Emma was packing her bags, ready to walk out. “Where are you going?” John asked, rubbing his temples. “Like you care! You can clear out toothis flat belongs to me and my dad. Im renting it out. Ive had enough of layabouts. Find yourself somewhere else to stay.”
Emma had just returned from workagainto find her husband hosting a lads night. Not just any lads, either. There was Dave from next door and his brother, Mike, whod come up from Brighton for a visit. Theyd been celebrating Mikes holiday for three days straight.
Now, John wasnt usually one for pub crawlshardly even touched a pint on bank holidays. But when mates came knocking, well, what could he do? He knew it was a bit much, but saying no felt like treason.
“Mate, are we friends or what?” Mike kept slurring.
“John, just send them home. They can barely stand,” Emma sighed.
“Pipe down, love!” Mike bellowed.
“Emma, well head off in a sec,” Dave mumbled, wobbling to his feet.
“How dare you talk to my wife like that?” John snapped.
“Chill out. Everyones leaving. Lets go.”
Emma herded the lads toward the door, shoved John onto the sofa, and got to work cleaning. Her mother-in-law, Margaret, was due any minute. Let her see what her precious son got up to!
By the time Margaret arrived, the flat was spotless. Emma had even whipped up a quick dinnerthe lads had demolished everything else. What little remained on the table went straight in the bin.
“Margaret! And little Lily! Ive missed you both.”
“Mum, Nanas got a kitten! Its ginger. Grandad says its a right cheeky one.”
“Lily!”
“Well, he does!”
“Wash your hands, love. Teas ready.”
“Wheres John? I rang him earlierno answer.”
“Asleep. Third day in a row with the neighbours. I come home from work, kick them out, and by morning, its all kicking off again. Might as well chuck him out without his keys next time. Before Mike turned up, things were fine. But apparently, hes moved up permanently. Shared flat with his brother, but Daves wife wont have them carousingkids and all. So guess where they end up?”
“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 yetjust a few bits left. We should go check. And anyway, how could I just leave him?”
“Hell come running.”
“Who will?” John staggered into the kitchen.
“You. Obviously. Drawn by the smell of foodor the lack of it.”
“Not hungry.”
“Good. Because Emmas packing her things and leaving you.”
“Where?”
“Since when do you care? Youre clearing out toothis flats mine and Dads. Im renting it. No room for layabouts. Sort yourself out.”
“What dyou mean, sort myself out?” Mike blinked. “Weve got a house being built!”
“A house? And whose house is it, exactly? Who paid for it? RightEmma and you. Except you paid with our money. That house is for Emma and Lily. Emma, dont just stand therepack your things and Lilys.”
“Youre not taking my daughter!”
“Ooh, scary.”
“Shes mine. Emmas got no right!”
“And when she stepped in as her mum, did she have a right then? Shame on you. She is her mother! And dont you dare say another word in front of Lily. Just 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. Not much left to do. Well order furniture while were at it.”
“And me?”
“Why dyou keep asking? Youve got matestheyll put you up.”
“No, you cant do this.”
“Ive said my piece. Emma, all packed? Lets go. Take the car keys.”
“My car?”
“Want us to walk? Youre in no state to drive.”
“Well stay at ours tonight and see about the house tomorrow,” Margaret said. “Its the weekend. Well air the place out, relax. Let him stew.”
The next morning, John stood on his parents doorstep, bags in hand. Jokes with Mum never ended well. If she said it, it happened.
“What do you want?”
“You told me to clear the flat. Done. Ill stay here till I find somewhere. Then Ill take Emma and Lily back. Where are they?”
“Theyre here for now, but were off to see their house soon.”
“Ive been looking for them! Mum, pleaselets talk. This is all the lads fault. You know Mike and Dave. Impossible to shake off.”
“Exactly why youre not living there anymore.”
Emma and John made up eventually. Shed been furious, but she believed him.
“No more mates. No more neighbours.”
“One more slip, and you wont see Lily again. She stays with me. And the baby too…”
“Baby? Baby! We need to finish that house. Ive got to tell Mum!”
“Keep your voice downshe knows. Might not even be a boy. Still early days.”
“I dont care. Boy or girl. Youre my Emma!” John spun her around the room.
“Careful! Put me down.”
The family moved into their new house. Lilys little brother arrived just after they settled in.
“Lily, come meet your brother,” Margaret cooed.
“Hes tiny. Mines bigger. Mummy gave him to me. Now weve got two mums. Right, Nana?”
“Right, poppet.”
“Im not a poppet. He is! And Mummy promised we could get a cheeky fluffball. Or”
“Lily!”
“Well, Grandad says it!”
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