Emma was packing her bags, ready to leave. “Where are you going?” he asked. “What difference does it make to you?” she snapped. “You clear out of the flat tooit belongs to my father and me. Ill be renting it out. I dont need layabouts here. Find yourself somewhere else to live.”
Emma had come home from work to find her husband, Oliver, carousing with friends again. This time, it wasnt just his usual mate, Liam, but also Liams brother, Ethan, who was visiting. Theyd been celebrating Ethans holiday for three days straight.
Oliver wasnt usually one for drinking. Hardly ever, in factnot even on most holidays. But this was different: a friends visit, the lads together. Deep down, Oliver knew he was in the wrong, but he couldnt bring himself to turn them away.
“Are you my mate or not?” Ethan kept insisting.
“Oliver, see your friends out and get to bed. They can barely stand.”
“Shut it, woman!” Ethan barked.
“Emma, well be off soon,” Liam said quietly, rising from the table.
“How dare you speak to my wife like that?” Oliver growled.
“Calm down. Everyone, time to go. Out you get.”
Emma shoved the guests toward the door, pushed Oliver onto the sofa, and started cleaning. Her mother-in-law, Margaret, was due to arrive soon. Let her see what her precious son was up to!
By the time Margaret arrived, Emma had scrubbed everything and whipped up a quick dinnerthe guests had polished off whatever had been in the fridge. The leftovers went straight into the bin.
“Margaret, its so good to see you. And little SophieIve missed you both!”
“Mummy, Granny has a kitten! Its ginger. Grandad says its a sly little thing.”
“Sophie!”
“Thats what Grandad says!”
“Wash your hands, everyone. Dinners ready, and well have tea after.”
“Wheres Oliver? I called him, but he didnt answer.”
“Asleep. Three days celebrating with the neighbours. Every night I come home and kick them out, then it starts again in the morning. Might as well lock him out with no keys. Before Ethan showed up, everything was fine. But now? Theyve made themselves at home here because Liams wife wont have them overlittle kids in the house. So theyve latched onto us.”
“Theyve been mates since primary school. Ever since we moved here. You cant just cut that off. You two need to move.”
“Move where? The house isnt finished yet, though its nearly there. We need to go check on it. And how can I just leave him?”
“Hell come crawling back.”
“Who will?” Oliver appeared in the kitchen doorway.
“You. Who else? Drawn in by the smell of food, were you?”
“I dont want anything.”
“Good. Emmas packing her things and leaving you.”
“Where?”
“Whats it to you? You clear out toothis flat belongs to my father and me. Ill rent it out. I wont have layabouts here. Find your own place.”
“What do you mean, my own place?” Ethan looked stunned. “Weve got a house being built!”
“A house? Think againwhose house? Who put the money into it? RightEmma and you. But you used our money. That house is for Emma and Sophie. Emma, dont just stand there, pack your things and Sophies.”
“Youre not taking my daughter!”
“Oh, Im terrified.”
“Shes mine. Emma has no right to her.”
“And when she stepped in as her mother, did she have a right then? Arent you ashamed? Shes her mother now! And dont you dare say another word in front of Sophie. Just pack your things.”
“Mum, Im your son. What about me?”
“And? The flat needs to be empty by tomorrow. Were leaving now.”
“Where?”
“To inspect their house and hurry the builders along. Theres not much left to do. Well order the furniture while were at it.”
“What about me?”
“Why do you keep fussing? Youve got matestheyll take you in.”
“No, this isnt right.”
“Ive said all I need to. Emma, have you got everything? Then lets go. Take the car keys.”
“My car?”
“Would you rather we walked? Youre in no state to drive.”
“Well stay at ours tonight and see about the house tomorrow,” Margaret said. “Its the weekend. Well air the place out, relax. Let him think things over.”
The next morning, Oliver stood on his parents doorstep with his bags. His mother didnt make empty threatsif she said something, she meant it.
“What do you want?”
“Mum, you told me to clear the flat. Its done. Ill stay here for now, then find somewhere. Ill take Sophie and Emma back. Where are they?”
“Theyre here for now, but well be off soon to check on their house.”
“Ive been looking for them. Mum, can we talk? This was all the lads fault. You know Ethan and Liamonce they latch on, you cant shake them off.”
“Which is exactly why you wont be living there anymore.”
Emma and Oliver finally made up. Shed been deeply hurt, but she believed him.
“No more neighbours, no more mates.”
“Mind yourself, or you wont see Sophie again. She stays with me. And the baby too…”
“Baby? Baby! We need to finish that house fast. Ive got to tell Mum!”
“Dont shoutshe knows. Might not be a boy. Could be another girl. Its still early.”
“I dont care. Girl or boy. Youre my Emma!” Oliver swept her into his arms, spinning her around.
“Careful! Put me down.”
The family moved into their new home. Sophies little brother was born just after they settled in.
“Sophie, come meet your brother,” Margaret said.
“Hes so tiny. Mines bigger. Mummy gave him to me. Now weve got two mummies. Right, Granny?”
“Thats right, poppet.”
“Im not a poppet. Hes tiny. And Mummy promised wed get a sly ginger fluffball. Or…”
“Sophie!”
“Thats what Grandad says…”
In the end, Oliver learned that family came firstnot the lads, not the drinking, but the people who stood by him when it mattered most. And sometimes, it took losing everything to realise what was truly worth keeping.
