AllFreeNovel
Share Us
42
CERYS
The open-plan apartmentis clean apart from Ella’s clothes strewn across the tiled floor. I spy new toys in a corner, and a colouring book with marker pens scattered across the table next to half-empty packets of biscuits. I sit on the grey sofa, and Ella climbs onto my lap. She grew up with tension between me and her dad and is well aware the atmosphere will grow worse.
I hug Ella, burying my face in her shoulder fighting the tears. I won’t let Craig see me crying anymore. The aching gap in my soul is filled again by Ella’s presence, but as I glance at Liam who leans against the kitchen counter, I realise another part of my soul is severed. He won’t look at me.
“We’ve come to take Ella home,” I say, pissed off when my voice wavers.
“And we’re staying here.” Craig stands in front of the door.
“Why? What’s the point? You don’t have anything or anyone in Italy!”
“I’m not talking to you about my plans,” he says tersely.
“If you don’t let Ella come home, I’m calling the police.”
Craig scoffs. “Do what you want.”
“But I want to go home, Daddy,” says Ella in a small voice.
“Don’t you want to live by the sea?” he asks gently.
Her eyes shine with tears and Craig’s selfishness rips at my heart. “Ella wants to go home,” I tell him.
“What’s the difference?” he snaps.
“Difference to what?”
“When you andhimtake her away fromme.” He indicates Liam with his head. “When you go and live in some fancy house in America with your rich boyfriend, how’s that different to me and Ella in Italy?”
“Well, for a start, if that ever happened, then I’ll tell you! And I won’t hide or stop you talking to her. Do you understand what you’ve put me through?” My chest constricts with each word, breath coming in shorter bursts. “I thought I’d lost her! Anything could’ve happened!”
“Nothing would! She was with me! Her dad!” yells Craig.
Ella buries her head into my chest, covering her ears as our voices raise. “Ella, why don’t you show Liam where your bag is, and we can pack?”
“No, you don’t!” Craig moves toward me and Ella, but Liam steps in the way. I can’t see the expression on Liam’s face, but Craig backs off.
“Ella?” Liam asks. “Do you want me to help you?”
“Daddy says you’re not very nice, but I think you are because you make Mummy happy,” she replies.
I choke back the tears I promised I’d hide, aware how this is hurting Liam further. “You know Liam is a nice man.”
“Yeah, because he took her to fucking Disneyland!” snarls Craig.
“No! Jesus, Craig, do you think Ella only likes Liam because of what he can buy her?”
Liam quietly persuades Ella to climb off my lap. We exchange a look and I nod to indicate I’m okay to talk to Craig alone. I don’t want Ella in the room.
“This situation could be solved by mediation. Why the hell did you do this?” I hiss as soon as the door clicks closed.
“Because you were taking my daughter from me,” he snaps.
“I was not! You spent more time with her more—we were sorting the situation.” I scrub an annoying tear escaping down my cheek. “Now I don’t think I’ll ever trust you with Ella.”
Craig buries his hands into the pocket of his green board shorts and stares at his shoes.
