by S M Mala
After getting three ice creams, they sat on an empty bench.
‘Mali, there have been a few things going on,’ he said, watching the ice cream drip down the sides of the cornet. Esme was dabbing her face while eating. ‘But I’ll be brief. Your mummy wants to see you, but I’d prefer it if she waited until you were older.’
She stopped eating and looked at him, all wide-eyed.
‘Why?’ she asked, licking her ice cream again.
‘What your daddy means is that he wants you to be happy and not confused because your mother lives in another country,’ whispered Esme, looking a little lost for words. ‘I think. Do you want to see her?’
‘No.’
Even Leon was taken aback by the response.
‘Why not?’ Esme asked.
‘She is mummy witch and Nana not like her. And I not want anyone to cry anymore. Mummy witch made daddy cry, so she is bad. Mummy Esme makes daddy laugh, and you are good. And I love daddy more because he’s my daddy and looked after me since I was a baby.’
‘I thought you liked seeing her?’ Leon asked, trying not to choke with emotion. ‘To be honest, I don’t know what to do. All I know is that I must protect you from getting upset.’
‘I not upset. I am happy!’ she said, showing him her big smile then shoving her mouth into the ice cream.
‘You won’t be angry with me if I tell your mummy not to come and speak to you?’
‘I not like her as much as I like mummy Esme.’
‘And you don’t want brothers and sisters?’
‘Leon,’ Esme said, shaking her head and looking agitated.
‘I have a brother. His name is Leo. And I have another brother also.’
‘Who?’ asked Leon, wondering if Bennylita had more children that he didn’t know about.
‘Mr Alfie Reeves is my brother.’
‘You have a lot of family,’ smiled Esme, who seemed to be relieved by Mali’s response. Then she turned to Leon. ‘Unless you want more children?’
He ate his ice cream and looked at her, all the time ticking over what he was going to say.
‘I’m happy with what I’ve got,’ he whispered before grinning. ‘I don’t want to spoil anything.’
Esme stared at him, and he could see she was a little confused by his comment.
‘Daddy,’ Mali said, licking her lips with her tongue. ‘We can knock the wall down, and have a hole, and I can walk straight into Esme’s house.’
‘One step at a time,’ he said, getting a napkin and wiping her face, as Esme smiled.
Then his phone started to vibrate in his pocket. It was Bennylita.
‘I better get this,’ he said, standing up and stepping back. ‘Hello.’
‘You’re not getting away with this!’ she hissed down the phone. ‘You’re a shitty bastard, do you know that?’
This was the Bennylita he was used to when they were together.
He wondered why he put up with it.
‘I’ve made my decision.’
‘It’s not over! You can’t stop me from seeing my child! I’ll take you to court.’
‘You do that.’
‘If you want to be with that old bitch, it’s up to you, but you’ll never have another kid! You’re a waste of space!’
‘Thanks,’ he smiled, realising he was nearly fooled by the ex.
‘I’ve not finished!’
Then she hung up. Leon let out a long sigh before going back to the table.
Mali had finished her ice cream, and Esme was wiping her hands and face.
‘Daddy, if we not have a hole, shall we dig a tunnel?’
‘I want us to be together,’ he said, touching Esme’s face then looking at his daughter. ‘That’s if Esme wants us to be.’
‘I want it,’ she whispered and he could see she was blushing. ‘Very much.’
All three strolled around the park until they got to some swings, and Mali wanted to play. She had spotted some friends from school.
‘I love you very much,’ Esme whispered in his ear, as they watched Mali run off her sugar high. ‘Please don’t regret anything that makes you resent me in the future.’
‘I don’t like her,’ then he hesitated. ‘She kissed me on Friday.’ Esme’s head sharply turned to look into his eyes. ‘I didn’t kiss her back.’
‘Of course not,’ she mumbled and looked ahead.
He grabbed her hand, squeezing it gently.
‘No tongues.’
‘Well, that’s reassuring,’ she said and he noted the hint of sarcasm.
‘But when she kissed me, I realised any feelings I had for her had gone. She treated me like shit, and I’m not going to let her back into my life again. Thing is, offering me a baby was like a carrot on a stick. It doesn’t take an idiot to see I am completely besotted with my child.’
‘How long did you kiss for?’
‘Long enough for me to know it was over.’
‘So you went to meet her thinking there was some hope?’
‘That’s not what I said.’ Leon put his arm around her and pulled Esme closer. ‘It took one second to confirm it all from a two-second kiss.’
‘That’s a bit long, don’t you think?’
‘You funny lady,’ he said, kissing her forehead.
‘Have you told her what you think?’
‘I did and she’s not happy. She says it’s not over. I have no idea what she’s up to, and frankly, I don’t care.’
‘Stay here.’
Esme had arranged to pick up Mali from her morning club the following week and was horrified to see Bennylita standing outside. Knowing that Mali would only be more confused, she grabbed the little girl’s hand and promptly marched her out.
Thing is; she hadn’t taken into account that Bennylita would follow.
Mali turned around and saw, then looked at Esme.
‘My mummy is walking behind us,’ Mali whispered and glanced at Esme. ‘We not talk to her or daddy will get upset.’
‘You’re such a good child. Let’s just focus on getting home.’
Five minutes later Bennylita was still there, and getting closer.
‘Mali!’ the woman shouted. ‘I want to talk to you.’
Before Esme could up the speed, with a five-year-old in tow, Bennylita jumped in front of them.
‘I have a right to speak to my child!’ the woman said in a terse tone. ‘You can’t stop me.’
‘I think you’ll find that I can,’ Esme replied, eyeballing the strumpet. ‘You have no right to make contact with Mali without her father’s permission. I believe he hasn’t changed his opinion. Can you please go away?’
She was polite in her request but could see Mali was confused. The child was squeezing her hand tightly. Bennylita bent down and looked straight at Mali, smiling.
‘You want to see me, don’t you? You remember me. I’m your mummy.’
‘You’re upsetting her,’ Esme said, seeing the little girl looked scared.
‘You should walk home with me. Would you like to?’
Mali shook her head from side to side and looked up at Esme.
It was clear she was getting upset and confused.
‘Come on!’ Bennylita said, taking Mali’s hand and pulling her.
‘Don’t touch her,’ Esme hissed, not wanting to make a scene. ‘You’re scaring her.’
‘I’m not scaring her!’ she replied loudly, practically shouting. ‘And what’s it got to do with you? He’s only interested because he wants a babysitter, you know.’ Then she pulled Mali’s wrist. ‘Come with me.’
‘No!’ Mali said, bursting into tears. ‘Leave me alone! My daddy said I not to talk to you!’
‘I don’t care what your daddy said,’ she snarled at the child. ‘I want you to come with me!’
‘I not want to.’
‘Can’t you see you’re upsetting her?’ Esme said, now forcefully removing Bennylita’s hand before whispering. ‘Just go away or I’ll call the police!’
; ‘She’s my child, not yours!’
Again, Bennylita reached out to grab Mali and this time the little girl hid behind Esme, holding on tightly.
‘You are like daddy’s bad friend who hit me! Go away! I not like beans and I not like you!’
‘I’m your mother.’
‘Esme my mummy! You mummy witch and Nana not like you. I not want to hold your hand, you hurt me.’
Picking her up, Esme held tightly onto the child.
‘I’m going home to call the police, do you hear me?’ Esme said as Mali cried onto her shoulder. ‘You’ve scared her.’
‘Did you hit her?’ challenged Bennylita. ‘He can’t even look after her properly!’
Not wanting to say anymore, Esme walked as fast as she could until she got to her street and ran towards her home.
Then she saw Ralph, who stuck his nose in the air. He did a double take and could see they were both distressed.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asked, running across the road. ‘Are you both all right?’
‘Mummy witch wanted to take me, but I not want to go!’ wailed Mali. ‘She hurt my hand.’ Then she put her little wrist in the air. ‘She not nice.’
‘Esme?’
‘Leon’s ex-girlfriend has come back on the scene and is causing trouble.’ She scrambled around for her keys, not wanting another altercation, then they dropped to the floor.
Ralph quickly picked them up and went towards her front door, opening it up. She hurriedly rushed towards it as he closed it firmly behind them.
Esme’s hands were shaking furiously. Ralph took Mali out of her arms and led her to the sink.
‘When my kids got hurt, I always ran warm water over their skin to make it better. Can I see your wrist?’ She put it out as he turned on the tap, checked the temperature, before putting it under the water.
‘She was forceful,’ Esme said, watching Mali then getting a wet wipe to clean her face. ‘Are you okay? Did she frighten you?’ Mali nodded. ‘Let Ralph look after your hand. Is it sore?’
‘I not want her to take me!’ Mali started to cry.
‘That’s never going to happen,’ whispered Esme, hugging the child, and seeing Ralph’s concerned expression. ‘She has no right to do that.’
After Mali had calmed down, she managed to get her to take a little nap. Esme was sat with Ralph in the kitchen, waiting for Leon to come home.
In that time, she had told Ralph the whole story.
‘That is complicated,’ he said, letting out a long sigh. ‘Are you sure you want to get involved with him?’ Seeing the look of genuine concern, she nodded. ‘And your former mother in law and his sister? How strange is that?’
‘Very,’ she laughed.
‘But offering to have another child?’
‘He did consider having another child ages ago. A brother or sister for Mali.’ She glanced at the sleeping girl on the sofa. ‘I think his ex knows how to jangle good bait.’
‘He needs to speak to his solicitor. The woman can’t keep turning up and scaring the child. It’s illegal as she hasn’t been allowed access.’ Ralph shook his head. ‘It’s the child that gets confused. When my marriage broke down, I didn’t see the children for some time. We thought it was best for them to get their heads around the arrangement. But this little girl hasn’t met her mother before until Spain. What worries me is that she could snatch the child.’
‘That’s not going to happen.’ Leon was standing outside and saw Mali sleeping. He looked shell shocked. ‘Is she okay?’
‘Frightened, that’s all,’ she said, standing up to walk towards him. ‘Ralph has been with us and was very good with Mali.’
‘Thank you, Ralph,’ Leon said, shaking his head in pure disappointment. ‘I should never have even let her think she could come near me or Mali. This is my fault.’
‘Don’t.’
‘You need to speak to someone.’ Ralph stood up. ‘I know some very good family solicitors who could sort this out for you. Why I want to do you a favour, heaven knows?’ He gave a wry smile. ‘You’ve stolen this woman when it took me years to try and get her to come out for dinner.’ Emptying the rest of his cup, he put it down. ‘Thanks for the tea.’
‘Thank you, Ralph,’ Esme said, grabbing his hand. ‘You’ve been very kind and I appreciate you listening.’
‘It’s a story and a half. And you say Oscar Reeves wants to stand for election?’ He let out a loud laugh. ‘My God, your life with Oscar is going to be scrutinised, do you know that?’
‘So I’m told,’ she shrugged.
‘And your son?’
‘A vote winner.’
‘And Leon?’
‘A head turner,’ she said, seeing he was stood over Mali, looking down at her.
‘I broke up with Melanie,’ he whispered, leaning down. ‘Seems the head turner is also a heart breaker. She was pinning her hopes on him taking her back then you turn up. Must be something about him I can’t see. Next time I get a new neighbour who I fancy, I’ll put a gate at the end of the garden.’ Ralph let out a little laugh. ‘Are you okay?’
‘If I need some help, can I ask you?’ she whispered, looking up at him. ‘You don’t have to but I do trust you Ralph, when you’re sober.’
‘Esme for you, anything.’
He grabbed her hand, kissing it before gently opening the door and closing it behind him.
Next thing, Leon grabbed her, giving a fierce and strong hug. He was still in his gardening clothes, and she could smell his sweet sweat.
‘Go back to work, and I’ll look after her,’ she whispered, holding him tightly. ‘I was going to call the police but I didn’t know what to do.’
‘I don’t trust her,’ he said, stepping back. ‘But this was over the mark. She had no right to-.’
Esme put her fingers to his lips.
‘I’ll protect her,’ Esme whispered. ‘You can be certain of that.’
‘This can’t be right.’
There was a letter from a solicitor accusing Leon of not looking after Mali based on an incident when the child was hurt. They were threatening to report him to social services.
It had been instructed on Bennylita’s behalf.
Four days after she tried to see Mali, she pulled this stunt. His hands shook while reading the paper, wondering how she would know and what she could do. Not thinking, he immediately drove to his solicitor.
‘Bitch!’
Esme had said when Mali was upset she mentioned someone had hit her because she was scared. From what was written in the letter, it was clear Bennylita was pointing the blame at Esme, intimating she was the culprit.
He felt sick.
This would upset Esme and cause all sorts of problems.
When he got to the solicitor’s office, Leon anxiously paced around, not knowing what to do.
‘She’s ready to see you, Mr Sachs,’ the receptionist said.
He marched into Mrs Almond’s office. She smiled at him, then he let loose and explained what had happened.
Everything.
Five minutes later, she looked dazed and confused.
‘Are you that naïve, Leon?’ she asked calmly. ‘That young woman has taken you for a ride and your family.’
‘I don’t know what I was thinking.’
‘The thing is, you weren’t. When you mentioned that incident when a woman hit Mali, I had warning bells ringing in all sorts of places. This is not good. And it’s Esme Reeves word against Melanie, the hairdressers?’
‘Yes,’ he said, clasping his hands and feeling hopeless.
‘And you never bothered to tell me about Bennylita going to see you and her wanting to have access to Mali.’
He shrugged.
‘That’s not an answer. It’s an admission you’re going to leave yourself wide open for attack.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘She wants access to her daughter. The woman might pull together a case that you are mistreating her. Leaving the child with women who are
not fit to look after someone of her age. In addition, she is accusing your neighbour of brainwashing the child because she might be harming her. How often do you leave her with Esme Reeves?’
‘I’m in love with Esme. She’s the one who protected my daughter when that woman smacked her.’
‘But you, Leon, left your child with Melanie so you are to blame,’ Mrs Almond said, leaning forward. ‘Bennylita Grimshaw is not a nice young lady. She fought your parents tooth and nail about the money she wanted. I only found out what your mother was doing a few weeks ago. It’s terribly unfair on Mrs Sachs trying to protect you, and then you seem to lose your sense.’
He buried his head in his hands.
‘Esme is going to be mortified, truly upset about this.’ He looked at Mrs Almond. ‘Bennylita won’t take Mali away from me, will she?’
‘No, she won’t,’ she sympathetically replied. ‘You need to start thinking clearly and set some guidelines. We will fight this. I’m sure your ex-girlfriend can be reasonable.’
That he doubted.
‘What now?’
Esme had answered the call, seeing it was Oscar’s line. ‘Make it quick.’
‘Hello Ms Reeves. I’m Governor Reeves’ Press Director, Stephen. Remember me?’
‘Why are you calling on his phone?’
‘I need to speak to you about a delicate matter.’
‘What does Oscar want now?’ she asked, looking out onto her garden.
‘This is very sensitive,’ he said then cleared his throat. ‘Esme, can I call you Esme?’
‘You just have.’
‘Something untoward has occurred.’
‘I’m listening.’
‘Your boyfriend, well, it seems that his sister is seeing Mr Reeves’ mother.’
‘Yes, that was a shock to me too.’
‘And he has some complications in his life?’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
She pondered for a moment, wondering what was going on.
‘Has Leon Sachs told you what happened a few days ago?’ he asked, his voice deepening. ‘He does live next door, doesn’t he?’
‘Can you just spit it out?’
‘I’m afraid there have been an alarming turn of events which involves you.’
