That isn’t up for discussion.
Emily is going to live with usno arguments about it, declared Nicholas, setting his spoon aside and not having touched a bite of his supper, clearly bracing himself for a serious conversation. Weve got the spare room; just finished decorating. So, in a fortnight, my daughter is moving in.
Have you forgotten something? Grace asked, counting to ten in her head for patience. You do remember we prepared that room for *our* future child? And need I remind you, Emily has a mother shes meant to be living with?
I do remember that we talked about having a baby, Nicholas said, frowning. Hed hoped Grace would simply accept this without a fuss, saving him from a disagreement. But we can always delay it a few years. Besides, youre finishing your studiesit wouldnt be the best moment for children. And Emily doesnt want siblings. As for her motherhe gave a lopsided smileIll be seeking custody. Its hardly safe for the girl to stay under that womans roof.
Safe? Emilys twelve. Shes hardly a helpless child anymore. And unsafe how? Because her mother refuses to let her roam the streets after ten at night? Or because she makes her do homework under threat of confiscating her phone or cutting off the Wi-Fi? Honestly, your ex-wife sounds like a saint not to have resorted to the wooden spoon by now!
You have no idea, Nicholas said through clenched teeth. Emilys shown me bruises, let me read nastily worded messages, threats even! I wont stand by and let my daughters life be ruined!
And yet, youre doing exactly that now, letting her walk all over you.
Quietly, Grace rose from the table, leaving most of her soup untouched. Her appetite had vanished, and the sight of her agitated husband brought on a headache. Folk had warned herdont rush into marriage! Live together a couple of years first, see if your feelings stand the test But she, of course, knew best, determined to settle down before her friends.
Why had people cautioned her against marrying in haste? Simplethis was Nicholass second marriage, he was fifteen years her senior, and he had a fully-grown daughter he doted on. Taken individually, each issue seemed minor, but put together They teetered on disaster.
Truth be told, the age gap and second marriage didnt bother Grace much; she rather liked his maturity and experience. Shed heard firsthand that his split from his previous wife, Alice, was amicable, no lingering accusations.
But the daughter Emily. Utterly spoilt and defianta child whod spent most of her life in the care of her grandmother while her parents toiled to give her a good future. The divorce hadnt troubled Emily much; she knew her father would never abandon her, new wife or not. Her mothers new marriage, however, was something else. Emily wasnt at all prepared for it.
Her stepfather was strict about discipline, and with her mother now working from home and backing her new husbands rules, Emilys days of idleness were over. Curfews, schoolwork, private tutorssince she was behind in several subjects It all infuriated a girl used to endless hours in front of the telly or on the computer. So much so, she began spinning fanciful tales to get a rise out of her dad.
Emily wanted to live with Nicholas mostly because she knew, given his long hours at work, shed largely be left unsupervised. She didnt regard Grace at allshe had no intention of listening to a stepmother only nine years her senior.
For the sake of this supposed freedom, she was willing to go to extreme lengths.
*****
Emilys coming today. Make sure her room is readyand do me a favour, dont unsettle her, shes had a lot to deal with, Nicholas said, knotting his tie, making plain to Grace that the matter was settled. If Id known Alice would start making life hell for Emily over a man But whats done is done, isnt it? No use wishing for the past.
So, youre really not changing your mind? Youre actually bringing her here? Grace had hoped right up to the last moment that Nicholass plans would fall through. And who exactly is meant to look after her? Youre never in by eight at the earliest.
You can keep an eye on her, Nicholas shrugged. Shes not a little kidshe can see to herself.
My finals are coming up. You said yourself I needed to concentrate on my studies, she said with a hint of malice. Lets hope Emily knows how to wash up and sweep, because for the next two weeks, those are her noble duties.
Shes not a maid
Nor am I, Grace interrupted before Nicholas could protest. But since shell be living here, she can pitch inhouse rules. Youd best go over those with your daughter.
*****
Dad, how can you let her boss me around? I cant even go out with my friendsyour darling wifes dumped all the chores on me while she sits about watching telly with a smug grin.
Grace, overhearing the conversation quite by chance, smirked with irony. As if shed managed to make Emily do a single thing!
Ill talk to Grace, I promise. But you mustnt make things harder than they are. Try to get on with her, Emily, please. I simply cant be home to watch over you. Just make an effortshow Grace what a good girl you are.
All right, Ill try. Emily muttered, realising shed get nothing further out of her father. By the wayis it true you bought her a car?
I did, yesso what?
Oh, nothing! But you told *me* there was no money for a trip abroad this break. And I dreamt about it
You couldnt go alone anyway. Youre twelve, for goodness sake, and Ive work. Well go in summerall of us.
I dont want all of us! You dont care about me, do you? Why did you take me from Mum? Your wife cant stand me and youre always too busy
Grace had heard enough by then. It was plain as daylightEmily would get her way, not just about this trip, but in every matter. The cunning girl seemed determined to drive out any contender for her fathers affection. And Grace was beginning to think shed succeed.
Fed up with constant reproaches from Nicholas, Grace made up her mindone more argument, and she would seek a divorce. And she fully intended to spoil Emilys triumph at the end by declaring that even after a separation, Nicholas would be obliged to pay supportmaintenance, as any proper gentleman should.
*****
Graces instincts proved rightthe evening began with a barrage of complaints. She heard them all out and calmly announced she was filing for divorce.
I want a peaceful life, not days filled with petty grievances. And I did warn youit never pays to indulge your daughters every whim. Noticing Emilys victorious smirk, Grace quickly cut her down to size. Dont get too pleased with yourself, young lady. Who knows how life will turn for you? I might well give your father an ultimatumif he wants a relationship with *our* childshe patted her stomach for emphasishell have to send you back to your mum. Or something like that.
With Emily lost for words and Nicholas staring in shock, Grace collected her suitcasealready packed in anticipationand walked out. In truth, there was no baby, but she wanted to put the arrogant girl on edge, and teach her husband a lesson about children, responsibility, and human nature grown-ups seem too often to forget.
