Chapter 44
Claire stared dumbfounded at the document before her. So, he really did mean business. Richard, true to his word, had actually filed an application for full care and control of Calum. Now it was her job to instruct her client, Tara. Or, in other words, tell her friend the news she’d been dreading to hear. Not wanting to do this over the phone, she texted Tara to ask if she was free that evening. She was. Claire hadn’t enquired if Calum would be there, eager not to raise any apprehension. If he was there, he’d no doubt be in his bedroom playing music anyway, so she’d still be able to talk to Tara in private. Although, as things had now progressed to this stage, Calum would need to know of the proceedings in any event. What a bloody mess. And an unnecessary one. Did Richard honestly believe he would win? How could he? Either way, she’d make damn well sure he’d be the one footing the costs of all this nonsense.
Tara knew why Claire was calling and had been mentally preparing herself. Luckily, she’d been preoccupied for most of the day at work on the ward. A calmness filled her; she felt ready and determined to take on the world. When things hit rock bottom, the only way was up. But she hadn’t hit rock bottom, a voice inside told her, and she was going to fight Richard and win.
Not for the first time, she wondered how it had got to this. Richard trying to take their son from her. The same inner voice gave her an answer. It had got to this stage because Tara, for the first time ever, had challenged him. She had fought for the financial settlement she’d deserved, and not only that, had gained a younger, handsome boyfriend in the process. Richard didn’t like losing. He certainly didn’t like the idea of Tara being comfortably well-off, or happy. And for the first time in a longtime, Tara had been happy. Was it all about to come crashing down? Would Calum be wrenched away from her? Would Jack want to hang around with all this upheaval in her life?
Tears filled Tara’s eyes as she drove home from the hospital. Pulling into the Augusta House car park, she composed herself before entering the apartment to face Calum.
‘Hi, love,’ she said with a forced smile, trying to act normal.
‘Hi, Mum. I’m starving. What’s for tea?’
Eating was the last thing on her mind.
‘Do you want to order yourself a pizza?’
Calum’s face lit up. ‘Yeah, great.’
An hour later, Tara poured herself a large glass of wine and watched Calum wolf down his takeaway. All the time she was waiting for Claire to arrive. When Calum had finished, he went straight to his bedroom to watch TV.
Tara heard the buzzer and let Claire into the car park. She soon arrived at the door.
‘Hi, come in, Claire.’ Tara couldn’t help but notice how serious she looked. ‘Calum’s just in his bedroom.’
‘OK, I’ll start then,’ said Claire, pulling out a set of papers from her briefcase.
‘That’s the application then?’ asked Tara.
‘Yes. I’ll let you read it first, then we’ll go through it together.’
Tara’s eyes darted over the papers. It read exactly as she’d suspected, all clear, concise and complete bullshit. It was an insult that she’d even have to defend herself to it all. Claire looked on fully appreciating her sentiment.
‘So, let me just get this clear,’ said Tara sitting forward. ‘Richard is accusing me of being an unfit mother. He’s claiming Calum would be better off living full time with him and Melissa, and Calum may be dragged into the proceeding and be interviewed?’
‘Yes, basically,’ replied Claire.
‘Oh, my God.’ Tara closed her eyes.
‘But, Tara, we’ll fight him all the way. I’ve responded to the application opposing the allegations made and will deliver a strong defence in court. Just because Richard’s issued an application for full care and control of Calum, doesn’t mean he’ll get it. I’ll also be calling Melissa. I think it would be interesting to hear what she has to say about all this.’
‘Yeah.’ Tara gave a harsh laugh. ‘I’m pretty sure this wasn’t part of her plan.’
‘Exactly,’ replied Claire forcefully, then quickly turned her head at seeing Calum enter the room. ‘Oh, hi, Calum.’ She gave a bright smile.
‘Hi, Claire.’ His eyes darted between her and his mum.
Tara swallowed nervously. Had he heard them talking?
‘Everything all right, love?’ she asked.
‘Yeah,’ he replied, walking straight to the fridge to pour himself a coke. ‘What’s that?’ He pointed to the paper in Tara’s hands.
‘Oh, just some conveyance work that Claire’s been doing for me, to do with buying the apartment,’ lied Tara.
Calum looked unconvinced.
‘Right, I’ll leave you to it. See ya, Claire,’ he called over his shoulder and went back into his room.
