Diary Entry
What’s your name, lovely? The stranger crouched down next to me. “Emma,” I answered, feeling shy. “And you?” “I’m Charles. Your mum and I are going to live together. From now on, you, me, and your mumwere one family!”
Soon after, Mum and I moved in with Charles. He had a roomy flat in Manchester with three bedrooms, and I got my own room. Charles was friendly and always came home with chocolates and toys for me, while my dad only called Mum when he wanted to argue about something.
Then, one evening, Mum sat me down and said my dad had remarried and moved away. I felt betrayedI loved my dad. Mum could shout at me and sometimes smack my bottom, but my dad never did. I remember so clearly when my parents got divorced: Mum yelled at Dad, even tried to hit him once. The words she threw at him still replay in my mind:
“Dont think you were the first to betray meyouve had your horns for ages, like a stag!”
After that, Mum packed up our things and we went to stay with Gran in Liverpool. I was confused about Dads “horns” since he was bald and didnt even have hair, let alone horns. After that, Mum and Dad split for good.
Life with Charles was fine at firstuntil I started Year 1. I hated school, acted out at playtime, and my parents were often summoned to the headteachers office. Sometimes Charles went instead of Mum. He was strict about my homework, and wed sit together at the kitchen table after tea while he helped me work through sums and spellings.
“Youre no one to order me about!” Id repeat phrases Id heard Gran say. “Actually, Im your dad now, since Im the one who feeds and clothes you,” Charles would reply.
When I turned ten, Dad came back to our city. By then, Id learned what Mum meant by “having horns”and guessed Dads second wife had tossed some drama his way too, which is probably why he left her. Mum said as much at the time. When Dad got back, he asked permission to see me, and Mum agreed. I was thrilled we could meet.
“How are things?” Dad asked. “Not great,” I told him. “My stepdad keeps having a go at me.” “Hes not familywhat right has he to yell at you?” Dad replied angrily. “Even Gran says that, but Charles doesnt care,” I exaggeratedI just wanted Dad to worry about me. The truth is, Charles never yelled. Still, Dad bristled and said hed sort him out. We walked in the local park, and learned that of all the slides, kids could only go on eight without an adult, and for the rest, we needed grown-ups. My dad refused to go on the merry-go-round with me. I told him my birthday was coming up soon and I was desperate for a new mobile phone. When Mum showed up to collect me later, she told Dad Charles never actually shouted at me, but Dad didnt listen.
“My real dads a proper Scrooge!” I told Charles. “He didnt buy me anything at the parkjust an ice cream. Nothing else. Honestly, youre better than him. Can we do something fun this weekend?” Charles smiled and promised wed go to the kids entertainment centre.
But then Charles had a crisis at work and our trip was cancelled. He ignored the hints about the new mobile too.
Dad, Charles tricked me! I sobbed on the phone. He said wed go out and then told me I didnt deserve a trip or even a new phone.
That little fib worked wondersDad bought me a phone straight away. Last time he ignored my hints, but with a little drama, my dream came truewell, sort of. It was a budget model; Dad said he didnt have enough for a really cool one.
“Couldnt you wait until your actual birthday?” Charles asked. “I wish I had a dog!” I replied. “No way! Youd never walk itlike always!” he protested.
After those words, I lost itcried, rang my dad, and moaned, Dad, please take me away from them! Charles nags me and gives me lectures, I hollered.
Arguments blew up all around. In the end, they sent me to Grans house, and then Mum arrived with all her bags and said she was leaving Charles. Dad went back to his new wife because it turns out she was pregnant. Now I wont get a new mobile or a dog, and Gran certainly wont let me have a cat either.
