You wont believe what happened to me today, honestly. So, there I am, strolling into the shopping centre with my two kids, when who do I spot but my ex. Yep, the same ex who hasn’t thrown a single pound towards his own children for monthsalways whining about money troubles any time I ask for school trainers or supplies.
But guess what? Hes right there, smack in the middle of the swankiest shoe store, with his stepkids, trying on ridiculously pricey trainers, acting like hes made of money. I could feel my blood boiling, but instead of kicking off, I took a deep breath and thought, Well, this wont stand.
So, I walked up, holding my kids hands, just as hes glued to his phone and the stepkids are slipping into some fancy Nikes. The shop assistant is gathering up boxes. I put on my best polite smile and said, Excuse me, miss, do you have these in sizes 2 and 4?
She looked a bit confused but replied, Of course. For?
For my children, I said. Then, raising my voice just a tad, I added, My husband will pay for everything together, wont you, darling? You should’ve seen the look on his facehe jerked up from his phone like hed been struck by lightning, eyes bulging.
What? he started, but I was already helping my kids try on the trainers.
Yes, yes, hes paying for it all, I told the assistant calmly. Were a blended family, you know. Those are his stepkids, these are ours. My husband always insists on treating them equally, dont you, love?
He blushed as red as a beetroot, opened his mouth to protest, but the shop assistant was already bringing the boxes, and I winked at him.
They fit perfectly, miss, I said. Well take them.
Then, while she was jotting everything down, I spied a gorgeous pair of coral sports trainers on the shelfso me. Oh, miss, could I have those in size 5, the coral ones?
For you? she asked.
Yes, for me, I said, slipping them on. Oh, theyre fabulous. And do you have those smart black ones as well? I need them for work.
MORE? my ex managed to choke out.
Darling, dont be stingy, I told him sweetly. You know I need comfy shoes for work. And these trainers are for when I take the kids to the park. I keep telling you I need new ones, dont I?
The poor assistant, totally oblivious to the drama, just smiled and jotted away.
So thats eight pairs, in total, she said, starting to tally up on her calculator.
I stood up, gave the kids a quick kiss, and walked over to my ex. Right, love, Ive got more shopping to do. The kids will stay with you, okay? You can drop them off at mine later.
Before he could react, I grabbed the bags with my kids trainersand mineand strolled out feeling like absolute royalty. The last thing I heard was the assistant saying, Thatll be £500. Cash or card, sir?
I didnt let myself really chuckle until I was well out in the car park. The look on his face was priceless. Glancing at my new trainers, I thought, Well, thats what I call justice!
That evening, he brought the kids backof course, half an hour late, looking somewhere between outraged and resigned. No stepkids in tow.
What you did was he started.
What? I cut in, trying to look all innocent. Making sure YOUR children have new trainers too? No need to thank me, darling. Least you could do.
He was quiet for a moment, then shook his head. Eight pairs EIGHT. Did you really need two?
You never know when youll need comfy trainers, love. Besideshow many months behind are you on child support? Consider it an advance payment.
Youre mad.
Im not, just exhausted, I told him. Theres a difference. And now, Ive got decent shoes.
He turned to leave, but just before getting into his car, I heard him mutter, Eight pairs this is going to cost me more than just paying child support
Exactly, genius, I thought, closing the door.
The kids ran over, hugging me, all excited in their brand-new trainers. I wore those coral ones out on a walk that night and felt amazing.
Was it wrong? Maybe.
Do I regret it?
Not a bit. What would you have done in my shoes?
