**Diary Entry**
Rita is packing her things and leaving you. *”Where?”* *”What difference does it make to you? You can clear out of the flat tooits mine and my fathers. Ill rent it out. I dont need layabouts here. Find yourself somewhere else to live.”*
Rita came home from work and, once again, found her husband idling about with friends. This time, their neighbour Peter and his brother Nicholas were there, celebrating Nicholass holidayfor the third day straight.
William, Ritas husband, wasnt usually one for drinking. Rarely, if ever, outside of special occasions. But with Nicholas visiting, he couldnt bring himself to say no. *”Weve been mates since primary schoolyoure not going to turn me away now, are you?”* Nicholas kept pressing.
*”William, send your friends home and go to bed. They can barely stand.”*
*”Shut it, woman!”* Nicholas barked.
*”Rita, love, well be off soon,”* Peter murmured, pushing himself up from the table.
*”Who do you think youre talking to like that?”* William snapped.
*”Calm down. Everyone, out.”*
Rita ushered the guests out, shoved William onto the sofa, and started cleaning. Her mother-in-law, Margaret, would be here soonlet her see what her precious son was really like.
She had just finished when Margaret arrived, along with little Mary.
*”Margaret, Mary, Ive missed you both!”*
*”Mum, Granny has a kitten! Its ginger. Grandad says its a sly one.”*
*”Mary!”*
*”Well, Grandad said it!”*
*”Wash your hands, well have dinner and tea.”*
*”Wheres William? I rang, but he didnt answer.”*
*”Asleep. Third day celebrating with the neighbour. I come home from work and have to kick them out, then it starts all over in the morning. I swear, Ill leave him locked out next time. Before Nicholas turned up, things were fine. But now hes here for goodshares a flat with Peter, whose wife wont let them drink at home because of the kids. So guess where they end up?”*
*”Theyve been friends since Year One. Ever since we moved here. You cant just cut that off. Maybe you should move.”*
*”Where? The house isnt finished yet, even if its nearly there. We need to go check on it. And how can I just leave him?”*
*”Hell come crawling back.”*
*”Wholl come crawling?”* William appeared in the kitchen doorway.
*”You. Who else? Drawn in by the smell of food, were you?”*
*”Not hungry.”*
*”Good. Ritas packing her things and leaving you.”*
*”Where?”*
*”What does it matter? You clear out toothis flat belongs to me and my father. Ill rent it out. Ive no use for freeloaders. Find yourself somewhere else.”*
*”Somewhere else? Mum, weve got the house!”* Nicholas looked stunned.
*”The house? Think, whose money went into it? Yours and Ritasbut yours came from us. That house is for Rita and Mary. Rita, dont just stand there, pack your things and Marys.”*
*”Youre not taking my daughter!”*
*”Oh, Im terrified.”*
*”Shes mine. Ritas got no right!”*
*”And when she stepped in as her mother, that didnt count? You should be ashamed. She *is* her mother. And dont you dare say another word in front of her. Just pack your things.”*
*”Mum, Im your son! What about me?”*
*”What about you? The flat needs to be empty by tomorrow. Were leaving now.”*
*”Where?”*
*”To see their house and hurry the builders. Its nearly done. Well order furniture too.”*
*”And me?”*
*”Why do you care? Youve got friendstheyll take you in.”*
*”No, you cant do this.”*
*”Ive said my piece. Rita, have you got everything? Then lets go. Take the car keys.”*
*”My car?”*
*”You want us to walk? Youre in no state to drive.”*
*”Well stay at ours tonight and see the house tomorrow,”* Margaret said. *”Its the weekend. Well air it out, relax. Let him stew.”*
The next morning, William stood on his parents doorstep with his bags. His mother didnt make idle threatsif she said it, it would happen.
*”What do you want?”*
*”Mum, you told me to clear the flat. Its done. Ill stay here for now, then find somewhere. But Im taking Mary and Rita back. Where are they?”*
*”Here for now, but soon well go see their house.”*
*”Ive been looking for them. Mum, can we talk? Im sorry. Its those twoNicholas and Peter. You know how they are. Impossible to shake off.”*
*”Which is why you wont be living there anymore.”*
Rita and William made up. She was still hurt, but she believed him.
*”No more neighbours, no more friends.”*
*”Rememberif this happens again, you wont see Mary. She stays with me. And the baby too…”*
*”Baby? Baby! We need to finish the house faster. I have to tell Mum!”*
*”Dont shoutshe knows. Might not be a boy, could be another girl. Still early.”*
*”Doesnt matter. Girl or boy. Youre my Rita!”* He spun her around.
*”Careful. Put me down.”*
The family moved into their new house. Marys little brother was born just after.
*”Mary, come see your brother,”* Granny said.
*”Hes so tiny. Mines bigger. Mummy gave him to me. Now were both mummies. Right, Granny?”*
*”Right, love.”*
*”Im not little. He is. And Mummy promised we could get a sly ginger furball. Or…”*
*”Mary!”*
*”Grandad said it.”*
