Mom, Dads taken the money again
Laura lunged for the wardrobe, pulled out the bundle of cash shed hidden among old coats, and counted. Sure enough£200 were missing. It wasnt a fortune, but it was the sum she saved for firewood, and Steve knew that better than anyone. He never contributed a penny to the savings jar.
She folded the rest of the cash, slipped it under the rug in the childrens bedroom, and called, Dinners ready, everyone.
She ladled soup into bowls, poured tea, and placed two biscuits on each plate.
Mom, why arent you having any? asked Michael, his eyes serious.
First, I dont like sweets, and second, Im watching my figure, Laura replied.
Michael glanced at her.
Mom, youre beautiful already.
She laughed, Eat up!
After the meal Laura washed the dishes, then entered the kids room. Michael was reading a story to Blythe, while Ian was doodling at the table.
Im giving you ten minutes to finish whatever youre doing. Then its lights out. She kissed each of them and left. She still had to stitch a jacket for Ianhed gotten into a fight at schoolbefore she could rest herself.
She fetched a needle and thread.
—
Ten years earlier she had married Steve at eighteen, naive and inexperienced. Steve was a flashy sort, flashing cash left and right. Shed believed his charm meant he could earn a living. Only after the wedding did she discover that Steve had squandered the proceeds from the flat his parents had given him.
Do you still have a place to live? she asked, stunned.
Whats the point? Youve got a spacious flat.
Wait, you sold your only home just to burn through money?
Dont be so dour, Laura! Well make it work.
For a while she convinced herself that Steves recklessness must have a reason. When Michael and Ian were born, Steve even found temporary work, but it fell through quickly. He drifted from job to job, never staying long enough to be valued.
Then Blythe arrived. Laura had always dreamed of a big family, but the arrival of a daughter made her realise that without a plan, they would starve.
She decided to rent out their flat and move to a village in Yorkshire, where an old cottage left by her aunt had stood empty for five years.
Steve scoffed at the idea.
Fine, go on. Ill stay in the town.
Lauras fury boiled over.
You can stay, just not in this flat. The new tenants move in tomorrow.
Youre out of your mind! Tenants? Who asked you?
I have to ask, its my flat!
Steve huffed and left for the village.
For six months he hunted for work. The village had a farm, a sawmillthere were jobs, but nothing that suited him. He spent his time flirting with any girl who would listen.
Marina, Lauras friend and colleague, warned her that Steve was gallivanting.
Maybe hell settle down with a younger woman, Laura shrugged.
Marina shook her head. Youre a fool, Laura. Who needs you with three kids?
But Laura knew life would be easier without Steves chaos.
A sudden bang on the door snapped her from memories. A man in a battered coat slipped off his coat, sat at the kitchen table, and watched Laura sew.
What? Youre home earlyare you coming to feed me? he asked.
Laura set her work aside. Steve, why did you take the money?
Yes, youve knocked? Same old excuseI need cash! Im not here to be a free ride.
Earn something! Support your family, not just yourself.
Steve stared, bewildered. So I should just go to bed hungry?
Laura shrugged. You can have dinner, but itll be whatever you bought yourself. I need wood, and Ians jacket is torn.
Steve blinked. You expect me to starve?
She turned away. After a long, tense silence, Steve threw on his coat and muttered, Youll regret this, before disappearing into the night.
Laura sighed. Ten years had passed, yet Steve seemed unchangedstill handsome, still reckless. She inspected her handsshort nails, rough skin, the sort that tells of washing dishes in freezing water.
When she arrived in the village, she learned the best-paying jobs were with the dairy farm. Shed never been near cows, but there was no choice. She learned quickly, though it cost her the one thing she loved mostpainting.
She set up her easel by the stove, the children watching her brush strokes. She sighed, covered the canvas with a sheet, and went to bed.
The next morning, returning home, Laura found two large suitcases in the living room, the children seated calmly on the sofa, and Steve perched on a chair. He rose as she entered.
So, youve finally caught up? Now youll bite your elbows, but its too late. You left the kids fatherless, all because of your stubbornness!
Laura felt a strange lightness, smiled, and asked, Has anyone ever been dumber than me?
Steve flushed with anger, grabbed the suitcases, and rushed to the door, only to snag on a loose board hed been warned about for years. He stumbled, knocking the shutters.
Mom, is Dad not coming back? Blythe asked softly.
Probably not, love.
The girl thought a moment, then whispered, Will anyone take my sweets now?
Now no one will.
Laura felt as if she herself were the one eating the sweets.
The next day she learned Steve had left the village. Good, she muttered. The air will be cleaner without his fumes. Who hed end up with in the city no longer mattered.
A week passed. Laura grew anxiousno money from the neighbors, two days late, and the phone never rang. She needed to travel to the town, ask for a day off. While scrolling through her schedule, Michael called, Mum, someones broken down just outside.
Laura peered through the frosted window. A car sat by the roadside, its owner shivering.
He cant start it, Mum.
Lets call him in, make some tea.
Within minutes, Michael ushered a lanky man, about thirtyfive, into the house. His breath was a cloud of frost.
Thank you! Im Max, he whispered, teeth chattering.
Come in, teas on the kettle. Im Laura.
The children watched him sit on the sofa, eyes wide. Max asked, Are these your kids?
Yes, theyre mine.
Lucky you! I always dreamed of a big family.
Didnt work out for me.
He nodded, then his phone rang.
This is ridiculous. Who told me to come out in this blizzard? he snapped.
Its an escort, theyll be here soon to change the locks, Laura replied.
Max looked at her, stunned, then blushed. From you? Youre amazing.
Later, as Max sipped tea, the kids snuck a candy from beneath his pillow. He nearly wept, the sweetness reminding him of a family he never had.
The next morning Max woke to a small hand nudging his cheek, offering a candy. He almost sobbed.
Two days later, a familiar car rolled up the lane. Michael, ever the observer, shouted, Uncle Max is here!
Max had promised Michael a vintage game console, and the boy raced to meet him.
Max arrived with the console and two parcels of gifts. Inside the house, Laura wasnt aloneMarina stood nearby, curious. Laura, already dressed, glanced at the clock, realizing shed miss the bus.
Max I cant offer you tea, Marina will take over, Im late for the bus.
Youre heading to town?
Yes.
Then teas cancelled. Ill give you a lift.
Marina nudged the flustered Laura aside.
On the drive, Laura mentioned in passing why shed gone into town. Max said, Ill come with you. Its not much, but Ill keep you company.
Thank you, really, Laura said, humbled. People are decent, but still
Lets be on a firstname basis, Max suggested.
Marina laughed. Fine, lets.
Max told them about his workshop making bespoke wooden furniture, a modest but respected business in the nearby market town. He was scouting a plot a landlord had tried to sell him without his knowledge.
They pulled up in front of Lauras cottage. She fumbled with the key, entered without ringing the bell, and found Steves shoes scattered in the hallway, a pair of womens heels nearby, and Steve himself, wrapped in a towel, wobbling with a bottle of champagne.
Laura? Where are you coming from? he slurred, the bottle nearly slipping.
Im where the tenants aregone. I need a place to stay!
My flat? Its also mine!
Its both of ours, actually.
Youve lived with me ten years! Do I even have a corner of my own?
You wont believe it, butno!
Laura stepped further in. A young woman sprang from the bedroom, clutching a dress.
Steve! Whos this?
Laura handed her a gown.
Get out of my flat! And take Steve with you!
What? This is Steves flat! Youve fooled me!
The woman, redfaced, fled. Steve plopped onto the sofa.
Im not going anywhere. If you wanted me back, you shouldve done something more clever.
He glared at Max, who smiled.
Securitys on the way. Youve got five minutes to pack, then Ill show you why I spent fifteen years learning boxing.
Laura slipped into the kitchen, feeling foolish for relying on Max, yet she had no other option.
Moments later Max entered, phone pressed to his ear, dictating an address.
Give me a moment. The locksmiths are on their way.
Thank you, Max. I dont know what Id have done without you. Fate sent you to us.
Laura, were on a firstname basis, remember?
She blushed, stumbling over her words.
—
Three years later, Marina and Laura sat drinking tea, looking at the portrait of the children Laura had finally finished.
Lucky you, your husband finally knocked that house down! Marina said.
Max did everything for us.
Isnt that wonderful?
Marina turned, studying the canvas.
Could you paint me too?
Of course, Marina! I finally have time.
Marina stared, surprised.
You know what? Ive been trying to tell Max it’s been two months now.
Unseen, Max had just entered the room, hearing every word. Strong hands seized her, spinning her around the house.
I want a boy! And a girl! A big family at last!
The scene faded, but the tension lingered, a reminder that in this English countryside, love, betrayal, and hope tangled as tightly as the threads Laura sewed each night.
