Laura packed her things and walked out on him.
“Where are you going?”
“What difference does it make to you? You clear out of the flat tooits mine and my dads. Ill be renting it out. I dont need layabouts here. Find yourself somewhere else to live.”
Laura had come home from work to find her husband at it again. He wasnt alonehis mates were there with him. Sitting at the table were their neighbour Peter and Nicholas, Peters brother. Nicholas had come to visit, and now they were three days deep into celebrating his holiday.
William, Lauras husband, wasnt usually one for drinking. Rarely, reallynot even every holiday. But this was a visit from an old friend, a proper gathering. William knew he was out of line, but he couldnt say no to his mates.
“Are you my friend or not?” Nicholas kept insisting.
“William, see your friends out and go to bed. They can barely stand.”
“Shut it, woman!” Nicholas barked.
“Laura, well be off in a minute,” Peter murmured, getting up from the table.
“How dare you speak to my wife like that?”
“Calm down. Everyones leaving. Out we go.”
Laura ushered the guests to the door, shoved William onto the sofa, and set about cleaning. Her mother-in-law would be arriving soonlet her see what her son was up to.
Shed just finished when Patricia Helena arrived. Shed even thrown together a quick dinnerthe guests had polished off everything else. What remained on the table went straight into the bin.
“Patricia, Mary, Ive missed you both!”
“Mummy, Grandmas got a kitten! Its ginger. Grandad says its a sly little thing.”
“Mary!”
“Thats what Grandad says.”
“Wash your hands, well have dinner and tea.”
“Wheres William? I called him, but he didnt answer.”
“Sleeping. Third day celebrating with the neighbour. Every night I come home and have to kick them out, and by morning, theyre back at it. Might as well leave him outside without keys next time. Everything was fine until Nicholas turned up. Apparently, hes staying for good. Shared ownership with his brother, but Peters wife wont let them drink at homekids are too young. So, theyve all piled into ours.”
“Theyve been friends since primary school. Been thick as thieves since we moved here. You cant just cut that off. You need to move.”
“Where? The house isnt finished yet, though its close. We should go check on it. And how can I just leave him?”
“Hell come running back soon enough.”
“Who will?” William appeared in the kitchen doorway.
“You. Who else? Drawn in by the smell of food, were you?”
“Dont want anything.”
“Good. Lauras packing her things and leaving you.”
“Where?”
“Whats it to you? You clear out toothis flat belongs to me and my dad. Im renting it out. No room for layabouts here. Find your own place.”
“What place, Mum?” Nicholas looked stunned. “Our house isnt ready yet.”
“House? Think about whose house it is. Who paid for it? RightLaura and you. But you used our money. That house is for Laura and Mary. Laura, dont just stand therepack your things and Marys.”
“I wont let you take my daughter!”
“Ooh, scary.”
“Shes mine. Lauras got no claim on her.”
“And when she stepped in as her mother, did she have a claim then? Arent you ashamed? Shes her mother! And dont you dare say a word in front of Mary. Just pack your things.”
“Mum, Im your son. What about me?”
“So? The flat needs to be empty by tomorrow. Were leaving now.”
“Where?”
“To check on their house and hurry the builders along. Wont take long. Well order the furniture while were at it.”
“What about me?”
“Why do you keep worrying? Youve got friendstheyll take you in.”
“No, this isnt right.”
“Ive said my piece. Laura, got everything? Lets go. Take the car keys.”
“My car?”
“You want us to walk? Youre in no state to drive.”
“Well stay at ours tonight and check on the house tomorrow,” her mother-in-law said. “Its the weekend. Well air it out, have a rest. And he can think things over.”
The next morning, William stood on his parents doorstep with his bags. His mother didnt make idle threatsif she said it, it would happen.
“What do you want?”
“Mum, you told me to clear out the flat. Done. Ill stay here for now, then find somewhere. Ill take Mary and Laura back. Where are they?”
“Theyre here for now, but soon well go check on their house.”
“Ive been looking for them. Mum, can we talk? Its my fault. Its those brothers. You know Nicholas, Peteronce they latch on, theres no shaking them off.”
“Which is why you wont be living there anymore.”
Laura and William made up in the end. She was hurt, but she believed him.
“No more neighbours, no more mates.”
“Mark my wordsif this happens again, you wont see Mary. She stays with me. And the baby too…”
“Baby? Baby! We need to finish the house fast. Ive got to tell Mum!”
“Dont shoutshe knows. Might not be a boy, though. Its still early.”
“Doesnt matter. Boy or girl. Youre my Laura!” William spun her around the room.
“Careful. Put me down.”
The family moved into their new house. Marys little brother was born just after they settled in.
“Mary, come see your brother,” Grandma said.
“Hes so tiny. Mines bigger. Mummy got me one. Now weve both got mummies. Right, Grandma?”
“Thats right, love.”
“Im not little. He is. And Mummy promised wed get a sly little fluffball. You know…”
“Mary!”
“Thats what Grandad says…”
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