38
Lou drifted through the rest of the shift in a daze – a background hum of misery and worry punctuated by bursts of happiness when Aidan saying he was in love with her came slamming to the front of her brain, making her smile. Irrationally, it made her feel safe, like everything would be all right – as if love changed everything.
But maybe it did. Because the next day Sean O’Sullivan had arranged for her to meet with a colleague of his who specialised in family law. Aidan took the afternoon off and accompanied her to his office.
Declan was a gentlemanly middle-aged man with an avuncular manner. He was kind and patient as he explained the law on guardianship to Lou. She’d looked up the legalities before when she’d decided to make Karen Jack’s guardian, but she was hazy on the details now and she was relieved that Declan confirmed Rob would have no automatic right to guardianship unless he and Lou had lived together consecutively for twelve months, including at least three after Jack’s birth.
‘He left when Jack was only a month old,’ she told him. Finally, Rob’s fecklessness was working in her favour.
‘He can apply for guardianship,’ Declan said, ‘but you can dispute it. The court will decide based on what it feels are in the best interests of the child.’
Lou just hoped she could convince them that that wasn’t Rob.
Declan also talked her through what to expect in court. ‘It can be daunting, being in court for the first time. But you’ll be fine.’
‘And I’ll be there with you,’ Aidan said.
She gave him a grateful smile.
‘You won’t be able to go into the court, I’m afraid,’ Declan told Aidan.
‘Oh?’
‘Family court is heldin camera, so it’ll just be you, me and the judge,’ he said to Lou. ‘And the applicant and his solicitor, of course.’
‘Okay.’ Lou nodded. ‘That’s fine.’
‘But I’ll be outside,’ Aidan said to her. ‘Are character witnesses allowed?’ he asked Declan.
‘Yes, absolutely. Character witnesses are important in cases like this.’
‘Good. We’ll get plenty of those, then.’
‘But he’ll have character witnesses too, right?’ Lou asked Declan.
‘Most probably, yes.’
‘So, what if they just lie and say what a great guy he is and make out I’ve been preventing him from seeing Jack. Who’s the judge going to believe?’
Declan gave a small smile. ‘Judges are a lot smarter than you might think. But you should gather as much evidence as you can of your ex’s relationship – or lack of – with Jack to back up your claims – text messages between the two of you, for instance, where you made arrangements for him to see Jack and he didn’tshow up, friends and neighbours who might have witnessed anything that would support your case.’
‘If he wins?—’
‘Let’s not worry about that yet. One step at a time.’
‘But if he does,’ Lou persisted, ‘I want to know what it would mean for us. Could he make me move back to Dublin? Would he have rights over the house Jack inherited?’
‘He would be jointly responsible with you for managing Jack’s finances until he comes of age. That would include his inheritance, of course, but as you know, you’re obliged to manage the estate to Jack’s benefit and with his financial interests in mind.’
‘Yep, I’m familiar with the theory,’ Lou said stiffly. But good luck getting Rob to act in anyone’s interests but his own.
‘He would also have a say in where Jack lives and goes to school.’
Lou steeled her jaw, determined not to cry.
‘Try not to worry,’ Declan said kindly. ‘From what you’ve told me, Rob doesn’t have a leg to stand on. He won’t be able to demonstrate any relationship with Jack or produce any evidence of maintenance payments. I think it’ll be pretty clear that he’s only interested in his son now that he’s come into an inheritance.’
‘Okay. Thank you.’ Lou smiled, as they got up to leave, trying to take reassurance from his words. He was the expert, after all. But she couldn’t help thinking he didn’t know Rob, the way he could twist things and manipulate people.
