His wife had packed her bags and vanished without a trace.
Stop acting like a martyr. Shell get over it; women always do. Shell shout, cry, then settle down. The main thing is, weve accomplished our goal. We have a sonour family line continues.
Dinah said nothing.
George, she leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper, a week ago you told me youd dealt with Emilys pregnancy. What did you mean?
George put his fork down and leaned back in his chair.
What do you think it means? She kept stringing me along for five yearsnot ready, career, maybe later. But when is later, Dinah? Im thirty-two. I wanted an heir, a proper family, the way normal people have. So, I swapped out her pills.
Dinah stared at him in disbelief.
Did you tell her? When?
The day she left, George muttered. She started shouting, so I told her the truthget used to it, sweetheart. This is what you wanted, I just gave you a nudge.
I figured shed calm down, realise she had no other option. But shewell, she lost her head. Grabbed her bag and stormed out.
***
On the kitchen table, buried beneath unwashed bottles, was a forgotten hairbrushher brothers.
Dinah eyed it, irritation bubbling up inside her. Why did everything have to be left in such a mess?
The baby, in the next room, had finally settled. Still, the quiet gave her no peacewithin an hour, two at most, it would all begin again.
Adjusting her dressing-gown, Dinah filled the kettle. Just a month ago, they had collected Emily, her sister-in-law, from hospital. George was beaming, darting about with massive bouquets for the nurses; Emily, on the other hand…
Emily looked like someone being led to the gallows rather than home.
Dinah had written it off as exhaustionthe first birth, all those hormones, perhaps. In hindsight, that should have warned her.
The front door bangedher brother was back from work. He breezed into the kitchen, loosening his tie, heading straight for the fridge.
Anything to eat? he asked, without glancing at her.
Theres pasta in the pot. And I made some sausages.
George, the babys just gone down. Could you keep it down a bit?
George snorted, pulling out a plate.
Im knackered, Dinah. Been on my feet all day. Clients bloody wore me down. Hows the little man?
That little man is your son, Dinah replied, her mug hitting the counter a little more forcefully than intended. His name is Arthur. And he screamed for three hours straighthis tummys upset.
Well, youre managing, arent you? George shrugged, sitting down. Youre a woman. Its in your blood. Our mum raised both of us alone when Dad was working away.
Dinah bit her lip, resisting the urge to fling the mug at his head.
She was only staying here until shed sorted the arrears on her art studio, but in just two weeks shed become a free nanny, cook, and housemaid.
And George just carried on as if nothing had happened. As if his wife hadnt gathered her belongings and disappeared without a word.
Has Emily called? Dinah asked, watching her brother wolf down his dinner.
His fork froze midway to his mouth, his expression darkening.
She wont answer. Ignores my calls. Imaginewalking out on her own child… What sort of mother does that?
Shes angry because you swapped her pills. So shed fall pregnant faster.
Youre out of order, George, Dinah said quietly.
What?! His eyes went wide. Everything I do is for the family! I work, I bring home money. And she abandons her child! Whos really at fault?
You took away her choice, Dinah stood. You betrayed someone you claimed to love. How is she supposed to react? Thank you for wrecking my life?
Oh, come off it, George waved her away. Shell throw a fit. She wont go anywhere. The boys here. Her things are here. Once her money runs out, shell come crawling back. Youll help, wont you? Honestly, I havent the timeits nearly year-end at the office.
Dinah didnt answer. She left the kitchen and headed for the nursery.
Arthur was softly breathing, tiny fists curled tight. Dinah stared at him, her heart shattering.
On the one hand, this helpless childinnocent in all of this. On the other, Emily, driven into a corner.
She pitied them both…
Pulling out her phone, Dinah tapped open her messages. Emily had been online three minutes before. Dinah typed, erased, and typed again:
Em. Its Dinah. Im not asking you to come back to him. I just need to know youre alright. Its too hard on my own. Can we talk? No shouting.
Ten minutes later, the reply came:
Im in a hotel. I leave on business to Manchester in three days, for three weeks. This was planned long before I… well, before. When I return, Im filing for divorce. Im not abandoning Arthur, Dinah. But I cant be there now. I cant even look at him. He reminds me of George.
Dinah let out a sigh.
I understand. Truly. George told me everything.
How is he? Proud of himself?
In his mind, yes. Hes sure youll come back.
Let him dream. Dinah, if its all too much, tell me. Ill find a way to hire a nanny, send you money. But I will never go back to him. Never.
Dinah put down her phone, exhaling long and deep. She needed to find work, pay her debts, rebuild her own life.
But leaving Arthur to Georgewho couldnt even change a nappywas out of the question.
***
The next three days were a slow-motion nightmare.
George would come home late, eat, collapse in bed.
Any plea for help with Arthur met with Im tired or You know how to calm him better than I do.
One night, when Arthurs wailing became unbearable, Dinah stormed into her brothers room, flicked the light on.
Get up.
George squeezed his eyes shut, covering his head with a pillow.
Din, leave me. Im up at six.
I dont care. Go and rock your son. Hes hungry, and Im shaking with exhaustion.
Are you mad? George shot upright, hair askew, eyes wild. Thats why youre here. I put you up, pay the bills
Oh, thats it? Dinahs voice broke. So Im your servant?
Call it what you like, he muttered. Once Emilys home, you can rest. Until thenpitch in.
Dinah left in silence.
She didnt sleep the rest of the night, sitting on the kitchen floor, rocking Arthurs basket with her foot, plotting how to finally put George in his place. He had gone too far.
When he left for work that morning, Dinah texted Emily again.
We need to meet. Today. While hes out. Please.
Emily agreed.
They met in a tiny park near the house. Emily looked dreadfulpale, hollow eyes, thinner than before.
She walked to the pram and gazed down at Arthur, hands trembling.
Hes grown, she whispered. Changed so much in two weeks…
He doesnt even recognise you, Em, Dinah said gently.
I know, Emily hid her face. Dinah, Im not a monster. I think I love himsomewhere deep down, I know hes mine. But the thought of living with George again, sharing a bed, after what he did… I cant breathe.
What if you didnt have to? Dinah asked quietly.
Emily looked up. What do you mean?
He thinks youll crawl back, that youand Arthurare his property. But lets be honest, he isnt a father. Hes a project manager running The Perfect Family. He doesnt get up at night, doesnt know which formula to use. He only wanted an heir, not the work of parenting.
So what do you suggest?
You leave for Manchester, Dinah said clearly. Work. Take time to recover. Ill stay here for three weeks. In that time, Ill sort things.
Sort things how?
Divorce. Custody. You dont have to go back. You can rent a new flat. Ill move in, help with Arthur while you work. Ive got some freelance jobs coming inthings will get easier. Well manage on our own.
Emily studied her, uncertain.
Youd go against your own brother?
Hes my brother. But what he did was despicable. I wont be an accomplice to a lie. He thinks Im only on his side because Ive nowhere else to gobut hes wrong.
Emily was silent, watching the sunlight glint off the pram handle.
But what about him? Hell raise hell. He wont just give Arthur away.
Hell make a scene, Dinah agreed. But we have an ace up our sleeve. He admitted to swapping your pills. In court, before witnesses, Ill back you. And Ill tell everyone about his help in the house, too.
He doesnt want a child, Em. He just wants control. Once he realises Arthur actually takes effort, hell back off. Easier for him to play abandoned hero dad than actually parent.
For the first time in ages, Emily managed a weak smile.
Youve grown up, Dinah.
Had to, she sighed. Sodeal?
Deal. Thank you.
Three weeks passed in a blur.
George grew more irritable, finally noticing that Dinah had stopped dropping everything to serve him.
Whens Emily back? he demanded one night, tossing his briefcase on the sofa.
Tomorrow, Dinah replied curtly, Arthur clutched to her chest.
Thank God. Maybe I can eat decent food again, sick to death of your bloody pasta. Ill buy her somethingso she doesnt moan. Earrings or a ring, women love that rubbish.
Dinah looked at him with near-physical disgust.
Do you really believe a ring fixes everything?
George shrugged, reaching to pat her shouldershe moved away.
Dont start playing the saint. Itll blow over. Women always forgive and forget. The important thing is, we have a son, the line continues.
Dinah said nothing.
***
Next morning, Emily arrived while George was at work. She didnt come upwaited by the car. Dinah had already packed all the baby things, her own bags, essentials.
Took three trips up and down the stairs. Arthur slept soundly in his car seat.
Finally, when the last bag was loaded, Dinah left the flat keys behindon the kitchen table, right where Georges brush had been three weeks before. On top, she left a note:
George, were gone. Dont look for Emily; her solicitor will contact you. Arthur is with her. I am too.
You wanted a family but forgot its built on trust, not manipulation.
Pastas in the fridge. Youll have to deal with it on your own now.
They drove away.
Emily let a small but cosy flat on the other side of town.
The early days were pure chaosArthur unsettled, Emily weeping at every hour, and Dinahs phone vibrating with Georges furious calls and messages.
He shouted, threatened, swore hed take them to court, take the baby, leave them penniless.
Dinah listened, unmoved.
They got through it.
After days of rage, George simply faded from their lives.
They divorced in court; George never once requested custody. Dinah had been righthe didnt want the hassle. Maintenance was easier than parenting.
He didnt even insist on seeing Arthur.
