**Diary Entry**
Emmas packing her things and walking out on me.
“Where to?”
“Whats it to you?” she snaps. “Youd better clear out toothis flat belongs to me and my dad. Ill rent it out. No room for layabouts here. Find yourself somewhere else.”
Shed come home from work to find me at it againnot alone, mind you, but with mates. Seated at the table were our neighbour Peter and his brother Nicholas, visiting from out of town. Three days straight theyd been celebrating his holiday.
Im not usually one for a benderhardly touch the stuff outside special occasions. But with Nicholas in town, old habits crept back. I knew it was wrong, but saying no to mates? Easier said than done.
“Are we friends or not?” Nicholas kept pressing.
“William, send your lot home and get to bed. They can barely stand,” Emma warned.
“Keep your nose out, woman!” Nicholas barked.
“Emma, well be off in a tick,” Peter muttered, pushing himself up unsteadily.
“Who do you think youre talking to, speaking to my wife like that?”
“Wind your neck in. Everyone out.”
Emma shoved the lot of them toward the door, dumped me on the sofa, and set to cleaning. Her mother-in-law, Margaret, was due any minute. Let her see what her precious sons been up to.
By the time Margaret arrived, the place was spotless. Emma even whipped up a quick supperthe lads had polished off everything else. What little remained got binned.
“Margaret, Maryhow Ive missed you!”
“Mummy, Grannys got a kitten! Its ginger. Granddad says its a sly little thing.”
“Mary!”
“Granddad said it.”
“Wash your handssupper and tea next.”
“Wheres William? I rang him earlierno answer.”
“Dead to the world. Third day celebrating with the neighbour. I come home, kick them out, next morning theyre back at it. Ought to chuck him out without his keys. Was fine till Nicholas turned up. Hes staying for good, apparentlytheir flats shared with his brother. Peters wife wont have them drinking therekids are too youngso theyve made themselves at home here.”
“Theyve been mates since primary school. Ever since we moved here, theyve been thick as thieves. You cant just cut that off. You ought to move.”
“Where to? The house isnt finishedjust needs a bit more work. We should go see it. And how can I just leave him?”
“Hell come crawling back.”
“Who will?” I staggered into the kitchen.
“You. Who else? Drawn in by the smell of food, were you?”
“Not hungry.”
“Good. Emmas packing her things and leaving.”
“Where to?”
“Whats it to you? Clear out toothis flats mine and Dads. Ill rent it. No layabouts wanted. Find your own place.”
“Where am I supposed to go, Mum?” Nicholas gaped. “Weve got the house being built.”
“The house? Think hardwhose house is it? Who put money into it? RightEmma and you. But you used our money. That house is for Emma and Mary. Emma, dont just stand therepack your things and Marys.”
“I wont let you take my daughter!”
“Oh, terrifying.”
“Shes mine. Emmas got no claim.”
“And when she stepped in as her mother, did she then? Shame on you. Shes her mother now. And dont you dare say a word in front of her. Pack your things.”
“Mum, Im your son. What about me?”
“So? The flats to be empty by tomorrow. Were leaving now.”
“Where to?”
“To check on their house and hurry the builders. Wont take much to finish. Well order furniture while were at it.”
“What about me?”
“Always about you, isnt it? Youve got matesgo mooch off them.”
“No, you cant do this.”
“Ive said my piece. Emma, got everything? Lets go. Take the car keys.”
“My car?”
“Would you rather we walk? Youre in no state to drive.”
“Well stay at ours tonight and see the house tomorrow,” Margaret said. “Its the weekend. Air the place out, relax. Let him stew.”
Next morning, I stood on my parents doorstep with my bags. Joking with Mum never ended well. If she said it, it happened.
“What do you want?”
“Mum, you told me to clear out. Done. Ill stay here till I find somewhere. Then Ill take Emma and Mary back. Where are they?”
“Theyre here for now, but were off to see the house soon.”
“Ive been looking for them. Mumlets talk. This is my fault. Its the lads. You know Nicholas and Peterhard to shake them off.”
“Which is why you wont be living there anymore.”
Emma and I made up. She was furious but gave me another chance.
“No more mates round. None.”
“Remembercross me, and you wont see Mary again. She stays with me. And the baby too”
“Baby? Baby! Weve got to finish the house. Ive got to tell Mum!”
“Dont shoutshe knows. Might not be a boy. Still early.”
“Doesnt matter. Boy or girl. Youre my Emma!” I swept her off her feet, spinning her round.
“Careful. Put me down.”
The family moved into the new house. Marys little brother arrived soon after.
“Mary, come meet your brother,” Granny said.
“Hes so tiny. Mines bigger. Mummy gave him to me. Now Ive got two mums. Right, Granny?”
“Right, poppet.”
“Im not little. He is. And Mummy promised wed get a sly, fluffy thing. Or”
“Mary!”
“Granddad says it”
**Lesson learned:** Some friendships drag you down. A real man puts his family firstbefore its too late.
