Lucy had spent Tuesday and Wednesday at work making sure her cases were up to date and her appointments were covered. She had the Thursday off to deal with personal matters.
The family courts were busy on Thursdays. Patrick and Lucy had met with their solicitor and handed over the paperwork that Lucy had spent weeks preparing. They were going for permanent custody of Siobhan, since it looked like social care were going to withdraw their involvement with the Quinns shortly. Although Lucy had been concerned after she had let slip about Rory spending weekends, she had been assured by Claire that the case with Siobhan and her custody would be dealt with on its own merits. Their solicitor and Cafcass also believed that there would be no issues; Rory was not a permanent resident, the agencies just wanted to ensure that there would be no further disruption to Siobhan’s home life.
Becky Parks was sitting at the other side of the waiting area and kept shooting daggers at Lucy. She looked drunk.
As a married couple, and with Lucy’s job, social care and their solicitor felt they had a strong case of securing permanent special guardianship and residency.
While Patrick and Becky were in the courtroom, Lucy rang Sarah to keep her updated.
‘Are you sure you are doing the right thing, Lucy? You could be bringing more problems into your life. You’ll be tied to Patrick then and find it harder if you want to make … changes.’
‘I hear what you’re saying, Sarah, but I know what I’m doing.’ Lucy stubbornly ended the call. She made so many excuses for Patrick that she almost believed them herself.
He was having a bad day.
He was tired.
He’s under a lot of stress.
He can’t cope with his feelings.
So many excuses. Instead of facing the fact that maybe he was just an abusive, controlling asshole.
A few hours later, Patrick came out of the court room with a big smile on his face.
‘Do I even have to ask?’
Patrick grabbed her and hugged her close. ‘The judge gave me the residency order. Siobhan will be coming home with me tonight!’ He kissed her. ‘I think a drink is in order!’
Lucy rolled her eyes.
‘What? Just a few drinks.’ He gave her an innocent look.
‘But Siobhan will be with us. She’s been taken away from her mother due to Becky’s drinking. How is it going to look if we go out to the pub and then pick her up drunk?’
‘So what? I’m not getting pissed. For fuck’s sake, Lucy, why do you have to turn a happy day into a bloody argument every. single. time?’ Patrick headed for the lift, a cold glint in his eye. ‘Well, are you coming?’
Lucy grabbed her bag and tried to lighten the mood. ‘OK. I guess one drink won’t hurt.’ She wanted to smooth things over, to avoid confrontation. It didn’t always work though, and she wondered why she bothered.
‘Forget it.’
As they headed for the bus, Patrick’s phone rang.
‘Hello? Right, OK. Well when can I pick her up? Right. OK. See ya.’
‘Who was that?’
‘That social worker, Claire. Siobhan is going to stay at her grandparents’ tonight. I have to pick her up in the morning and take her to school. I’m going to the pub. You coming or what?’