On The Rebound

Everything went well over New Year. They had fun on New Year's Eve, although John completing first footing and all singing 'Auld Lang Syne' were a first for them.
Claire and John had a few drinks but weren't drunk. John's children seemed bemused by this as they had obviously witnessed both parents in a drunken state usually! 
Patrick or Paddy as he was known often commented that his mum drank hundreds of bottles with John amused. Claire reiterated that this was Paddy's perception of his mum. John did eventually agree that she never went a day without alcohol! 
Claire was happy to show a different lifestyle to his children.

Into January the arguments started and rather than sort things out John would run back to his flat. 
This affected arrangements to go out for Sam's birthday. Claire did however manage to arrange a party at home for all Sam's new school friends. 
She was determined Sam would not suffer for her choice of partner. 
Claire knew that although she had had some great times in her childhood, it was the bad times she remembered more. She wanted good memories for her daughter. 

John usually came back with his tail between his legs and they sorted things out. 
Claire wasn't good with emotions and usually her way of making up was by making love. John continued to want to analyse the relationship, the fact that he was taking a counselling course didn't help. 
Claire insisted he didn't use her as a 'client'.

The children came over regularly every other weekend. 
Then one morning Sam woke to find some of her things in Sarah's bag.
Claire had a discreet word with John knowing there must be a reason behind this. After all they had all had to cope with their mum and dad splitting, their mum now with a long time friend, having to move house and now Claire and Sam living with their dad.
Unfortunately John's defensive attitude blew everything out of proportion. Claire needed him to chat to Sarah and ask what was wrong but John decided to tackle this in front of everyone. Of course Sarah was going to deny it, then the tables were turned to make Sam appear a liar and Claire wasn't going to accept that. Sam didn't lie, she had no need to. Claire and Sam had always discussed things age appropriate! Sam hadn't tried to cause trouble she had just mentioned it to her mum. 
Claire was fuming at how this had been dealt with.
John suddenly wanted to leave it after causing major problems.
Claire was so angry and reassured Sam that she knew she was telling the truth. 
Sam had to then share her bedroom as in the new house Emily and Sarah shared her room whilst Paddy had a sleeping bag in the spare room.
He often woke in the night having wet the bed so Claire knew how the situation was affecting John's children. She couldn't understand how John didn't see this, quite worrying that he was not more knowledgeable of children especially having been a teacher! 
Fortunately Emily was fine with Sam and Paddy was oblivious,  in his own little world, as always.

Once all the children were in bed Claire started drinking wine refusing the meal that John had made earlier. 
She hadn't been drunk for a long time and at the time didn't realise that it was John turning her to drink. No wonder his ex partner needed so much. 
How blind love can be!
She felt very isolated, didn't have the sort of relationship where she could phone her mum or her sister. In fact history showed her mother would have blamed her. 
When she suffered domestic violence she had said that Claire must have driven him to it with her sharp tongue.
As a child she told her mother another child had hit her so she marched her round to the house. The girl's mother said that Claire had hit her daughter first. Her mother believed the woman and Claire was chastised. Her mother always put other people before Claire and her sister. The only consolation was that Claire knew how not to bring up her daughter.

It was late but Claire went to her bedroom and phoned a friend she had known for many years. Later she wondered what waffle she had ranted on about but her friend didn't mind, a true friend!
Whilst on the phone John appeared at the door with two balloons, left over from Sam's party. He was completely naked with one balloon covering his backside and the other covering his front. Under normal circumstances Claire would have found this funny but she was in no laughing mood! She described the situation to Jackie on the phone stating he was an absolute idiot. 

When she finished her conversation John came up to bed. 
They chatted and Claire was so drunk the love she had overshadowed the anger. She kissed him and wanted to make love but he refused. She couldn't believe it, she had never had anyone refuse to make love with her. Especially as her love making was something many men had never experienced before. She knew she had shown John many new ways.
She was totally aghast. John knew this and said that he realised she had obviously always used her love making to make up with her partners but he couldn't after such a big argument. 
This was a totally new concept for Claire, yet more analysis rather than go with your heart.