What Phoebe saw

Phoebe waited near the delicatessen ready to call Ross at the first sign of Emily. Emily didn't turn up but the tall blond man did. He was striking because of his height and also because he was with the three children, leading his son by the hand while the two girls perhaps five or six — Phoebe would work it out later — ran forwards and back and around him. In the shop they waited impatiently for him to make a quick purchase and then the little group went towards the park, the girls straining to get ahead.

Phoebe decided to follow. If Emily came outside, she would probably join them. Even if she didn't she would hardly go to the delicatessen again, and she could also follow the little family back to wherever it was that they were staying. Then they could watch that building. Meanwhile she could hang out at the park and not be noticed and she'd get a really good look at the children.

At a nod from the blond man, the two black haired girls raced for the swings. The man followed more slowly, leading his toddling son by the hand. Presumably that one was his, Phoebe thought. The child was blond, just like the man.

Phoebe found a park bench and watched the two little girls. It was just like watching two little Monicas playing on the swings, swinging as high as they could. She almost held her breath. The only thing that was different were their voices with their English accents.

I can go this high!' cried one.

I can go this high!' insisted the other.

I can go higher than you!' called the first, and Phoebe smiled. Was that the Monica Competitiveness Streak coming through?

Steady on you two,' the man called. A bit lower please.' She watched them let the swings wind down and run over to the toddler — their brother — and lead him to the swings. There was something in the way they moved that reminded Phoebe this time of Ross. Who needed genetic testing? She watched as they put their brother on a swing and began to push him gently.

I thought there were laws against stalkers in this country,' said a precise english accented voice. She jumped. The blond man sat beside her. There are in England — or is the US a little backward?' He was looking straight at her.

I'm not a stalker.'

Just doing an impression of one?' Phoebe didn't bother denying that she'd been watching.

Look I'm curious. I've just found out one of my best friends has children he didn't even know about,' Phoebe said.

He could have flown over at any time to see Emily, if he'd ever been interested in her, so I don't have much sympathy with that position.'

Flown over?'

Instead of abandoning her for that bit of totty.' Phoebe wasn't sure what that meant but she didn't think it was polite, not from the way he twisted out the word. Before she could retort something suitable the man said, icily polite, Seen enough? Because if you have, then please leave and stop pestering my wife and children.' He had half an eye on the girls and as one of them started to climb a fence he called out, Emma! Stop that!' The little girl climbed down guiltily and her sister who had been about to do the same, stepped away as though the idea of climbing the fence had never occurred to her. Their little brother was also looking longingly at the railings.

You called her Emma?' Phoebe asked, shocked.

Why not?' the man said absent, still focussed on the children.

Ross's daughter — I mean his youngest daughter is called Emma. It's going to be confusing having two of them with the same name,' Phoebe explained.

It won't be because there aren't two of them,' the man said. These are my daughters, not his, that's all there is to it.'

Well Ross has got rights,' Phoebe reminded him. I'd say that was true even in your country, or are you a little backward?'

He'll have to prove them first. They won't listen to any chancer who comes along claiming fatherhood.' He looked at her coolly. I do hope you people aren't going to cause trouble. This is a difficult time for Emily and I really don't want to see her upset.'

If she could just be reasonable about it no-one would be upset,' Phoebe said. It could all turn out great for everybody even yet, if they could just co-operate. One big extended family.

She'd like to protect her family as any mother would.'

Protect! Ross is a nice guy you know, no matter what you might have heard from Emily. And those children have got an aunt, cousins, grandparents that they'll never know if you won't let them meet,' Phoebe said.

But they all live in America while Emma and Jane live in England, so that's all rather theoretical,' the man said, sounding bored.

Well you could come over here,' Phoebe said. It seemed quite obvious to her.

Oh I don't think so,' the man said. I've got a job, we've got a house and all our family and friends in England. I take it that you've told this Ross about the girls.'

Monica will. She's not going to keep secrets from her brother,' Phoebe said. The got up.

Of course. Emily trusted you, although I don't know why. She's got too much on her mind at the moment, poor love. I'd better go and warn her. Under other circumstances I'm sure it would have been nice meeting you, whatever your name is.'

Phoebe,' she volunteered but he was already walking towards the children.

Come on you lot! Time to go,' he called to them.

Oh Dad!' Emma and Jane wailed, as well they might because they'd hardly played at all.

Come on, I'll take you to the movies, how about that?' he said.

Yay! Shrek!' they screamed. Phoebe knew the movies had been a blatant bribe by the way the man's shoulders sagged.

Yes, again,' he said as they came running up to him, dragging their little brother behind them, and the four of them walked away, children chattering in animation. Whatever was going on, Phoebe realised that this man was a force to be reckoned with.

Phoebe felt a pang as she watched them go. The girls were more like Ross than either Ben or Emma — Rachel's Emma she thought she'd have to call her now. There had been something in the way they'd looked at the man that was exactly like Ross. It was just so wrong