So, listen to thisit’s quite the saga. My brother’s wife upped and left, vanished without a trace.
My mum keeps saying, Dont act like you’ve never lashed out, it’ll blow over. Women always calm down, she just needs to have a bit of a shout and shell be alright. Shes convinced the important thing is weve got a son now, the family line continues, all that. But I cant say I agree, and I definitely kept my mouth shut.
Then, just last week, I confronted my brotherlets call him Peter. Pete, I whispered across the kitchen table, didnt you tell me youd sorted Emmas birth control? I needed an honest answer.
He put down his fork, leaning backlooked almost proud. Yeah, he said, shed been stalling for years. Not ready, got her career to think about, always lets wait. Im thirty-two! I wanted an heir, a normal family, like everyone else. And then he admitted ithe swapped her pills for something fake.
Honestly, I was lost for words.
Did you tell her? I asked.
On the day she left, he grumbled. She kicked off, shouting. I just said shed better get used to itshe wanted kids, I just helped things along. He thought shed storm off, then see sense and come back. But she just grabbed a bag, bolted, gone.
And just when I thought that was rock bottom, things got worse.
The kitchen looked like a warzoneempty bottles everywhere, and my brothers hairbrush abandoned on the table. You know how frustrated you get when someone just cant tidy up? The place was a tip.
The baby was finally sleeping, but that peace was fleetingwithin the hour, I knew wed be back to square one, with red faces and wailing. I tightened my dressing gown, put the kettle on, trying not to lose the plot entirely.
Just a month ago, we picked up Emma, my sister-in-law, from hospital with the new baby. Pete was all grins, handing nurses big bunches of flowers, acting the doting dad. Emma looked shell-shockedlike she was getting marched to the gallows, honestly.
I brushed it off as exhaustion. First-time mum, hormones and everything. Looking back, I should have clocked something was really off.
Then Pete barged through the front door after work, loosening his tie, straight to the fridge.
Got anything to eat? he called out, eyes not leaving the fridge.
Pasta in the pot. I boiled some sausages as well, I replied. Pete, keep your voice downthe babys only just nodded off.
He just huffed as he grabbed his plate. Im shattered, Vic. Been on my feet all day. Clients have wrung me dry. Hows the chick?
His names Henry, I said, deliberately louder than I intended as I set his mug down. Hes your son. Hes had a rough time, crying for hours. Tummy pain.
Youre coping though, arent you? he muttered, not even looking up. Its just what women do. And then goes on about our mum, how she managed both of us while Dad was away working in Aberdeen.
Mate, I wanted to chuck the plate at him.
I was only living there for a bit, sorting rent arrears at my studio, but in two weeks, Id practically become their unpaid nanny, cook, cleaner while Pete pretended nothing odd was happening, as though his wife hadnt legged it and left him with a newborn.
Any word from Emma? I asked, watching him shovel down his dinner.
He stiffened, fork halfway to his mouth. His face just darkened.
She doesnt answer. Declines my calls. Unbelievable, isnt itleaving her own baby Shes just angry I swapped her pills, wanted her pregnant quicker.
Youre such a bastard, Pete, I just said quietly.
He rounded on me; What the hell? I did it for the family! I work, I bring in money. Shes the one who walked out on the babywhos really to blame here?
You took her choice away, I snapped as I stood. You lied to someone you claim to love. How was she meant to reactThanks, darling, for destroying my life?
Oh, dont start, he waved me off. Shell cool off, wheres she going to go? The babys here, her stuffs here, shell run out of money and come crawling back. You can help, cant you? I havent got time with my work deadlines.
I didnt answer. I just left to check on Henry.
He looked peaceful for once, tiny fists balled up. I stared at him, my heart splitting in two. There was this defenceless baby, and then Emmatrapped and tricked.
They both deserved better.
I pulled out my phone, opening WhatsApp, and saw Emma was online just minutes ago. I went back and forth, typing and erasing, before finally sending, Emma, its Vicky. I wont ask you to come back. I just want to know youre okay. Im struggling. Can we talk? No shouting.
Ten minutes later, her reply pinged in. Im at a hotel. Off for a work trip up north for three weeks, planned ages agoeven before I found out Well, before all of that. Im applying for divorce when Im back. Im not abandoning Henry, Vicky. But I cant be there now. I look at him and just see Peter. I cant breathe.
I sighed. I get it. I really get it. Peter told me everything.
Is he proud of himself?
Pretty much. He thinks youll definitely come back.
Well, let him dream. Vicky, if you cant cope, say so. Ill sort out a nanny, send moneywhatever it takes. But Im never going back to him. Not ever.
I set my phone down, taking a deep breath. I needed to find work, sort my debts, sort my life outbut I couldnt abandon Henry with Peter. He was clueless about nappies, let alone anything else.
Those next three days were ghastly. Peter staggered in late, scoffed dinner, collapsed in bed. Every single time I needed help with Henry, hed grumble, Im shattered, or You know how to settle him.
One night, Henry screamed so hard, I broke. I stormed into Petes room and flicked on the light.
Get up, I told him, cold as ice.
He stuffed his head under the pillow. Vic, come on, Im up at six.
I dont care. Go settle your son. Hes hungry, and Im shaking from exhaustion.
Youre having a laugh! He sat up, hair everywhere. Thats what youre here for! Im giving you a free room, paying the gas and electric!
Oh is that it? I snapped. So Im basically staff?
Call it what you like, he muttered. Once Emmas back, you can rest. Until then, do your job.
I walked out, silentfuming. I didnt sleep, just sat on the kitchen floor, rocking Henrys cradle with my foot, plotting how to teach Pete a lesson. Hed totally lost the run of himself.
Next morning, when hed gone, I messaged Emma again: We really need to talk. Today, while hes at work. Please.
She agreed.
We met in a little square around the corner. She looked dreadfulpale, dark circles under her eyes, thinner already.
She walked over to the pram and just stared at Henry, hands trembling.
Hes grown, she whispered. Changed so much in two weeks.
He doesnt know you, I said gently.
I know, she covered her face. Vic, Im not a monster. I do love him, somewhere deep down. Hes my child. But the thought of living with Peter, sharing a bed with someone who treated me like thatI honestly cant breathe.
What if you didnt have to live with Peter? I asked.
She looked up, puzzled.
What do you mean?
He thinks youll never leave. Thinks you and the baby are his property. But if were honest, he isnt acting like a dad hes some sort of project manager running Operation Perfect Family. He doesnt do night feeds, doesnt know how formula works. He wanted an heir, not the actual work of being a parent.
What are you suggesting?
You go off to your work trip, I said, laying it out. Get some distance, clear your head. Ill stay here, help with Henry for three weeks. In that time, lets set things updivorce, arrangements. You dont have to go back. You could rent a place. Ill move in with you, help out with Henry while youre at work. Ive landed some freelance gigs, Ill be back on my feet. We can do this, just the two of usyou and me, no Peter needed.
She stared at me, not sure if she believed it.
Youd stand up to your brother?
Hes my brother, but what he did is horrible. Im not helping cover up. He thinks Im stuck with nowhere else to gohes wrong.
Emma just watched Henry, sunlight flickering on the pram.
What about him though? Hes not going to just hand over Henry. Itll be a row.
There will be, I said. But Peter admitted what he did with the pills. If that comes out in court, itll be a big deal. Ill back you upits all true, every word. And Ill let them know exactly how much help hes been here. Peter just wants to control people, not change nappies. Once he realises how much effort Henry takes, hell give up and go play the martyred dad in front of his mates.
Emma smiled for the first time in ages.
Youve really grown up, Vic.
Had to, I laughed. So, is it a deal?
It is. Thank you.
Three weeks flew by. Peter just got grumpier, started noticing I wasnt dashing to wait on him any more. One night, he threw his bag onto the sofa and grunted, Whens Emma back?
Tomorrow, I answered, hugging Henry.
Finally. Maybe we can have a meal out, Im sick of your pasta. Should probably get her a present so she doesnt kick offmaybe a ring, or some earrings. Women like that sort of thing.
I looked at him, revolted.
You really think a ring will fix all this?
He tried to pat me on the shoulderseriously. I moved away. Will you stop acting holier-than-thou? Itll all sort itself out. Shell calm down, have a moan, and well get on with it. Weve got a son, the important parts sorted.
I said nothing.
The next morning, while Pete was at work, Emma turned up in her car. She didnt want to go inside. Id packed Henrys things, my suitcase, and everything essential. It took me three trips up and down, Henry sleeping peacefully in his car seat.
Finally, I went back upstairs and set the keys on the kitchen table, right where Petes brush had been weeks ago. I left a note:
Peter, were gone. Dont look for Emmashell be in touch via the solicitor. Henrys safe with her. Im with them as well. You wanted a family but forgot it needs trust, not tricks. Pastas in the fridge. Youll have to manage on your own now.
And that was that.
Emma rented a cosy little flat across town. It was hard at firstHenry didnt settle, Emma would burst into tears, and my phone never stopped buzzing with Petes angry calls and threats. He shouted, said hed take us to court, get full custody, leave us penniless.
I ignored him. We stuck it out. After a while, Pete simmered down and faded away.
The divorce happened in court. Peter never argued about raising Henry; Vicky was righthe couldnt be bothered. He agreed to maintenance and never pushed to see his son.
Turns out, all he ever wanted was the idea of a family. The effort involvedwell, he left that to the women.
