Ive finally come to terms with somethingI dont have anyone else that matters more than you. He kept saying, I left my wife, heres my passport, heres the divorce papers, every time he tried to convince me. That shook me up. Everyone deserves a chance to mess up, right? She almost threw her whole life away too
Jane loved Alan like crazy, totally headoverheels, and she was sure that the charming bloke with that hypnotic grin and low voice felt the same.
Theyd been together almost a year when Jane found out she was pregnant, and at the same time discovered that her adored Alan was already married.
Sorry, he said, eyes down. My constant trips arent always workrelatedIve got a wife in Manchester.
I dont love her, but I cant just walk awayher dad holds my career hostage, he added.
What about me? What about the baby? Jane asked, panicking.
Of course well have the baby! Ill get a divorce, just a bit later, and then well be together. Trust me!
She sobbed a little, but believed him. He was handsome, smart, kindany woman would have a hard time letting go of a man like that.
The only thing that stood in the way was that Alan and Janes love felt genuine. Jane was ready to wait forever, especially since Alan promised it would only be a couple of years.
But a year after little Lucy was born, Alan vanished.
Jane was terrified, kept calling and texting, and when that got nowhere, she mustered the courage to go to his mums house. Her mum, Mrs. Perkins, had once shown Alan where her mother lived.
Everythings fine with him, she said, pursed lips. If you had any sense, youd stay out of our family business.
Theyd just had a baby, Alans work was finally settling down.
But what about us? We have a child too, Jane was about to break down.
Sweetheart, you shouldve thought about that before getting involved with a married man, snipped the future motherinlaw. Dont come here demanding anything. Its your own fault!
Jane had no idea where Alan lived or worked, didnt even know his friendshe seemed to manage just fine on his own.
The next year she spent waiting for him to come back, looking out the window every hour, listening for footsteps in the hallway, scanning the street for any familiar face. She clung to the hope that hed return, especially since small transfers kept popping into her account. Not huge sums, but enough to know it was him, remembering her and Lucy.
After about eighteen months the payments stopped. When Lucy turned three, Jane finally realised Alan had abandoned them for his other family.
It hurt like hell, but it also sparked a fire inside herto prove to the cheat that she could build a life, find a father for Lucy, and live happily.
By then Lucy was in a nursery, and Jane had landed a job as a shop assistant. Her looks didnt go unnoticed, and she started getting a lot of attention from men. None of them stuck around more than a few months, and none wanted to be a dad to little Lucythey just wanted a night of drinks, a few jokes, maybe a cheeky snack.
Soon her flat was filled more with drunken mates than suitors. She lost the shop job, ended up mopping floors in the evenings. Things kept going downhill, even as Lucy would beg, Mum, please send them all away, Im scared. Lets just be the two of us.
When Lucy was six, a neighbour finally called social services. They swooped in straight away.
This is my private life! Stay out of it! Jane shrieked, halfdrunk.
Think about the child, a stern social worker snapped. Looktheres filth everywhere, the girls ragged, shes hungry
Im thinking about her! She needs a dad, and I need a husband wholl look after us!
The adults in the flat just shook their heads. You couldnt stare at Lucys tearstreaked, filthy face without feeling sick.
Social services didnt strip Jane of her parental rights right away, but gave her six months to sort things out, warning that Lucy might be placed in a care home.
Jane didnt even show up for the next hearing. From then on she could drink and bring home any sort of bloke, as far as the council was concerned. She spent the next seven years in that drunken haze, picking up odd cleaning jobs when she could.
She sold everything she could, emptied the flat, and the local officer kept breaking up the nightly parties. Neighbours were amazed she hadnt drunk the whole place dry yet.
Eventually she did end up in hospital after a knife fight. No one there would hand her booze, and the pain was brutal, but Jane survived. While she was there she met a really convincing rehab counsellor who took a keen interest in her recovery.
It wasnt easyshe relapsed, cursed herselfbut she finally decided to get clean and, most importantly, get Lucy back home.
She had to tidy the flat, find a decent job, stop looking like a total mess. The counsellor and an AA group helped her a lot, and she even made a few friendsone of them turned out to be Alan.
I havent been able to forget you all these years, he said, looking guilty. Forgive me, lets start over
At first Jane said no, didnt even let him inside. The former scoundrelnow a balding, potbelly blokekept pestering her, showing up in the courtyard with bouquets of sweets, singing long, sappy love songs about youthful mistakes and forgiveness.
Ive realised I have no one dearer than you. I left my wife, heres my passport, heres the divorce papers, he kept repeating.
Jane flinched. Everyone makes mistakes. Shed almost thrown her life away too
Maybe there was still a chance. Love hadnt vanished completely, especially since Alan now seemed eager to help bring Lucy back home. If they got married, it would be much easier.
Then, out of the blue, a stranger called Jane, introducing herself as Alans exwife, Ivy.
Do you think you can just walk away from this? Ivy snarled. Well see what the courts say!
What are you on about? Jane asked, genuinely confused.
Oh, you didnt know? Ivy smirked. My motherinlaw, the angel of heaven, has completely lost her mind. Shes left her flat and money to your daughter! And she doesnt give a toss about our son, the legit one with Alan!
I had no idea
Now you know! I didnt even hear about you until the will was read, and I gave Alan a good shaking! He confessed everything!
She went on, saying she wasnt planning to live with him after that, that his dad had kicked him out of work, but shed still fight for the flat and cash. Just so you know!
Alan reluctantly admitted Ivys story was true.
Its a godsend, he urged Jane. I couldnt keep living with a wife I dont love anyway!
Jane didnt need much convincingher love was back, theyd marry, everything would be fine. She truly believed that.
And Lucy would get a nice inheritance, which was a bonus. Janes earnings were still modest, Alan was doing odd jobs on the side
Isnt it a bit late for you to have a change of heart? a social worker asked. Your child has been in care for eight years. Did you ever visit her?
It just happened Jane looked away. But now we can take her back, right?
Heres the marriage certificate, the pay slip, the documents you can check now.
Its not that simple
The council did their checks, learned about Lucys inheritance, and started doubting the couples sincerity. They also needed Alan to officially register as Lucys fatherhed never done that years ago under some flimsy excuse.
But the biggest obstacle wasnt the council; it was Lucy herself. She flatout refused to talk to anyone.
I dont know you and I dont want to, she said when Jane and Alan showed up at the childrens home.
The loving parents werent recognised at first. Lucy grew into a confident young woman. All for my mum, Alan cried, but it didnt move her.
She ignored the adults, pushed Jane away as if she were a leper.
She kept refusing further meetings, saying, They lived their lives, didnt give a toss about me. Now I dont give a toss about them. End of story.
No one could force Lucy to live with them.
Jane and Alan still hold onto hope that things can be fixed, but it looks like its going to be a hell of a fight.