Tara placed his mug down in front of him. ‘Calum, we need to talk, love.’
‘Hmm,’ came the reply.
‘Why did you disappear like that? We were worried sick.’
‘We? You might have been, but Dad couldn’t care less.’
‘You know that isn’t true.’
‘Do I?’
Tara opened her mouth to speak, then stopped, realising she didn’t actually know what to say. After the thought pattern she’d just had, she could well see how Calum must feel. Hadn’t she herself felt abandoned? Theyhadbeen abandoned. Richard had chosen to leave them and start a new life with someone else. Why should she even start to defend him? A few moments passed in silence, as if each of them was absorbing the fact.
‘Jack is all right, you know,’ Calum eventually said somewhat matter of fact.
‘Yes, he is,’ she agreed.
There was another slight pause before Calum glanced sideways at her. ‘You could do worse.’
‘Sorry?’ Tara asked in surprise.
‘You and Jack.’ He shrugged. ‘Just saying.’
‘Ah, I see,’ she replied with an amused grin.
‘Yeah, why not?’
Tara blinked. The sight of Jack’s concerned face slid into her mind, as well as the compassion he’d previously shown her. There was clearly more to Jack than he initially let on.
‘What are you thinking, Mum?’ Calum eyed her pensively.
‘Nothing!’ she instantly answered, almost defensively.
‘Honestly, if Dad can piss off with someone new then so should you.’
Tara resisted the urge to laugh. Then suddenly her face turned serious.
‘Calum, I’d never leave, you know that?’
‘I know. I just meant you deserve to be happy, Mum, that’s all.’
Tara gulped. Now she was resisting the urge to cry. ‘Knowing you’re safe would make me happy, Calum.’
‘Hmm.’ He’d reverted back to monosyllabic replies.
‘Which means no running off.’
Another grunt followed.
‘And always talk to me. Tell me what’s bothering you.’
Calum looked up. ‘Dad being Dad bothers me. Why did he have to ruin everything?’ Tara chewed her lip, again not knowing what to say. ‘I thought he’d come back, you know.’
‘Why?’ She frowned.
‘Because he looked miserable all of a sudden. I honestly thought he’d had enough of Mel. Then he announced he was going to be a dad again… and I realised she’d trapped him,’ he choked, on the verge of tears.
‘Oh, Calum!’ Tara got up and hugged him hard. Damn Richard and damn Melissa. From now on it was just them who mattered. Her and Calum. There and then she decided to reduce her working hours. Richard would have to subsidise the drop in income. He more than had the means and he more than had the duty to support them. Roll on that court hearing date. ‘There’s going to be a few changes,’ she whispered soothingly, stroking his hair. ‘I’m going to be here for you, Calum. I promise.’
