, looking bewildered.
It means the girls will live with me, Alisha shrugged. And the court will likely leave them with their mother, especially since they want to stay with you.
In the end they agreed Peter would pay maintenance, contribute to flat repairs, and not try to snatch the girls away.
Dont relax just yet, Alisha winked. Well keep the pressure on him to help you buy a proper place. Everything will sort out.
Emma had no reason not to trust the spirited Alisha.
