**Diary Entry 23rd May**
“Mum, Uncle Alex doesnt like me.”
“What are you saying, sweetheart?” Mum crouched down in front of me. “Uncle Alex adores you. Look at the doll he bought you! Would he have done that if he didnt care?”
I frowned. Mums words made sense, but I knew what Id heard.
“He said it himself! He said I ruin everything! That Im in the way!”
MumEmilykept calm, though I could tell she thought I was making it up.
“Thats not true. He loves you. Dont imagine things.”
I sniffed and ran out, leaving her upset.
Mum and Dad split up a few years ago. He wasnt the worst father, but he was a terrible husband. She stuck with him for ages, trying to make it workfor me, because I adored him. But when he cheated, that was it. Mum packed his things, handed him his suitcase when he got home, and told him to leave. I was only fivetoo young to understand properly.
At first, Dad visited oftenwalks, presents, the lot. Mum never stopped him; she was happy I still had him. But soon, he lost interest. Once a month, if that. Then he got a girlfriend, and I barely saw him.
Mum stayed single for ages, furious with all men, refusing to trust another. Then she met Alex.
He seemed dependablesmiling, kind. He wasnt put off when he found out she had a daughter. He bought me sweets, played with me, and Mum was over the moon. Its rare to find someone wholl accept your child.
But I was wary. I never invited him to play, barely spoke to him. So when I said he didnt like me, Mum wasnt even surprised. Sevens a tricky agemaybe I was jealous, scared Dad would disappear for good.
She knew she should talk to me, but I was too upset. Later, I asked to stay at Grans, and she agreed. Maybe she wanted time alone with Alex.
Gran noticed something was wrong. Im usually bubbly, but tonight I was quiet.
“Whats the matter, love?” she asked.
“Mum doesnt believe me,” I muttered. “But she believes Uncle Alex!”
Gran pressed, and I told her everythinghow Id come home, heard him on the phone saying I irritated him, how he wished Id stay at Grans more often.
“Did you tell your mum?” Gran stroked my hair.
“I tried! She said I imagined itthat he buys me presents, so he must love me.”
Gran sighed. “Dont worry, well sort it.”
“Maybe I should just live with you?” I whispered. “If Im in the way.”
“Well talk it through,” she smiled. “You could never be in the way.”
Later, Gran called Mum.
“Are you alone?” she asked.
“No, Alex is here.”
“Go somewhere private.”
Mum stepped onto the balcony, heart racing. Gran repeated what Id said. Mum felt sickbut she couldnt believe it. Alex had always been so kind to me. Still, she decided to ask him outright.
Back in the kitchen, he looked up. “Everything alright? Is Lily okay?”
Not out of concernbecause if something was wrong, hed have to fetch me, ruining their evening. He could barely stand me as it was.
“She heard what you said,” Mum said flatly. “That she irritates you. That youd rather she lived with Gran.”
She hoped for shockbut saw panic instead.
“Dont be silly!” He gripped his wine glass. “I never said that.”
Mum sighed. Shed thought shed found the onesomeone whod accept us both. But that wasnt happening.
“Dont lie,” she said.
“It wasnt like that!” he blustered. “I just wanted more time with you!”
By that evening, he was gonethough not before hurling insults, saying shed die alone.
When I got home, I was confused. “Wheres Uncle Alex?”
Mum smiled sadly. “Were better off just us two. And darlingIll always believe you. Im sorry I didnt listen.”
Years later, when Im thirteen, shell meet someone decentsomeone Ill love too. But for now, its just us. And thats enough.
