Emma, you cant just send a child away! Shes tiny, in a town she doesnt know. Do you realise what could happen to her? Andrew shouted, his voice trembling with anger. Youre her mother! Imagine if anyone treated Kyle that way!
Kyle isnt like that at all, Olivia replied. She may be fourteen, but shes got the cheek of a grownup. If she has the nerve to sass a grownup aunt, shell manage the train station on her own too.
Olivia knew she might be overreacting. Her daughter had no ticket for a train, no relatives in Manchester, and Olivia was essentially sending the girl into the unknown. Still, she didnt care any longer; she could no longer put up with the brat in a skirt.
At one time Andrew had seemed like a breath of fresh air to Olivia. Her first marriage hadnt been a disaster, but it hadnt been love either. She married Stephen for his money. He was the heir of wealthy parents, lived in a big house, spent without a second thought, and looked after Olivia.
She thought a man like that would be perfect for a family; their children would never lack anything. Her own feelings were the last thing on her mind. No spark, no romancewhat else was there? Life isnt a fairytale; not everyone falls headoverheels. At least he was a decent bloke who wouldnt hurt her.
In some ways Olivia was right: their only son, Kyle, never wanted for anything. But when he grew up and became independent, his parents suddenly realised they were almost strangers to each other. They had no shared interests, nothing to talk about. Olivia even took holidays alone, away from Stephen. Stephens infatuation had faded as well; there were no lingering feelings.
At first they tried to live side by side as good friends. That attempt collapsed spectacularly. Olivia was irritated by everything Stephen didleaving puddles in the bathroom after a shower, snoring, eating, even breathing. Stephen, for his part, started courting younger women, calling it a pill for boredom.
Eventually they divorced. Stephen kept one of the flats rooms for Olivia and Kyle. At first Olivia got used to living alone, to a new routine, and then she longed for love, even if just once in her life.
She signed up to a dating site, but she didnt stay long. The men she met were a mixed bag. Some were unemployed at forty, some slurred about exwives, and even the decent ones vanished after the first date. Olivia couldnt see why until one of the new acquaintances lifted the veil.
The next date was a disaster. An hour in, the man began to press his body against hers, tried to kiss her, ignoring her clear Thats too fast for me. He kept insisting she come over to his flat. She caught on and fled, claiming she had to pick up Kyle from school. They parted ways.
Later that evening a message pinged on Olivias phone:
Couldnt you have said it all at once? I wasted my time on you. Divorced women with baggage arent my thing.
She remembered the words as theyd sat in a café. It wasnt really about Kyle; the label divorced had killed any desire she had to keep looking. For many men its a heavy stigma, even if Kyle was fifteen and earning more in the summer than some of her suitors.
Olivia was about to give up on her dream when the most pleasant surprise appeared.
She met Andrew at a friends birthdayMarys party. He was charming, pouring champagne, serving salads, laughing at Olivias jokes, and finally asked for her number.
Mary warned her:
Olivia, be careful. He comes with an exwife and a daughter.
Olivia wasnt fazed.
So what? Im not a maiden either, she replied. Life throws all sorts of things at you.
Later, Andrew gently explained he hadnt been able to make it work with his former wife. Olivia learned that his ex caused regular scenes. That surprised her Andrew was a sweet, calm, gentle man. Where could the conflict have come from?
She soon found the answer, and it didnt please her.
Love, Im going to be a bit late. I have to swing by Vickys. She asked me to collect a bike for Kristin, Andrew said.
It wasnt the first time. In the past week Andrew had been delayed three times. Vicky couldnt even change a lightbulb without his help. At first Olivia tried to be understanding; the exwife had only recently divorced and was still adjusting, just as Olivia once had. But the constant interruptions began to grate.
You know how I feel about this. Cant you just say no to her? Im starting to think theres something between you two.
Darling, have a little faith! I cant just abandon Kristin. Families fall apart, children stay behind, you understand
I get it. I dont mind you helping, but not the endless trips. Lets send Vicky money for a professional. You dont have to be there yourself.
Oh, Olivia
No more Olivia. Either you go home, or you stay with Vicky for good.
It took a fight, but Olivia finally made her point. Andrew stopped dropping by his exwifes house, though he still wanted to see his daughter, so Kristin started visiting on weekends. Each visit became a test of Olivias patience.
On the first night Kristin demanded that her father sleep in her roomalwaysbecause she was scared to be alone. Then she raided Olivias perfume shelf, dousing herself in an expensive fragrance. The third time she threw a tantrum over dinner.
Im not eating this, Kristin declared, pushing the plate away. Its nasty. Mums cooking is better.
Fine, go hungry, Olivia snapped. Or go to your mothers.
Are you kicking me out? Ill tell Mum I wasnt fed here! Kristin crossed her arms, pouting.
Girls Andrew muttered. Lets not fight. Ill order a pizza.
Every weekend ended in a quarrel. Kristin acted like she owned the house, showing everyone that Olivia wasnt her mother. She wanted her father to spend more time with her, or to go back to her mothers place, and she was slowly eroding the new familys peace.
Youll have to move to another city if she keeps this up, a friend warned Olivia. I told you this.
I never thought Id be dealing with a divorced womans kid, Olivia sighed.
She finally took the friends advice seriously. Why not move? Kyle was already living on his own in Leeds, so there was nothing anchoring her.
They relocated to a cottage on the outskirts of a seaside town in Cornwall. For two years everything was perfect: quiet, peace, and the chance to enjoy married life. Then
Darling, dont be angry, Andrew began timidly. Vicky called. She wants Kristin for a months summer holiday. Shes got health issues, the doctor said a sea break would help, but the holidays are pricey, and Vickys only off in winter.
Olivia stared at him as if he were a bull in a china shop.
No! Not Kristin! she burst out.
Love, I spoke to her. She understands and promises not to act up.
At first Olivia resisted, but eventually she gave in. After all, Kristin was the daughter of the man she loved. Maybe she had really changed?
She didnt.
The first week Kristin behaved quietly, staying in her room or walking with Andrew. Then things escalated.
Kristin, could you please not wear your outdoor shoes inside? Thats not how we do things here.
Oh, I forgot to take them off, she said with a sweet smile. Its dirty everywhere anyway.
She started bringing guests over without asking, taking food Olivia had asked her not to touch, blasting music late at night, and when asked to keep the noise down she claimed shed forgotten her headphones, but would buy new ones if Olivia bought them. She also complained to Vicky, leading to more arguments on the phone.
Olivias patience finally snapped when Kristin accidentally broke the cup Kyle had given her when he got his first paycheck.
Oh, never mind Its not like you have many cups, youve turned this into a trial, Kristin shrugged.
That evening Olivia told Andrew she could no longer tolerate the little terror on her own turf.
Andrew defended his daughter.
Olivia, she may be wrong, but shes still a child. Youre an adult. You could try to find common ground, be patient once a year, he said. Otherwise it seems you dont care what happens to my daughter.
Olivia slept that night in the guest bedroom, refusing to see Andrew. In the morning she woke to find both him and Kristin gone.
Andrew was missing for three days; he had apparently taken Kristin somewhere just in case. He didnt answer calls or texts. Olivia could only guess what was happening behind the scenes. He finally resurfaced on the fourth day.
Im coming home. Ill be there by six tomorrow, he announced matteroffactly.
Olivia could have pretended everything was fine, as she had when he visited his ex every other day, but the war had worn her down.
Andrew, dont be offended, but maybe you should go back to Vicky. Some couples are happy together, and apart theyre bored. It sounds like you two, she replied.
Olivia, whats wrong? Everythings fine. I just took my daughter.
It would be better if she never came over, or if you put her in her place. You never have. Im tired of fighting in my own home and with you.
Andrew tried to persuade her, but Olivia stood her ground. She never discovered whether he was cheating or simply under Vickys thumb. She deliberately stopped spying on his social media.
Yes, once she wanted love. But what do you do when the man beside you loves himself, his comfort, his halfmeasures more than you? Olivia decided the first step was to love herself. Watching expartners wouldnt fit into that definition.
In the end she learned that true love doesnt wait to be handed over; it begins with respecting and caring for yourself, and everything else falls into place.
