The Fisher/Ball household was already bedlam before breakfast.
“Where’s me bloody leather jacket?!” Kodi bellowed as she came clattering down the stairs, blonde hair sticking up, face like thunder.
“If you didn’t keep yer room like a pigsty, you’d bloody find it,” Veronica shot back, not even looking up from her cuppa, the corner of her mouth twitching.
Kodi rolled her eyes and slapped the kettle on. “Cheers, Vee, proper helpful that,” she muttered.
That’s when Kevin came storming in, looking like he’d already done a day’s graft. “Right, listen up!” he barked, clapping his hands like a PE teacher.
Both girls froze for half a second — then stood to attention and saluted him, deadpan. “Aye aye, skipper,” Kodi grinned. “We’re only havin’ a laugh, Kev,” Veronica added.
“I’m bloody serious,” Kevin grumbled, though his lip threatened to curl into a smile.
Before anyone could fire back, there was a sharp knock at the door.
Kevin swung it open — and his face fell straight into that familiar scowl. “Tony? What’s she done this time?”
Veronica and Kodi crowded in behind him, both craning their necks.
“Why d’you always assume he’s here about me?” Kodi huffed.
“’Cause nine times outta ten, he is,” Tony drawled, holding up a fat envelope. “And today’s no different. Got what you asked for. Bloody nightmare it was an’ all — even wi’ me badge.”
“You what?!” Kodi blinked at him.
Tony smirked. “I’ve got it. Birth certificate. Turns out Roxy and Kelly aren’t quite the sharpest tools in’t shed.”
Veronica snatched the papers out of his hand, flicking through them. “But… how the hell did Kelly have owt to do with it if she’s not even on the certificate?”
“Roxy signed the bairn over when she did them dodgy adoption forms,” Tony explained. “Forged Kev’s name too, by the looks.”
“Adoption?” Veronica repeated under her breath, wide-eyed.
Tony gave her a slow nod. “Oh aye. But now — you do have a say. I got Roxy to sign proper forms last week. Not a done deal yet, but you’re halfway there.”
“The school already thinks she’s ours anyway,” Kev chimed in.
Tony shrugged. “Aye, but that means nowt to a judge. You’ll need to get it done proper through court. Both her so-called parents are unfit. You’ve got a good shot. You up for it?”
Kev swallowed, then squared his shoulders. “Should’ve done it four bloody years back. Cheers, Tony. What’s next?”
“You apply for a Child Arrangements Order. States she lives here with you. With Roxy in nick and Kelly in and out of rehab, you’re laughin’.”
“Will this help at school, today?” Kev asked hopefully.
“Should do,” Tony said with a knowing smirk.
Once Tony left, Kevin and Veronica turned round — Kodi was stood at the counter, arms folded, trying not to look chuffed.
“That’s where you snuck off to yesterday?” she asked, arching a brow.
Kev nodded, looking sheepish.
Then — they all burst out laughing. Kev whooped loud enough to wake the street, scooped Kodi clean off her feet and spun her round like a madman, making her squeal. “We’ve bloody got this!” he yelled.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
“Bloody hell, Tony actually pulled it off,” Fiona muttered, fag dangling from her lips as she skimmed the paperwork.
Veronica nodded, still cautious. “Just the court bit left. She’s already been livin’ here so we’re halfway there.”
“You’d better bloody hope so,” Fiona said dryly. “Can’t believe Roxy just handed her over. Her own kid?”
“She’s never had her head screwed on,” Veronica sniffed. “Always been a selfish cow. Now it’s up to us to give Kodi what she deserves.”
Fiona raised an eyebrow at her, a faint smile playing at her lips. “You already have. You’ve done more for that lass than her own parents could dream of. She came to you scared stiff and look at her now. Happy. Proper loved.”
“You reckon?” Veronica murmured, cheeks pink.
“I know,” Fiona said firmly. “Trust yourself, Vee. You’ve got a knack for this. You’re a natural.”
“That means a lot, Fi,” Veronica admitted quietly. “She feels like me own. I just… want to do right by her.”
“You already are,” Fiona said simply, tugging her into a hug.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
