Youre the one who turned him against me, snapped my new husbands ex-wife.
Mum, why does Theo have a different surname? asked Oliver, flipping through his stepbrothers school diary.
Emily froze over the pot of beef stew, the ladle hovering mid-air. The question hung in the silence like a plucked violin string. Oliver sat at the kitchen table doing his homework, not even looking up as he waited for an answer.
Because he has a different dad, she said quietly, stirring the stew.
Wheres his dad?
He lives somewhere else.
Oliver finally glanced up from his notebook, his sharp ten-year-old eyes studying her. He understood more than Emily wished.
Why does Theo cry at night sometimes?
Emilys chest tightened. She knew, of course. Seven-year-old Theo often sobbed into his pillow, his small frame shaking. The child psychologist had called it adjustment stressdivorce, a new stepdad, a reshuffled life.
Hes still getting used to us, Emily said, turning off the hob.
I liked James straight away, Oliver mused. Hes brilliant, isnt he?
Emily smiled. James *was* brilliant. After her divorce, shed spent three years raising Oliver alone, juggling two jobs and falling asleep over his maths homework. Then shed met James at parents eveningalso divorced, also raising a son, Theo.
Theyd taken it slow, both wary of another mistake, another heartbreak. But love had outweighed the fear.
Em, Im home! James called from the hallway.
Dads back! Oliver cheered, darting off to greet him.
Emily watched him go. Oliver had welcomed James without a second thought. Theo, thoughTheo was harder.
James strode into the kitchen, kissed her temple, and squeezed her shoulder.
All good? Wheres Theo?
In his room. James, we need to talk. She lowered her voice. Charlotte called.
His face darkened. Charlottehis ex-wife, Theos mother. Every call from her was a landmine.
What now?
Wants Theo for the weekend. Says hes withdrawn, struggling in school.
And you said?
What could I say? Of course she can take him. But she implied Emily hesitated.
Implied what?
That its my fault. That Im not good to him.
James sighed heavily and slumped into a chair.
Em, you know thats rubbish. Youve been amazing with him from day one.
I try. But is it enough? Her voice wobbled. Oliver took to you instantly. Theo still flinches if I move too fast.
Give him time. Its different for him. Oliver remembers how hard it was just the two of youhe was relieved to have someone step in. Theo had both parents, then suddenly poof. Plus, Charlottes been whispering in his ear.
Emily knew. After the wedding, Charlotte had declared war. She couldnt stand her ex finding happiness elsewhere.
Remember our wedding?
James winced. How could he forget? Charlotte had stormed the ceremony, demanding Theo back, screeching that Emily had stolen her familynever mind that the divorce was final six months before theyd even met.
Shell never let it go, James said tiredly. But well manage. Just keep her away from the boys.
Theo appeared in the doorwaysmall, fair-haired, eyes too old for seven. He lingered, uncertain.
Theo, love, come eat, Emily said softly.
He shuffled in, sitting as far from her as possible. The familiar ache twisted in Emilys chest. *What am I doing wrong?*
How was school? James asked.
Fine, Theo mumbled into his plate.
Miss Perkins said youve been daydreaming in class.
Theo shrugged.
Is something bothering you? Emily ventured.
He flicked a glance at her, then away.
Sfine.
Theo, Emilys trying to help, James said gently.
Shes not my mum! Theo burst out. Ive got a mum! A *real* one!
Emily went pale. James stiffened.
Theo, *apologise*.
No! Shes *not*! And I hate it here! I want to go home!
He bolted. His bedroom door slammed.
Emily pressed her hands to her face. James pulled her close.
He doesnt mean it.
He does. And hes right. I *am* the stranger who wrecked his life.
Em, dont. Charlotte and I were done long before you. You *know* why we split.
She did. Charlotte had cheatedopenly, unapologetically. Said marriage suffocated her. But when James filed for divorce, shed suddenly realised she wanted him back. Too late.
Theo doesnt know that. To him, everything started when *I* showed up.
Hell understand when hes older.
Until then, Im the villain who stole his dad.
Oliver peeked in. Mum Theos crying.
Emily met Jamess eyessame helpless pain reflecting back.
Ill talk to him, he said.
No. Let me.
She knocked on Theos door.
Theo? Can I come in?
Go *away*!
Please, love. I need to tell you something.
Silence. Then a tiny, …Fine.
Theo was curled on his bed, facing the wall. Emily perched on the edge.
Want to hear about my dad?
No reply. But she felt him listening.
My parents split when I was eightjust a bit older than you. Dad left for someone else. Mum married Uncle Mike later. Know what I did?
Theo turned his head slightly.
I *hated* Uncle Mike. Made his life hellhid his keys, called him names, screamed if he tried to hug me. Thought if I was awful enough, hed leave and Dad would come back.
Theo rolled over.
What happened?
I grew up. Realised Dad hadnt left *because* of Uncle Mike. Hed just stopped loving Mum. And Uncle Mike? He loved us. Wanted us happy. But I figured it out too late.
Too late?
He died when I was sixteen. Never got to thank him. Never said I loved him. And hed been more of a dad than my real one.
Her voice cracked.
Aunt Em, Theo whispered. Dyou want me to forget my mum?
*No*, sweetheart. Never. Youve only got one mum, and you should love her. I just want us to be okay. Im not replacing her. I just want to be your friend.
Theo chewed his lip.
You wont make me call you Mum?
Never.
And if I miss her you wont be mad?
Course not. Its okay to miss her.
Theo sat up.
Can I tell you about her sometimes? How pretty she is? How she lets me eat ice cream for breakfast when I visit?
Emily grinned through tears.
Anytime.
And will you tell me more about Uncle Mike?
Every story Ive got.
On Saturday, Charlotte arrived to collect Theo. Emily watched from the window as her ex-wifetall, polished, in a designer coatbundled him into her sleek car. The polar opposite of Emily in her cosy jumper and messy bun.
Theo waved excitedly. Emily waved back, forcing a smile.
James hugged her from behind.
Hell be back.
I know. Its just shes so *glamorous*. And Im
Youre *everything*, he said firmly. Theo will see that.
On Sunday evening, Charlotte returnedbut instead of dropping Theo at the kerb, she marched upstairs with him.
Emily opened the door and *knew*. Something was wrong. Charlottes face was thunder.
We need to talk, she hissed.
Theo, go to your room, Emily said gently.
*No*, Charlotte snapped. He stays. He needs to hear this.
James appeared. Char, whats going on?
*This* is whats going on. She yanked out a schoolbook. His All About My Family project. Care to hear?
She read, voice shaking with rage:
*My family has five people: Dad James, Mum Emily, brother Oliver, me, and my real mum Charlotte. Mum Emily is kind. She makes my favourite pasta and helps with spelling. She doesnt make me call her Mum, but I know she loves me. I love her too. Mum Charlotte is pretty and has fancy shoes.
