He might have just dropped his fork, but Sadie full on throws hers down harder, making a louder noise and bouncing it onto the floor. “Has it escaped your notice that I brought company this evening?” she asks in the quiet voice that always warns me she’s seriously lost her shit. “Leo is my boyfriend now, Dad. What did you think was happening here?”
Mr Stewart rolls his eyes and rubs the bridge of his nose. “I knew you’d do this eventually,” he mutters. “I knew you’d bring home some -”
“Somewhat? Some handsome, successful businessman who’s more of a decent human being than Peter could ever hope to be in ten lifetimes? Someone who makes mehappyfor the first time inliteral years, in case that matters?” She stands up and leans forward on the table. “Well, I’ve got news for you.” She grabs my hand, and even though I’ve just been treated with the most astonishing rudeness, I’ve never been prouder or felt such warmth at being defended by my warrior princess of a baby mama. “Leo, give it to me.”
I wonder what she’s talking about to begin with, but then realise, and wordlessly hand her the ultrasound photo. She throws it into her father’s lap as I stand next to her, but he ignores it. “I’m pregnant, Leo’s the father, we’re going ahead and having the baby, and that photo right there is the closest you willeverget to your second grandchild, because I have officially had enough, and I’m not going to let you be such a shit to my child ever in its life. Not like you’ve been to me.”
Her mother chokes back a sob.
Tim gives her a look of pride, but also resignation that the shit has hit the fan and he’s going to have to help clean it up.
Jacob does something I wasn’t expecting. His face lights up, and he gives Sadie a hug. “Congratulations,” he says warmly, and I think he means it. He turns to me and shakes my hand. “That’s wonderful news for you both. I’m so pleased - ”
“Sit down,” Mr Stewart snaps at them both.
“No,” Sadie snaps back, giving as good as she gets. “It’s about time someone said it like it is. You’re getting to be more and more of a cantankerous, narrow minded, bigoted old bastard as time goes on, andI’mnot prepared to put up with it anymore. After the way you’ve treated me and Leo, I can’t see any reason for me to. You clearly feel like you owe me nothing, and back atcha,George. You’re not going to bash me around and sneer at me like you do Tim and Nat. Eleanor is ablessing, not a source of shame, and the same goes formybaby.” She takes my hand and pulls me towards the door. “We’re done. You won’t be hearing from me again.”
“HOW DARE YOU?!” he bellows at the top of his voice.
She turns. “I ABSOLUTELY DARE!” she yells back.
“George,please,” his wife begs.
“No! Howdareyou speak to me like that after everything I’ve done for you? Paying me back with…withdisobedience, andrudeness,” he fumes, “and now giving me a bastard grandchildwith some tattooed lout, my second grandchild born out of wedlock, myonly daughterbecome a slut - ”
That does it.
I walk towards him and look him in the eye, man to man. “You can say whatever you like to me, but I swear to you,” I say calmly, “if you ever speak to her like that, or call her or my child names ever again, I will go out of my way to make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable little life.” Mr Stewart flinches, clearly not expecting to be gainsaid so placidly in his own home, and I turn to face the others. “Tim, always good to see you. Jacob, Mrs Stewart, a sincere pleasure.” Then I look back at him as he goes purple. “I’m afraid I can’t say the same to you. Your manners are appalling.” I put my arm around Sadie, and we head for the front door. Her legs look like they’re shaking a little, and I want to get her out of this archaic toxic hell hole.
“Sadie,” comes a small cry from behind us. Her mother seems stricken, and Sadie just looks at her. Mrs Stewart squirms under her daughter’s unforgiving gaze. “He…he didn’t mean it - he’s been stressed out lately - please don’t - ”
“Mum,” Sadie cuts in, “if that’s the case, he’s been ‘stressed out’ all his life. You know he’s getting worse. I don’t give a shit why he’s a mardy-arse all the time. He doesn’t get to speak to people like that foranyreason, least of all his pregnant daughter. And, frankly, I’m disappointed in you for putting up with it, and even more so for defending him to me rather than the other way round.”
It’s hard to determine which of the two women has gone paler after those words. Sadie is galvanised by the sight of her mother’s eyes filling with tears, and throws the front door open, almost running to my car. I click the button on my key so she can get in straight away.
I give Mrs Stewart a gentle look, feeling her pain and confusion and defeat right through to my bones. I wish I couldhelp her. But the first step needs to come from her. So I squeeze her arm, letting her know there’s no ill will from me. She startles, but then her face softens with relief, maybe even gratitude, and we look at each other as her husband continues to shout impotently in the other room. And then I walk away, back to the car, back to my fierce woman, who is shuddering with rage in the front of my car.
“Get me out of here,” Sadie whispers as soon as I close my door. I press the ignition button without further ado and drive around the corner, pulling over the first chance I get so I can take her into my arms as she cries out her frustration and hurt.
“You did great,” I whisper to her. “You did the right thing. You never have to deal with him again.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Sadie
Leo treats me like gold even more than normal after that. He comforts me with hand kisses and hugs on tap, and reassures me with infinite patience that I didn’t do anything wrong when I blew up at my Dad. The way Leo tells it, Dad richly deserved everything I yelled at him, and that going no contact with him was absolutely the best decision, both for me and for our little one. And I don’t think Leo’s wrong, especially on that last part. Even the idea of my child being exposed to such bitter nastiness, and from people who are meant to love them and be overjoyed at their presence in their lives, makes me feel cold, so perhaps this is all going to work out OK. Maybe even for the best.
And besides, my baby will have an abundance of love from Tim, and Jacob also gave us his support, which was a touching surprise. I wish he and I could become closer, properly brother and sister rather than polite acquaintances. How much of that was because of George Stewart’s regimented, table thumping way of laying down the law with his family and controlling us all? I shouldn’t be surprised. He really did a number on Tim and Natback in the day, and I feel sure it’s a contributing factor as to why they’re still not back together.
And I must remember that Dad has no influence over the other side of my little one’s family. As a very astute and thoughtful surprise, Leo arranged for a Facetime call with his mother, his sisters, and Wendy for after the family dinner. Their open, hearty elation that we’re having a baby offset the evening’s unpleasantness nicely,andprovided a thought provoking contrast. Wendy winked at me, keeping our confidence, and Marla, Leo’s mother, could not have been more thrilled at the prospect of her first grandchild. Theda and May asked if there was anything we needed that they could send as a gift, and Tippi promised to buy baby t-shirts from all the many places she was going to visit between now and when they were born, and even promised to take them on trips when they were old enough. This is what familyshouldbe. Their happiness and promises of love and regular visits soothed my bruised feelings like nothing else could have, and my tears became tears of joy. I felt so happy.
Nothing can take that away.
I stay at Leo’s townhouse with him that night, swinging by my flat on the way to pick Gary up. No way am I leaving my little dude home alone. The rotten sod caws and tells me I have dog breath as I let him out of the cage, needing a Gary-cuddle. I have more of a connection with him than I do with my parents, and the thought makes me start crying again. Fucking hormones. But Gary rests his little feathered head under my chin and tells me I’m a wanker in a much quieter and more soothing voice, and it’s not easy to continue feeling bad while that’s going on.
He’s very much at home at Leo’s, happy to fly around all three floors and singing expletives to his heart’s content. I know how he feels; right now, as I’m sprawled out on Leo’s squashy corner couch and having my feet rubbed expertly by my host,I feel free to be me, and like I could quite happily stay here forever.
“Sades?” Leo whispers.
