Part Fifteen: What's in a name, Mrs Ryan?

So much happened in the next few days it's hard to know where to begin. I guess I'll start from when we arrived at the magistrate's lot, fifteen minutes early and in full force. Meg, Jodi, Tess…my sister, and of course Alex and Mum.

It was a little awkward, waiting outside opposite Peter and his family. Natalie tried to coax me over to say hello, but Aunty Tess was gripping my arm so tight I couldn't move an inch.

When we finally went in, two things happened. The first was that I realised what little power a magistrate actually has. To put it in English (something lawyers don't often do), this particular magistrate could only do something if misconduct had occurred, ie abuse. Obviously Peter was going to have a tricky time proving that one. So, where did that leave us?

Before we got time to talk about that, though, the second thing happened. To be honest I could see it coming, I can't believe Mum let Alex sit on the side closest to Peter. And Peter on the side closest to Alex. Julia and I looked desperately at each other, knowing what would happen, as the two of them started shouting at each other.

Next thing we know Alex has gotten up and climbed over the barrier, and was now so close to Peter that he'd stepped on Julia's toes. Peter jumped up and started pushing Alex back over the barrier, and Mum hauled him back over to our side. She was gritting her teeth furiously, and she looked like she wanted to kill Alex.

The magistrate, surprised, called out 'Hey!' and then caught himself. 'Order!' he commanded. Both of them looked up, sheepish.

'Thankyou for that fine display of…erratic, behavior, Mr Johnson and Mr Ryan. I can see we aren't going to get anywhere today. Mr Johnson, I presume you are not willing to drop your case?' He looked down at Peter, who shook his head firmly. I sighed.

'Then I am going to set you a date in a proper court. I believe they aren't busy at all at the moment, I should be able to slot you in within the week. If both parties would contact their lawyers I would be much obliged. Court adjourned.' With a bang of the gravel, he walked out. Mum snorted loudly.

'Bloody waste of time that was.' She said, catching Peter's eye and staring him down.

'I could call Bryce. He specialises in child custody cases, I bet he could win it for us easy.' Alex offered. Mum considered this for a minute.

'Yes please, thankyou Alex.' She said finally.

I Yes please thankyou ALEX? /I

I looked at her, bewildered. I'd never heard her say so many polite words in one sentence, let alone to ALEX of all people. Things at home were obviously falling apart without me around to supervise.

'We'll win this, Claire. Don't you worry.' He said softly. He looked at her for a moment, and then at me. With a little flick of his head he motioned me over to Aunty Tess. He wanted to talk to Mum.

On my crutches now, I hobbled over to Tess. She didn't have Bianca with her, but I've been told she's doing beautifully. Crawling, even! I'm missing my first cousin learn how to crawl!

A court official came back into the room. 'Mr Johnson, Mrs Ryan?'

'McLeod.' Mum corrected under her breath, softly. Alex twitched. No-one noticed but me, and I felt for him. I Ouch. /I That would have hurt. I knew Mum had never been up with all the legal stuff, but did she never think in six years of divorce to change her name? Geez that would have been the first thing I would have done.

The guy heard her, and looked up. 'Mrs Ryan,' he said slowly, consulting his paper, 'that's what it says. Are you or are you not Mrs Alexander Ryan?' Ahhhh! Way to rub it in! Shut UP! God, I wanted to whack in over the head with my crutch. Hard.

Mum froze. A slow blush was creeping up her neck, and she was definitely aware of it. 'Uh, yes,' she said, ducking her head, 'yes, I am.' I frowned. Something wasn't right. For the time being I allowed myself to ignore it, but once we were outside, I'd start the nagging process.

'Right then. You will both be present in court next Tuesday.' He said. 'If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you.'

Mum scoffed. 'What do you think we are?' she muttered.

'It's standard procedure, Mrs Ryan. Please keep quiet while I read this.' He looked at her. Mum rolled her eyes, mimicking him to herself. I elbowed her. She mouthed an irritable 'sorry'. Obviously the whole Mrs Ryan thing was really getting to her.

After a bit more legal stuff, we headed out. I was still at the hospital, so for me it was a painful shuffle across the road. I didn't really need to be at the hospital full time anymore, my leg was at the stage where visiting every couple of days would be enough, but with all the fighting over where I was living Mum and Peter had come to the conclusion I should stay in the Hospice for the time being. Yeah, thanks guys.

I turned to Mum. 'What was all that business with the Mrs Ryan name in there?' I asked here. Alex looked up, obviously wondering the same thing.

'Leave it.' She hissed, pulling me across the street.

'No.' I said stubbornly, stopping. 'Am I Charlotte McLeod or Charlotte Ryan?'

'Or Johnson, even.' She mumbled.

'What?' I exclaimed.

'No, you're a McLeod.' She assured me. 'I got to the birth certificate before he did.' Her tone was a little smug, triumphant even, as though it had been a great race.

'What about Marion?' I said suddenly. Mum hesitated.

'Well, I technically /I , I suppose…' Mum chewed on her bottom lip. 'Technically she's Marion Ryan, isn't she?'

'Is she?'

'But I think that's only because Marion McLeod is a bit of a mouthful.' Mum tried to justify herself, but I saw through it.

'No it isn't.' I argued. 'What's going on here?'

'Yeah,' Alex chimed in, 'what is going on here?'

Mum shot me a 'thanks, Charlotte' look. 'There is nothing going on here.' She insisted. 'You are Charlotte McLeod, and that's all there is to it.'

Interesting. Very interesting. I particularly liked the way she didn't mention herself in that last sentence.