The Setup for the Stepfather
Come on, spill the beans.
Or what? the stepson tried to snap back.
Or Ill tell everyone you nicked nearly fifty grand from my safe at home. And believe me, I can prove it. Reckon youd get five years for that, easy. Well?
Nathans eyes darted, guilty as a cat with feathers stuck in its whiskers. Clearly, hed been pilfering cash from the safe for a whilewith his mothers help, naturally. His fingerprints were all over the place.
To rewind a bit, Evan Barkers first marriage lasted six years. The first three went swimmingly, what with his wife Veronicas dazzling looks, boundless energy, top-notch organisation skills, and, well, he did love her too.
Only later did he notice Veronica managed everything, at worksince theyd run a business togetherand at home. Nitpicking, nagging, giving him constructive feedback about as subtle as a sledgehammer; she always seemed to demand something. Still, Evan soldiered onhe wasn’t keen on destroying the family.
Ultimately, Veronica called it quits herself.
Youre not quite man enough for me, Evan, she announced, sticking her nose in the air in that way she did. I made a mistake with you.
They parted ways surprisingly amicably for someone as dramatic as Veronica. Split the business evenly, went off in their separate directions, never saw each other again.
So Evan found himself single in his old two-bedroom flat, set up his own business and drowned himself in work, which was far less complicated than marriage. For a year, he kept clear of women entirely, then had a couple of breezy flings, nothing serious, certainly nothing approaching matrimony.
Then Harriet moved into the building. Slender, chestnut-haired, green-eyed, and with an air of tragic romance about her, she brought along her eight-year-old son, Nathan. She and Evan bumped into each other constantly in the corridor.
One day, Evan invited her out for dinnermostly because he felt sorry for the melancholy beauty. Within two months, she and Nathan had moved in with him.
Evan admitted Harriet wasnt all that bright, but she gazed at him like he was the Second Coming, never criticised, and fussed over him in a way he found comforting.
Luckily, Harriet didnt have to lift a finger around the houseEvan could afford a cleaner, so all she needed to do was look presentable and nod along as he talked about work.
Nathan, however, was a trickier prospect. Evan did his best to bond: trips to the zoo, weekend cinema visits, but Nathan never made a move without looking at his mum for approval. Harriet always nodded graciously, so off they went, but the boy never really warmed to his stepdad.
And when Evan once tried to tell Nathan off for getting a C in maths, the kid had a Hollywood-level meltdown. Harriet looked at Evan like hed kicked a puppy. Tears threatened. Evan gave uplet them sort it out.
The next twelve years passed comfortably, if not exactly thrillingly. Routine, with a gentle undercurrent of marital mediocrity. Satisfaction wobbled only when he met Emily at work.
Emily had just started as the new office manager: brisk, efficient, and one for surreptitious glances Evans wayunless he was imagining things.
Apparently not. At the company Christmas bash, Emily herself asked him for a dance. Evan didnt say no. Somehow, he ended up walking her home. Theyd both had a few drinks, and the cold air sobered him upbut as he said goodnight, she hugged him, then quickly planted a kiss on his lips.
Dont fire me! she blurted out, then vanished inside.
He didnt try to stop her. No intention of firing her, either. Still, he was married, for heavens sake, not about to start a clandestine romance.
The very next evening, Nathan called him in for a chat. Nathan, now in university but still living at home, barely spoke to his stepfather otherwise.
Everything alright? Evan asked, more than a little bewildered.
“Depends,” Nathan smirked, waving his phone with a photo of Evan hugging Emily.
So?
Nothing. Just buy me a car and Ill keep this from Mum, said Nathan, without blinking.
Evan snorted. “That’s your big blackmail material? Please. I can explain it to your mum, trust me. Not exactly a crime against humanity.”
He left the room with a smirk, slightly impressed by the boys creativity, but not about to dash off an email to the wife about it. No point making Harriet cry over nothing.
Except, it wasnt nothing. A week later, Harriet announced that Nathan had a new girlfriend.
Shes not from hereshes moving in with us! Harriet trilled. You dont mind, do you?
Fine by me, Evan shrugged. Theyd moved to a spacious three-bed years ago; they had more than enough room.
That evening, Nathan brought home his fiancée.
This is Emily, Nathan said, giving his stepdad a look brimming with mischief. Oh, you two already know each othershe works for you, right?
Emily mumbled a quiet Good evening and stared at the floor.
Dinner was uneventful, aside from the fact that Emily clearly didnt feel like talking and Harriet nattered on, positively besotted with her new daughter-in-law, dreaming out loud of their marvellous lives together.
To Evan, it all felt utterly absurd, but he kept a straight face.
Doesnt it bother you that Emilys four years older than Nathan? he asked Harriet later, once they were alone.
Oh, dont be so old-fashioned, Evan. Its not like shes fourteen years older! What do you care as long as Nathans happy?
No point arguing. He let it go.
New Year came and went; Evan, as usual, barely got a day off. A huge work contract kept him out late, so he barely caught more than a sighting of Emily in the kitchen.
So it was a surprise to find her there late one evening, obviously waiting for him.
Evening! Where is everyone? he asked.
Harriets gone to see a friend, bit of an emergency. Nathans taken his mate to Heathrow.
Ah, so youre here, pining away on your own?
Emily said nothing, her face tense.
He switched the kettle on; Emily suddenly tapped his hand and gestured for him to followwithout a word. He was slightly alarmed but allowed her to lead him to the bathroom for a private chat.
I need to confess something, Emily began, barely above a whisper, Please, just listen. Im really struggling to say this.
Evan waited as she composed herself.
Nathan put me up to seducing you! she burst out. Well, sort of forced me. He threatened to get me firedyou saw the photos.
Evan kept quiet.
He said hed show them to his mother, and shed make you sack me. I need the jobmy mums ill… Anyway, he even promised to pay me off later.
And why, exactly, does he want this? asked Evan mildly.
Im not sure, but I think Harriet wants to divorce youjust not without a nice payout
And why tell me all this now?
Because its rotten, thats why! Emily said heatedly. And well, I really like you. And I havent slept with Nathan, in case you were wondering
Evan was still processing all this but resolved to get to the bottom of itquickly.
Ring Nathan, he ordered crisply. Tell him youve had some disastercameras not working, maybe? Hes probably planted oneor two.
Emily nodded, eyes averted, and pulled out her phone.
They sat in silence for half an hour until Nathan burst in, fuming.
Whats happened? he demanded from the hallway. It was all working before
He stopped dead, spotting Evan. Emily had told him she was alone.
Quick learner, arent you? Evan said coolly. Cameras, really?
Stupid girl! Nathan spat at Emily. She flinched but kept staring into space.
Watch your mouth, Evan barked. Now, start talking. Everything.
Or what? Nathan tried to sound tough.
Or I tell the police you stole fifty grand out of my safe. And Ill prove it, believe me. Thatll be five years, no question.
Nathans eyes flicked aboutcaught out. It was obvious he and his mum had been helping themselves for a while. His fingerprints were all over the notes.
Wasnt my idea, Nathan blustered. Mum thought it up. Wanted to catch you cheating, so youd cave in during the divorce. Make sure you gave her a proper payout. She needs cash for her new bloke, Arthurwont take her otherwise…
Nathan clammed up as he realised hed said too much.
SoHarriet has a lover, and all this was to get as much out of me as possible, so she could swan off with him? Evan summarised.
Exactly. Arthurs got a business, but its pretty hopeless…
So, Harriets not with a friend tonight, but with Arthur, right?
Nathan nodded. Again.
Where are they, then?
Another nod.
Lets go.
When Evan saw the lovebirds dining together in the restaurant, he didnt create a scene, or even say hello.
The next day, he told Harriet he wanted a divorce and swiftly moved out.
He knew hed have to split something with herbut he wasnt about to make her any richer than strictly necessary.
As for Emily, Evan sincerely hoped hed be able to make her happy one day. Not that she knew that yet.
