Don't Let Her Stay

by Nicola Sanders

Chloe was eleven years old when her mother passed away. They were living near Reading at the time. Diane had been ill for some time, and Richard was away in Spain when she died unexpectedly.

When I look back on that day, I see myself so filled with hope and joy. With Chloe in our lives our family would be complete. I couldn’t wait to meet her, to show her that I was no threat, that I respected their relationship, that I would never, ever get in the way of their bond. I would be like a caring aunt. I would do everything in my power for us to get along. No, more than get along — for us to belong, as a family, together. Anyway, let’s just say things didn’t quite work out that way.

‘I didn’t mean… I just remember something about his firm back then, they were shutting shop or something.’ I shake my head. ‘I’m not sure. He runs his own boutique investment firm now.’