“Alex, I’m sorry.” I reach out to put a hand on his, but he pulls away.
“Don’t be, they have me,” he grinds out between clenched teeth.
“And what an amazing dad you are.” I want to make him feel better, but I don't know how. So, for the first time in my life, I listen.
“She’s the one missing out: she’ll miss out on them growing up, their birthdays, graduations, weddings, and grandchildren. She’ll miss out when they turn out to be beautiful humans. She will miss out on everything.” He standsand throws his glass across the garden in anger. It shatters, and I worry that it will wake the children.
“Alex.” I stand up, putting my hands on his arms I want to comfort him. The blanket falls to the chair.
“Hate me, but not them… Don’t take whatever I did out on them." He sounds desperate.
“Did you do anything wrong?” Whatever is happening right now, I want him to know I’m here for him.
“I don’t think so… maybe work too much. I never cheated on her or hurt her. We argued now and again, but all couples argue. I didn’t know anything was wrong until she left. How could I not know? I had a call from the school to say she hadn’t collected them… She just left.”
His fingers run through his hair and he sits back down. I join him and hand him my drink, which he takes. The straw is removed and he downs it. I stand up, putting the blanket over him. He needs to be alone.
I go up to my bedroom and look out the window, watching him. His hands are in his hair, as he looks at the ground. His body shakes up and down as he cries. I close the curtains, giving him the privacy he needs.
After a restless night, I wake early. I head downstairs, and I’m soon armed with a load of black bin liners. Grabbing all the clothes, I put them into Alex’s car whilst cursing his wife. I drive to the nearest shelter, then get some help offloading all the bags.
"Thanks so much. Can I ask who these clothes came from?" the shelter worker asks.
I'm tempted to say the Devil, but instead, I shake my head. "Anonymous donation."
She smiles and nods, and I get back into my car, drivinghome. It's one less job for Alex to do. By the time I return, the three of them are in the kitchen eating breakfast.
“Where have you been?” Alex asks.
He’s in his dressing gown, looking rough. Seems as though I’m not the only one who had a restless night. Part of me kind of wishes I'd stayed to comfort him.
“I tidied up. The clothes are gone.” I say, pouring some coffee into a mug.
“Gone where?” Alex asks curiously.
“The woman's shelter.”
“Good.” A surprised smile crosses his face before he turns back to his food. He eats his cereal in silence while he is standing by the sink.
“La, la, la,” Eden starts to sing, she’s rather loud.
“Eden, be quiet,” Ace shouts at her.
“Nooooooo! La, la, la. No school,” Eden squeals in delight.
“You’ve got school,” Alex tells her.
“What?” Eden screams, then she starts to cry. “Can I have chocolate? I’ll go if I can have chocolate for breakfast.” Her tears stop as soon as they start. She is definitely a schemer.
“No! I haven’t got time for this, Eden.” Alex walks off.
Eden looks at me, her big brown eyes fluttering up and down.
“Gemma, I don’t feel well.” She starts to cough now.
“If you tell your dad, he will kill me,” I say, shaking my head.
“Well, at least it’s not me.” She giggles.
