On The Rebound

The house was not what Claire expected but she was great with D.I.Y. and decorating. This was short term, house exchange then buy the house, sell it and John's flat and buy another house! 
She had lost her job and had moved within a month!
Everything was rather rushed including telling all the children.
Sam would have to change schools and leave her dancing classes.

They all spent a day going round primary schools in the city and to a secondary school they had heard about.
The head teacher at one school was in a panic as they were already over subscribed in that year group. Claire explained she loved the school but wasn't going to put Sam in such a large class!
There were many discussions to be had on visiting the schools. Many where heads were making such ridiculous statements that John had to intervene and explain he was a lecturer training teachers! 
At least there was full agreement about the schools Sam would not be joining, she was very bright!
Eventually one was decided upon and the secondary school explained the admission and interview process! 

Claire and Sam had a farewell party in their local where a bloke was on holiday from near to where they were moving, explaining it was a decent area!
Claire had only viewed the house once! 

They finally got moved and as John cleared the rubbish from the back, Claire started stripping the wall paper. 

Sam's bedroom was the first to be decorated but everywhere else was on hold as John fitted central heating. 

They spent time between the house & flat. 
Sam left one school on the Friday and started her new one on the Monday. She loved it but it soon became obvious she was one of the brightest there.
Claire had assumed National Curriculum meant the same everywhere but didn't realise this meant different schemes in different authorities.
Soon Sam was complaining that the work was too easy.
Claire went in to see her teacher and they soon discovered the maths Sam had achieved already was way beyond the level that would ever be achieved in the school. 
Sam was placed on different schemes and allowed to make progress.
It was a difficult situation but as Sam made new friends so did Claire.
There was nothing she could get on with at the house until the central heating was complete. 

John's children came to stay every fortnight and progression was made with Paddy and Emily and Sam grew closer. However Sarah soon started stirring.
She made comments about Sam going to the cottage more than her. John said that this was ridiculous as Sarah had gone for years but ignored Claire's comments about her perception. She could see that Sarah was jealous of the situation.
Then she started with Claire saying she thought she was a certain age then adding she was wrong that was the age of Jenny, John's previous girlfriend.
She then would leave her items at home making John have to collect them as she desperately needed them. 
Claire could see it was so she had her dad to herself and took him away from her. 
John pandered to her so Claire had no chance!
She was certainly an attention seeker. At the seaside she went on a pony knowing full well she was allergic. Spent the rest of the day with half closed eyes and a streaming nose, success achieved, full attention. John read this as some sort of martyrdom!

They spent many weekends at the cottage and the winter nights in front of the open fire were very romantic. 

As Christmas approached Claire became rather worried. Although John paid for food, the house was in Claire's name and being extremely independent she insisted on paying the rent etc. This was out of some extremely small savings.
She had started buying Christmas presents earlier in the year as she always had done so had a few things and was determined Sam would wake to her usual sack full. Enough had changed for her this year she wanted Christmas to be the same as ever! 
It didn't help that they had so far been unable to find a decent dance school. They all wanted to place her in groups linked to age rather than her very advanced ability!

John and Claire bought a few presents for Sam and his children. But he seemed to want to limit Sam's presents based on the fact that he wasn't getting as much for his and that he wouldn't be there on Christmas day. 
Fortunately Claire was able to manage a few more but feared for her ever depleting funds! 

When Christmas did arrive John was determined he wanted Sam to wait and open her presents with everyone. 
On Christmas morning she bounced on the bed with her first present opened. She had done this every year. Immediately John moaned and started sulking. Again bells started ringing for Claire, who was the child!
All day he moped around, hardly taking any photos and Claire loved her Christmas photos. 
Her mother and step father came round from the hotel they were staying in, refusing to stay at the house. It broke the ice a little and although Claire was unable to get exactly what she wanted for Sam, as usual Sam loved all she did get plus a sack full from grandma! 
Sam wasn't spoilt, Claire did buy her lots of presents for Christmas and birthdays but nothing of great expense. This was due to Sam's attitude as she never asked for things. Even at school her list would be one item for her collection, around this time it was My Little Pony plus surprises. This was when other lists comprised of TV, videos etc.
Christmas was ok but spoilt slightly by the start. As usual Claire did everything with very little help and was treading on egg shells around her mother. Why did she put herself through this year after year. 
Then no relief on Boxing Day other than no cooking but a wonderful buffet spread that took hours. 
Her mother used to stay for just the two days until M&S deferred their sale to the 27th! Oh how she had her priorities so right!!!

Christmas over with the rest of the school holidays to enjoy together. 
John's children were due over new year, their mother nearly had a heart attack on realising John was willing to stay home on New Year's Eve!