Former In-Laws When Saving the Family Was No Longer Possible, Galina Faced Heartbreak as Her Husband Had a Son with Another Woman—But That’s All in the Past Now. “Life Must Go On,” She Told Herself. Her Ex-Husband’s Sister and Mother Sympathised with Galina and Refused to Accept Igor’s New Wife, Elena—Who, Despite Having Recently Given Birth, Was Nicknamed ‘Miss Botox’ and a ‘Cheeky Cow’ Behind Her Back. Elena Was Much Younger Than Igor and, in Their Opinion, Only Turned Up When Everything Was Sorted—Even Though It Was Igor Who Left, Not Her. — She’s Pumped Her Lips Up with Botox! — Yulia Would Complain to Their Mother Each Morning While Applying Blusher to the Cheekbones She Inherited from Her Grandfather. — No Shame or Decency! — Poor Vova, — Their Mother Would Lament, Worrying for Her Grandson. — How’s He Supposed to Cope without a Dad? He’s at Such a Sensitive Age! — Well, At Least Galya’s Not Against Igor Seeing Him, — Yulia Would Say, Finishing Her Makeup. — Honestly, Mum, If I Were in Her Place, Igor Would Be Penniless by Now! He’s Lucky Galya’s Such a Pushover. — Igor’s Got Enough on His Plate with a New Baby, — Their Mother Would Sigh. — And His Wife Might Start Throwing Her Weight Around. — Let Her Try! Maybe It’ll Knock Some Sense into Him, — Yulia Replied, Hugging Her Mother. — Don’t Worry, Mum. Igor Loves Vova—He Won’t Abandon His Boy. — God Willing, — Their Mother Would Whisper, Pressed with Worry. Having Seen Her Daughter Off, the Elderly Lady Phoned Galina. — Hello Galya! — She Exclaimed Warmly. — I Wanted to Invite You and Vova Over for the Weekend. It’s Been So Long Since I Saw My Grandson! …Oh, Revision for a Big Test? What a Shame… Well, Tell Vova Good Luck from Me! Love to You, Galya… The Call Came at the Wrong Time: Galina Was Just Parking Beneath the New Academy Her Son Had Recently Joined, a Move Insisted Upon by Igor Who Insisted His Previous School Wasn’t Good Enough. Although Galina Preferred a School Within Walking Distance, She Agreed to Avoid More Conflict—But It Didn’t Save the Marriage, Only Hastened Its End. She Didn’t Mind Her Son Seeing His Father—or Even the New Family—but After the Divorce, Vova Declared He No Longer Had a Father. — I’m Not Going to Grandma’s Again, — He Said Firmly After the Call Ended. — Darling, That’s Not Fair! — Galina Protested. — She Absolutely Adores You! — Dad Might Be There! I Don’t Want to See Him—He Betrayed You… He Betrayed Us! — Vova Was Fuming. — I Want to Change My Surname—Even My Middle Name! — But to What? — His Stunned Mother Asked. — I Haven’t Decided Yet, — He Grunted, Grabbing His Rucksack and Disappearing, Leaving Galina Lost in Thought—Struck By How Much He Looked Like a Young Igor. Later, Near Noon, Yulia Phoned and Suggested Lunch—Their Offices Were Conveniently Close by. — Mr. Ashcroft, Do You Mind If I Pop Out for Lunch Between One and Two? — Galina Asked Her Dentist Boss. — Go Ahead, — He Nodded. — Just Be Back for the Difficult Extraction at Two. — Of Course, — She Agreed, Messaging Yulia, — See You at Ten Past One at “The Circle.” — Perfect! See You There, — Yulia Replied. By Fifteen Minutes Past One, Galina Was Ordering from the Business Lunch Menu When Yulia Arrived, Flushed and Out of Breath. — I’ll Have the Same, — She Told the Waitress, Waving a Hand to Cool Her Cheeks. Yulia Looked Mysterious. — Go On, Yul—What’s Happened? Have You Finally Got a Proposal? — Galina Teased. She Knew Yulia Had Waited Years for Her Beloved Leo to Ask Her to Marry Him, But the Man Was Hopelessly Indecisive. — No! — Yulia Shook Her Fists Dramatically. — But I’ve Got a Plan to Expose the Botox Princess! She’s Having an Affair with a Married Man! — Old News. She Used to. Now She’s Married to Igor, — Galina Replied as the Waitress Set Down the Bread. Once the Waitress Had Gone, Yulia Whispered: — No, You Don’t Get It. She Only Goes for Other Women’s Husbands! — Yul, I Don’t Care Anymore—Igor and I Are Divorced. Their Business Isn’t Mine. Secretly, She Did Still Care—She Still Loved Igor, But Tried Hard Not to Show It. — Have You Seen the Baby? — Yulia Pushed. — It’s Not His! — Of Course He Is! — Galina Frowned. — Igor Told Me Himself When ‘Botox Lips’ Was Six Months Along. — He’s Not! — Yulia Insisted. — I Can Prove It! — How? — Galina Prodded Her Soup. — DNA! — Yulia Announced as She Cleaned Her Spoon. — Modern Technology on the Side of Families! Tell Me, Would You Take Him Back If I Can Prove He’s Not the Father? — Oh, Yul… — Galina Was Touched by Her Friend’s Loyalty. — Thank You, But That’s Not the Issue. He Fell in Love with Someone Else—And She’s Young and Attractive, That’s All… — Oh, Give Over—What’s to Love? All Botox and Stupidity! Can Barely String a Sentence Together! She Pushed Her Plate Aside, Scowling. — Still, She’s Not Your Wife, She’s Igor’s. He Must Like Something About Her, — Galina Said Casually, Taking a Spoonful of Soup. — Anyway, He’s Agreed! — Yulia Announced Triumphantly. — Agreed to What? — Galina Looked Up. — The DNA Test! — Yulia Whispered Excitedly. — I Showed Him a Photo of ‘Botox’ Hugging Another Man! Ig Didn’t Believe Me at First, but I Persuaded Him to Take the Test “For Mum’s Peace of Mind.” I Promised If He Proved the Child Was His, We’d Accept Her—That Hooked Him! — Yul, Please, Let It Go. — Galina Pleaded. — Why Stir All This Up? Igor Doesn’t Love Me Anymore, and Vova Wants Nothing to Do with Him. — No Chance! — Yulia Pulled Over Her Main Course. — I Won’t Let That Botox Cow Cheat On My Brother! She’s Already Broken Up Your Family! — Is She Willing to Do the Test? I Thought the Mother Had to Give Consent. — That’s the Trick! — Yulia Grinned. — Some Labs Do Anonymous Tests—No Surnames, Just “For Your Information,” You Know? — I Understand. But Why Are You So Excited? — The Results Won’t Stand Up in Court, Sure, But Once Igor Sees the Truth, He’ll Ditch Botox and Her ‘Kid’! Galina Felt a Twinge of Sympathy for the Child—After All, It Wasn’t His Fault, Whatever the Truth. And, Deep Down, She Was Certain He Was Igor’s Son—She’d Seen The Glances Between Him and Elena. — Honestly, I Think Igor Is the Father, — Galina Said, Reaching for Her Card to Pay. — Just Wait—There’s a Backup Plan! — Yulia Showed Her a Small, Thin Clear Plastic Tube. — What’s This? — Galina Recoiled. — I Got a Mate to Pull Some Hairs Out of Her Own Son’s Head—So If They Check Against Igor, There’ll Be No Match! — Yulia, That’s Fraud! It’s Just Wrong! — The Real Crime Is What She’s Done to Us! Mum’s Diabetes Got Worse from all the Stress! I Can’t Stand Her! — Yulia Rushed Off, Now Regretting Opening Up to Galina. Galina Herself Wished She’d Never Heard the Scheme—She Believed Nothing Good Could Come from Lies; The Truth Always Came Out in the End. Several Times, She Reached for the Phone to Warn Igor About His Sister’s Plan but Stopped Herself. Once, While Still Married to Igor, She’d Wanted to Beg Elena to Walk Away—But Hadn’t Found the Courage. She’d Driven Past and Seen Elena Was Already Pregnant—It Was Too Late To Change Anything. “You Can’t Live in the Past,” She Repeated Regularly to Herself, Even as Her Son’s Resemblance to Young Igor Kept Wounding Her—and Even as Her Former In-Laws showered Her with Affection. So Galina Decided to Do Something Radical—She Proposed Moving with Her Son to a City 1,200 Miles Away for a Fresh Start. Vladimir Was Reluctant—He Didn’t Want to Change Schools Again—But Galina Persuaded Him. She Didn’t Tell Her Mother-in-Law or Sister-in-Law Until the Last Minute, Fearing They’d Try to Stop Her. When She and Vova Came to Say Goodbye, His Grandmother Nearly Had a Fit. — Move? Where? — She Gasped. — London, Is It? — Not That Far—Just Podolsk. I’ve Found Us a Place. In Two Years, Vova Wants to Study at a Top University, — Galina Hugged Her. — Don’t Worry, Vera Petrovna, We’ll Visit Often! — I Understand, But… My Heart’s Not In the Right Place Anymore, — Grandma Wiped Away Tears. — Don’t Cry, Gran. We Can Video Chat! — Vova Tried to Cheer Her Up. — I’ve Brought You a Tablet—Let Me Show You How to Use It! — But How Will I Hug You Over a Tablet? — She Replied Sadly. Aunt Yulia Was Even Moodier. — And You Didn’t Tell Me! — She Scolded Galina. — Some Friend! — Sorry, Yul. I Thought You’d Talk Me Out of It, — Galina Confessed. While Vova and His Gran Were in the Other Room, Galina Asked Yulia How the DNA Test Caper Had Ended Up. — You Wouldn’t Believe the Mess! — Yulia Groaned. — The Paternity Test Gave a 99% Match! So Either My Mate’s Boy Is Actually My Nephew, or My Brother Got Wise and Got a Real Sample! — Let It Go, Yul—Live Your Own Life, — Galina Tried to Hug Her, but She Pulled Away: — Tell Me—It Wasn’t You, Was It? — Of Course Not, — Galina Soothed. Igor Had Promised She’d Never Get the Blame for Warning Him—Both He and Galina Knew That Yulia’s Ridiculous Plots Came From Wanting Things to Return to How They Were. — Must Be My Friend Hiding Something, Then! — Yulia Huffed. — Now You’re My Only Friend—And You’re Leaving Me! — You Could Come Visit! — Galina Distracted Her. — Ditch Leo—Honestly, What’s He To You? — Maybe I Will… — Yulia Hugged Her. — I Just Might! **** Galina Was Hanging Brand New Curtains in Her Flat When the Phone Rang. — Have You Unpacked Yet? — Yulia’s Bright Voice Came Through. — You’d Better Get Ready to Come Straight Back! — Why? — Galina Asked. — Leo Got Scared I’d Leave, and He Proposed! We’re Getting Married Next Month! — Yulia Cried Excitedly. — I’m so Happy, I Even Invited Botox Lips—Can You Believe It? — Congratulations! — Galina Cheered. — But Listen, Your Brother’s Wife’s Name Is Elena. If You Promise Me Never to Call Her Botox Lips Again, I… — Alright, For This Special Occasion, I’ll Try, — Yulia Promised, Somewhat Meekly. But She Never Kept That Promise.

Former In-Laws

The marriage was well and truly over, and truth be told, Grace didnt even want to save it anymoreshe couldnt be bothered. Her husband, Tom, had fathered a child elsewherea son, no less. It hurt, of course, and her pride smarted, but that was all behind her. Mustnt dwell on the past, Grace kept telling herself. Onwards and upwards.

Toms familyspecifically his mother and elder sisterhad taken Graces side. They absolutely refused to warm to Toms new wife, despite the baby, and made a great sport of calling her a hussy and, with particular relish, the Botox Queen in private. Jennifer, the new wife, was much younger than Tom. His mother and sister claimed shed just rocked up and inherited the spoils, ignoring the trivial detail that it was Tom who abandoned his family for her, not the other way round.

Shes pumped those lips up full of toxins, Emma would mutter to their mother while slapping on blush in front of the vanityher sharp English cheekbones courtesy of Grandpa Harold. Hasnt got a scrap of shame!

That poor Oscar of yours, their mother would moan, fretting over her grandson, hows he coping, with no dad at home? Its not easy for a lad his age!

Grace doesnt seem to mind Tom seeing him though, Emma would reply, zipping her cosmetic bag with a flourish. I swear, if I were her… Tom would be sporting a cardboard box under Waterloo Bridge by now!

Tom has his work cut out, what with the new baby now, their mother would sigh, and this wife of his might start putting her foot down

Let her try. Might knock some sense into him! Emma would retort before hugging her mother. Dont fret, Mum. Tom loves Oscarhell never abandon him.

I hope so, dear. Honestly, every time I think about it my blood pressure hits the roof!

After seeing Emma off, Toms mother would shuffle over and ring up Grace.

Hello, darling! Just checking if you and young Oscar fancy popping round this weekend? Been too longI do miss my favourite grandson! Oh, school revision? Thats a shame Well, give him a kiss from me, and best of luck with the tests! Bye, dear

The call came at a most inconvenient moment: Grace was just parking up outside Oscars new school, one of those grammar schools Tom had insisted onthe local comp wasnt rigorous enough for his son, apparently.

Grace had pushed back, arguing a childs school should be within spitting distance, but when the marriage hit rocky ground, she agreed to anything to patch things up. In the end, shed become a doormat, which only sped up the inevitable.

She had no objection to Oscar seeing Tomor, for that matter, Toms new familybut the boy had slammed the shutters down after the divorce.

Not going to Grans anymore, he declared the minute she hung up.

Thats not fair, love! she tried to reason. Your gran absolutely dotes on you!

But Dad might be there! I cant stand the sight of himhe betrayed you. Betrayed us! I want to change my surname. And my middle name while Im at it!

Change it to what? What would you pick? Grace gasped.

Dunno yet, Oscar grunted, grabbing his rucksack and marching off, leaving Grace to stare, lost for wordshe was the spitting image of a young Tom.

Just before lunch, Emma rang to suggest a catch-up over fooda habit from the old days, when Grace, dental nurse extraordinaire, used to work up the road from Emmas recruitment office.

Dr. Evans, mind if I take my lunch break from one to two?

Of course, her boss replied. Just dont be latetricky extraction at two.

No worries! Grace said, before texting Emma, Lets do 1:10 at The Fox & Firkin.

Smashingsee you there! Emma replied, and hung up.

At quarter past one, Grace sat at a little table, reading out her choices to the waitress. Emma burst in, cheeks glowing, and blurted, Same for me! while fanning her face. The waitress nodded and vanished.

Emma looked like shed just found a five-pound note in her old jeans.

Well? Grace said. Something up? He finally popped the question?referring to Emmas endlessly elusive boyfriend, Luke. Years of waiting, that one.

No! Emma balled her fists theatrically. But Ive got a plan to bust that Botox Queen wide open! Shes seeing a married man!

Grace gave a snort. Old news, Emma. She was. Now Toms her legal spouse. She watched the waitress plonk down some bread.

But Emma wasnt deterred, drumming her nails on the table. No, you dont get itshes got a thing for other peoples husbands!

Emma, Im honestly not interested, Grace lied, gazing away. Tom and I are divorced. His lifeand hersis none of my business.

Actually, she did care. It still hurt. She resolutely tried not to think of him.

Youve seen her baby, havent you? Emma pressed on. Its not even Toms kid!

Really? Grace raised an eyebrow. Tom himself told me about the babywhen she was six months along.

Not his! Emma insisted, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. And I can prove it!

How, Sherlock? Grace asked, eyeing her soup.

DNAmodern science, darling! Emma exhaled dramatically, polishing her spoon with her napkin. If I prove it, would you take Tom back?

Emma! Grace said, half-laughing, half-exasperated. This is his mess. He fell out of love with me. And can you blame him? Shes young, very pretty and well

Dont make me laugh! Emma interrupted. She just pouts those ridiculous lips! Shes thick as two short planks, toocan barely string a sentence together!

Emma pushed her soup away in disgust.

Come off it, Emma Shes Toms problem now, not mine. If he likes her, who are we to judge? Grace tried for a breezy tone, even managing a few mouthfuls of soup.

Emma cut her off. He agreed!

Agreed to what? Grace asked with a mouthful.

DNA test! Emma hissed, eyes gleaming. I showed him a photoher cuddling some other bloke! He went all defensive: Maybe its an old photo I said, Lets do the testfor Mums peace of mind! He fell for it!

Emma, drop it, Grace almost begged. Why bother? Tom doesnt love me; Oscar doesnt even want his surname anymore.

No way! Emma said, reaching for her main course. Im not sitting back while Botox Queen turns my brother into a mug! Wrecked one familyshes not doing it again!

Does his wife know? You need the mothers consent for the test, Grace pointed out.

Thats the beauty, Gracie! Emma chirped. Some labs do discreet tests. No paperwork, nothing officialjust for your own satisfaction! See?

Grace managed a smile. And what exactly are you so pleased about?

Oh, the result wont hold up in court, but I dont think itll come to that. Tomll bin her and her sprog soon as!

The thought unsettled Grace. Poor little childhardly his fault his mum was reckless. Whatever Emma said, Grace reckoned the child was Toms, anyway. She remembered the way Tom lit up talking about Jennifer. And how Jennifer looked at him.

No, I think its Toms, she said, reaching for her bank card to pay.

Got a backup plan! Emma whispered, producing a narrow plastic tube from her handbag. Something like a clear marker pen, with a few wispy hairs inside.

What the? Grace recoiled.

My mate Kate nicked a few hairs off her little boyif we use those, well, the paternity test will come up a perfect zero! Emma stage-whispered.

For heavens sake, Emma! Thats fraudtotally illegal! Grace gasped.

Illegal is what she did to my family! Mums diabetes has flared up with the stress. I despise that woman! Emma snapped, stashing away her scheme and scrambling up from the table. She immediately regretted telling Grace. Sure, she was a mate, but stilla right wet blanket!

Grace regretted it, too. She believed nothing good ever came of deceit; the truth always bubbled up eventually. Several times she reached for her phone to warn Tom about Emmas scheme, but each time her courage failed her.

Once, when she was still married, Grace plucked up the nerve to confront Jennifer and ask her to step aside, leave Tomand was mortified to find Jennifer obviously pregnant already. It was far too late for lectures.

You cant live in the past! Grace kept reminding herself, but it was easier said than doneher son had inherited Toms entire face, and Toms relatives kept up an irritatingly supportive campaign.

And so, Grace took drastic action: she suggested to Oscar that they pick up sticks and start over 1,200 miles awaya brand-new town, fresh slate. Oscar hated the ideahe didnt fancy another new school. But Grace won him round in the end.

She kept it schtum from her in-laws and Emma, worried theyd talk her out of it. So when she and Oscar went round to say their goodbyes, Toms mother nearly had a turn.

Moving? Where? London?

No, but close bySurrey. Ive found us a lovely flat. In two years, Oscar can apply to uni in London, Grace reassured her, hugging the shocked woman. Dont fret, Mrs. Harper. Well still see each othervisits both ways!

The old lady blinked back tears. So far away! We rarely saw each other as it was now youll be miles and miles away!

Dont cry, Gran. Well do video callsyouve got that new tablet, remember? Ill show you how it works! Oscar piped up, trying to comfort her.

But how am I supposed to cuddle you through a tablet, pet? Gran sniffled.

Emma, meanwhile, was glowering like a raincloud in January.

You could have told me, you knowsome friend you are! she sniped at Grace.

Sorry, Em. I thought youd persuade me to stay, Grace confessed. When Oscar wandered off to show his gran how to FaceTime, Grace asked about the DNA debaclehad the caper worked?

Emma burst out laughing. You wouldnt believe itthe results came back: 99 percent match! So unless Kates kids my nephew, or my brothers somehow swapped out the hair samples, I give up!

Let it go, Em. Get a life, said Grace, trying to hug her, but Emma wriggled away.

Swear its not you! Emma accused. Did you dob me in?

Of course not, Grace lied smoothly.

Tom had promised Grace that Emma would never find out shed tipped him off. The pair of them loved Emma in their own way, knowing foolish, meddlesome schemes were just her way of wishing the old days back.

So Kates keeping something from me! Emma huffed. Youre my only friend now, you know. And youre ditching me too!

Why not just come visit us? Grace hastily changed tack. Lukes no good for youditch him! Spend the summer in Surrey!

Hmm you know what, maybe I will! Emma grinned and hugged herEmma-style, anyway.

****

Grace was hanging new curtains in their new flat when her phone rang.

You havent even finished unpacking, have you? came Emmas gleeful voice. Pack upyoure coming back!

Why? Whats happened?

Luke panicked Id leave himpromptly proposed! Were getting married next month! Im delirious! I even invited Botox Queen! Can you believe it?

Congrats, Em! But her name is Jennifer. If I catch you calling her that around me again, I

Oh, alright, for your sake alone, Ill try.

She didnt, though. Not even slightly.