Rita’s packing her things and leaving you. – Where to? – What’s it to you? You clear out too, the flat’s mine and Dad’s. I’m renting it out. I don’t need freeloaders here. Find yourself a place to live.

Lizzie packs her things and walks out on you. *”Where are you going?”* *”What difference does it make to you? You clear out toothe flat belongs to me and Dad. Ill rent it out. I dont need layabouts here. Find yourself somewhere else to live.”*

Lizzie came home from work and, once again, found her husband carousing. He wasnt alonehis mates were with him. At the table sat their neighbour, Peter, and Nicholas, Peters brother. Nicholas had come for a visit, and now they were celebrating his holiday for the third day straight.

William, Lizzies husband, hardly ever drank. Rarely, if ever, even on special occasions. But this was a reuniona proper lads’ night. William knew full well he was in the wrong, but how could he turn his friends away?

*”Are you my mate or not?”* Nicholas kept insisting.

*”William, see your friends out and go to bed. They can barely stand.”*

*”Shut it, woman!”* Nicholas barked.

*”Lizzie, well be off in a minute,”* Peter said quietly, rising from the table.

*”How dare you speak to my wife like that?”*

*”Calm down. Everyone out. Now.”*

Lizzie shoved the guests toward the door, pushed William onto the sofa, and started cleaning. Her mother-in-law would be arriving soon. Let her see what her precious son had been up to.

By the time Margaret arrived, Lizzie had managed to tidy everything. Shed even thrown together a quick dinnerthe guests had polished off whatever was left in the fridge. The scraps on the table ended up straight in the bin.

*”Margaret, Mary, Ive missed you both.”*

*”Mum, Grans got a kitten. Its ginger. Grandad says its a sly little thing.”*

*”Mary!”*

*”Thats what Grandad says!”*

*”Wash your handswell have supper and tea.”*

*”Wheres William? I rang him, but he didnt answer.”*

*”Asleep. Third day in a row with the neighbour. I come home from workkick them outthen it starts all over in the morning. Might as well throw him out without his keys next time. Things were fine before Nicholas turned up. And now I hear hes staying for good. The flats shared between him and his brother. Peters wife wont let them drink at homekids are too youngso theyve all piled in here.”*

*”Theyve been mates since primary school. Been thick as thieves since we moved here. You cant just cut that off. You lot need to move.”*

*”Move where? The house isnt even finished, though its nearly there. We should go and check. And how can I leave him?”*

*”Hell come running.”*

*”Wholl come running?”* William appeared in the kitchen doorway.

*”You. Who else? Here you are nowdrawn in by the smell of food, or something stronger?”*

*”Dont want anything.”*

*”Good. Lizzies packing her things and leaving you.”*

*”Where?”*

*”Whats it to you? Clear out of the flatits mine and Dads. Ill rent it out. Ive no use for a drunk. Find yourself a place to live.”*

*”What place, Mum?”* Nicholas looked stunned. *”Weve got a house being built!”*

*”A house? Think about itwhose house? Whos paid into it? RightLizzie and you. But you used our money. That house is for Lizzie and Mary. Lizzie, dont just stand therepack your things and Marys.”*

*”Youre not taking my daughter!”*

*”Oh, terrifying.”*

*”Shes mine. Lizzies got no claim on her!”*

*”And when she stepped in as her mother, did she? Shame on you. She *is* her mother. And dont you dare say another word in front of her. Pack your thingsnow.”*

*”Mum, Im your son. What about me?”*

*”So? The flat needs to be empty by tomorrow. The girls and I are leaving now.”*

*”Where?”*

*”To check on their house and hurry the builders along. Not much left to do. Well order furniture while were at it.”*

*”And me?”*

*”Why do you care? Youve got friendstheyll take you in.”*

*”No, this isnt right.”*

*”Ive said my piece. Lizzie, got everything? Lets go. Take the car keys.”*

*”My car?”*

*”You want us to walk? Youre in no state to drive.”*

*”Well stay at ours tonight and sort the house tomorrow,”* Margaret said. *”Its the weekend. Well air it out, rest. Let him think things over.”*

The next morning, William stood on his parents doorstep with his bags. When his mother made up her mind, that was that.

*”What do you want?”*

*”Mum, you told me to clear the flat. Done. Ill stay here for now, then find somewhere. Ill take Lizzie and Mary back. Where are they?”*

*”Still here, but were leaving soon to see the house.”*

*”Ive been looking for them. Mum, can we talk? I messed up. Its the lads. You know Nicholas, Peter. Hard to shake them off.”*

*”Which is why you wont be living there anymore.”*

Lizzie and William made up. She was hurt, but she believed him.

*”No more mates. No more neighbours.”*

*”One slip, and you wont see Mary again. She stays with me. And the baby too”*

*”Baby? Baby! Weve got to finish the house. Need to tell Mum!”*

*”Dont shoutshe knows. Might not be a boy. Still early.”*

*”Doesnt matter. Boy or girl. Youre my Lizzie!”* William spun her around the room.

*”Careful. Put me down.”*

The family moved into their new house. Marys little brother was born just after they settled in.

*”Mary, come see your brother,”* Gran said.

*”Hes so tiny. Mines bigger. Mummy gave him to me. Now Ive got two mums. Right, Gran?”*

*”Thats right, love.”*

*”Im not little. *Hes* little. And Mummy promised wed get a sly, fluffy face. Well, or”*

*”Mary!”*

*”Grandad says it like that”*

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