On The Rebound

John frequently drove over to stay with Claire and on many weekends they then drove over to the cottage.
Claire and Sam first met John's children there. 
Their mum and partner were staying in another cottage but the children spent their time there with their dad.
There was Emily, 13; Sarah, 9 same age as Sam and Patrick, 6!
Sam immediately found an affinity with Emily being more mature. 
They seemed nice children with good manners.

As it neared the summer holidays Claire suggested the children stay over a while at her house.
John met half way with their mum to collect them.
Although Claire had a three bedroomed house it was difficult with one boy.
Emily and Sarah shared a room and Patrick ended up in a sleeping bag on the floor of Sam's bedroom.
It was fine as they all appeared to get on well.

It was meal times when Claire realised Patrick had never been taught how to use a knife and fork properly! Emily tended to help him a lot and even John's attitude was that he was a boy! 
Claire said that he needed to learn and must be struggling at school. 
There were other things too she noticed Emily tied his shoe laces and Claire asked if he'd been shown how to use the loo as most went on the floor! 
John didn't know and although he had been split a while from their mum Claire felt he should have noticed! 

Claire believed in everyone doing their bit but when drying pots Patrick came close to dropping things. John's attitude was to say he shouldn't do it but Claire said to give him cutlery to dry but no sharp knives.

Although Claire had done her share of babysitting when younger and run a crèche for a Gingerbread group she had no other experience than raising Sam. However she knew enough and was horrified that both John and his partner had been primary school teachers and owned a nursery!
She was later to realise the nursery was left to staff and half the time so were their children whilst they lived their own individual lives! 
This opened Claire's eyes to further understanding John and she had mixed feelings! 

The children stayed a few days but they could only go out locally as there was not enough car room for four children. Luckily the beach and a huge park were within walking distance.
Then they returned home.

Claire worked three part time jobs so Sam usually went to her grandmas but as John had all the holidays, being a lecturer, it meant Sam could stay home sometimes! 

They had a great summer going out to many different places.

Claire's friend was having relationship difficulties so travelled up from London with her two children to stay a week and Claire took time off work.
John stayed over at the same time and they all arranged to stay a few nights at the cottage meeting John's children there.
They met up at another small seaside village, Robin Hood Bay and when Sarah found out where they were to meet said to her dad "not f*****g Robin Hood Bay father"! 
When John relayed this to Claire she was totally shocked especially at John finding it comical. He just couldn't see it as a problem. 
Claire never heard him swear and she never spoke such words within hearing distance of Sam or any child! 

Claire had learned a lot about the life John had had with his ex. Apart from leaving their children to their own devices with Emily taking on the mother role a lot of the time, they appeared to have like minded friends and been cocooned in their ideas, opinions and ideologies!

John knew plenty about his subject but not so much about general knowledge and life in general!

Through things he said it was obvious the man his ex was now with, Jake, a long time friend, and his ex had been having a relationship for many years.

When she fell pregnant with Patrick they had not slept together for a long time and yet she suddenly decided to sleep with him once. Then she was pregnant! On seeing Jake it was so obvious he was his father and John agreed still wanting to hide from the truth!