Whats your name, lovely? The stranger curled up beside the girl.
Amelia, she replied.
And you?
Im Edward. Your mother and I are going to live together now. From now on you, me, and your mum were all one big family!
It wasnt long before Amelia and her mum moved in with Edward. The stepfather had a generous flat in Brighton, complete with three bedrooms, and Amelia was given one all to herself. Edward was always pleasant, buying the girl sweets and toys when he passed a shop. Her real dad called only on stormy evenings, just to argue with her mum.
One day, her mum sat Amelia down and explained that her father had a new family and had moved away. Amelia felt a deep sting, since shed loved him dearly. Her mother could tell her off and give her a smack, but her dad never did. She remembered, as though through fog, the day her parents split. Her mother screamed at her father and tried to strike him. What stuck in Amelias mind, endlessly echoing in her dreams, was what her mother had said to her dad at the end:
Dont think you were the first to make me a fool, youve had antlers for ages, just like an old stag!
After that, her mum packed up their things and they all went to stay with nan in Hampstead. Amelia couldn’t grasp where her dad would have got the antlers he was bald as a billiard ball. Thats where the family thread finally snapped, drifting apart like smoke.
Things with Edward seemed fine until Amelia breezed into Year One. School was muddy weather and cold corridors, and she disliked it instantly, causing trouble during break time so much that her parents were summoned regularly. Sometimes Edward went instead of her mum. He took education terribly seriously, and often helped Amelia with her homework at the dining table after tea.
Youre nothing to me, so you cant boss me about! Amelia repeated a phrase shed once heard her nan mutter.
Actually, I am your father now, since Im the one feeding and clothing you, Edward replied huffily.
By the time she turned ten, her real father returned to the city. Amelia understood very well what antlers meant now Probably his new wife wasnt too faithful either, thats why he left her, her mum had said in passing. When her father came back, he sought permission to see his daughter. Her mum agreed. The reunion in St Jamess Park was full of strange joy.
How are you getting on? her dad asked.
Not grand, admitted Amelia. My stepdad is always having a go at me.
Hes nothing to you, what gives him the right? said her dad, jaw clenched.
Even nan says so, but he just ignores it, Amelia exaggerated, though Edward seldom even raised his voice at her. She simply wanted her father to worry for her.
Well, leave it to me. he said. They explored the park together and discovered that, of all the slides in the playground, kids could only use eight alone; the rest required an adult, but her dad refused a go on the carousel.
Amelia told him her birthday was coming up and she longed for a new smartphone. When her mum arrived to fetch her, she let slip, Edward never yells at her, but her dad seemed not to listen.
My dads a real penny pincher! Amelia grumbled to Edward. He didnt buy me anything at the park, barely an ice cream. Just a wander and that was it. Edward, youre much nicer than my dad!
Lets right your dads wrong and spend the weekend at the childrens fun centre.
But before the planned trip could happen, Edward had an emergency at work and shrugged off hints about a new phone.
Dad, Edward tricked me! Amelia sobbed over the phone to her father. He promised the fun centre, then said I didnt deserve it, nor the new phone either.
Though it wasnt true, this worked like magic: her dad soon bought her a smartphone. Last time, he hadnt listened to her hints, but this time, her little ruse made sure her birthday wish came true, though the phone was just a budget model; money was tight.
Couldnt you wait till your birthday? Edward asked.
I want a dog! Amelia blurted.
Oh no, youll have to walk it and you wont want to, same as always! her stepfather replied.
After that, everything went topsy-turvy. Amelia, sobbing and furious, rang her father:
Dad, please come and save me! Edward keeps lecturing me! she wailed.
Everyone began bickering, voices blurred and echoing, as if underwater. Amelia was sent off to her nans flat, and soon her mum arrived there, trailing bags and tears, saying she was leaving Edward. Her father went back to his new wife she was expecting a baby. Now Amelia would never have the new phone or a dog, and nan most certainly wouldnt allow even a cat.
And so the dream dissolves in swirling air, with family scattering like puzzle pieces and wishes left ungranted, lost somewhere in the back gardens of Hampstead.
