Hey love, youve gotta hear this crazy saga Ive been following its like a proper British soap.
So Alice Thompson sweet as could be comes home and finds the flat empty. No husband, no his stuff. Whats with the stare? she asks, and Zoe, the exwife, flashes a grin. Stan just wanted to prove hes a jealous sort of bloke, she says, halflaughing. Really? Alice blinks. Zoe leans in, Honest truth, love. Alices all confused, and Zoe waves a hand, Stanll explain everything in a sec, and disappears down the hallway.
Alices mum, Margaret Thompson, raised her like a delicate flower. Margaret herself was a hardnosed woman, running a modest timber yard in Yorkshire with an iron fist. But with her only child she turned into a gentle, hummingbirdvoiced mother, eyes soft as cream. That made Alice tender, fragile and trusting.
Alice never knew hardship. She went to a regular school, then a music college, and loved playing the piano. She never became a star performer, but she turned into a brilliant teacher. All she needed was a good marriage, and in waltzes Mark Hayes a handsome lad who courted her with all the charm of a driver earning a modest £22k a year. Hed whisper sweet nothings and look straight into her bright blue eyes.
Mum, however, wasnt sold. Useless layabout! Margaret declared. Mum, I love him, Alice sobbed, her eyes turning seablue with tears. Alright, love, Margaret said, but youll be living with me! Their threebedroom flat in Manchester was spacious enough for everyone, and the newlyweds didnt mind sharing with a mother who spent most of her day at the yard. Mark didnt have any qualms about crashing on the couch.
At first Mark was the picture of a caring husband, but after the wedding he started showing his true colours getting drunk, wandering off, and snapping at Alice when his mother was around. He tried to keep up appearances in front of Margaret, but even that cracked. Alice, though, refused to see his flaws.
Nine months after the wedding Alice gave birth to a little boy, Jamie. She was over the moon, thinking they finally had a proper family. Jamie was a demanding little thing, needing constant attention, and Marks temper flared even more. Alice held on, hoping things would improve.
Then, out of the blue, Margaret passed away after just a year of watching her grandson grow. Her longtime friend, David Spencer, a solicitor with plenty of experience, handled the funeral. Mark stopped showing up at home, and when he finally did, a stack of his belongings waited by the door. He threatened lawsuits and a split of the assets, but Alice stayed stonecold. David made sure Mark was tossed out and that no property was divided. After that, Mark and Jamie vanished from Alices life.
Alice couldnt run the timber yard herself, so David hired a few specialists to keep it going. The family shrank, but they got by. Losing her mother and the divorce hit Alice hard she had no friends or relatives to lean on. All she had was Jamie, who needed her completely, so she threw herself into caring for him. No thoughts of new men (David excluded).
One rainy afternoon, Alice and fiveyearold Jamie walked out of the local GP, trying to hide under a huge umbrella. Waiting inside the clinic was pointless the sky wasnt clearing anytime soon, and the taxi app was jammed with demand. So they decided to take a chance.
Jump in, quick! a driver shouted as a car screeched to a halt just twenty metres away, the passenger flinging the back door open. Come on, the parkings a nogo! Alice didnt think twice; the man looked familiar theyd met in the clinic corridors where hed brought his son, about Jamies age, for a checkup.
Thanks! Alice breathed to Stan after the lift, having struck up a chat on the way.
No problem! he grinned, Can I have your number?
Alice tensed. Sorry, I dont date married men, she said, and hurried with Jamie into the building.
She never expected to see Stan again so soon, but the next day he was waiting outside the flat.
Im not married, he said, handing her a freshly stamped divorce certificate the divorce had been finalised a month ago.
Was she tired of being alone? Was Stan just too lively and caring? Did Jamie instantly take to him? Alice could never quite figure out why she agreed to let this new bloke hang around, then later pop round for dinner.
From that day on they met almost daily, and Alice fell for him more and more. A month later he popped the question, and she didnt even blink. He loved her, and Jamie adored him, even calling him Dad before they were officially married.
Once they were officially together, Stan suggested adopting Jamie.
Ive always wanted two boys, he said, his face softening.
Alice patted his shoulder, feeling for him. She knew his exwife had snagged a wealthy bloke and kept Stan away from his son, which hurt him badly.
Three months after theyd met, they were already a proper family. The only thing Alice kept secret from Stan was her real financial state. The timber yard was small, profits split three ways with the new partners, but it still brought in decent money. She hid it all, saving for Jamies education, a flat for him, everything just for him. No need to broadcast it. David had taught her that, now retired by the sea.
If Stan had any inkling about the money, he never let it show. But that bliss didnt last a year.
Over time Stan grew less caring, more irritable after work. Dont mind it, the boss is just on my case, hed say. Cant you transfer to another site? Youre a top electrician. Ill sort it. Then he stopped apologising, either staying silent or snapping at Alice. He never laid a hand on Jamie, but it was obvious the boy irritated him.
One day they were strolling in the park with Jamie Stan was due back from work and promised theyd get icecream together. Suddenly a cheeky, orangecoated woman with a sharp voice called out, You shouldnt have adopted him, hell suffer. She sat beside Alice on a bench, all swagger.
Do we know each other? Alice asked, startled.
Nope. But that can change, the stranger replied with a smirk. Im Poppy, Stans exwife. Temporarily ex
Alice stared, heart pounding. Luckily Jamie was playing further away with other kids and didnt hear a thing.
Poppy tilted her head, Whats with that look? she laughed. Stan just wanted to prove hes a jealous sort of bloke. What are you on about? Alice asked. Pure truth, love, Poppy said, leaning over the bench, her tone condescending but oddly familiar. Im five years older than you, dear.
Alice felt lost. I dont get it she stammered.
Oh right, Stan will explain everything, Poppy winked, glancing off as Stan approached, eyes darting between the two women.
Stan, explain to the girl whats happening, Poppy said, strolling off. Were waiting for you! she called over her shoulder.
Now it was Stan himself asking Alice, Whats with the stare? He admitted, I married you just to spite Poppy. He sighed, She nagged me, Who even needs you? I was only tolerating her, and then this rich guy Max started chasing me, so I filed for divorce.
Why adopt Jamie? Alice managed to ask.
So everythings tidy. New wife, new son, all sweet for me! Stan blurted. Id seen you in the clinic and thought youd be perfect
Perfect for a wifematerial? Alice muttered, halfsmiling.
Stan fell silent. I dont know, he muttered, I kinda got used to you lot.
Hed already left the park that night. Alice returned home, the flat empty no Stan, no his things. She let out a long sigh and dialled David Spencer. I need you again, love, she said, I need a solicitor.
And thats where we are, love. Crazy, right? Talk soon.
