Page 38 of Faking It (and falling in love)

“Really?” said Alex, her eyes filling.

“Really,” said Philippa, unable to resist putting her hand across the table to rest it on Alex’s warm arm.

“Thank you. Graphic design pay doesn’t tend to stretch to legal advice when you have to pay child maintenance and a mortgage, too.” Alex had lowered her voice.

“I can imagine,” said Philippa. “I feel very lucky, to be honest. Paul and I have been able to work through things between us and come to arrangements with money and all that sort of thing. I mean, I made sure we did it all with the appropriate court orders, because it’s a means of protecting all of us – including Dottie.”

Philippa’s daughter’s head whipped round. “What about me?”

Philippa laughed. “I was saying we managed to work everything out with Daddy so we all get what we need. You get to spend lots of time with us both, right?”

“Oh, that,” said Dottie, glazing over, like this was the dullest topic ever. “Yeah, it’s all fine.”

“Seren’s mums are separated as well, so she has a similar set up,” said Philippa.

“Do they?” asked Dottie, turning to Seren.

Seren paused and looked silently at Alex before answering. “Yeah. I don’t get to see Mum Alex as much as I used to. Mum Jess says she’s really busy.”

Philippa immediately turned to Alex, whose face had gone ashen. Alex spoke quickly, “Seren, I amnevertoo busy to be with you.” She manoeuvred herself so she could put an arm around her daughter’s shoulders. “I think maybe I should have a conversation with Mum Jess and see if we can work something out so we can see each other a bit more.”

A tiny tear dropped down Seren’s face. “I’d like that,” she whispered.

Dottie put her hand into Seren’s and for a moment they all sat in silence together. Philippa could feel anger building inside her. It was very clear that Alex’s ex was saying one thing to her and another to their daughter, in order to engineer her chosen outcome. It was unfair on Alex, but worse, unfair on Seren, who was only a child.

It was a familiar feeling to Philippa, who had met many parents in this situation through her work, but the feeling was sharper here, having a personal relationship with Alex, rather than a professional one. She wanted to storm over to Seren’s other mum’s house and tell her exactly what she thought. But she knew that wouldn’t be helpful.

They managed to steer the conversation onto more mundane matters, but Philippa could see that Alex was shocked by what Jess had said. The atmosphere had changed. She desperately wanted to hold her friend, but it somehow didn’t feel like the right thing to do amid the mess that was their fake romance, their real friendship and the feelings that Philippa increasingly harboured.

Seren and Dottie chatted companionably as the four of them walked towards Jess’s house. Philippa could see the set of Alex’s face. Every muscle appeared strained. She slipped her arm through Alex’s. “It will be ok,” she murmured, not wanting the children to hear. “I’m here for you.” Alex didn’t answer, but she did squeeze Philippa’s arm.

The front door of the house opened even before they’d started up the path. “Hi, darling,” came the singsong voice of the redheaded woman who answered the door.

“Hi, Mummy, this is my new friend Dottie. Can I show her my room?” said Seren, pulling Dottie through the door.

“Of course, sweetheart,” said Jess. Once the children were through the door, her demeanour changed. “You’re late back,” she said, dark eyes focused on Alex.

“I texted you to explain Seren had made a friend and we’d get a quick milkshake before we came over,” said Alex.

“Looks to me like you’ve made a friend,” said Jess with a sneer. “Or maybe she’s just another in the long line of women you have parading through your house.”

“Excuse me,” said Alex, whose face was white. “I don’t have women parading through my house, and even if I did, it wouldn’t be any of your business.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” said Jess, who was still standing on the doorstep, glaring at Alex and Philippa. “If it’s in a place my daughter spends time, then it is absolutely my business.”

“She’s so rarely at my house that she doesn’t meet anyone else there but me,” said Alex, her voice quiet and shaking slightly.

“So who on earth is this?” asked Jess, jerking her head towards Philippa. “Seren’s certainly met her.”

Philippa could hold onto her growing anger no longer. “I’m Alex’s solicitor, actually,” she said, slipping into professional mode with ease. She knew where she was there. “And I’d remind you that under the laws of England and Wales, your child has the right to see both her parents.”

Philippa could feel Alex’s gaze on her. She continued. “This isn’t a formal visit, but I would encourage you to heed the rightsof my client before making any more remarks about her access to your child.”

Jess’s eyes had gone wide. Her mouth opened, closed and then opened again. She faltered, then turned back into her house. “Seren, time for your friend to go home,” she called. Dottie emerged quickly, taking Philippa’s hand.

“See you on Saturday,” said Alex.

“See you then,” said Jess, and then closed the door before Philippa, Alex and Dottie had even turned away.

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