CHAPTER 24
One week later…
I look around and smile, Eva is organising everyone and everything like a military operation, she is standing in the middle of the floor of the living room of the new house with a crumpled piece of paper in her hand and pointing. Tez and Vic are moving Eva's large heavy stuff into place. I was going to call a removal company to move her furniture but she told me in no uncertain terms that it was just a waste of money. She agreed my things needed a removal firm as they were in storage and arriving from Manchester, which they did and are all now in place but she also pointed out hers were moving barely a mile down the road.
So, she had spoken to Tez and he had spoken to a friend, who had spoken to a friend and a large transit van had appeared outside Eva's flat. Then despite what I had said previously, Eva had meticulously gone through her belongings and decided what she wanted moving to the new house, and what she wanted to get rid of. She had boxed up all her small stuff and when she had done there really wasn't a lot to be moved. She was at the flat for most of the day making sure everything to be moved was moved and I was stationed here at the new house to make sure everything was put in the correct rooms. She had given me a list and all the boxes were clearly labelled as to which room they belonged in, she was organised and it paid off as everything went like clockwork. The only mishap of the entire day was the electrician due to install the cooker hasn't shown up.
Four journeys later and the move was complete. I was awaiting the final delivery and as the transit van pulled into the driveway I saw Eva in the front sitting between Tez and Vic and I knew that the flat was now empty. Now all we have to do is open all the boxes and replace all the belongings on shelves and in cupboards. I look across and see Sandra has already started doing just that, she is busy piling all Maisie's books on to the bookshelf. I have finished emptying all the kitchen utensils and have come to help with boxes in here. It has been a busy day, I have managed to sort the kitchen, bathroom, Maisie's room and our bedroom and looking around there doesn't look much else to be done. I glance at my watch and am surprised to see it is nearly time to fetch Maisie from school.
"Eva!" I call and she looks across at me as she opens a box to unpack.
"I'm going to go now to fetch Maisie from school" I shout above the general hubbub in the room.
Eva immediately walks towards me, "Shit I didn't realise it was that time!" she says and I see worry appear on her face as she takes in the house and I know what she is thinking, she is worried about Maisie coming here for the first time.
I put my hand on her shoulder and draw her to me, "Eva, it's fine, everything is nearly done, there is only this room to do and the first thing I did was get Maisie's room sorted so she has her own space. It's all familiar for her and I made sure we laid it out like it was at the flat. She has a ton more space now and if she wants it different to how it is I will change it for her. Don't worry, everything will be fine" I say.
Eva nods, "Yeah it's just a big thing though and she's only four" she says.
I nod, "I know, it's a big thing for all of us but it will be wonderful too" I say.
Eva nods again, and then she seems to remember something and as I go to move away she grips my arm and lowers her voice, "I got a letter today, which I need to talk to you about later" she says.
"Ok?" I say.
"From the prison… from Nathan" she says.
"Aah I see" I say, understanding at once what she is telling me. We have been expecting this since Gaz Price gave us the heads up about Nathan now knowing about us.
"I haven't opened it yet, the postman came when I was busy so I just shoved it in my pocket" she says.
I nod, and that makes me consider something else, "Have you organised your post to be re-directed?" I ask.
She shakes her head, "No, I've notified everyone who needs to be notified and I still hold the tenancy till the end of the month so I still have the keys so I can go and check every so often to see if there is any post till I hand the keys back to the council but there shouldn't be any, and if there is it will probably be only junk mail" she says.
"Ok, well I'll go now and fetch Maisie and I'll see you in a bit". I press a small kiss to her lips and turn to go.
"Gideon" Eva says and I feel her reach for me and touch my arm, and I turn to look at her, "I love you" she says.
I smile, "I love you too" I reply.
As I am leaving the house I see Monica walking up the path with four bulging Tesco bags.
"Hi" she says, "How's it all going?"
I smile warmly at her, "We are nearly there, Eva was very organised and as a result things went smoothly, in fact we are just finishing off. There are a couple more boxes to unpack but I think that's being taken care of as I speak, I'm just off to fetch Maisie from school" I say.
Monica nods, "I've brought some cooked chickens for tea and a few other bits and bobs and some basic groceries for you both" she says holding up the bags.
"Thank you, that is brilliant. I'll settle up with you when I get back, my cooker from my flat has got to be installed so until I can get an electrician to come and do that we will be cooking by microwave! The guy I called to come and install it hasn't shown up today, that's the only thing that hasn't gone to plan so in the big scheme of things we have done well" I say, I turn to leave when Monica stops me.
"Oh by the way Gideon, my boys have been told to come here after school, I hope you don't mind? Reece waits for Declan and they walk home together, but obviously as Vic and myself are here I told them to come here, is that ok?" she asks me.
I smile reassuringly at her, "That is absolutely fine" I say, "What about Kyle?" I ask.
"He will probably turn up a bit later as he is at the secondary school now, but he too was told to come here" she says.
I thank Monica once more and head off towards the school; I decide to go on foot to time the distance so I can tell Eva how long it will take. I arrive at the school in good time and wait in the playground for Maisie to come out. As I am waiting I perceive someone coming up alongside me, I look up and see Megan standing there grinning at me.
"Hi" she says, grinning inanely at me.
I don't reply and just glare at her; will that girl ever give it up?
"You're looking very casual today, not at work?" she asks.
I raise my eyebrows and am about to tell her to mind her own business but I swallow the words and decide on a different tactic. I smile sweetly at her.
"Yes, Eva and I have been moving today, we have spent the day moving into our new home" I say.
This has the desired effect and the grin she had plastered to her face drops away.
"What?" she asks. I see the jealousy in her eyes as she takes in this information.
I nod, "Yes, I've bought a house and Eva and Maisie have moved in with me. Today we moved Eva out of the flat" I say politely.
"Oh" she says clearly at a loss for words.
I nod, "Yes, Eva's busy unpacking so I'm on the school run and have come to fetch my daughter" I say, I see her eyes widen at that.
"But" she says.
I smile, "Oh yes Eva and I are discussing the possibility of me adopting Maisie" I add with another satisfied grin. I am happy to note this has completely thrown her and she is totally speechless.
I turn as the doors open and I see Maisie coming out, "and here she is, so goodbye Megan" I say and step away and crouching I hold open my arms to Maisie. Her face lights up when she sees me and she runs straight into my arms.
"Gideon!" she shouts, but then she remembers Eva and she looks around, "Where's mummy?" she asks.
"She is at home, she is at our new home unpacking and getting things nice. Grandma and Granddad Vic and Gran-Gran and Granddad Tez are all there helping too. Shall we go and you can see if I have got your new bedroom how you like it?" I say.
Maisie nods and bounces up and down with excitement, I rise to my full height and hold out my hand to her and she slips her small hand into mine.
"Gideon I got a certificate" she says and she lets go of my hand to rummage in her book bag.
I wait and a moment later an A4 piece of paper comes out and is waved at me, I take it and read it. Apparently, she has gone up yet another level on the reading books.
"Wow Maisie this is brilliant, well done!" I say and she flushes with pride and smiles back at me. I hand her back the certificate and tell her to put it safe in her bag till we get home. I am aware that Megan is watching our every move but I don't even acknowledge the fact she is there anymore and walk away with Maisie. As we are leaving the school I hear a couple of familiar voices shouting my name and I turn to see Declan and Reece and they are running towards us.
"Hi guys!" I say with a grin.
"Hi Gideon, mum said you and Eva were moving house today and we were to come over to yours?" Reece says looking up at me a little nervously.
I nod "Yes we have, I think your mum and dad are at our new house right now do you want to walk back with us?" I ask.
I get two nods and we head off towards the new house, all the way they are chatting nineteen to the dozen and Declan is his usual boisterous self but I am impressed by the way Reece manages to handle him and the fact Declan listens and obeys him. As we get closer to the house they both start to go quiet, in fact I have never known Declan so quiet as he takes in the street and I see him slip his hand into Reece's, as I watch I see Reece looking around.
"Here we are boys" I say as I point and as we reach the front door Monica appears with a pile of broken down boxes.
"Look who I found up at school!" I say brightly and Monica gives her young sons a beaming smile.
"Hi guys, we are nearly done here, come on in and see your sister" she says.
Maisie is still gripping my hand tightly and we head inside as soon as she sees Eva she leaves me and rushes at her eager to show her, her certificate. Eva is talking to Reece and Declan who are asking about a hundred questions which all seem to be variations on 'are you really living here now?!'
Sandra appears from the kitchen with a tray filled with mugs of tea and a plate piled up with biscuits and she grins at me.
"Oh by the way, the electrician is here sorting your cooker" she says and I head into the kitchen and see Tez and Vic chatting and laughing with a man who is busy wiring up the cooker and from the banter between them it becomes obvious very quickly that they all know each other.
The man looks up and smiles at me, "Hello, I'm sorry I was late coming I had a bit of an emergency earlier and it put me behind" he says.
"No problem" I say, but I am thinking why didn't he call or text to tell me that before?
"Well, next time don't be a knobhead and let people know if you're going to be late!" Tez says with a grin.
The man grins back and holds up his middle finger, "Fuck off Tez, I've been chasing my arse all day trying to catch up, I'm here now aint I?!" A moment later he is pushing the cooker into place.
"There job done!" he says, he pulls out a form and fills it in and offers it to me, "Just sign this mate, to say I've done it" he says pointing at the form.
"So you're the bloke who has taken up with Evie?" he adds conversationally as I quickly read it and then sign it.
"I am" I say with a self satisfied almost smug smile.
I get a copy along with a certificate stating that he was authorised to carry out the work and an invoice telling me how much to pay. I look and pulling out my wallet I pull out some cash, the man sees the cash and after winking at me takes the invoice back and tears it up.
"Tell you what, we'll call it £50 for cash" he says, "after all I was late" he adds giving Tez another look.
I don't argue and offer the notes to him, knowing full well this job won't be put through the books.
After the electrician has gone we head out in to the spacious living room and I search the room for Eva but she is nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Eva?" I ask.
"She's just gone to answer the door" Vic says nodding towards the passage way. I frown at the realisation that I had heard nothing in the kitchen, the electrician went out the back door – I make a mental note to get a doorbell.
"You'll need a doorbell, we are lucky anyone heard the knock" Tez says echoing my thoughts, and I nod in agreement. "You'll probably be needing a few other bits too when you start your smartening up so let me know what you need and I'll get them for you and use my staff discount" he says.
"Thank you" I reply gratefully.
Just then the door pushes open and Eva appears with Kyle at her side, he is looking around and when he sees me he smiles brightly.
"Nice place" he says simply.
"Ok now everyone is here I'll sort some tea out as I'm sure everyone is hungry" Monica says as she stands up and moves towards the kitchen.
"Monica, do you have the receipt for the groceries?" I ask as I fumble for my wallet once more. I watch as she reaches into her pocket and pulls it out, handing it to me. I glance at it and pull some money out of my wallet and hand it to her, offering her my sincere thanks once more.
She smiles as she takes the money from me, then turns towards Eva, "Are you coming to give me a hand with the tea Eva?" she asks.
Eva nods, "Yep, sure mum" she replies and she follows her mother into the kitchen. As soon as she has gone all eyes turn towards me.
"Gideon, Eva got a letter today from that piece of shit in the prison" Tez says with no preamble.
I nod, "I know, she told me, she was expecting it to happen. We saw Gaz Price and he gave her a heads up that Nathan had been told about us, she wants to talk to me about it later" I say.
"Can't that fucking fat twat keep his nose out?!" Vic spits viciously and I shake my head.
"No apparently it wasn't Gaz who told him, that's why he told us. He thought we would think it was him after that stunt he pulled in the chip shop, but we think it was Nathan's brother Kelvin who told him. He had told Eva that their family were disowning him after he attacked Eva – when we first met, so Eva seems to think Kelvin went to the prison to make that clear to him and probably told him about us to hammer home the message that he had lost everything" I say.
Everyone nods, "She said she is going to go and see him as well and put him in his place and tell him to fuck off out her life once and for all" Vic says and I nod again.
"Yes she did mention that was her plan" I say wondering where this is going. There is a silence for a moment and then Sandra speaks.
"So, now please don't take this the wrong way but we were all thinking if she wereto visit that fucker with a ring on her finger it would make more of an impact" Sandra says, looking at me hopefully.
I nod, I can see where she is coming from, and I have had much the same thought but I don't want to rush Eva.
"You asked us all for our blessing and we gave it and Eva has told us that you plan to adopt Maisie which we couldn't be happier about. Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not trying to force you into doing anything, it's just he needs telling and telling good and if Eva were to walk in there with your ring on her finger well that would send one hell of a message that even that thick twat couldn't ignore" she says.
"We talked about the subject of adoption with Maisie, and she is happy with the idea, and I was going to propose on Eva's birthday, but that is a month away" I say looking around.
I see everyone nod in agreement with that. "We are not trying to force your hand we just wondered what your plan was and we all really want the message sent loud and clear to Nathan fucking Barker that he is no longer a part of her life or Maisie's" Sandra reiterates.
Everyone is nodding and they are all looking a bit worried as though they are afraid what they are saying is going to offend me, but as I had been thinking the same thing that if Eva were to go to visit Nathan engaged to me he would have no other option but to accept the fact he had lost her, so there is no way I can be pissed off about what they are saying.
I hesitate a moment and then hold up my finger, I disappear from the room and into the bedroom. I find the small ring box, with the engagement ring I had bought Eva while I was in Burnley. I had been sure to keep it with me this morning so it hadn't gotten misplaced in the move.
I go downstairs and hold it up, "I already have a ring and I am ready to do this right now, I have been thinking along much the same lines as you have but I also don't want to put any pressure on Eva or make her think I am only asking her because of him. I also just wanted it to be romantic when I do ask her, and I thought Eva's birthday would be" I say. I see Sandra gasp and tears appear in her eyes.
"It certainly will be" she says.
I hear the kitchen door move and I hastily push the box into my jeans pocket, and Eva and her mother appear like the pied piper surrounded by Maisie and the boys who are all eyeing the food hungrily.
"Ok let's get stuck in" Eva says as she puts plates of food down on the table.
oooOOOooo
Later that evening when everyone finally goes home and Maisie has gone to bed in her new room after insisting on having a bubble bath, I am sitting with Eva downstairs in our living room. We are both lying on the sofa and I am behind her with my arm wrapped tightly around her.
I keep thinking about the pure joy on Maisie's face as she had a bath, she had only had a shower at the flat so this was a novelty for her.
"Is that the first time Maisie has had a bath?" I ask.
Eva shakes her head, "No, she has had baths at gran's before and she always liked them, she often asked me why we couldn't have a bath in the flat and I said the room wasn't big enough for one" she says a little sadly.
"Well she has one now" I say and I press a kiss to her neck.
"I heard them" Eva says suddenly.
"Heard who, what are you talking about?" I ask.
"What my gran said, when I was in the kitchen… about Nathan, and about what they said about you marrying me. I'm really sorry about that, they shouldn't have put you on the spot like that" she says, "They are just looking out for me but they can be a bit ham fisted about it sometimes and what they said made it sound like they only wanted you to marry me to send a message to Nathan, but they really didn't mean it that way" she adds.
I move my hand to my pocket and pull out the small ring box, and moving my hand I present it to her, by placing it in front of her face.
"They weren't putting me on the spot. I bought this while I was in Burnley and I was planning on giving it to you on your birthday and asking you to marry me then. I am showing this to you now so that you know just how serious I am about you and how much I want you to be my wife" I say.
Eva reaches for the box and my hand closes around it and I pull it away. "Aah, ah, ah, you get to look inside when you say yes" I whisper. Then I tuck the box back into my pocket and press another kiss to her head.
Eva rolls over on to her back so she is looking straight at me, "Yes, Gideon, the answer is yes" she says seriously.
I stare at her, "Eva, this is hardly romantic, we…" I begin, but she places her finger on my lips.
"Gideon, think about it we are in our new home, together in our own home. I can't think of a more romantic setting or perfect time" she says.
A huge smile fills my face and I urge her to sit up, as she does so I slip off the sofa and on to the floor beside her and resting on one knee I grasp her hand in mine and with my other I reach into my jeans once more and fish out the box.
"Eva, this really isn't how I envisioned doing this, I was going to take you out for a meal for your birthday and ask you then but if this is what you truly want I will ask you now instead, right here… Eva will you marry me?" I wait and open the box up revealing the beautiful solitaire diamond ring.
Eva gasps and her eyes go huge as she takes in the ring, then she looks at me, "Yes Gideon I will marry you" she says confidently.
I reach for her and kiss her then pulling the ring from the box I slide it onto her finger, I am relieved it fits as I had to guess the size. "Does it fit ok, I had to guess?" I say as I look at the ring on her finger.
"It fits perfectly, thank you" she says and I can hear the emotion in her voice.
"Not as perfect as you" I whisper to her and kiss her once more, "Do you like it?" I ask nervously.
"I love it, it's the nicest thing I have ever had, it's beautiful, thank you" she says.
I push her down on to the sofa and slide on beside her. I am still mindful of making her feel confined and pinned down so I make sure I lie down beside her rather than on top of her.
To my great surprise she puts her hand out and stops me, I immediately stop and pull back.
"What's wrong?" I ask, worried that I have frightened her.
She bites her lip and looks at me apologetically, "I'm sorry I'm spoiling the moment" she says quietly.
I shake my head, "No you're not, talk to me. What is it? What's bothering you?" I ask.
She reaches behind her and pulls out an envelope from her back pocket and I know immediately what it is, it's the letter from Nathan, why would she think about that now of all times?
She must see the confusion on my face as she puts out her hand towards me. "I'm sorry, it's just I didn't want to read this. I didn't even want to open it, but now… I feel I can. I know this sounds silly, but you have just asked me to marry you. You have put this beautiful ring on my finger and it makes me feel as though… it makes me feel strong, it makes me feel able to cope with whatever shit he has put in here" she says, then she shakes her head and tears start welling up in her eyes, "I'm so sorry, I have just shit all over our special moment, by contaminating it with him" she says.
I understand immediately what she is trying to say, and I shake my head and pull her into my arms and hold her tightly. "No you haven't, don't be silly" I say. I look at the envelope in her hand, "Do you want to look at it now? Get this over with, see what he has to say so you can plan your response and get him out of your life forever and concentrate on us and our life together?" I ask.
I sit up and wait for her to decide, it is at moments like this I realise just how young she is. She is so mature and sensible, that at moments like this when she is vulnerable and unsure, you see her for what she is, a young girl who has been forced to grow up far too quickly.
I watch as she sits up and with slightly shaking hands she opens the envelope and pulls out a sheet of lined prison paper and unfolds it. She looks at it and bursts into tears, I immediately wrap my arm around her and hold her, rocking her gently.
"It's ok" I whisper to her, I realise that in some ways she is as damaged by this man as I was by my uncle, and I am determined to be her support to get through this as much as she was for me with Uncle Hugh.
She looks up at me, "Will you read it please… I just… I don't want to hear any more of his lies" she says.
I nod and take the letter from her and start to read it.
Dear Evie
I am writing to tell you I didn't mean to do what I did. I didn't mean any of it, but I was angry when I couldn't get into the flat and you had pissed me off because you called my probation officer. You and Maisie are my life and I don't know what I would do if you gave up on me. I hope I didn't hurt you too badly, I promise you when I come out things will be different this time. I will get off the drugs and I will go to the anger management classes. I swear I won't ever lay a finger on you again.
My brother and Gaz came to visit and it seems that everyone is pretty pissed off with me for what I did that night. I swear I didn't mean it, Kelv reckons that he is disowning me and that mum is disgusted with me and wants nothing more to do with me either so if that is true I only have you and Maisie, so please say you will forgive me for what I did.
The police showed me what I did. That shithead who lives next-door videoed it and gave it to them, he needs to mind his own fucking business. I swear he has a thing for you, but what I did, I didn't mean it and I swear it won't happen again.
Kelv said you've met someone else, don't leave me Evie. Don't give up on me, I have sent a visiting order, so you can come and see me and I can tell you in person that it won't happen again.
See you soon baby
Nathan
I am appalled by the blatant manipulation. He is clearly trying to make her feel sorry for him and he didn't even say the word sorry once. I shake my head, I can see now how he persuaded her before, if this is a taste of the way he is, back then she was a young frightened pregnant teenager and she probably believed every word but the latent anger is still there ready to break out the way he talks about Del and his immediate assumption that he only helped because he wanted Eva for himself.
Eva is watching me carefully "Is it bad?" she asks nervously.
I look her in the eye, "It depends on how you define and what you consider bad? It is a blatant piece of manipulation. He is trying to make you feel sorry for him. He doesn't say he is sorry once but he is repeatedly promising you it will never happen again, whilst blaming you for the fact you made him mad. Then the next moment he is venting bile at Del, who he believes is a threat. He has enclosed a visitation order but he hasn't actually asked you once in the letter if you would go, he is just assuming you will" I say.
Eva snorts and wipes the tears away, "That sounds about right" she says bitterly. "Let me guess I love you; I didn't mean it, I'll change" she says sarcastically.
I nod, "Pretty much although he never actually professes his love for you, he is more interested in just trying to get you to forgive him" I say.
I quickly read out the letter to her and she listens carefully and when I have finished she shakes her head, "He just cares about himself, he will never change" she says, her voice now hard and controlled.
I watch her, her whole demeanour has changed totally, she is now resolved and hard.
"I'm sorry I spoilt our moment, but in a way it was right to do this now I think" she says.
I nod in agreement, I think it was too. She has seen today what kind of life she can have now. She has seen in stark terms what I have to offer her compared to what Nathan is offering and it seems she has made her choice.
A moment later she has her arms wrapped around me, and she is searching for my mouth. I drop the letter and respond immediately.
When she pulls back to breathe she looks up at me her eyes filled with love, "I love you Gideon, I am going to go and I am going to get that piece of shit out of my life for good. When can you start the ball rolling to adopt Maisie?" she asks a determined expression on her face.
I smile, "I will call my solicitor on Monday and start proceedings" I say. I pull her closer, "and when would you like to get married, and more importantly how? Do you want a big wedding with all the trimmings or something small and simple, just tell me and it's yours" I say emphatically.
She stares at me as if she had never considered that, "Erm… I think a registry office or maybe at a hotel… would that be possible?" she asks.
I nod, "Wherever you want Angel" I say.
"Just family" she adds after a moment, "Just your family and my family".
I smile wickedly, "Are you going to ask Megan to be a bridesmaid?" I ask and Eva bursts out laughing. "She had another go today up at school" I add as I remember her desperate attempts to get my attention earlier.
Eva shakes her head and sighs.
"When I told her you were at our new home she had no idea what to say, it was beautiful" I say.
Eva goes to reply when we hear a small voice calling out.
"Mummy!" In a flash Eva is on her feet and heading towards Maisie's room.
I follow and Maisie is sitting up in bed looking a little confused and Eva is giving her a hug and talking gently to her.
"What's happened?" I ask.
"She woke up and was a bit disorientated and it scared her" Eva explains.
I sit down on the other side of Maisie and she looks up at me.
"I forgot I live here now" she says her voice quivering a little.
"That's ok, you will get used to it" I reply.
Her attention suddenly shifts to Eva's hand, and she touches Eva's engagement ring.
"That's a pretty ring" she says.
Eva smiles and looks at me, "Gideon gave it to me" she says.
Maisie nods and stares at it.
"He gave it to me when he asked me to marry him, and I said yes" Eva adds carefully.
Maisie's eyes go big and round and her mouth drops open and she squeals loudly, "That means we will be a proper family and you will be my daddy" she says excitedly and she throws her arms around me.
I hug her back, "We will Maisie, we will".
She suddenly pulls back and looks at me seriously, "Can I be a bridesmaid when you marry mummy?" she asks.
"Of course you can" I reply.
Then she pauses and shoots a nervous look at Eva before asking her next question, and I wait patiently for her to say what she needs to ask me, she is looking at her fingers which are fiddling with her duvet.
"Can I call you daddy? Because you said you are going to ask the court to be my daddy, and you are going to marry my mummy, so can I call you daddy now?" she asks hopefully.
I hear Eva take a sharp breath in and I am totally overwhelmed by her question. I quickly pull myself together to answer her, "If that is what you want Maisie then I am more than happy for you to call me daddy, but always remember I am not your real daddy… not yet until we go to court" I say carefully. No matter what Nathan is I want to make sure she understands this.
Maisie looks at me and nods, "I understand that, daddy helped mummy to make me but you are my real daddy because you love me and you act like a daddy should be… like how daddy's are in the story books I read at school… he didn't, he has never been like a real proper daddy… so I don't think I want to call him daddy anymore" she says.
I stare at Eva and she too looks flabbergasted by that, "Out of the mouths of babes" she mutters quietly.