They werent strangers at all.
Do they have no relatives? I asked, irritation flashing across my face. Why did you bring them in? Its a pity a real pity for the poor thing We can barely fit ourselves in here! Call childrens services tomorrow, I told you! Let them sort it out!
I stared at my wife, Hannah, her cheeks still flushed from the funeral shed just attended. It wasnt just a funeral; it was for her best friend, Claire, and the children were there too. Little threeyearold Molly and thirteenyearold Jack lingered at the doorstep, unsure how to behave with a host who seemed anything but welcoming.
Hannah gently nudged the kids toward the kitchen and, without raising her voice, said,
Jack, could you fetch a juice for Molly and a glass for yourself? Its in the fridge.
When they disappeared through the door, she turned to me, eyes blazing.
Are you ashamed? Claire was my dearest friend. Do you think Id abandon her children in trouble? Imagine what theyre feeling now. Youre thirtyeight and you still call your mum at the slightest thing! How would they feel?
I tried to keep my tone calm. All right, I get it, but youre not really planning to keep them here, are you? I asked, softer now.
Of course I am! Im going to apply for guardianship. They have no one else. Their father vanished without a trace; he wasnt even at the funeral. Claire lost her parents early. She has an aunt who refuses shes not exactly spry. And we have no children of our own.
Hannah, Im your husband, remember? Dont you want to hear my thoughts? I pressed.
Ian, whats wrong with you? Youre a good man, I know you. Otherwise I wouldnt have brought the kids without asking. Are you scared of the extra expenses? Well manage. The kids arent little anymore. Jack will stay at school, and well enroll Molly in nursery. Our lifestyle wont change much.
My motherHannah! Shell have a fit if she learns about this. Shes always nagging me because she has no grandchildren! I snapped.
I dont think she should meddle in our affairs. We always talked about adopting, didnt we? Why take strangers? Jack and Molly already know us, and we know them. Itll be easier for everyone.
Maybe youre right. Still, we wanted to adopt a babyjust one. A baby! Not a teenager. Mollys still tiny, but Jacks a teen; hell bring his own set of problems.
We were all teenagers once. We solved our own issues, grew up, and became decent adults.
Fine, well sort it as we go. Let them stay for now.
Hannah kissed my cheek, smiling brightly. She trusted me, as she always had, even when I grumbled, muttered, and complained. Eventually I would calm down and help her through anything.
She headed to the kitchen to start dinner and already plotted tomorrows agenda: visit childrens services, collect paperwork from work and the bank, gather all the necessary documents.
And so the endless stream of hurdles began. In movies, orphaned kids instantly find a home, but in reality you need a mountain of certificates and confirmations. Jack and Molly even thought about a temporary stay in a childrens home, but Hannah and I pooled our resources and fought to keep the children with us.
There were no real issues with Jack and Molly. Molly, at her age, easily shook off sad thoughts and found comfort in new toys and treats. Jack struggled more; I could see him holding back tears. One day I pulled him aside, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said,
Jack, I know it hurts. Im almost forty, and I cant imagine what would happen if something happened to my mum. But for Mollys sake you have to stay strong. If you need to cry or shout, tell me. Well slip away somewhere private. You cant bottle that pain up, but you also cant let Molly see itshed get scared. Please, talk to me.
From then on Jack treated me with respect. Hannah watched us step out together, return together, like best mates.
We endured a barrage of inspections from every agency imaginable. To prove we could support the children, we even took out a small loan, renovated a spare room, bought a cot, toys, and new clothes. We needed a few hundred pounds to get Molly into a nearby nursery, and when Jack confessed he missed his friends from the football club, we paid for his training fees too.
At last the trials were over. The children were officially placed under our guardianship. I picked up a second job to clear the debts, while Hannah found extra work tutoring physics at a local school and giving private lessons for a fee. The financial strain finally eased.
A year later the kids had settled in. Their bond with us was solid. Molly started calling Hannah Mum and even got on good terms with my mother, Vera, who had been skeptical at first. Summer was approaching, and I suggested,
How about a holiday by the sea? Not Brightonlets go to Spain! I saw a lastminute deal. Ill call and book us straight away.
Hannah welcomed the idea; she was exhausted after the past year and craved a break. I booked the trip on the spot. Later that evening a colleague called Hannah for a chat, sensing she was lonely. She mentioned our plans, and the colleague sighed, Lucky you! Ill be stuck at the cottage all summer with nothing. Youre probably getting a nice allowance from the childrens services, arent you?
Hannah was momentarily speechless, feeling judged as greedy or mercenary. She confided in me, and I replied, I get it. One of my mates said I should have upgraded my car by now because Im getting child benefits, yet I still drive my old hatchback.
She laughed, Your mum says I should start caring about my teeth now that my incomes up, otherwise youll run off with a neglected wife and strangers kids.
I added, My boss told me not to expect extra holidays because the kids arent mine, so the perks go only to those with their own children.
She recalled the neighbour on the landing, She says life must be easier nowlook at all those shopping bags youre hauling! She didnt get the hint that we have two men in the house, so we have to cook more. Jacks always hungry, growing fast.
Do they all think we took the kids for the money? I asked.
She shrugged, Let them think what they like.
But we cant go to Spain! Theyll say were spending the childrens allowance. She added, Everyone keeps asking if weve transferred the kids flat into our name. They feel sorry when I tell them Claire never owned a home.
I asked, What do we do then? She was at a loss. She never thought of any profit. The state pension the kids received after their fathers death was saved in a joint account. Jack was about to start a technical college, dreaming of programming, and those courses arent cheap.
Well go to Spain regardless. Let them think what they will. Each person judges for themselves, she said.
We set off for Spain, had a wonderful holiday, and grew even closer. On the return flight, Hannah felt illnauseous and weak. I panicked, fearing shed caught something abroad, and called an ambulance.
She was taken for tests; Jack was terrified
