Ive been meaning to fill you in on whats been happening with the lot of us, so heres the whole messy story, just like Im saying it over a cup of tea.
Two weeks after we laid Claire to rest, James finally said, I think Lucy should stay with us. Hes been firm about it, even though wed only taken her in temporarily when Claire left for abroad wed signed the paperwork for a shortterm guardianship, and shes been living with us ever since.
That decisive tone of his oddly set Helen off. Is it because shes your daughter? she snapped, practically shouting. Admit it! I cant keep putting up with this any longer!
James, bewildered, asked, What are you talking about, Helen?
Helen and Claire have known each other since they were in nappies. Their mums shared a ward in the same maternity hospital, and later they discovered they lived on neighbouring streets, walked the same park, and the girls ended up in the same nursery, the same primary school, and even the same university. They looked alike and had similar personalities, except Claire was a bit more headstrong while Helen was, well, as her mum always said, far too kindhearted.
They never fought, never kept secrets, always helped each other out. Its lucky youve got a friend like her, Claires mum would sigh. Shell be like a sister to you. Helens mum would add, You must cherish that friendship and keep it safe. And they did even when Polly showed up at university, they didnt take her into their little circle right away.
Polly was persistent, trailing them everywhere, and eventually the three of them became inseparable. Still, without Polly the two old friends saw each other more often, and Polly felt a tad left out. When Claire got married and moved away, Polly faded out for a while, but she came back and they fell back into their old rhythm.
Helen married next, at twentyfive, to a promising engineer named Mark, four years her senior. James and Helen wanted kids; there were no medical red flags, but nothing seemed to work. Then, three years into their marriage, Claire suddenly announced she was pregnant. She refused to name the father, though Helen guessed it was David, the bloke Claire had been seeing for a year. He vanished after a nasty row with her.
Dont worry, Ill manage on my own! Claire declared proudly. Too bad my mum never got to meet her grandchild, but Ive got enough money for the baby and a nanny. Helen replied, Of course, Claire, well help you! Polly kept rolling her eyes, reminding them that a child needs a father, that responsibility is huge, and that shed only ever have children with a husband.
Helen and Claire just laughed it off Polly was a bit of a nag, what can you do?
Anyway, Helen became Lucys godmother. Lucy often stayed over with James, who was more than happy to look after her. For a while the couple even forgot about their own fertility woes. Six years after Lucys birth, Claire met the love of her life Andrew. He was smart, goodlooking, kind, and caring.
Only thing is, its not meant to be, Claire sighed.
Whats that about? Helen asked, startled.
Probably hes married, Polly teased. Or his mums a hawk with eyes like an eagles.
No, none of that! Claire defended. He was married once, but they split ages ago. No kids, no contact. And his mother, Elizabeth, is wonderful.
What now? Helen pressed.
Hes being sent on a big overseas assignment for work, Claire said, sighing. So I guess Ive lost my fiancé.
Typical, Sophie, Polly snorted. Hes not even taking Lucy with him. She cant go to school abroad, she doesnt speak the language shed be stuck.
Andrew gets me, he doesnt pressure me, but hes clearly upset, Claire replied, weary.
And youre swapping a daughter for a bloke? Polly shot back.
No, Claire whispered, exhausted.
The next day Helen sat James down and seriously talked about taking Lucy in permanently. We cant let Claire miss this chance, you know? Lucy feels like family to us, she said.
James chuckled, Got it, got it. Im not against it. Is Claire on board?
Im not sure yet, Helen sighed, but I do know youre the best husband a girl could ask for! She squeezed his arm.
After a while Claire was hesitant, but she eventually agreed. Dont worry about sending money, she told Helen.
Dont be ridiculous, Helen laughed.
They said goodbye with tears, promised daily video calls, and Lucy quickly got used to living with her godmother while her own mum was away. During one of those calls, Sophie popped in, wine bottle in hand, complaining about a new fling who refused to settle down or think about having at least two kids.
You treat her like a sack of potatoes, always helping, and she just laughs at you, Sophie slurred.
What are you on about? Helen asked, genuinely confused.
Claire, of course. Shes my friend, but shes cunning, a real troublemaker.
Sophie snapped, Either speak clearly or shut up.
You two have been drinking? Helen retorted, disgusted.
Sophie, standing up, declared, I could leave right now, but it doesnt change the truth! She stalked out.
James, who was putting Lucy to bed, wondered why his friend had left so quickly. He shrugged, Someone needs to cut back on the booze. Honestly, Pollys just a third wheel jealous, shortsighted. I still dont get how you all got friends with her.
It was the first time James openly judged Sophie, which surprised Helen. She believed him, though a tiny doubt lingered. She recalled how many times James had met Claire alone, without her knowledge, always happy to have her over, always fussing over Lucy.
Claire noticed Helens mood shift, but Helen tried to act normal. There was no concrete proof of betrayal, only Sophies accusations. Sophie refused to discuss it again, saying, Ive told you everything. Open your eyes and youll see.
Helen started watching Lucy more closely, seeing bits of James in her the same eyes, the same laugh, the way she held a spoon, even her love for chocolate with nuts. It was almost eerie. The suspicion ate at her, and she grew increasingly uneasy watching Lucy and James together.
They started bickering over trivial things. James, clueless, even suggested she see a doctor. They didnt speak for three days. Then the awful news came Claire and Andrew were in a car crash. Andrew suffered severe injuries, and Claire died instantly.
Helen and James spent a fortune and a lot of nerves getting Claires body back to the UK for a proper burial. In those dark days Helen forgot her doubts, but they resurfaced once the grief softened a bit.
Two weeks after the funeral, James said again, I think Lucy should stay with us. Shed still been living with them under the temporary guardianship, which was set to end in a month, so a decision was looming.
Jamess firm tone again set Helen off. Is it because shes your daughter? she shouted. Admit it! I cant keep swallowing this!
What are you talking about, Helen? James asked, bewildered. Did you really buy into that nonsense from Sophie? I thought you were a sensible woman, not buying this rubbish!
No, there was never anything between me and Claire, Helen snapped. Its absurd.
Youll have to prove it, she said through clenched teeth. Ill only decide after a DNA test.
James, clearly caring, agreed to the test, which showed he wasnt Lucys biological father. The shame hit Helen hard, but at least she didnt have to fling the accusation at Claires memory. She still feels shell have to apologise in her heart for all the years shes spent doubting.
Lucy stayed with them. Helen cut off Sophie, finally voicing everything she thought of her in a sharp tirade. James pretended nothing had happened. Why dwell on the past? Especially now that Helens finally expecting a baby
So thats the whole saga, love. Its been a rollercoaster, but were getting through it, one day at a time. Catch up soon, yeah?
