I got home to find neither my husband nor any of his belongings.
Why are you looking at me like that? Zoe grinned. James simply wanted to prove hes a terrible bloke. Thats all.
What on earth are you saying?
Just the plain truth, love, the former wife of James replied, handing me a cup of tea.
I dont understand a thing I stammered, feeling utterly lost.
Oh, James will sort it all out for you, Zoe said, nodding toward the park bench.
Mother had raised Emily like a precious, delicate blossom.
Margaret Harper, her own mother, was a stern woman who ran her timber mill with an iron fist.
But when she was with her only daughter her voice softened, becoming gentle and soothing, and her eyes radiated warmth.
Thus Emily grew up tender, fragile, and trusting.
She never knew sorrow; she attended a regular school and a music academy, happily learning piano.
She never became a great virtuoso, but she turned into an excellent teacher.
All that remained was to find a husband, and in came the handsome Mark, a driver earning a modest £22,000 a year.
He courted her with sweet words and tender glances, speaking softly into her eyes.
For some reason Margaret disliked him.
Lazy scoundrel! she declared.
Mum, I love him, Emilys skyblue eyes welled with tears.
Fine, fine, Margaret snapped, youll live with me then!
Our spacious threebed flat had plenty of room for everyone, and the newlyweds didnt mind sharing with a mother who spent most of her days at the mill.
Mark had nothing but a clean conscience.
At first, the caring and gentle Mark showed his true colours after the wedding: he started drinking, wandering off, and shouting at his young wife.
In front of his motherinlaw he tried to behave, but even that was shaky.
Emily refused to see any fault in him.
Exactly nine months after the wedding she gave birth to a son, Liam, and rejoiced at having a real family.
The boy was delicate, needing constant attention, and Marks frustration grew.
She endured, hoping for the best.
Her patience finally cracked when her mother suddenly died after only a year of watching her grandson.
The funeral was handled by Margarets longtime friend, solicitor John Clarke.
During those days Mark barely set foot in the house, and when he did, a bag of his belongings waited for him in the hallway.
He tried to threaten lawsuits and asset splits, but Emily stayed silent.
Thanks to John, the almostexhusband was ushered out the door, and the lawyers expertise prevented any division of the mills modest assets.
Emily could no longer run the timber business; a team of specialists hired by John took over.
Thus the shrinking family needed nothing at all.
Losing her mother and the divorce were a heavy blow for Emily she had no friends, no relatives.
She only had her son, who required all her care, and she threw herself into looking after him, ignoring any thoughts of men (John didnt count).
One afternoon, Emily and fiveyearold Liam left the childrens clinic, trying in vain to shield themselves from the drizzle with a large umbrella.
Waiting inside the building was pointless; the rain would not let up soon, and Emily didnt drive, while a taxi was nowhere to be found because demand was skyhigh.
So they took a chance.
Jump in quick! a driver shouted as the car screeched to a halt beside them, the rear door flinging open. Come on, the parking is forbidden here!
Emily didnt think it risky; she recognised the man from the clinic corridors, where hed often brought his own son, about Liams age.
Thank you! she said warmly to James after the ride theyd met properly on the way.
Youre welcome! And could I have your number? he replied with a cheeky grin.
She stiffened.
Sorry, but I dont date married men, she said, turning with Liam toward the building.
She never expected to see James again so soon, yet the next day he was lurking in the courtyard.
Im not married, he offered, sliding her a divorce decree dated a month earlier.
Had she grown tired of being alone? Was James too lively and caring? Did Liam simply adore him?
Emily could never explain why she agreed to let the new acquaintance walk with them and later join them for dinner.
From that day on they met almost every day, and she fell for him deeper each time.
A month later, he proposed.
Its right, isnt it? He loves me, and Liam adores him.
Liams attachment to James became the deciding factor; the boy started calling him Dad even before any wedding.
Dad didnt protest, and Emily was simply delighted.
After they registered the marriage, James suggested adopting Liam.
Ive always wanted two boys, he said, his face briefly darkening.
Emily patted his shoulder sympathetically; she knew his exwife had found a wealthy lover and barred him from seeing his son, which pained him greatly.
Within three months of meeting, they truly felt like a family.
The only secret Emily kept from James was her true financial state.
The timber mill was small, and profits were split three ways with the new partners, yet it still brought in a decent sum.
She saved the money for Liams education, a future home for him, and everything else, all solely for his benefit.
There was no need for anyone else to know.
John had taught her that, before retiring to the seaside.
If James suspected anything, he never let it show.
This little idyll lasted less than a year.
Gradually James grew less caring and kind. He returned from work often sour and irritable.
Just ignore it, the boss is getting on my nerves, he would say at first.
Cant you transfer to another site? Youre a brilliant electrician, Emily asked anxiously.
Ill sort it out.
Later, James stopped apologising, either staying grimly silent or, worse, snapping at her.
He didnt touch Liam, but it was obvious the boy irritated him.
Emily didnt know what to think until the truth unfolded on its own.
One day they were strolling in the park, just the three of them James was delayed at work but promised to join them for ice cream later.
Dont regret the adoption, a new, slightly mocking female voice said over Emilys shoulder. The boy will suffer.
Emily turned sharply. A striking brunette in a bright orange coat settled on the bench beside her.
Do we know each other? Emily asked, bewildered.
No. But that can change, the woman replied with a sly smile. Im Zoe. Jamess exwife. Temporarily ex
Emily stared at her, wideeyed. Fortunately, Liam was playing farther away on the playground, unaware of the tension.
Why are you looking at me like that? Zoe repeated, her grin back in place. James just wanted to prove hes a terrible bloke. Thats all.
What are you on about? Emily asked, confused.
Just the honest truth, love, Zoe said, leaning in. She was about five years older than Emily, looking down on her with a patronising air.
I dont get it, Emily stammered.
Oh, James hell explain everything, Zoe said, nodding toward the path.
Sure enough, James appeared, eyes darting between the two women.
James, explain to the girl whats what, Zoe said, rising slowly, ruffling his hair carelessly as she headed for the park exit. Were waiting for you! she called over her shoulder.
James turned to Emily, bewildered by the recent chaos. I dont know what Zoe told you, but yes, I married you just to spite her.
He paused, gathering his thoughts. Shes been on my case forever. Who needs you? shed say. Then she started pushing that rich bloke Max onto me. I couldnt take it I filed for divorce.
Why adopt Liam? Emily asked, voice trembling.
Everything had to be tidy. New wife, new son, everything in my pocket, James admitted. I saw you at the clinic and thought youd fit the role perfectly.
A wifetobeatoy? Emily sneered.
James fell silent.
What now? Emily asked, not even knowing why she was asking.
I dont know, James muttered. I think Im getting used to you.
He had learned quickly. He didnt spend nights at home; the next morning, after taking Liam to the garden, Emily returned to a flat where neither his things nor he himself were present.
She let out a heavy sigh and dialed John Clarkes number. She needed a solicitor once more.
