Page 38 of The In-Laws

‘Slow down, Ross. We’re doing well. Expanding too quickly has been the downfall of many of my colleagues,’ Nancy said.

‘Remaining stagnant is a mistake, Mum. We need big forward momentum.’

Forward momentum yourself off a cliff, you annoying, arrogant dickhead. Melanie turned on her heels and went back to her office to blow out the candle, open the window and possibly punch the wall.

13. Amanda

Ross sat on the edge of the bed and cursed.

‘What is it?’ Amanda asked, as she pulled on a pair of jeans.

‘She wants ten thousand euros a month in child support, starting now, before the baby is even born, for rent, for “baby-proofing” her apartment and buying “necessities”.’

‘That’s crazy. We can’t afford it.’

‘I know. Her lawyer is breaking my balls.’

‘Push back.’

‘I am.’

‘Push harder.’ What the hell was he doing? They needed money to rent a house and to pay Theo’s school fees and the bills. Ten thousand euros a month on childcare would ruin them.

‘I told my lawyer that the maximum I’ll pay is three thousand. I’m doing my best, Amanda.’ Ross pulled on a shirt.

‘Really? Is this your best?’

‘Don’t start, please, Amanda. I can’t handle any more pressure.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry. Are you feeling stressed? I’m having a ball here living with your bitch of a mother and our deeply unhappy child with the shadow of your soon-to-be-born baby hanging over me. Honestly, I could not be happier.’

Ross did up his shirt. He had started on the wrong button so it was lopsided, but Amanda didn’t feel like telling him.

‘I know it’s not easy. I know I royally fucked up, but please don’t have a go at me today. I’m struggling to keep it all together.’

Amanda pulled a sweatshirt over her messy hair. Old Amanda would have spent an hour getting primed for the school run. New Amanda didn’t give a damn what she looked like.

Ross looked shattered too, but she did not have the ability to feel sorry for him. He had caused this crisis. He had hurt her, betrayed her and humiliated her so deeply that she simply did not have the capacity for empathy. She resented having to share a bed with him, but they had to pretend to Nancy that all was okay. Amanda had shut down emotionally and physically from Ross. However, she needed him to be able to function and not have a heart attack, die and leave her to clear up his mess.

‘Fine, but please make sure your lawyer knows that your actual family needs a roof over its head so you will never pay that crazy amount of maintenance. By the way, I found a three-bedroom house not far from here for two thousand seven hundred euros a month, which is good value. It’s available from next week. I think we should jump on it.’

‘Mum still needs a lot of help.’

‘Yes, but she’ll be better soon. I don’t want to let this go, Ross. Rentals in this area are not easy to find.’

‘I think it’s too soon. We could be living here for another month at least. We can save that rent money.’

A month? Nancy was getting her cast off next week. She’d be out of the wheelchair and in a boot. She’d be able to move around. Why did they have to stay longer?

‘We can’t leave her until she is fully mobile,’ Ross said.

‘Why not?’

‘Because she’s seventy-six and also because I need more time with her to persuade her to hand over the agency to me. It’s too difficult to get her attention in the office. She’s so busy, and Melanie is always talking to her, and Jamie, even Frank. Living with her gives me the opportunity to work on her privately. I have to be in charge. We need the money. I can’t support us and the baby on what I’m earning.’

Maybe you should have thought of that before you had unprotected sex, you spineless git.‘I’m not sure I can last another month. It’s not good for Theo either. She’s always criticizing him. We’re all on edge here, Ross.’

Ross came towards her and reached for her hand, which she reluctantly allowed him to hold. ‘You have been amazing. I know how hard this is for you …’

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