The Misadventures of a Playground Mother (21 page)

T
he long school
summer holidays were drawing to a close. In the end, it had been the most fantastic summer ever and a feeling of sadness was creeping through me; I didn't want it to come to an end.

The six of us had become very good friends; the lads wandered around the green most weekends chasing a small white ball, and hacking clumps out of the grass, which kept them occupied for hours. The women, well, we did what most women do best, open a bottle of wine and talk for hours around the patio table in the garden while the children played. Rupert was enjoying life; we'd never seen him like this before. His love for Sue and her boys was his world and the way he looked into her eyes was clear to all of us, he was a changed man.

Penelope was losing friends fast; she used her children as weapons to pull on Rupert's heartstrings. Making life difficult for him, she refused him access to the children. He wasn't going to give up; he was relishing the time with Sue's boys, enjoying the rough and tumble of football in the park, mountain biking and had even bought them each a set of junior golf clubs. Little Jonny was missing out on this fun; he was missing out on a relationship with his father. It saddened Rupert. Looking back, he quite openly voiced his regret in listening to Penelope. Little Jonny was her prodigy; she ploughed everything she had into making him clever, the workbooks, and the reading books, while Annabel never got the attention she deserved. It worried Rupert what would become of them both when Penelope's new baby arrived into this world. He made a decision, he was going to fight for his children; he would fight Penelope in court if he had to, whatever it took he was prepared, he loved his children and both he and Sue wanted them to be a part of their new family.

Melanie and John were still floating on cloud nine since the wedding; they were just the perfect family. John's smile had never wavered since Melanie spoke the words ‘I do' when she finally became his wife after all those years. They had their work cut out, completely renovating Frisky Pensioner's house. They ripped out the old-fashioned carpets and surgically removed the woodchip wallpaper; it was a different property when they finished it. Updated and now modern, Melanie had created the most magnificent of homes even down to the soft furnishings which she created all by herself after joining the local sewing club.

The second of September was suddenly upon us, which could only mean one thing – back to the old routine – the school run.

September was also the time of the new mothers to the school. The time when their children, all looking spick and span in their brand new uniforms and shiny black shoes, would enter primary school life for the next seven years.

Melanie and I had become a permanent fixture at the back of the playground. We had every intention of keeping out of the way of the clutches of the new enthusiastic mothers that would start this term. We watched the cliques form, and usually by Christmas when the roles of the nativity play were be delegated to the little five-year olds, the cracks would begin to appear. By the time we reached Easter, there would be a complete shift around, not only in friendships but often of husbands as well.

That first day, alarm intrusion was an unwelcome introduction to the new school term, with everyone feeling sluggish and unprepared for the early start. Even though I was looking forward to a few hours to myself in the day, I would miss the constant chatter and noise that had daily surrounded me for the last six weeks. Sue and I discussed training for a race, maybe a five-kilometre run for charity, and now with the children back at school and nursery we would have more time for running.

Once we were up and dressed and scrambled eggs had warmed our stomachs, the children reluctantly slipped their arms into their coats and feet into their black, shiny no-scuff shoes. We waited for Melanie and the girls to shut their garden gate and gathered outside our house for the short journey to school.

This morning no one was enthusiastic, and Melanie was rolling her eyes at the thought of seeing BB and Penelope again.

BB would be in her element this morning; it was a chance for her to hand-pick her new best friend from the naïve mothers whose children were starting school. She'd be preying upon the ones swinging their Gucci bags, and dressed to the nines in the latest designer gear – the ones with the brand new Range Rovers.

I hadn't clapped eyes on Penelope or BB since the school summer fair. I wouldn't even be looking at them again after the rumours and hatred they had spread on the internet regarding my lottery win. My eyes had been well and truly opened to the mothers in the playground who'd listened to her drama without any evidence of her claims, and I certainly wouldn't give any of them the time of day again. I was extremely lucky to have Sue and Melanie by my side; they were just genuine lovely people.

It was apparent nothing had changed since the day we broke up for the summer holidays except the dog outside the school gates was yapping away, showing off the latest edition in fake coats for pooches.

They were all congregated outside the school gates, that is, Penelope and her clique. BB, having been dropped from the group, swaggered straight past them, shoulders puffed out, and a face like thunder.

‘They've definitely fallen out,' Melanie stated.

‘I'm not surprised. Penelope and BB were never going to be lifelong friends, thrust together for their love of senseless drama and now it's been revealed that Rupert enjoyed so many of BB's movie roles whilst participating in extracurricular activities, I don't think they will be making up any day soon!'

Penelope was leaning against the school gate, wearing a huge shapeless dress – she was now in her third trimester. Taking life into our own hands, we walked on past the remaining Mafia who were beginning to dwindle in numbers.

All the new mothers were fussing around their children, crying and hugging them as if they were being evacuated to the other side of the country. Most of the children looked relieved to be led away from their hysterical mothers by their smiley teacher to the safety of their new classrooms.

‘Well, same old, same old – nothing much changes. How long have we got left of this primary school sentence?' Melanie spurted out.

‘Too bloody long!' I laughed.

Sue was always late for everything. This morning was no exception. I was about to ask where she was, when Melanie nodded towards the gate. Running like a lunatic, she was pushing the boys through the gate, their backpacks trailing on the ground. Sue's flustered and red, sweating face was a dead giveaway that her morning was not running smoothly. It was the boys' first day at their new school. Sue and Rupert had decided to relocate them once they all moved into their new home together in the village. Judging by the furious look on Penelope's face, she didn't appear ecstatic at their decision especially when she would be bumping into Rupert's new family every day. Sue thrust the boys into the end of the line, and they disappeared through the heavy-duty door that slammed shut behind them.

‘This getting-up lark is a killer, it took me nearly thirty minutes to understand why the alarm clock was ringing out and then in my tired, worn- out state I, was halfway to the old school before I realised we were heading towards the wrong one!'

Melanie and I laughed at her harassed state.

‘I'm being stared at,' Sue suddenly commented.

‘Just ignore her, Penelope will move on to the next drama soon enough.'

‘Not by her, by him, she nodded in the direction of a man standing in the corner of the playground.

Melanie and I turned ninety degrees to meet the gaze of the mystery man in question. BB, her arms folded, was loitering on the sidelines of the netball pitch at the far end of the playground, and eyeing up the stranger. I must admit I was casting an appreciative eye over his worn-out converse, and his multi-pocket combat shorts, which no one could dispute, showed off his lean tanned legs to the best advantage. His toned, muscled arms stretched out from his white T-shirt, which was sized to perfection across his broad chest. He was tall and hair blonde, and on his face, a manly gritty stubble. Constantly raking his fingers through his hair, and sweeping his fringe to one side, he looked like Brad Pitt's stunt double in a Hollywood movie. ‘Wow, that is not the usual type of bloke we encounter in this playground,' I stammered, mesmerised by his sheer presence.

‘Oh my God he is coming over. Who is he?' Sue gasped.

Rooted to the spot, we gawped at him as he sauntered over to us.

‘I feel like a dithering school girl with my first crush on the captain of the football team,' Sue wittered.

‘Be quiet, he's nearly here,' I whispered.

She nodded, her eyes watching his every move. ‘Handsome, isn't he?''

I felt myself blushing; I really hoped he wasn't a mind reader.

Sue and I were so captivated by his presence; we didn't notice the lack of response from Melanie who'd avoided joining in with our chitchat regarding the enchanting looking stranger. Her expression indicated that her only thought was ‘could he be looking for me?'

‘Hi,' he grinned at Melanie. ‘Long-time no see.'

Both Sue and I spun our shocked faces towards Melanie. She knew him! So who the hell was he? We wanted to know.

‘You're back, then?' Melanie spat at the delicious stranger.

‘You know each other?' I asked, baffled.

‘Ladies, let me have the pleasure of introducing you to Rob, a poor excuse of a man, but Dotty's father, the ex-bastard.' she snorted.

Wow! I stared at him open-mouthed, but he didn't seem shaken by Melanie's introduction. Both Sue and I knew of the unfortunate moment Rob had been caught with his trousers around his ankles with another woman in the hospital toilets at Dotty's birth. I was slightly jealous of Penelope who had witnessed that moment. She was luckier than me, who got lumbered with the eyeful of the Jonny Vegas look-alike banging her in the disabled bogs of the snooker hall.

‘Well hello, ex-bastard, don't you just love a good ice-breaker!' Sue laughed.

I was speechless; I wasn't sure whether that was down to the situation we were faced with, or the fact he was one extremely handsome guy. It was evident by Melanie's reaction that she wasn't impressed one little bit. I think it was the stony- faced stare that gave it away. She looked murderous.

Rob wasn't going to let Melanie's frostiness put him off.

‘Can we talk? Is there anywhere more private we can go?' he asked.

His question had come out of the blue. Melanie didn't know how to answer and she didn't want to answer. This was not what she was expecting on the first morning of the new school term.

‘Well ... I don't know. I mean ...' she shrugged.

Melanie looked at me expectantly. I wasn't sure what she wanted me to do or say.

‘You still look the same,' he smiled.

‘Cut out the pleasantries,' she spat back; her brows arched, as she looked daggers at him.

‘Please, Melanie, at least hear me out.'

Melanie didn't answer.

‘You could borrow my kitchen if that helps?' I offered. I didn't know what to do for the best, I wasn't sure whether I should have got involved or just kept quiet.

‘I could easily make myself scarce for the next hour.'

Already dressed in my running gear I had every intention of taking myself off for a run after the school bell sounded and had already been early enough to drop the younger two at nursery first.

‘Would you come too Rachel?'

‘Me?'

‘Please, whatever he has to say he can say in front of you too, I have nothing to hide.'

Looking at Melanie I could see her eyes widen. I didn't mind being there, I didn't know him and if my friend felt safer with me there I was happy to help her out.

O
pening
the front door to my house Melanie and Rob followed me in silence into the kitchen.

‘Tea or Coffee?' I asked Rob.

‘Tea please, have you got a toilet I can use?' he asked.

‘Yes, just through there,' I nodded my head in its direction.

Once he was safely out of earshot, Melanie spoke.

‘I cannot believe after all this time I find myself in your kitchen about to share a cuppa with the father of my child, a man I thought – hoped, I would never set eyes on again.'

‘Are you OK?'

‘Yes, I will be. I'm sorry for dragging you into this Rachel but I didn't want to be alone with him and I think it would be disloyal to John if I didn't have a witness.'

I didn't think I would ever get used to the Farrier being called John.

‘Don't be daft, I fully understand, it's not a problem, but I'll sit in the conservatory with the door open so I can still see and hear you but won't directly under your feet.' I was thankful for the sit-down; the earlier morning alarm was already taking its toll.

‘Good plan and thank-you.' Melanie looked momentarily relieved.

‘I wonder what has brought him back.'

‘I have no idea but his infidelity, his mind games, and his controlling nature left my self-esteem destroyed for many years – something I will never forgive him for.'

Rob came back into the room and seated himself down at the table. I placed a mug of tea in front of them both. ‘I'll just be out there,' I said.

Melanie decided to broach the question that was obviously burning inside her.

‘How the hell did you find me?' I could see Melanie was scrutinising him curiously.

‘I was driving through Tattersfield back in July. For years, I've been visiting places with masses of people or in crowded shopping centres thinking I had caught a glimpse of you and each time it was just someone bearing a resemblance to you. This one morning I spotted you walking up the main road with a child. It was purely by coincidence; I was on my way to a business meeting and had never driven through this village before. I slowed right down, parked in the lay-by opposite the school, and watched you walk by. I couldn't believe my luck when I saw you that day.'

‘What you did to me was unforgivable – the day I gave birth and Laura, and how many others I never knew about. You never treated me with the respect I deserved.'

‘Part of me knew what I was doing to you, I am so sorry; I regret everything.'

I saw Melanie shut her eyes probably in a vain attempt to block out the tears. She was a strong person; single-handed she'd looked after Dotty from the day she was born and was more than likely determined not to show her emotions. I could see her legs shaking under the table.

‘You made me feel like a complete and utter failure.' Melanie said. The pain in her face was visible and she wiped her hand across her face to dispose of an angry tear that had escaped.

‘If I could turn back time and do it all again differently, I would,' Rob said.

‘Well luckily for me you can't,' she answered wearily.

‘Please, let's give it another go. I am nothing without you; we are meant to be together.'

‘Shame you didn't realise that when you had me.'

‘Please Melanie, I've made a huge mistake; we have a daughter together and I really want to be a part of her life too.'

‘So do you even remember I gave birth to a baby girl then?'

I witnessed an exchanged glance between them.

‘Our daughter is beautiful; I watched her amble along at your side walking through the school gates.'

‘Tell me Rob, what's happened from July to now; there have been a fair few weeks that have gone by.'

‘I drove the same route the next morning and nothing; there was not a soul in sight, no mothers, and no children. The street was stripped of people and the school gates padlocked shut. I plucked up the courage to nip into the local newsagent to enquire why the school was closed; the guy behind the counter stated the school had broken up for the summer holidays. I checked their website and here I am the first day back after the holidays.'

In the conservatory, I watched and listened to every word. I felt sorry for Melanie. The man before her had mentally abused was a distant memory, yet here he was back again, begging for another chance. All this just didn't seem real.

‘Can't we leave the past behind us? I'm a changed man.'

Suddenly he became serious, taking a deep breath and I could see he was staring straight at her, ‘I love you Melanie, I always will, I'm sure we could work it out.'

‘It's too late,' Melanie replied firmly.

‘It's never too late,' he whispered. Rob stood up from the table and moved gently towards her; she pushed out her hand, holding him at arm's length.

‘Do not touch me,' she said firmly.

‘Remember when I used to moan that the bed wasn't big enough for us both? Well now, I can stretch out my arms and legs; it's cold and lonely without you there. I miss you Melanie.'

‘Miss me? It's taken you all these years to decide you miss me?' she fumed. ‘It really is too late; I have buried the past well and truly. I got married last month to the most wonderful man on this planet and you aren't a patch on him. I love him, not you.'

Frustrated, Rob banged his fist down on the table and a look of anguish flashed across his face. For a fraction of a second, Melanie looked sorry for him, but no doubt all of his lies filtered back through her mind.

‘What happens now? Where do we go from here? What about Dotty?' he asked sadly.

‘It's simple, Rob. You go back to wherever you have come from; I have slipped through your fingers, and you are no longer a part of my or Dotty's future. I made that decision the day she was born. I will never be burnt by the same flame twice. Goodbye, Rob.' And with that, she boldly stood up and opened the door.

Knowing he was beaten, Rob looked gutted.

‘Melanie you are a wonderful person and deserve the very best that life can offer you. Your husband is a very lucky man.' And with that, he walked out.

Melanie watched the man who was once the love of her life disappear up the path – gone from her world for a second time and forever.‘You can come out now,' she shouted to me.

Going back into the kitchen I held out my arms and she crumbled inside them. I hugged her tight.