**Diary Entry**
*3rd September*
Natalie, tell your son I wont be living with him anymore, Emily said firmly, her voice steady.
Oh? And who will take you in, then? her mother-in-law scoffed. Whod want a woman with a child? I dont see a queue of princes waiting behind the fence.
Emily packed her daughters things methodically, her movements calm. A warm jumper for Sophiecheck. Her little shoesanother check. She wasnt crying anymore. Last nights sleepless hours had settled itshe and Mark needed to separate.
She heard him come home. He peeked into the bedroom, then pushed open Sophies door. Emily pretended to sleep.
In the morning, before work, Mark lingered outside Sophies room, shifting awkwardly. But he didnt go in, delaying their conversation for later.
There would be no conversation. In half an hour, Emily would call a taxi and leave with two-year-old Sophie. After last night, she didnt even want to *look* at him.
Shed grown used to him coming home drunk on Fridays. But yesterday was Wednesday. Worse, shed asked him earlier to come home on time so she could meet her friend Lucywhod promised to help her find remote work. Seeing his state, she called Lucy to reschedule.
Mark didnt like that.
Who are you calling? he snapped. What *meeting*?
Lucy. We were supposed to meet, but I cant leave Sophie with you like this.
Why not?
Look at yourself! Go sleep it offyouve got work tomorrow. She turned toward the kitchen.
Stop! He grabbed her wrist. Whats wrong with the way I am, eh? Had a few pints with the ladsVinces birthday. Big deal, *Princess*! Ill come home how I please. Got it?
She tried pulling free. Let go! Youre hurting me! Have you lost your mind?
He staggered, nearly falling. Oh, *thats* how it is? His fist struck her nose before he could think.
Emily clutched her face. Mark, seemingly shocked by his own actions, released her and stammered. But she turned away, heading straight for Sophie.
Princess! he spat before storming out.
*Princess*his mothers favourite word for her. Natalie had never approved.
Twenty-one and still mooching off her parents. *Studying*! At her age, I already had one child and another on the way!
A husband, a home, responsibilitiesbut no, shes too busy *studying*! Youll regret this, Mark. Shouldve picked a simpler girl.
Emilys parents hadnt liked him either.
Slow down, love! Hes not the last man on earth. If youre in love, finedate, even live together. But marriage? Thinkcan you stand him for life? Look at his family. *Then* decide.
She *had* decided. Realised her mistake in six months. Couldve left. But pride kept heradmitting her parents were right? No. And then, she was pregnant.
Sophies arrival didnt change Mark. Housework, the babystill *her* problem.
Other women manage! You must nap all day while Im at work!
Sophies teethingI cant cook with her screaming. I ordered takeaway. Make some pasta yourself, or hold her while I cook.
The rose-tinted glasses were long gone. Maybe Mum was rightshe *shouldve* looked closer at his family.
Shed nearly left a few times. Mark always promised to change. Shed believed him.
But after last nightafter he *hit* hershe wouldnt endure it anymore.
Yes, facing her parents was humiliating. But living with a man whod raise a hand to her? Unthinkable. And she wouldnt let Sophie grow up in that house.
Her mother spotted the taxi first. JohnEmilys here. With *bags*. Help her with them.
When Emily removed her sunglasses, her parents froze. Her left eye was swollen, a bruise blooming beneath it.
Did *Mark* do this? her mother gasped.
Emily nodded.
Ill have a word with him Her father lurched toward the door.
Dad, *no*, Emily stopped him. Ill punish him my way. Just help me get Sophies things from his flat.
Her father and uncle fetched everything. Then, her dad took her to A&E.
If you press charges, this wont be enough, her uncle explained. Youll need a proper medical report.
Well sort it tomorrow, her father said.
Mark came home with flowers and a teddy. But the flat was emptyno Emily, no Sophie, no cot.
Her phone was off. He rang his mother-in-law.
Yes, Emilys here. Dont *dare* show upmy husbands fists are itching. Shell file for divorce herself.
He tried calling. Even lurked near her parents house. But Emily ignored him, only taking Sophie into the garden.
A week later, divorce papers arrived. Then, the heavy artilleryNatalie appeared at the gate.
Mum, I wont speak to her, Emily said.
You should, her mother insisted. Clear the air. Well talk in the gardenno need to invite her in.
So, youre divorcing him? Natalie sneered. One disagreement, and you run?
He *hit* me.
You *provoked* him! A man comes home tipsydont nag him! Wait till he sobers up. But noyou picked a fight, got what you asked for. And now youll leave? Make your child fatherless?
Natalie, I *wont* live with your son.
Wholl take you? I dont see suitors lining up.
Ill manage alone.
Then dont expect his flat or maintenance!
I dont *want* his flat. But Ill claim child supportand the courts *will* side with me.
They did. The medical report sealed it. Mark paid child supportplus an extra £300 monthly until Sophie turned three.
Five years later
A crowd of children gathered outside the school, clutching oversized bouquets. Sophie, starting Year One, stood with her grandparents and mother.
Will Dad come? she asked.
Hell be here, Emily assured her. He just textedoh, there he is! She waved at a tall man scanning the crowd.
Not Mark.
Three years ago, Emily married Daniela colleague. Now, they were expecting.
Mark? Still single. Thered been women he likedand some who liked him. But whenever things turned serious, someone *always* mentioned why his first wife left.
Small towns have long memories. And Marks nicknameArmchair Boxerstuck.
Maybe someday, a woman would overlook it.
But not yet.
The boomerang *does* come backwhether you believe in it or not.
