I dont want your son living with us after the wedding.
Auntie Jane, could you help me with my arithmetic? Please? whispered little Charlie, eyes full of hope as he stared up at his dads fiancée. I have a big test tomorrow, and Dads at work until late.
Darling, I really dont have the time, she replied, not glancing up from the glowing laptop on her knees. The weddings in two weeks and Ive got a thousand things left to sort out. You want ours to be the perfect day, right? For your dad?
Of course, he said quietly, lost, and shuffled away to his tiny, pale blue room. Jane made his skin prickle; her smile never quite reached her eyes. But Dad glowed around her, so Charlie decided to grin and bear it.
His mum had grown spectrally ill, unable to care for him any longer.
No child should watch someone they love fade to a shadow! snapped Dad, sweeping Charlie up. Whatever Jane felt, she kept silent arguing just before your white wedding doesnt look good on a photo.
Jane played the role of empathetic future step-mum well, but only when Dad was home. As soon as his footsteps faded down the hallway each morning, her warmth vanished. The silent treatment fell like rain. She had no appetite for a strangers boy.
A couple days before the big event, Dads computer fizzled out. He borrowed Janes laptop, meaning only to send an email, but some wicked impulse drew his eyes to her browser history.
A cloud pressed down over Dads face as he read. He slammed the laptop shut, then strode to the living room, where Janes laughter flickered from the television.
So whats this business youve been searching about childrens homes for my son? Dads voice quaked with forced calm.
She frowned. You said you only needed to check emails. Have you been snooping? Shameless.
He ignored the accusation. Answer me. Who gave you the right to plan my childs life?
Exactly he isnt my child! Jane tossed the remote aside, her chest heaving. Were going to have children together, our own. Charlie will only get in the way. Hes rubbish at school, can barely get a passing mark. Is that the kind of example you want for our family?
Hes barely hanging on, Jane! His mum is dying. I pulled him from everything he knew, and now youre scheming to have him shipped off? Dads voice thundered. Charlie, fortunately, was still at school.
Dont raise your voice with me, she sniffed indignantly. He could live with his granny or at least somewhere out of our way. Im not obliged to mother your boy.
And when did you plan to share your masterstroke? A week after the honeymoon? A month?
In a couple of days. Jane was utterly unfazed. Whats the point in delay? I even spoke to my friend at social services; we can file everything quickly. Hell be better off there.
Let me make this clear, Dad said, his tone oddly composed. Id never betray my son. I love him more than anything. Theres nothing in this world more precious to me than Charlie.
What about me? Jane nearly leapt up. Dont I mean anything to you? Am I just some woman you picked up off the street? Pick. Him or me.
Dad didnt hesitate. Him. Easy. Theres dozens of women out there, but I only have one son.
A woman? Dozens? Jane was trembling in fury. And you think any other woman would love your boy? Dream on! No one wants someone elses baggage!
Youve got an hour to pack your bits and leave, Dad said as he shrugged on his battered wool coat. And you can take all the presents, I truly couldnt care less. He rested his hand on the door, voice soft as drizzle. If you imagined I was lovesick, you got it wrong. I only ever wanted a mum for Charlie.
Wait, James, what about the wedding? Jane stammered. Shed imagined him falling at her feet, desperate to keep her. Instead, he was showing her out the door.
Havent you understood anything? Dads voice was incredulous. There wont be a wedding. Ive decided, and thats that. Gather your stuff. If youre still here when I get back, I wont be gentle.
The doors slam left Jane stranded on the sofa, breathless and cold, staring at the flat shed already half-claimed as her own. She didnt want to give it up.
Then the ring of the bell. Jumping up, she forced a smile and half-ran to the door. Surely James was just teasing. Men make strange jokes; hed come back and apologise.
Parcel for you! chirped the courier at the threshold, holding out a clipboard.
Jane almost snapped the pen in half as she scrawled her name. The boy shot her an odd look, then left as soon as he had the papers.
In the box shimmered the wedding gown, almost glowing in the half-light extravagant, showy, silk and lace. Jane kicked it across the room and stamped on the dress until it looked like an old sheet.
Snatching up her phone, she punched in her best friend’s number.
Whats the emergency? came the voice, thick with annoyance. Its five in the morning. Cold feet?
There wont be any wedding! hissed Jane, switching to speaker so her cry would echo. Im packing. Are you coming to fetch me?
What happened? The friends tone turned sharp. Did he hurt you?
Oh, he hurt me alright, Jane spat, narrating the row in a rush. Silence from the phone. Well? Fallen asleep?
You really wanted rid of the boy?
Of course. Why should I play nurse? Id have my own.
Yknow The pause grew. I cant believe you. I never thought youd sink this low.
Jane scowled, jamming her things in the suitcase. Couldnt care less what you think. Are you coming?
No. Call someone else.
Fine, be that way! Ill get a cab.
***********************************************
That evening, James picked up Charlie from school, and together they meandered to the nearest park, bread crumbs stuffed in their pockets for the pigeons. The boy relished his fathers attention, but after a moment, he chewed his lip and asked:
Dont you need to help Auntie Jane with the wedding? He braced for the usual disappointment, that grown-ups always pick each other first.
No, said Dad, surprising Charlie. There wont be a wedding. Youre not upset that Janes not staying with us, are you? In truth, Dad hadnt really thought how Charlie would feel about losing her, too.
Not upset at all! said Charlie, a grin breaking on his face. Not even a bit. If Im honest, I didnt like her much. She didnt need me.
Never mind, murmured James, hugging his son tightly. For now, its just the two of us at home. But someday, perhaps well find someone wholl love you like her ownFor a moment, Charlie nestled into his fathers side, feeling safe for the first time in a long while. All around them, dusk painted the world gold, and the pigeons flapped and cooed at their feet.
Can we get chips on the way home? Charlie asked, his voice hopeful. With that spice salt you like.
James ruffled his hair, grinning. Chips it is. He stood, pulling Charlie to his feet, and together they walked beneath the gentle canopy of sycamores, hands clasped, arms swinging. There was no future bride, no threat, no weightjust the steady, quiet joy of belonging to each other.
At the corner, the chip shops windows glowed invitingly. As they waited, James leaned in close and whispered, Anytime you need helparithmetic or anythingyou just ask me. I promise Ill always listen.
Charlies eyes shone. Okay, Dad.
Outside, munching salty chips in the cool night, Charlie remembered a lesson his mother used to say: The people who really matter stay when life hurts. He glanced up at his dad, warmth humming inside him.
When they got home, James tucked Charlie in and switched on his favorite nightlight. As Charlie drifted toward sleep, he murmured, Just us, Dad. Thats enough.
James watched his son a moment more, then closed the door softly, certainfinallythat their little world, battered but standing, would be enough.
