Come home now! her husbands voice was nearly a shout. Or do you not care about your own daughter? Ive had enough of this!
Sophie raised her glass of Prosecco and grinned at her friend Emma. The birthday do was a triumpharound twenty people packed into the bistro, laughter echoing, and for the first time in ages, Sophie felt like herself, not simply the mother of one-year-old Chloe.
To your happiness! she toasted, just as her mobile rang, piercing through the chatter.
Sophie, where are you?! Toms irritation was unmissable. Chloes been crying for nearly two hours!
Tom, I told you Id be late. Emmas birthday is this evening only. We agreed Sophies voice was calm.
You promised to be home in two hours! Its been three!
Sophie stepped away from the table so as not to disturb the party.
Try giving Chloe a bottle of water. She might be hot.
Ive done that! Chloes ill, she needs you.
Tom, please. Check her nappyperhaps its chafing. Ill be home in an hour.
No! You need to come home now! Tom nearly shouted. Or do you not care about your own daughter?
Fine, Ill leave early and be there in ten minutes.
Sophie, you Busy tone. Hed hung up.
Returning to her seat, Sophies mood was dashed. Her friends leaned close, concern painted on their faces.
Whats happened? Emma asked softly.
Chloes upset and Tom cant settle her. Says shes poorly.
For goodness sake, hes a bloke! Charlotte cut in. My Matt used to panic at everything. Thought the baby would snap if he picked her up.
And my husband still hasnt a clue why Sarah cries, laughed Alice. He rings me for every little thing!
Maybe I should go, girls? Sophie hesitated.
This is your first evening out in three months! Emma said firmly. He can manage for an hour. Let him learn how to be a dad.
Sophie tried joining the conversation as Tom strode into the bistro, holding a sniffling Chloe.
There she is! he boomed across the room. Mother of the year! Out partying while her daughters dying!
Conversation screeched to a halt. Every head turned; Sophies cheeks flamed.
Tom, what are you playing at? she murmured.
Doing what I should have done an hour ago! Tom rocked Chloe, theatrically distraught. Bringing our dying child to her careless mother!
Stop making a scene, Emma stood up. Thats enough, Tom. Chloes your child, too.
Keep out of it! he snapped. Youre the one dragging Sophie away from Chloe. Look at those tears!
Lower your voice, young man, growled a gentleman at the next table. Were trying to enjoy our dinner.
Stay out of it! barked Tom. My wife abandoned a sick child!
Tom, please, Sophie said, scooping Chloe from his arms. The girl settled instantly.
Emma, Im sorry, Sophie said. I have to go.
Of course, Tom sneered. Remember your maternal duties!
Dont apologise, Emma gave her a hug. None of this is your fault.
Oh, sod off! Charlotte snapped. A real man wouldnt act like this!
Tom was ready to retort when the manager emerged.
Excuse me, but I must ask you to leave. Youre upsetting our customers.
Back home, Sophie slipped off Chloes top and found the real culprit: a clothing label poking the neck, leaving a red mark.
So much for illness, she said, showing Tom. The tag was rubbing her.
How was I to know? Tom shrugged, slumping on the sofa.
How? By undressing her and looking.
I didnt sign up to be a nanny. Thats womens business.
Sophie stared at him.
What did you just say?
I mean it. I work. I pay the bills. Kids are your job.
Tom, you embarrassed me in front of everyoneover a tag on the collar!
Well, now you know where a mother belongsat home, not off drinking Prosecco.
Are you joking? Sophies voice rose. I work remotely, I juggle three projects, look after Chloe, cook, clean When can I rest?
Rest? Tom snorted. Staying home with a kid is relaxing. Try doing ten-hour days in an office!
Try being awake all night with a screaming toddler! Sophie shot back.
Oh come onhow tough can it be? Feed them, change them
Exactly! Yet you couldnt even spot a label!
Tom grabbed his car keys.
Im leaving. Im off to Daves for some peace and quiet.
Go on then, Sophie replied wearily. Just like always.
Staring at the closed door, Sophie held Chloe, quietly packed a bag of essentials and left the flat.
Half an hour later, she knocked at her mother-in-laws, suitcase and buggy at the door.
Sophie? Margaret was surprised. Whats happened?
Im leaving Tom. Can Chloe and I stay here a few days?
Of course, come in, dear. Whats that numpty done now?
He kicked off in the bistro, humiliated me, shouted Im a terrible mother All over a clothing label. Didnt even bother checking.
Good heavens, the shame, Margaret shook her head. And then?
Said children are womens work. That hes not a nanny.
I see, Margaret said, coolly. So Chloe isnt his daughter?
Exactly. What gets me most? He thinks staying home with a baby is a holiday.
I was blind, Margaret sighed. I spoiled my boy. Thought marriage would mature him. Its made him worse.
The next day, Tom appeared, angry.
Mum, wheres Sophie? She needs to come home!
Shes not going anywhere, Margaret said. Explain why you made a circus in public?
Circus? I was protecting my child!
From a label? she asked. Sophie told me everything.
Shes exaggerating! Get her out, she must go home!
Sit yourself down, Tom. We need a serious talk.
What about? Wives belong at home.
Sophie has fair claim to that flat as Chloes mum. And you youve let us down.
I pay the bills!
Sophie works toofrom home, online. Plus she raises Chloe and runs the house. What do you do?
I provide!
Then provide quietly. Remember how tough it was raising you after your dad passed? Thought youd grasp responsibility.
Thats different! My job is stressful
And hers is easy? Margaret was biting. Tom, when did you last get up in the night for Chloe?
Why should I? Shes got milk!
When did you last play with her? Take her out for a walk? Bathe her?
Tom was silentno answers.
Mum, Im knackered from work
So is she! But she doesnt throw public tantrums!
Toms eyes flashed.
Fine! Ill just find someone new! Let Sophie sit alone with the child!
Good luck, Margaret replied. But pay your child maintenance on time. Ill make sure of it.
Mum, whose side are you on? Mine or hers?
Im the mother of a grown man who should own his actions. Right now, all I see is a selfish child.
A month later, the divorce was finalised. Tom crowedfinally, freedom! He brought home a new date, Lisa, a bubbly blonde from the office.
Tom, your flat is lovely! she cooed, looking about.
Thats nothing, Tom smirked. Ill refurb soon. Ditching the family baggage, living for myself.
And your ex?
Shes at my mums with the kid. Let her parent there.
And maintenance?
Dont worry about that. Mums got moneytheyll manage.
They were having tea when the door opened. In came Margaret, with Sophie and Chloe.
Whats she doing here? Tom demanded.
Im returning the rightful owners, Margaret declared. The flat now belongs to Chloe. And you, Lisa, may leave.
Mum! You cant do this! Tom pleaded.
I can. I have. Sophie, make yourself comfortable.
Lisa fled, grabbing her bag, not saying goodbye.
Lisa, wait! Tom shouted, but the door slammed.
Two years later, Tom found friends were fed uptired of his griping. His mum spoke to him coolly, forbidding any new women living at her place.
He dialled Sophie.
Soph, can we talk? Maybe we could work things out
Theres nothing left to fix, Tom. Im already home.
But were a family. Chloe needs her dad!
You can be a parent after divorce, too. No ones stopping you seeing her.
I could help decorating Chloes room?
Thanks, all done. James helped.
What? Whos James? Toms voice tensed.
A colleague. A good man. Hes asked me to a bistro tomorrow.
Are you going?
I think so. Time to start living again.
Who is he? Some stranger?
Not at all. Hes helped me for months. Plays with Chloe, runs errands when Im unwell.
Does he give you money? Tom asked bitterly.
No, Tom. He helps because he cares. No drama, no nagging.
Tom sat in his mothers living room, eyes on the ceiling. Everything had crumbledall over a silly label. Nobecause he couldn’t simply undress his daughter and help.
Sophie rang.
Tom, you should knowJames has asked me to marry him.
What? Tom blurted. And what did you say?
Im thinking about it. He never causes a scene, and loves spending time with Chloe. I havent decided, but
Soph, wait Youre not serious! We spent five years together!
So what? Those five years dont entitle you to shout at me in public.
I didnt mean to! You wind me up sometimes!
See? Even now you cant talk calmly.
Sophie, pleaseanother chance!
No, Tom. James shows real respect. He reads Chloe bedtime stories and doesnt think its beneath him.
I can read those silly stories!
Theyre not sillyjust important to Chloe. But you dont get it.
I do! I was just exhausted, working for you both!
For us, Tom. James says for us, not on us. Spot the difference?
Sophiewait
Its settled. Im sorry, but our family ended in that bistro. For good.
Busy tone. Tom set the phone down, realising hed got what he claimed he wantedfreedom. Only it brought no happiness at all.
In the next room, his mum was on the phone:
Of course, Sophie, Ill be at the wedding. Your choice, and my granddaughter
Tom burst out.
Mum! What are you doing?
Talking to Sophie. Shes invited me to the wedding.
You cant go! Im your son!
And? Does that mean I help ruin a good womans life?
A good woman? She ditched me!
She was right. In her shoes, Id have done it much sooner.
So much for support, Mum!
You get support when you earn it. Right now, you get the truth.
What truth?
That youre selfish, Tom. You only looked out for yourself.
I worked hard! I paid the bills!
And thought that was enough. As if your wife had to put up with everything.
What outbursts? I didnt drink. I didnt cheat.
But you yelled, made her feel less, were embarrassed by Chloe.
I wasnt embarrassedI just didnt know what to do with her!
You just needed to love her, Tom. Only love.
A week later, Tom met Sophie outside the preschool. She was picking up Chloe, with a tall man in glasses at her side.
Sophie!
She turned, cautious.
Hello, Tom.
That him? Tom nodded at the man.
James, this is Tom, Chloes dad.
James smiled, offering his hand.
Nice to meet you.
Tom kept his hands in his pockets.
No thanks, he muttered.
Tom, please, Sophie warned.
What? Shes my daughter!
No ones contesting that. You can see her at weekends.
With him checking up on me, right?
Of course not. But if youd like to take her, let me know first.
I have to ask permission now?
Not just have toyou should. Im her legal guardian, youre her fatherher biological father.
Daddy! Chloe cried, dashing over.
She jumped into Toms arms. He hugged her, tight.
Hi, darling. Ive missed you.
I missed you! Uncle James says were off to the zoo!
Uncle James? Tom flinched at the words.
Yeah! Hes really nice. He buys ice creams and reads stories!
Figures. Just buying my daughter with ice cream. Youve barged into my life!
Not in yoursin theirs, James replied gently. And you walked out, remember.
I didnt walk out! I was pushed!
Chloe, lets go, Sophie said. Time for home.
Sophie, please! Tom called as they started off. Dont go!
Why should I stay? So you can make a scene?
I dont make scenes!
You do, Daddy, Chloe whispered. You always shout at Mummy.
Tom was stunned. His daughters words were sharper than any parents rebuke.
Chloe, I
I get scared when you shout.
Thats enough, Tom, Sophie said. Come along, Chloe.
They walked away. Tom stood outside the preschool, alone, understanding for the first time hed lost not just his wife, but possibly his daughter, too. And there was no one to blame but himself.
