Amy was in her final year at university when she found out she was pregnant. She didnt rush to tell her boyfriend about the impending bundle of joy, so he only discovered the good news when she was already five months gone.
Why on earth did you keep quiet? asked Tom, his voice raised just a little above the unflappable British norm. I made it very clearI think we should only have children once weve graduated and got our feet on the ground.
Its fine, Amy replied, rather breezily. Ive always thought higher education wasnt really my style. I fancied having a big family instead.
Tom looked as if someone had handed him a mug of really weak tea. In a fit of frustration, he threw the book he was holdingjust missing her head.
Well manage, said Amy, now quite chipper. We can live in your nans flat, and she can watch the little one while we try for another. But wedding firstASAP, please.
Are you even listening to yourself? Tom groaned. All this time, youve played the sweet and sensible girl! He stomped off and began chucking clothes into his battered suitcase.
Why are you leaving? Amy protested. You absolutely must marry me! If you go, Ill make sure this is the toast of the whole university!
Im not living in this house with you, Tom retorted, shutting the suitcase with unnecessary force. Try a month on your own, then do as you wish. When the babys born, well get a DNA test, Ill pay you child support, and thats that.
Fast forward ten years: Tom now worked in an office, hiding behind stacks of paperwork and lukewarm tea. His department head, nosey as most were, had caught wind Tom had a son.
Do you ever talk to your son, Tom? he asked one lunch break.
No, I honestly dont even know him, Tom replied, with all the emotion of a British weather report.
Later, Tom told a group of uni students his version of eventsa harrowing tale of being wronged by a girl.
So you just left her alone with the baby, then? one student said, barely hiding the judgment.
I did not! Tom snapped, defensive. I sent her money!
She says you sent her a single shiny pound coin, the student countered.
And gave the lad a smack, too! the department head laughed, just to wind Tom up.
Tom fumed. Hed warned Amy, hadnt he? This time, after a review of what he officially earned (not a penny more than necessary), he arranged to pay her the barest legal minimum for child supportturns out, it was less than hed given her before.
By then, Amy had already been married for a year, raising what Frank would call a cheeky, handful of a boyspitting image of her.
