THE GREAT FAMILY

Mom, Dads taken the money again

Laura slammed open the old wardrobe. Among the folded coats she uncovered a stack of crumpled notes. She counted them, her fingers trembling. Two hundred pounds short. It seemed a pittance, but it was what she saved for firewood, and Stephen knew that all too well. He never put a penny into the piggy bank himself.

She gathered the cash, rolled it tight, and slipped it under the carpet in the childrens bedroom.

Dinners ready, she called, setting ladles of soup on the table and pouring tea for each of them. Two biscuits landed on every plate.

Why dont you have any, Mum? asked Mick, looking at her with a seriousness that made her smile.

First, I dont like sweets, and second, Im watching my figure.

Mick shot her a quick glance.

Mom, youre beautiful already!

She laughed, a short, breathy sound. Eat up!

After the meal Laura washed the dishes, then slipped into the childrens room. Michael read a story to Sophie, while Ian was busy doodling on a scrap of paper.

Ten minutes, then lights out, she announced, planting a kiss on each forehead before stepping out. I have to mend Ians jackethes had a row at schooland then I can finally get some rest.

She fetched a needle and thread.

***

Ten years earlier shed married Stephen at twentyone, brighteyed and inexperienced. Stephen was slick, flashing money left and right, and Laura, naïve and hopeful, believed he earned it honestly. The truth emerged after the wedding: Stephen had squandered the proceeds from the sale of a family home his parents had left him.

Do you still have a place to live? Laura had asked, stunned.

Why? Youve got a big flat already.

Waitdid you sell your only house just to splash cash around?

Come on, Laura, dont be such a killjoy! Well live like kings for a while!

For months she blamed bad luck, convinced a decent person couldnt act so recklessly. When Mick and Ian were born, Stephen even managed a brief stint at a warehouse, but it lasted only weeks. By the time the boys were two, he was back on the hunt for work, never finding a job that satisfied his ego.

Then Sophie arrived. Laura had always dreamed of a bustling brood, but the moment her daughter entered the world she realised they were teetering on the brink of hunger if she didnt act.

The decision was made: rent out the flat and move to a village. An empty cottage, inherited from an aunt, had sat idle for five years.

Stephen took the suggestion like a slap.

You go then, love. Im happy enough in town.

Lauras fury flared.

You can stay, just not in that flat. The new tenants move in tomorrow.

Are you out of your mind? Tenants moving in? Did you even ask me?

I have to ask! Its my flat!

With a huff he left for the countryside.

Six months later he prowled the village in search of workfarms, a sawmillanything that paid. He found jobs, but none that satisfied his pride. Courtship, however, came easy.

Marian, Lauras old friend and now neighbour, often warned her that Stephen was drifting.

Maybe hell settle down with a younger woman, Laura shrugged.

Marian shook her head. Shes lost her mind, Laura. Who needs a mother of three?

Yet Laura knew life without Stephen would be harder.

A sudden bang at the door jolted her. A man she didnt recognise stood in the doorway, his coat dripping. He slipped off his jacket, sat at the kitchen table, and watched Laura stitch.

Did I hear right? Youre home for dinner? he asked, voice low.

Laura set her needle down. Stephen, why did you take the money?

Ah, you heard? Im off to the pub later, no free lunch for me, he sneered.

Earn it, then. Support the family and keep a roof over our heads.

Im trying, but why cant I just eat, have a quiet night and go to bed?

You can, but tonight youll have to eat what you bought yourself. I need firewood, and Ians jacket is torn!

Stephen stared, bewildered. Do you expect me to go to sleep starving?

Laura shrugged, turned away. After a moment of silent staring, Stephen rose, muttered, Youll regret this, and vanished into the night.

Ten years slipped by, and Stephen seemed frozen in timestill handsome, still twentysomething. Laura examined her hands: short nails, rough skin, the kind you get from washing dishes in icy water.

She learned the village paid most to dairy workers. Shed never tended cattle before, but there was no choice. She taught herself the trade, though her heart still ached for paintinga passion shed abandoned.

She rose, fetched her easel from the stove, and watched her children glance at the canvas. She sighed, draped a cloth over the painting, and went to bed.

The next morning, returning home, Laura found two large suitcases in the middle of the living room. The children sat calmly on the sofa, and Stephen perched on a chair. He stood as she entered.

So, youve finally figured it out? Now youll bite your own elbows, but its too late. You left the kids fatherless, all because of your stubbornness!

A sudden lightness washed over Laura. She smiled, Is there anyone dumber than me?

Stephen flushed with rage, snatched the suitcases, and lunged for the door. He stumbled on a loose board hed ignored for months. He lingered, then, with a guttural grunt, forced the door open, shaking the shutters.

Sophie, clutching her mothers leg, asked, Mum, will Dad ever come back?

Probably not, love.

She frowned, then whispered, Will anyone ever eat my candy again?

Not now.

Laura felt as if she, not Stephen, were the one nibbling away at her daughters sweets.

The next day Stephen left the village for good. Fresh air, Laura thought, and no more trouble.

A week passed. Laura grew restless; the neighbours hadnt sent any money, two days late, and the phone never rang. She needed to go to town for a day off. As she scanned her schedule, Mick announced, Mum, someones broken a pipe just outside.

Laura peered through the frostbitten window. A car idled on the street, a shivering man pacing beside it.

He cant start it, Mick reported. Should we call him in and make some tea?

Sure, lad, bring him in.

Within minutes, the boy ushered a thirtyfiveyearold stranger inside. The mans lips were blue from the cold.

Thank you, he rasped. Im Max.

Come in, Max. Im Laura.

As Max sipped tea, the children watched him intently from the sofa.

Youre so youngare they yours? he asked, eyes flicking to the kids.

My own, of course.

Lucky you! I always dreamed of a big family.

Did it work out?

Max shook his head. My wife didnt want children. We split, and things fell apart.

A phone rang, and Max answered sharply. What? An icestorm? Were stuck till morning.

Dont worry, well put you on the couch and you can sleep here tonight.

Your husband will have a word?

Hes fled, so he wont.

Max stared, mouth open, You mean I left three kids behind?

Laura smiled, Yes, but we manage.

That night Max woke to a soft rustle. A little girl, Sienna, slipped a candy under his pillow. He almost wept, feeling the weight of a family hed never known.

The next morning, the whole household escorted Max to the door. He looked at Laura, certain hed find a reason to return. He never did reach his destination.

Two days later, a familiar car pulled up at the gate. Michael, ever the scout, shouted, Uncle Max is here!

Mick cheered; they had promised Max a vintage game console the last time his mother wasnt looking. Max arrived with the console and two gift bags.

Inside, Laura found herself not aloneher friend Marian was there, curious about the newcomer. Laura, already dressed for the day, said, Sorry, I cant offer tea; Marian will handle it, Im late for the bus.

What, youre heading into town? Max asked.

Yes.

Then teas off. Ill give you a lift.

Marian nudged Laura aside, and they exchanged a friendly laugh.

On the drive, Laura explained her trip to town. Max said, Ill come with you. Its not much, but support helps.

Thanks, love. People are decent, juststill.

Laura, lets be on a firstname basis!

Marian giggled. Sure thing! By the way, you never told us what you do out here.

You wouldnt believe it, Laura replied. My uncle runs a small furniture workshop. We use only solid oak. I was checking out a plot wed boughtmy uncle bought it on a whim.

They turned into Lauras cottage. She fumbled with the key, opened the door, and stepped inside. In the hallway lay Stephens boots, a pair of women’s shoes a step away, and Stephen himself, wrapped in a towel, wobbling toward the kitchen with a bottle of champagne.

Laura? Where are you? he stammered, almost dropping the bottle.

Im here. Where are the tenants? What are you doing in my flat?

The tenants left, of course. I need a place to stay!

My flat? Its mine too!

Why the surprise?

Ive lived with you ten years! I dont even have a corner of my own!

Laura moved toward the bedroom. A young woman burst from the bed, clutching a dress.

Stephen! Whos this?

Laura handed her a dress.

Get out of my flat! And take Stephen with you!

What? This is Stephens flat! Stephen? Youve deceived me? Im the fool!

The woman slipped on her coat and fled. Stephen plopped onto the sofa.

Im not leaving. If you wanted me back, youd have given me a better reason. Whos that with you?

Stephen glared at Max, who smiled.

Security, mate. Youve got five minutes to pack, then Ill remember the boxing lessons I paid for fifteen years ago.

Laura retreated to the kitchen, grateful for Maxs help, though she knew she couldnt solve everything with him.

Soon the door slammed. Max entered, phone pressed to his ear, dictating an address.

Just wait a bit. The locksmith will be here soon.

Thank you, Max. I dont know what Id do without you. Fate sent you.

You said were on firstnames, Max replied, blushing.

Lauras cheeks flushed as she stared at him.

***

Three years later, Marian and Laura sat sipping tea. Marian glanced at the portrait Laura had finally finished of the children.

Lucky you, loveyour husband finally left that house a mess!

Yeah, Max does everything for us now.

Isnt that wonderful? Marian asked.

Laura laughed, Can you paint me too?

Of course! Ive got all the time now.

Marian stared, What? Youre…?

Yes I havent told Max yet. Its been two months.

She didnt notice Max slipping into the room, hearing everything. Strong arms seized her from the chair, twirling her around.

I want a boy and a girl! At last well have a big family! he declared, his voice echoing through the cottage.