Chapter 39
The next few days left Jack unsettled. Seeing Tara so upset was eating him up inside. The most frustrating thing was the feeling of utter helplessness, not being able to do anything about the situation she was in. Yes, he could offer words of kindness and support, but the real problem, Richard, he couldn’t approach. He accepted it would only make matters worse. Jack respected Tara’s opinion, and he agreed that speaking to her ex-husband would only antagonise him further.
So, here he was, hammering nails with force in an attempt to vent all his anger. He and Robin had almost completed the reconfiguration of the first apartment. Once all the dividing walls were up, they intended to use it as a template for the remaining five apartments.
Robin looked at his friend’s expression, a furrowed brow and clenched jaw.
‘Everything all right, mate?’ he asked with concern.
Jack stopped what he was doing and put his hammer down. Staring Robin in the face, he gave a tired sigh.
‘Not really, no.’
‘Come on, time for a brew,’ replied Robin reaching for his flask. He knew his friend was desperate to offload something. They propped up on a nearby windowsill and Robin poured them both a coffee. ‘Right, out with it,’ he said passing a cup.
‘It’s that prick Richard,’ answered Jack witheringly.
‘Tara’s ex?’
‘Yeah, Tara’s ex,’ came the flat reply.
‘What’s happened?’ asked Robin, blowing on his coffee.
Jack shook his head, then went on to outline Richard’s letter and his intention of applying for full custody of Calum. Robin sat in silence listening to his friend’s dilemma.
‘Poor Tara. She doesn’t deserve any of this,’ he said quietly when Jack had finished.
‘Too right. And what really pisses me off is the way he’s using Calum as some kind of pawn,’ said Jack in disgust.
‘Well, yeah, didn’t he let Calum down the day of Felix’s launch party?’ asked Robin, remembering how Calum had arrived with Jack and Tara unexpectedly.
‘Exactly. When it suits. He won’t really want Calum full time. It’s just a way to get at Tara.’
Robin nodded his head sadly in agreement. ‘So, where does all this lead to?’ he asked.
‘Court, again,’ said Jack in defeat. Just when he thought life had come good with Tara, they were now expecting another court hearing to loom over them. Then, a sinister threat struck him like a thunderbolt. What if Richard won? What if Calum was taken from Tara? It didn’t bear thinking about. Surely, any judge in their right mind would see through Richard? Wouldn’t they? A chill ran down his spine. My God, what must Tara be feeling?
‘Listen, mate, it probably won’t even happen. I can’t see Richard being awarded full custody. I mean… why would he? It’s not as if Calum’s in any danger living with Tara, is it?’ said Robin incredulously.
‘Of course not, but it’s still stressful being put through the court proceedings, having to prove yourself as a parent,’ replied Jack taking a sip of his drink. He continued with narrow eyes, ‘If anything, it’s Richard who’s the unfit parent, the way he just abandoned themandleft Tara with hardly any money to live off. That woman’s the one who kept it all together. Tara deserves a medal for what she’s had to endure,’ he finished with a raised voice.
‘I know, I know,’ appeased Robin, trying to calm him. In an attempt to help, he suggested having the couple over for dinner.
‘Thanks, mate, but our hearts wouldn’t really be in it. I don’t think we’d be good company at the moment,’ said Jack apologetically.
Robin nodded, understanding. He only hoped things would get sorted before the wedding and christening. The last thing they needed was a gloomy best man or down-hearted Godparents. Robin wanted the occasion to be a celebration for all,everyoneenjoying themselves. As if sensing this, Jack shook himself.
‘Anyway, sorry to have dumped all this on you,’ he smiled weakly.
‘Hey, that’s what friends are for. Remember when you gave good advice to me?’
He was of course referring to the time when he’d first met and fallen for Jasmine. Robin had been wary of letting her know his true feelings, especially as she’d only just become a widow. It was Jack who had given wise counsel, telling him to lay his cards on the table and that he’d know when the time was right to do so. And he’d been absolutely right. Robin had done exactly as his best friend had directed, and it had been the best course of action he’d ever taken in his life. Look where it had led him.
Wanting to inject a degree of optimism into Jack, he nudged him. ‘Don’t worry, mate, it’ll all come good, you’ll see.’ He looked searchingly into his face.
‘Hope so, Rob. I hope so,’ replied Jack.
Meanwhile, Tara’s friend, Claire, was also endeavouring to install confidence.
