The Stepfather
Because youve got no business bothering a young girl! snapped Jake.
What?
Youve gone and muddled Charlottes head! Think no ones noticed shes not just a stepdaughter to you?
Peter couldnt hold backhe grabbed Jake by the collar with one hand and raised the other to land a proper punch.
Petey!!! Charlottes frightened voice stopped him. He let go.
Peter had married Laura when her daughter, Charlotte, was ten. The girl remembered her real father wellhed died two years earlierand at first, she eyed her mothers new husband with suspicion. But Peter won her over. She never called him Dad, yet the way Petey rolled off her tongue was so sweet and familiar, no one doubted they were close.
In fact, it was Charlotte who kept the family together when, six years later, the devil tempted Peter (mustve been!) to cheat on Laura at a work do with his colleague Ingrid. Hed had too much to drink, got carried away by the celebration, the thrill of a job well done Barely remembered a thing afterwards, but someone snitched to Laura.
The row that followed was colossal. Peter begged forgiveness, but Laura threatened divorce. They argued while Charlotte was at school, but the kind, sensitive girl noticed something was wrong anyway and was heartbroken.
Only for Charlottes sake, Laura hissed through gritted teeth. But this is the first and last time. Next time, its divorce.
Peter cursed himself a hundred times over. He made amends, spent more time with the family, and was relieved when his stepdaughters eyes slowly brightened again.
But their girl grew up, and at eighteen, she brought a boyfriend home to meet the parents. Peter took an instant dislike to Jakelanky, fidgety, arrogant, always smirking at something. For Charlottes sake, though, he held his tongue.
Charlie, you sure hes the one? he murmured after the lad left.
Why, Petey, dont you like him? Charlottes face fell. You just dont know him well enough. Jakes lovely.
Peter sighed but forced a smile.
Well see. You wouldnt make a bad choice.
Jake, though, seemed to sense the stepfathers disapproval. He avoided Peter, was painfully politethough it clearly cost him. Then Peter had bigger problems: Laura accused him of cheating againwith Ingrid.
What, did you like her so much last time you couldnt help yourself? Laura fumed. Go to her, then! Why torture me?!
Love, whatre you on about? he gaped. The thought of cheating again hadnt crossed his mind. Whered you get that idea?
Nice people told me!
He didnt bother with long explanationsjust called Ingrid on speakerphone.
Pete, she said dryly when he asked about their supposed affair, you drunk or what? I got married six months ago, expecting a baby with my husband. You werent even around when I was celebrating at work!
Sorry, he muttered. Wrong number.
Peter shot Laura a look. She flushed but huffed and stormed off. For days, she gave him the silent treatmentthen things settled.
He had to cobble together some story for Charlotte about the row, though. The girl, wrapped up in her romance with Jake, still worried when her parents werent speaking.
Then Peter got hit by a car. A right odd accidenthed suddenly found himself in the road (as if shoved from behind), and a sedan clipped his legs. Lucky it was slowjust a sprain and a mild concussion from the fall.
He hobbled about the flat, and Charlotte fussed over him. Brought meals to his bed (though he protested), played board games, read to him, chatted about nothing.
Why dyou bother? Peter once overheard Jake whisper in the hall. Hes a grown man, let him
Jake! Charlotte hissed, furious. Peteys like a father to me! I love him, and Ill care for him, no matter what!
Jake grumbled, muttered excuses. Peter smiledtheyd raised a good girl.
Months later, another blow. A client, Mr. Thompson, claimed shoddy work from Peters crew fitting ceiling panelssaid one sagged, corners were crooked. Worse, he whispered to Peters boss that theyd extorted extra cash for proper work.
Rubbish! Peter choked. We did a brilliant job, never asked for more!
Mr. Thompson had been nitpicky, sure, but seemed pleased at the time. Why the sudden complaint?
Sort it, or youre all sacked, his boss snapped.
Peter couldnt reach Mr. Thompson that day. At home, he unloaded the mess.
Petey, dont fret! Charlotte soothed. Hes mixed up. Want me to come with you?
No need for you to get involved, Laura sighed. Sort it yourself.
At the flat, Mr. Thompson faltered when Peter arrived.
What dyou want? he blustered. Well settle this in court! Cowboy builders! Ill get you fired!
Show us the faultswell fix them, Peter said tightly.
Nothing to see! Mr. Thompson shrilled. Expertsll handle it! Proper ones!
Peter pushed past. The ceilings were flawless. He levelled a stare.
And the money! You extorted cash! Mr. Thompson floundered.
When Peter stepped closer, the man recoiled, banged into a wall, yelped about police.
Quiet, Peter said softly, locking eyes. Who put you up to this?
Mr. Thompson cracked. A young manJakehad suggested complaining, even paying him to target Peter specifically. To get him sacked.
Peter showed a family photo. This him?
Yes! Mr. Thompson babbled. You know him?
Outside, Jake lurked, waiting for Charlotte. He paled at the sight of Peter.
Why? Peter asked.
Cause youve no right sniffing round a young girl! Jake spat.
What?
Youve twisted Charlottes head! Think no one sees shes more than a stepdaughter to you?
Peter grabbed him, raised a fist
Petey!!! Charlottes cry stopped him.
Truth hurts! Jake sneered, scrambling back. Wanted you gone! I even told Laura about the cheating! Didnt reckon itd backfire!
You push me into traffic too?
No! Dont pin that on me!
…! Peter scoffed. Not worth dirtying my hands.
When Charlotte learned the truth, she dumped Jake, despite his pleas. She threw herself into studiesher parents backed her all the way.
