Chapter 4

Their evening had gone well 'we should do this again sometime' Rob commented, the familiar

blush of Karen's cheeks reared it's head once more as it had done on numerous occasions

throughout the evening. 'Yes, I think i'd like that' Karen replied sweetly. It had been nice to have a

proper evening away from being 'mum' and that had been long overdue. 'Thanks for the other night

with the fireworks, Harry and Jess loved it'

'i'm glad you all came, Jess and Harry are lovely kids, you've done well with them' Karen was

never very good at taking compliments, especially when they were coming from an outsider

commenting on something positive she'd done since her divorce. That and the fact it was coming

from the handsome man sitting opposite her. 'It's still early why don't we go grab some ice cream?'

Karen had to laugh at the spontaneity and sweet child like innocence of his suggestion, 'ice

cream?'

'yeah, why not? I know a really good place in town so I hope you can eat your own body weight in

ice cream…. I just don't want the evening to end just yet and you can't end an evening without

dessert of the iced cream variety' Karen couldn't help but say yes to anything Rob suggested, he

was so charismatic and enthusiastic and yet sensitive and caring. 'Oh alright, they better have mint

choc chip or you'll never hear the end of it.' Rob paid the bill and the pair grabbed their coats and

headed for the ice cream parlour. As Karen finished buttoning up her coat, Rob took her hand

within his own just before it entered her pocket, Karen snatched a breathe in pleasant surprise

before sharing that girlish smile that Rob loved so much. Something special was clearly present

between the two of them, it was exciting and romantic two things Karen hadn't pictured herself ever

revisiting. This all felt like a world away from her life as a mother and ex wife. That was until her

phone started to ring, 'sorry Rob, i'm going to have to take this.' Their hands let go, much to the

pairs disappointment. 'Karen, look this isn't working' Karen released a sigh that meant reality had

crashed back down and obliterated the evening she had spent with Rob. Karen held back really not

in the mood for an argument and Charlie was clearly in a particularly intolerable mood. 'Harry's got

himself into a right state, he won't stop crying. Look i've tried Karen but he clearly just wants you.'

Charlie's words were filled with vulnerability, an inability to be the father he dreamed he would be.

A realisation that he'd broken his children, he'd caused them to be confused and fragile. But in true

Charlie style he wasn't going to let Karen see that 'and he's disturbing the twins'

'you mean Maria's kids'

'Karen maybe it's just too much with all four of them being here. Look I think you're going to have

to come and get them'

Karen's heart sank, but anger bubbled. 'too much? Charlie are you seriously suggesting that you

can't look after your own kids because your playing babysitter to her kids?'

'I knew you wouldn't understand. I'm just trying to do what's best for our kids'

'and how exactly are you doing that Charlie?'

'I'm not having this argument now Karen. You need to come and get them, Harry's not going to

stop until he see's you'

Karen could hear the sad little voice of her Harry wailing mummy in the background.

'let me speak to him'

'I don't see how that's going to help?'

'oh for god sake Charlie you just said he wanted me now will you just put him on.'

Rob was seeing all the hurt that man had done to Karen before his eyes and it hacked away at

him. How could anyone treat someone who was raising their children so well on their own with that

much bitterness and spite. He instinctively placed his arm around her waist, he needed to protect

her. He wanted to protect her. Karen felt the warmth of his arm, it pulled her out of the pit of rage

Charlie managed to always throw her in. Karen could see the concern in Rob's eyes, she couldn't

remember the last time Charlie had shown her a look filled with so much care. She was broken

from her thoughts by her little boy, 'mummy!' he whimpered

'hey, shhh, it's okay. I'm here, what's the matter monster?'

'Ellis bit me and and and….'

Karen began to breathe heavily, why could she not protect her children. She felt so useless. Where

was Charlie when that happened? Why wasn't he making up for the time they'd all missed out on?

Karen hated hearing Harry so upset, it broke her heart especially as he continued having caught

his breath so deep in sobs. And daddy didn't kiss it better. He didn't give me a cuddle mummy…

like like like you do' Karen could feel a slight tear prick her eye and Rob's grip got instinctively

tighter. Why was a man she barely knew in comparison to her ex husband more in tune with her

well being than her own ex-husband? 'oh sweetheart, did daddy tell Ellis off?' Karen was intrigued,

she really hoped that Charlie had some resemblance left of the father and man he once was.

'No' Harry cried out, the silence that followed was a mutual understanding that Charlie's actions

were wrong, the realisation for Karen that her 6 year old son realised this too nearly broke her.

'right then mr, don't worry because mummy's going to come and get you and Jess ok?'

'ok mummy. Jess was really nice to me mummy'

'was she?'

'she sat with me and tried to make me feel better' Karen's heart was in bits, so saddened for Harry

but so warmed by her little girl being such a lovely big sister.

'that was very lovely of her, ok poppit now you try and calm down ok and i'll be with you shortly.

Can you pass the phone back to daddy?' Karen couldn't comprehend what Charlie was playing at,

they were clearly very different people but that shouldn't have changed how he felt towards his

children, the kind of dad he is. 'Karen'

'right i'm coming to pick them both up, I won't be long.' Karen's words were direct as she abruptly

hung up. ' Look Rob, I'm really sorry' Karen's words were interrupted 'Karen it's fine, I understand'

Karen was taken back by Rob's words, there was something very special about Rob that was for

sure. 'Do you need a lift?' Rob asked having noting that they'd both arrived at the restaurant in his

car, 'Rob I can't ask you to do that?'

'Don't be silly Karen, I don't mind'

'I can get a taxi' Karen responded almost as though she hadn't heard Rob's reassurance of an

offer 'Karen, come on I'll give you a lift. It sounds to me like there is one sad little boy in need of his

mummy.'

Karen looked up at Rob and in that moment knew that Rob was someone to keep hold of. She

bravely and as instinctively as Rob had put his arm around her waist, she kissed him.

She immediately shied away, embarrassed but Rob reached out grasping her hands before kissing

her as she had done. 'You don't need to put up your guard with me Karen, I understand and I want

to be there. I understand that this comes as a package deal' Karen smiled warmly as she caressed

his cheek, feeling uplifted and optimistic with Rob by her side. 'Well lets get going then, I think one

sad little boy might be very happy to see you' Karen said whilst gazing up at Rob before both piling

into his car. They arrived outside Charlie's house and it was clear Karen was nervous.

'I'll wait here, you take as long as you need i'm in no rush' Karen was able to find the will power to

go and face Charlie and see what carnage was to await her on the other side of Charlie's door. The

door opened and little Harry bawling his eyes out with a new set of fresh tears ran straight into his

mummy's arms 'oh sweetheart'

'like I said Karen this had clearly been too much for them all.'

Karen squeezed her little boy 'Harry can you go find Jess and ask her to help you two get your

bags together while I talk to daddy' Harry was apprehensive 'go on, I promise I will still be here

when you get back' she kissed his cheek before making sure he was out of earshot.

'I shall tell you what's clear Charlie is the fact you couldn't deal with the fact your 'step son' had

bitten Harry'

'kids will be kids'

'are you serious? Our little boy is bawling his little eyes out because you weren't there as daddy

and all you can say is 'kids will be kids' I really don't understand you sometimes'

Karen sighed and moved towards the stairs determined not to waste another breathe on this

argument. Little footsteps soon plodded down the stairs, Harry had on his rucksack with lots of

illustrated dinosaurs that he proceeded to tell anyone who listened about. Jess followed behind

clearly agitated and uncomfortable but that soon lifted at the sight of her mum.

Charlie left the room and got on with whatever it was he was doing before, which infuriated Karen

all the more.

'You got your Mickey Mouse Harry?'

Harry's little face filled with fear and tears began to start falling all over again.

'it's ok Harry I know where he is' Karen smiled at her little girl, it was clear she had really matured.

'Here you are Harry' Jess declared happily to her little brother. 'Right then Harry you go pop your

shoes and coat on….I'm very proud of you' Karen had a heart to hear with Jess before they left,

something positive had to be made of this situation. ' Thank you for looking after your little brother

for me, i'm very proud of you,' Karen shared a hug with her daughter before all three of them

FINALLY left Charlie's house. 'Where's your car mummy?' ah, now the real fun explanations can

begin.

'Mummy was out having some dinner with Rob and didn't take her car'

'silly mummy' Harry commented

'so Rob's going to take us all home'

'I like Rob' Jess added as they walked towards his car, I say walked Harry had sprinted and was

now wrestling his way into Rob's car. Karen couldn't quite believe that she'd left the father of her

children's home with children in tears, to a suddenly much calmer atmosphere at the mention of

Rob. Karen had caught up and helped Harry with his seatbelt.

'You alright now bud?' Rob asked little Harry who was now sat clutching his Mickey Mouse, 'my

finger is sore' 'yes mummy told me about that, now if it's okay with mummy I think we have some

children that need some cheering up' Karen could tell where this was going and was heartened

that their original date plans were to be extended to her children, Rob really did understand that

Karen had to feel that Harry and Jess were happy with Rob in their lives. Karen nodded to Rob's s

idea as he asked her children, 'whose for ice cream?' Karen felt like suddenly things were looking

a lot brighter.