Chapter 25 #2
“I believe so. We may be able to have that point revised, if we can talk to the social workers in time, but there’s more.
The next is on the security of your property, which you are aware of, and thirdly, on your employment.
Your employer was unable to state that the job is a permanent one, thus leaving you at risk of income disruption in the near future. ”
“Income disruption? Ye mean he might lose his job? No way,” Callum boomed. “He took a vacant position, and the distillery is under contract for years. They need drivers. I know. The distillery is mine.”
A terrible idea took root in my mind. The drivers’ jobs had been on my hit list when I’d visited. But no one else knew about that. I hadn’t mentioned it to a soul at the distillery or at head office.
“The drivers work for an agency contracted by Storm Force, is that correct?” the solicitor queried. “The distillery merely specifies the shifts.”
“Aye, but the work is still there.”
“Not according to the message given to the court.”
Ally exchanged a look with his older brother who nodded understanding and strode to the hall. He started his own, gruff phone call.
“What can I do?” Ally asked. “Which of these do I start on first?”
Another pause came. “The final complication is the pressing timescale. Do you remember I talked to you about the government policy to move children out of care as quickly as possible? The judge is under pressure to find a solution to this case, and they have prioritised it. There are two candidates, so success, for them, is almost guaranteed.”
Nausea roiled in me. Mathilda reached out a hand, and I gripped it. This was bad. Everything was falling apart.
Ally’s face turned fraught as he listened to the call. “How long do we have?”
“The next hearing is on Monday,” the solicitor said. “We’ve only just been informed. The judge will compare the two cases, and it is possible that she will make a decision there and then.”
Today was Friday. Despair socked me in the gut.
“Monday. What chance have we got to fix this by then?” Ally buried his face in his hands.
“I will do my best for you and I will spend the rest of the day working on this. My advice would be to seriously consider reducing your claim to visitation rights. Many fathers take this route—”
“And see their kids once a fortnight. Or once a month. We’re not doing that. She’s my child. She belongs with me.”
“I’m truly sorry, Alasdair.”
Callum returned into the room. His large face was devoid of colour, and he stared right at me.
Ally continued the call. “I’ll come there now. I’ll fetch Cait and I’ll bring my brother.” He lifted his chin to Callum who gave a swift nod. “We can at least get the housing part sorted. We’ll try the distillery on the way and see if we can get to the bottom of the shift issue.”
Ally’s hands shook as he made his farewells and hung up. “Did ye get through to the distillery manager?” he asked Callum. “What the hell’s going on?”
Callum bounced his gaze between me and his brother. “Aye. She got the request. But she had to get confirmation from head office because they pay the bill.”
“So what was the problem?”
I stood, the pressure killing me. “Callum?”
“An efficiency project that they’re running has suggested they don’t need so many drivers.” Callum now rested his heavy, judging gaze on me. “Scarlet, can I talk to ye a moment?”
Ally’s stare joined his brother’s. “Why do ye need to talk to Scar?”
“Did the report have my name on it?” I almost whispered, entirely unable to look at Ally. If he could fix the housing issue today, and get them to update the reason why he missed the appointments, this would be a race still, but one he had a chance of winning.
The efficiency report I wrote stopped his case dead in its tracks.
Without a job, he couldn’t prove his income. He didn’t have time to start another. There was no time at all.
I did this. Somehow, this was all my fault.
“Aye, it had your name.” Callum hammered the nail in the coffin. “She said, and I quote, ‘On advice this week in a detailed report co-written by Scarlet Storm.’ How, Scarlet? How did this happen?”
If only I knew.
Iadvanced on Ally, hands out. “I’m so sorry.
I wrote that report as part of shadowing the different companies under Storm Enterprises.
I didn’t publish the part about Storm Force because I was going to use it in my job interview.
The only place it exists is in the notes on my laptop. I don’t know how this happened.”
“Right. I understand.” Stony-faced, and not meeting my gaze, he pocketed his phone and collected his keys from the table. “Cal? Ye good?”
He turned on his heel and left the den without a single glance at me.
My brother-in-law shook his head. “Scarlet, ye have to fix this. Without a job, he has no chance. The solicitor made that crystal clear.”
“I will! I mean, I’ll try! I don’t know how—”
“Aye, you don’t know. But it has your name on it, and it came from your company. Find out.” Callum gave me one last hard look, kissed Mathilda and the baby, then stormed after Ally.
“Fuck,” I bit out and chased after them.
The heavy castle door swung open with force, Ally already heading outside.
“Keep me updated? I’ll ring you when I work this out,” I called after him, but he only raised a hand.
Then he was gone.
Mathilda appeared at my shoulder and turned me with careful fingers.
“It’ll be okay,” she said.
“How?” My breathing came jagged. “I’ve ruined his case. He won’t get Cait now. This is my fault.”
“No. Take a moment. There are more problems than just that one.”
I stared at her. She was right. My mind raced over what the solicitor had told us. “They are pushing to wind up this case because Georgia Banks has a strong case, right? If she didn’t, what would they do then?”
Mathilda blinked. “I’m not sure, but I’d imagine they’d give Ally’s case more leeway.”
“That’s what I think. Can I borrow your car?”
“Of course, but where are you going?”
“I have to find this woman.” More to the point, I couldn’t sit around the castle all day while Ally fought for his child. I had to do something.
“Love you,” I muttered to my sister, then I, too, fled.