Page 108 of The In-Laws

Frank mulled this over. ‘What if I left the agency?’

‘What?’

‘I’ve also been thinking about making a change. I’d like to set up a small yoga and meditation studio.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes, and let’s be honest,Iwon’t be a big loss to the agency.’

They laughed.

‘So I’ll leave and you can stay. Then, when Mum retires, you can take over. Everyone will be happy.’

‘You seem to be forgetting Ross, Jamie and Lucy.’

‘You could run it jointly with Jamie. Ross has to sort out his personal life. I don’t think he’s ready to run anything.’

‘Blood is thicker than water, Frank, and your mother’s recent comments and actions have made it clear that, as an in-law, I will never get to run the agency. Honestly, I’d rather do my own thing. I’m ready.’ Melanie cleared her throat. The next bit was hard, but she wanted to be honest. ‘I think you should have primary custody of the twins and I can see them on weekends. You’re a much better parent. You’re on top of all their school activities and you’re a better cook. I think they’d be happy to live with you Monday to Saturday. I’ll take them Saturday and bring them back on Sunday evening.’

‘Are you sure?’

Melanie nodded. ‘Yes.’ She didn’t add that the relief of being on her own from Monday to Saturday would be huge. No guilt, no pressure to be at home, or cook or organize uniforms or sports gear or lifts or pick-ups … just time and space to work. Then she’d be free on the weekends to actually spend time with them. ‘And I’ll move out. I don’t want the girls to have to move, it wouldn’t be fair. I’ll rent an apartment nearby.’

‘Melanie, I’m happy to share custody.’

Melanie smiled at him, her lovely Frank, always so fair and considerate. ‘No, Frank, you deserve them and they deserve you. I’m fine with it.’

‘You can come over anytime, obviously.’

‘Thanks.’

‘I’m sorry it’s ended, but we have two beautiful daughters and we had good times, didn’t we?’

Melanie reached up and kissed him. ‘Yes, we did. Marrying you was the best decision I made, Frank. You’re one in a million.’

They held each other and Melanie felt relief flood through her. Being honest about everything felt so freeing. A huge weight lifted from her shoulders. There was a new sense of hope about her future, a new sense of possibility. This was absolutely the right decision for her.

The twins were giggling at something on their phones when Frank and Melanie walked into the kitchen. Melanie looked to Frank. She was happy for him to take the lead. He was a lot more subtle than she was, and while he oozed empathy, she had always been more practical and plain-speaking.

‘Girls, can you put your phones down. Your mum and I need to talk to you,’ Frank said gently.

Joni looked up. ‘What’s going on? Oh, God, you’re not going to try to cut our phone-time again, are you?’

‘Seriously, we’re fifteen, not ten!’ Janis groaned.

‘No, it’s not about your phones.’ Frank sat down and indicated for Melanie to do the same.

The twins sat, arms folded defensively.

‘Is this about the detention for bunking off school early to go to St Jude’s rugby match?’ Joni asked.

‘What detention?’ Melanie asked.

‘Never mind,’ Frank said.

‘It was last week. You were in London at some book fair,’ Janis told her.

‘It’s not about that either. It’s a little more serious.’

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