Hold on a second! shouted Claire, her tone bright enough to cut through the din of the kitchen. And this is he not paying child support either?
Honestly, I never even thought about it, sighed Nina, her shoulders slumping. We dont need anything from him. Hes started a new family, thats all.
Ugh what are we supposed to do about that? I couldve asked earlier, Claire snapped, her voice edged with irritation. By law the kids are entitled to it. Its the childrens right, not yours! No one should have to worry about his new wife and baby.
Nina was fairly content with the life she had built. She and her husband Ian raised their two teenage daughtersMegan and Lucyin the modest twobedroom flat they owned in Salford, both working fulltime. Ian ran a small transport firm; it didnt bring in much, but combined with Ninas salary they managed to get by.
Claire, however, never liked Ian.
Hes lazy and vague! she blurted at their weekly girls night, never mincing words. He could pick up a side giganyone could drive a cab for a family that size! Instead he just lies on the sofa after work, exhausted, as if thats a virtue.
We dont even own a car, Nina replied, voice soft.
And why not? You can rent one these dayslook around, were in the twentyfirst century!
Anyway, hes kind, decent, never drinks, and he loves us, Nina defended, her eyes flashing. Hes a good father.
Claire didnt take offence. Theyd been friends since school, and Claire was always the one who said whatever was on her mind, often bluntly. Beneath the sharp edges lay a loyal heart; shed always helped out, both with advice and cash, whenever the paycheck ran thin.
Life hadnt been kind to her with men. It wasnt until she turned thirty that she found her own happiness, marrying and moving far away. The two of them kept in touch only by phone, meeting once a year.
So when Ian suddenly announced he was leaving her for another woman, the blow hit Nina like a freight train. He walked in one afternoon, his face calm, and dropped the bombshell.
Were moving in with Ruth, he said, as if discussing a new flatmate. Shes my soulmate, on the same wavelength, and shes expecting a boy.
So youve known her for a while?
It doesnt matter, Ian waved a hand. What matters is that Im moving in, and you need to vacate this flat.
Ruth, the socalled soulmate, was a school nurse, seven years Ninas junior, with a plain face and a warm smile. She and Ian had met a year earlier when Megan tripped on the playground and Ian offered to pick her up.
The flat theyd lived in for years, it turned out, didnt belong to Ian at all. A kindly relative had let them stay there, and now the relative wanted the place back. The timing was cruelly coincidental.
Nina had never known about the ownership. Ian paid the utilities himself; she never saw the bills, and they shared the same surname after marriage, which only added to the confusion.
Stunned, Nina didnt explode. She packed a few belongings, called a cab, and moved into a spare room in a threebedroom house shed lived in before marriage. She didnt lie to the girls; elevenyearold Megan was unusually perceptive and caught on instantly, turning her back on her father and asserting independence. Lucy followed her sisters lead.
Well still see each other, Ian tried, a thin smile on his lips, but when he realized no one was listening, he fell silent.
Soon it became clear Ian had no real desire to see his daughters. He bragged about his new son, Victor, a little boy he called his heir, as if that erased his responsibilities.
For Nina, the girls became her lifeline. Their love reminded her shed fight to the end for them; no betrayer dad could ever replace her.
Living in a tiny shared house again felt strange. Uncle Jack, the neighbour, now drank even more than twelve years ago, hosting his rowdy mates. But Mrs. Vera, an elderly neighbour down the hall, proved invaluable.
Oh, youre a mess, love, she said compassionately, watching Nina wrestle with boxes while scolding the girls. Dont worry, there are plenty of fools in the world, but good people too!
Mrs. Vera rallied the girls, pulling them into kitchen duties and sharing funny stories from her youth. She kept an eye on them when they returned from school.
Nina took a second job, often returning home late. Megan, bright and responsible, helped with homework and assisted her sister. Under Mrs. Veras guidance, the girls quickly learned to prepare simple meals, and their room stayed impeccably tidy.
Youve got luck with the girls, Mrs. Vera winked.
I know, Nina replied, a tired smile tugging at her lips.
Six months later, the familys routine steadied. They cared for each other and the neighbours. Even Uncle Jack seemed to cut back on his drinking when the children were around.
Ian saw the girls only a handful of times, but he flooded social media daily with photos of Ruth and little Victor, a parade Nina never saw herself. Claire, ever blunt, called her out.
I dont get it! Claire snapped, voice sharp as ever. He dumped you and you never told me? How could you?
Im trying not to lose my nerve, Claire, Nina muttered, trying to steady herself. Im pregnant, not sick, and you cant keep bringing up my age!
Tell me everything, now! Claire demanded, her eyes blazing.
Nina recounted the events in a monotone, as if shed already processed the grief. Its over. Im fine.
Fine? Claire sneered. Im glad you and the girls are alive, but that he should pay for this!
Claire, why are you so bloodthirsty? Let him live!
Fine, Ill think about it. And you better not hide anything from me again, you pathetic
Nina forced a grin; Claires dramatic monologue always managed to lift her spirits, even if it was at the expense of good taste.
A month later, Ian reappeared with a triumphant grin. A distant uncle had passed away, leaving him a countryside house, a car, and a tidy sum of cash.
Now Im a rich man, he proclaimed. Im taking the girls back, giving them proper rooms, a roof that isnt leaking. This flat is a dump.
Youve lost your mind, Nina gasped. You never cared about the kids before.
Its simple, Ian shrugged. Ruth finished a psychology course. She says children need a stable environment with a father. Youre always off at work
Seriously? What more do I have to do for your Ruths orders? What experiment are you running now?
If you keep resisting, Ian said coldly, Ill take the kids to court.
Mrs. Vera, ever the guardian, stormed in, shoved Ian out of the doorway and slammed the door behind him. He left, swearing hed return.
Claire, what do I do? Nina sobbed into the phone. The flat is falling apart. The management cant even fix the roof, and the landlords breathing down my neck about my wages
Hold on a minute! Claire perked up. And this hes not paying child support, is he?
I never thought about that, Nina admitted. We dont need anything from him. Hes got a new family
Ugh what are you doing? The law says the children are entitled to support. Its not your problem whether he has a new wife or a baby, Claire snapped.
Thats
Youre an idiot, you know that, right? He should help with the housing too! Turn the TV on once in a while!
No time for TV, Nina muttered. You dont understand!
I know. Im sorry. Ive got a friend in your towna solicitor named Alison. Shell explain everything. Expect a call, and dont you dare give him any more grief!
Alison, a sharpeyed lawyer with a lively grin, called Nina the next day. Hell have to pay child supportonethird of his income, as the law dictates. Weve found a twobedroom flat to rent; youll cover half the rent.
And youll pay for the girls medical bills too, Alison added briskly, as if reciting a tonguetwister.
This means the girls will live with me, Ian tried to argue, stunned.
The court will likely grant custody to the mother, especially since the children want to stay with you, Alison replied, her tone confident.
In the end, Ian agreed to pay maintenance, contribute to a flat renovation, and stop fighting for the girls. Alison winked at Nina. Well keep pressing him until he helps you buy your own place. Everything will be alright.
Nina had no reason to doubt Alisons vigor. The battle was far from over, but for the first time in months, the future seemed a little less bleak.
