**Diary Entry**
Rita is packing her things and leaving you. “Where to?” you ask. “What difference does it make to you? Clear out the flatits mine and Dads. Im renting it out. I dont need layabouts here. Find yourself somewhere else to live.”
Rita came home from work and saw her husband at it again. He wasnt alonehis mates were with him. At the table sat their neighbour Peter and his brother Nicholas, whod come for a visit. Theyd been celebrating his holiday for three days straight.
William, Ritas husband, wasnt usually one for drinking. Rarely, if everonly on special occasions. But this was his childhood friend visiting, and he couldnt bring himself to turn them away.
“Are you my mate or not?” Nicholas kept saying.
“William, send your friends home and get some sleep. They can barely stand.”
“Shut it, woman!” Nicholas barked.
“Rita, love, well be off soon,” Peter muttered, pushing himself up from the table.
“How dare you speak to my wife like that?”
“Cool off. Everyone out.”
Rita ushered the guests to the door, shoved William onto the sofa, and started cleaning. Her mother-in-law would be arriving soonlet her see what her son was up to.
By the time Margaret arrived, Rita had tidied everything and even whipped up a quick supperthe guests had polished off the prepared food, and what remained on the table went straight into the bin.
“Margaret, Emily, Ive missed you both.”
“Mum, Granny has a kitten! Its ginger. Grandad says its a sly little thing.”
“Emily!”
“Thats what Grandad calls it.”
“Wash your handssupper and tea are ready.”
“Wheres William? I called, but he didnt answer.”
“Asleep. Third day celebrating with the neighbour. I come home from work and have to kick them out, and by morning, it starts again. Might as well leave him outside without keys next time. Before Nicholas showed up, things were fine. But now hes here to stayflats shared with his brother. Peters wife wont let them drink at homekids are too young. So theyve made themselves comfortable here.”
“Theyve been mates since primary school. Ever since we moved here, theyve been thick as thieves. You cant just cut that off. You two need to move.”
“Where? The house isnt finished yet, though its nearly there. We should go check on it. And how can I just leave him?”
“Hell come running.”
“Who will?” William appeared in the kitchen doorway.
“You. Who else? Drawn in by the smell of food, were you?”
“Not hungry.”
“Good. Ritas packing and leaving you.”
“Where to?”
“Whats it to you? Clear out the flatits mine and Dads. Im renting it out. No room for drunkards here. Find your own place.”
“What place, Mum?” Nicholas was dumbstruck. “Weve got the house being built!”
“The house? Thinkwho put money into it? CorrectRita and you. But you used our money. Rita and Emily will live there. Rita, dont just stand therepack your things and Emilys.”
“You wont take my daughter!”
“Oh, how terrifying.”
“Shes mine. Ritas got no claim.”
“And when she became her mother, did she? Shame on you. Shes her mother now. And dont you dare say a word in front of Emily. Pack your things.”
“Mum, Im your son. What about me?”
“And? The flat needs to be empty by tomorrow. Were leaving now.”
“Where?”
“To check on their house and hurry the builders. Wont take long. Well order furniture too.”
“And me?”
“Why do you care? Youve got friendstheyll take you in.”
“No, this isnt right.”
“Ive said my piece. Rita, got everything? Lets go. Take the car keys.”
“My car?”
“Would you rather we walked? Youre in no state to drive.”
“Well stay at ours tonight and see the house tomorrow,” Margaret said. “Its the weekendwell air it out, relax. Let him think.”
The next morning, William stood at his parents doorstep with his bags. His mother didnt make empty threats.
“What do you want?”
“Mum, you told me to clear the flat. Its done. Ill stay here for now, then find a place. Ill take Emily and Rita back. Where are they?”
“Theyre here, but were seeing the house soon.”
“Ive been looking for them. Mum, can we talk? Its my faultthe brothers. You know Nicholas and Peter. Cant shake them off.”
“Exactly why you wont live there anymore.”
Rita and William made up. She was hurt, but she believed him.
“No more neighbours, no more mates.”
“Or you wont see Emily again. She stays with me. And the baby too…”
“Baby? A baby! We need to finish the house. Ive got to tell Mum!”
“Dont shoutshe knows. Might not be a boy. Its still early.”
“Doesnt matter. Girl or boy. Youre my Rita.” He swept her up, spinning her around.
“Careful. Put me down.”
The family moved into the new house. Emilys little brother was born right after the move.
“Emily, come see your brother,” Granny said.
“Hes so tiny. Mines bigger. Mum gave him to me. Now weve got two mums. Right, Granny?”
“Right, love.”
“Im not little. He is. And Mum promised wed get a sly, fluffy face. You know”
“Emily!”
“Grandad says it…”
*Lesson learned: A mans home is his castle, but only if he keeps it standing. Letting old habitsor old friendsundermine it? Thats a fools game. Family firstalways.*
