Your nerves have finally snapped! Emma burst out, eyes flashing. Now you expect me to sign the papers?
Thats why I left you! James snarled. You never understood me. Im fed up with your temper. Im worried about the childrens future!
The kids will be fine! Emma shot back. My mothers coming with us, too.
Coverup, James muttered.
Again? Im travelling for work! Im off to a conference! Do you get that? Emma shouted.
I do, James nodded. And I also know youll find some foreign bloke, marry him and never come back! Im not earning a fortune just to gallivant overseas while the kids miss me!
Im not planning to settle anywhere, Emma said, voice trembling.
Dont make me laugh. I dont trust a single word you say! Youre taking your mum, and nobody else. Youre packing the whole lot and fleeing! Jamess voice rose. Dont tell me youd stay if an opportunity aroseyoull always put yourself first, and I wont lose my children to your personal life!
James, unlike you, the children stayed with me after the divorce. We have three, remember?
Three children dont exactly make a man an easy catch these days, Emma replied, trying to keep her cool. Im travelling purely for work, but I cant forget the kids. While Im away, my mother will whisk them to amusement parks, beaches, every attraction they can dream of.
Your mother could do the same here, and you could go wherever you like, James said, forcing a smile.
James, dont be worse than you already are! The kids are on holiday, Im on a foreign assignmentpeak season. Let them have a proper break!
They have nothing to rest from, but they can enjoy time at home. I wont give up my right to be part of their upbringing because of your overseas romances! James snapped. Half my salary goes to their upkeep, so Im entitled to a say!
If its about money Emma began.
No! James cut in. Its not about cash. I dont want to lose my children!
So youre framing it like that, then? Emma asked, tension coiling.
Exactly. No other way. I wont grant permission for them to leave the country.
Good thing I raised this now, Emma sighed. I knew it wouldnt go smoothly. Persuading you seems pointless.
Absolutely, James said smugly.
Just one questionare you seeing anyone? Emma pressed.
What does that have to do with anything? James faltered.
Answer me, exwife!
No, Im not involved with anyone. When half my wages disappear into bills, theres no room for a relationship, James admitted.
Well sort the salary issue, and Ill even improve your finances! Emma retorted.
What are you? James snapped.
Nothing. We have a court case ahead. Youll file for a decision on the childrens residence while Im abroad on work. That means no child support from you, and Ill start paying you half my salary. Then the kids stay here, as you so desperately want, and theyll be with you.
Youre out of your mind, James stammered.
If I dont, Ill sue for loss of parental rights. Paying maintenance isnt enough; your lack of involvement is grounds for removal. You havent visited since the split three years ago! Emmas voice rose.
James stood frozen, as if sunk in quicksand.
But you could simply sign the consent for them to travel abroad, Emma said, a sweet smile curling her lips, making Jamess stomach churn.
The children will stay with me, James replied, his tone mechanical.
Perfect. Ive got three months before I leave. Well settle everything, and I can send my mother to help you, Emma said.
Everyone could see the marriage between James and Emma was doomed. They were too different, their relationship a tangle of loud accusations, empty promises, grand schemes. Their youthful idealism still clung to them.
When they wed, friends wagered on when the split would happen, shouting, How long will they manage this? Yet the couple managed, grudgingly compromising, hoping theyd finally click. Their parents, nervous at every quarrel, prayed for peace.
Emmas parents gifted her a flat in Manchester, which needed a full overhaul. Because of endless reconciliations the renovations crawled. Living in a halffinished house was miserable, but when Emma fell pregnant, James showed his best side.
James, a handson labourer, completed the work two weeks before their daughters birth. Emma, a designer, wanted finer touches, but a newborn forced her to accept what was done. James could sweep cement, mix concrete, haul timbernothing too delicate. Yet the simple task of hanging laundry was beyond him.
Cooking was fine, but the kitchen was his nightmare. Their marriage hovered on the brink of divorce, yet somehow they balanced on that edge for eleven years, proving even the most fragile couples can survive.
Later, after a second child arrived, the divorce grew uglier. James packed his things, left the flat without a word for three years. Their childrenEleanor, eleven; Oliver, seven; and little Harriet, threewere left with an absent father, only occasional alimony reminders that he once existed.
Then Emmas company offered her a twomonth overseas contract, with superb conditions: a house, full board, and permission to bring all three children plus a chaperone. She needed Jamess consent, but he refused. Time ran short, and the court would soon decide.
Emma feared leaving the children with James for two months. If he had cared after the split, it wouldve been easier. Yet the older daughter, now fourteen, had become her little assistant; Oliver and Harriet, at ten and six, understood more than toddlers. Their grandmother, Margaret Davies, was sent as a family liaison, tasked with keeping James in line.
From the outside, James faced two months of decisions being made for him, while the children remained just thatchildren.
When Emma returned, she called her mother to check in.
Hes lost about twenty pounds, Margaret reported. Dark circles under his eyes, nerves shot. He still owes me thirty pounds.
How are the kids? Emma asked.
Theyre happy. Built a fort in three days! When dad tried to balk, I stepped in, showed him the law, Margaret replied.
Theyre not too wild? Emma worried.
Eleanor keeps them in line, even makes Oliver read, Margaret laughed.
Good, then Im relieved.
Emma tried to keep her return lowkey, but a citywide manhunt was launched. A week before she was due home, James offered a hefty £1,000 reward to anyone who spotted her, hoping to bring the children back to him.
Soon enough, Emma was handed over like discarded glassware.
James stormed into the flat the moment she opened the door. Take them back, now! he roared.
Hold on! Emma snapped. Im only here for a week. My contract is for a year!
Dont lie! I was at your office, they said you wouldnt be sent anywhere else! This was a oneoff trip! James threatened.
You actually visited my workplace? Emma asked, incredulous.
I spoke to the director personally, James bragged. So hand them over, or Ill bring the paperwork to your teeth!
James, you dont get it! Emma laughed bitterly. We went to court, set the childrens residence, and it says they stay with you while I pay maintenance. If I want to reverse that Id need another suit, and Im swamped with work. Ill just keep paying alimony and visit every couple of weeks, if youre not opposed.
James went pale, sweat beading on his forehead, as if he might faint.
Youre the father of the year, remember? You won the case against your ex, now youll raise the kids! Ill try to be a decent weekend mum, unlike you, who never set foot here in three years!
Emma, please, take them back. Im exhausted. Ill come every weekend, I swear! James pleaded. Youve drained my soul!
Fine, Emma said, nodding. Thats how its always beenno help from an exhusband.
I swear Ill help, just get me out of this! James fell to his knees, crawling toward her. Please!
In court, the drama unfolded like a farce, the family landing on the childservices radar. The assessment concluded the children saw the whole mess as an adventurous saga. In the end, they regained a fatherflawed, bumbling, but present. Years later, the kids held no bad memory of James; he never became Father of the Year, but he tried his hardest.
