Yorkshire Lady

Yorkshire Lady part 30

Chapter 30

The months passed  Caroline and Simone's pregnancies  were progressing well.   

As promised   the second scans  had been  even more enjoyable for the  Dads and Brothers to be.     The unborn  babies looking more human  arms and legs more identifiable.

The blot on Caroline's landscape was Andy.    He had never appeared  at the  end of the summer holidays  and now it was October  half term.    He should have  had the boys to stay for this week but  not a word had been heard from him or Rebecca since  the telephone call in August.

' I just don't  know what to do about him'.    Caroline sighed.    She  and John had been the ones who'd had to  comfort the boys disappointments   and neither was at all happy at their work.

' I'm not the one you should ask for advice this time'.    John hugged her.  Running a hand  over her  prominent bump.  ' I'm  not the slightest bit impartial  about anything which affects those boys.     You won't get an objective  opinion from me.    What about having an evening out with  Simone and  Judith ?     They love the boys  but they're not quite as close as I am'.

' Honestly.. He's a childish idiot'.    Judith commented  when  Caroline  had told her and  Simone  about Andy's  neglect of late.   'Makes a mess and then  runs away.   Bl***y  great coward'.    Simone added.

'John and I just don't know how to handle it'.    Caroline was crying.  ' The poor boys have been so confused,  they don't understand  what's going on.    I can't let him keep doing this to them  but I don't want  to  say he can't see them again.    That would be like punishing them'.

' Henry hasn't seen his father since he was 3'.    Said Simone gently  but I've never said he couldn't.    I told Henry that I couldn't make his Dad come to see him  but that I would never stop him.    It was hard for him initially but now  he knows that he can't  trust his Dad.   He says Rick's his Dad now any way.   Rick cried when Henry said it  he was so happy'.

Caroline wiped her eyes and blew her nose.  ' I've thought for a while that  John's a better father  than Andy  but I just don't want to deny the boys their rights.'

Judith  nodded   'Simone's got it spot on',   she smiled at her other friend.  ' If Andy's not fit to be a father   then best let him prove it.   'If the boys know they can trust and rely on you and John   then they'll be alright'.

As it happened,   Andy and Rebecca turned up at Sparthwaite one Sunday at the beginning of December.

They turned up unannounced  but said they were n't staying over night.   ' We wanted to have a word' said Andy.     'What a  coincidence'     John was bristling with anger now.  'So do we'.

The boys were   delighted to see their Dad   but were  disheartened by  his coolness towards them.     John shot Andy  a  look of pure loathing.     What the hell was he playing at ?

With the boys bathed  comforted and put to bed,   it was time to find out.  'Don't let him flannel about'.    John said.  'He's messed those boys about too much.    We need answers'.

Andy and   Rebecca were lounging  like royalty on the sofa.     John had to bite back the urge to  say 'you'd   think they own the place '  because of course they did'.

' So'    Caroline was  brisk and rather cold   with her ex.   '  What's this you've got to tell us ? An explanation  of why you've  abandoned your sons I hope'.

'Partly'... Andy seemed to be steeling himself for something.   'I've been  a pretty c**p father Caz'.     Caroline nodded.   ' Yes Andy you have....So what's all this soul searching for?  It's  not like you'.