I leave the room, but pause outside the door, trying to listen to what Alex is telling the kids in private. It isn’t until I hear the loud crying from two very small children that my heart sinks.
Whatever I thought about my job and being here matters little in comparison to this. Hearing them cry like that is too upsetting. They are so young to be hurting so much.
Ace opens the door, running past me, his eyes red. Alex is still holding onto Eden in the living room, cradling her in his arms like a small baby. She’s tiny compared to his six-foot frame. He carries her up the stairs. I wait for him to come back down, but he doesn’t show.
I fidget and then go to clean the kitchen. The least I can do is make sure it’s tidy for Alex in the morning if I'm having the day off. Besides, I can't sleep knowing how upset the children are.
Chapter
Seven
ALEX
I putEden in my bed, and she cries herself to sleep. I stay with her until I know she isn't going to wake up. I kiss her forehead, then leave her to check on Ace. He’s sitting on his bed and has thrown his teddies across the room, apart from one he is cuddling.
“Mate, why don’t you stay with me and Eden tonight?” I ask him. His sobs are unbearable to listen to. “You have me. You’ll always have me. I’m going nowhere.”
“She doesn’t want us. What did we do wrong?” he wails, his cheeks red and splotchy from crying.
“Nothing, you did absolutely nothing wrong. If Mummy can’t see that you’re the best thing in this world, that’s her fault.” I tell him. That woman has a lot to answer for.
“Dad,” Ace says in a soft voice like it’s going to break. Taking his little hand, I guide him to my room. It’s just the three of us now. Maybe, that's the way it should be.
After a very restless night, I let the children sleep in while I call the school explaining why they won’t be there. In the kitchen, a chunk of lasagne is left on a plate. I scoop it up to put in the bin, only to find a whole burnt lasagne and a dish. I have never seen food so charred in my life.
Keeping busy, I tidy up the mess Gemma left. It isn't as bad as I remember, so I can only assume Gemma cleaned last night. It was a valiant attempt, but she's in no way a Mrs Hinch.
I sit down with a mug of hot coffee. I need it extra strong if I am going to get through today. Yesterday’s conversation with my soon-to-be ex-wife is going around my head and tying my thoughts in knots. Before long, Gemma is the first person to join me.
“Hey.” She grabs a cup, making herself a drink.
“Morning. Sorry about yesterday.” I must look stressed to her because she gives me an almost knowing look.
“It’s okay. I’ve got stuff to do today. Normally, I’d go shopping, but I don’t have any money. How do people cope with being poor? I only have ten thousand in my regular account. I can’t even buy an outfit with that.”
I raise my eyebrows. Is she being serious? Does she think that ten grand is too little money to shop with? She's more entitled than I thought she was. Still, I can't take another thing away from the kids right now.
“I’d imagine if you didn’t buy designer clothes, you’d do just fine,” I say before taking another sip of coffee.
She looks at me with disgust. “You want me to buy from the high street?" She shakes her head as though it's the most unbelievable thing I've ever said. She sips her drink, then changes the subject. "Are the children okay?”
“They will be,” I answer, my tone sharper than necessary. I need to figure things out.
“I’ll see you tonight, then.” She picks up her drink, leaving me to my dark thoughts.
“Gemma.”
“Yes.” She turns around to face me.
“They will need you. The children,” I say, fighting the urge to clear my throat.
She stands there for a moment before nodding and walking away. I watch her through the window as she climbs into the BMW and takes off.
Ace and Eden wake up late. Neither of them is talking much.
“Why don’t we go out? Let’s go to town,” I suggest. "We can do some shopping."
“Won’t we get into trouble with school?” Ace asks.
