I came home to an empty house no husband, no his belongings.
Why are you staring at me like that? Zoe grinned. Stan just wanted to prove hes a proper bloke. Nothing more.
What are you on about? I asked.
Plain as day, love, the former wife of Stan said, handing me a cup of tea.
I dont get it Alice, my daughter, fidgeted.
Oh, Stan will sort you out, Zoe nodded toward the garden.
My mother, Margaret, raised Alice like a delicate flower. Margaret herself was a hardnosed woman who ran her own sawmill in the woods with an iron fist. Yet with her only child she became softspoken, her voice turning gentle and her eyes full of warmth. Thats why Alice grew up tender, fragile and trusting.
She never knew hardship. She attended a regular school and a music academy, learning piano with enthusiasm. She never became a worldrenowned virtuoso, but she turned into a lovely teacher. All that was left was to marry well, and a handsome driver named Victor appeared. He courted her sweetly, spending his modest wage as a lorry driver on dates, whispering tender words and looking deep into her bright blue eyes.
Mother, however, disliked him.
Lazy wagger! Margaret declared.
Mum, I love him, Alices eyes welled up.
Fine, fine, Margaret replied, but youll be living with me!
Our spacious threebedroom flat in Leeds had room for everyone, and the newlywed Victor didnt mind sharing with a mother who spent most of the day at the mill. Victor had nothing much of his own, but he was caring and gentle at first. After the wedding he began to show his true colours: drinking, wandering off, and shouting at his young wife when his mother was around. He tried to keep up appearances, but it was thin.
Alice refused to see any fault in him. Nine months after the vows she gave birth to a son, little Len, and delighted that they finally had a proper family. The boy was highmaintenance, demanding constant attention, and Victors temper flared even more. She endured, hoping things would improve.
Her patience snapped when her mother suddenly passed away after only a year of enjoying her grandson. The funeral was arranged by Margarets longtime friend, solicitor Yuri Smith. Victor stayed away from home during those days, and when he finally appeared a cardboard box of his possessions waited for him in the hallway. He threatened lawsuits and division of assets, but Alice didnt react.
Thanks to Yuri, the former husband was practically thrown out the door. As an experienced lawyer, he prevented any division of property. Victor and Len never saw each other again. The sawmill could no longer be run by Alice; it was handed over to specialists hired by Yuri. So the nowtiny household needed nothing at all.
Losing her mother and the divorce hit Alice hard; she had no friends or relatives. Her only focus became her son, who needed constant care. She didnt think about men any longer Yuri didnt count.
One rainy afternoon, after a visit to the childrens clinic, they emerged, trying to shelter under a large umbrella. Waiting inside the building was pointless; the storm would not end soon, Alice didnt drive, and taxis were scarce. They decided to take a chance.
Jump in, quick! they heard a driver shout as a car screeched to a halt twenty metres away, the man bending over the seat to fling the rear door open. Come on, its a noparking zone!
Alice never imagined the driver could be a danger, especially since shed seen him before in the clinic corridors, bringing his own boy, about Lens age, to see the doctor.
Thanks! she blurted at Stan after the ride, having met him on the way.
No problem! Fancy giving me your number? he chuckled.
She stiffened.
Sorry, I dont date married men, she said, turning with Len toward the building.
She never expected to see him again so soon, but the next day Stan lingered in the courtyard.
Im not married, he said, thrusting a divorce decree at her it had been finalised a month earlier.
Had she grown tired of being alone? Was Stans cheerfulness and attentiveness too much to resist? Why did Len take to him instantly?
Alice never understood why she let a new acquaintance walk with them and then join them for dinner. From that day they met almost daily, and she fell deeper in love. Within a month he proposed.
Its right, isnt it? He loves me, and Len adores him. The boys affection for the suitor became decisive; he started calling Stan dad even before the wedding.
After they were married, Stan suggested adopting Len.
Ive always wanted two boys, he said, eyes bright.
Alice patted his shoulder sympathetically, knowing his exwife had found a wealthy man and barred him from seeing his son, which had broken him.
Three months after they met they were a real family. The only secret Alice kept from Stan was her true financial state. The sawmill was small, profits split three ways with the new partners, but it still brought in decent money. She saved everything for Lens education, a flat for him, and nothing else. She didnt want anyone to know.
Yuri had taught her that, before he retired to a seaside cottage. If Stan suspected anything, he never showed it.
That little idyll lasted less than a year. Over time Stan grew less caring, coming home sour and irritable.
Dont mind it, the boss is at me, he would say.
Cant you transfer to another site? Youre a good electrician, Alice pressed.
Ill sort it out, he muttered, then stopped apologising, either falling silent or snapping at her. He never treated Len harshly, but it was obvious the boy irritated him.
Alice was at a loss until one day, walking in the park with Len while Stan was delayed at work, promising to join them for icecream later, a strange, slightly mocking female voice floated near her.
Wrong move adopting him, the lad will suffer, said a striking brunette in an orange coat, perched on a bench beside Alice.
Do we know each other? Alice asked, startled.
No, but that can change, the woman replied with a sly smile. Im Zoe. Stans exwife. Temporarily ex.
Alice stared, the playground full of other children muffling any sound.
Why are you looking at me like that? Zoe smirked. Stan just wanted to prove hes a proper lad. Thats all.
What are you on about?
The plain truth, love, Zoe said, handing over a card.
She was about five years older than Alice, looking down on her with a patronising air.
I dont get it Alice stammered.
Oh, Stan will explain everything, Zoe nodded toward the path.
Sure enough, Stan approached, eyes darting between the two women.
Stan, explain to the girl whats what, Zoe said, standing up, ruffling his hair, and heading toward the park exit. Were waiting for you! she called over her shoulder.
Now it was Stan asking Alice the same question, bewildered by recent events. I dont know what Zoe told you, but yes, I married you just to spite her.
He paused, gathering his thoughts. Shes driven me mad! Shed say, Who do you need? as if shes the only one tolerating me, and the kid is my only son. Then she started flirting with that rich Max. I cracked and filed for divorce.
Why adopt Len? Alice managed to ask.
So everythings tidy. New wife, new son, everythings sweet! Stan blurted. I spotted you at the clinic and thought youd be perfect
Perfect for a wifetobe? Alice replied with a crooked smile.
Stan fell silent.
What now? Alice asked, not really knowing what to expect, though everything was clear.
I dont know, Stan muttered. I suppose Ive grown used to you lot.
He had learned fast. He didnt stay over, and in the morning, after taking Len to the garden, Alice returned to an apartment empty of his things and his presence. She sighed heavily and dialed Yuri Smith. She needed the solicitor again.
