17. Time To Summarise

For any new readers please allow me to bring you up to date…

* Left husband with 3 children in tow as he refused to leave the marital home, we just packed up when he was at work and moved into a rented house.

* 6 weeks later my ex refused to return my youngest son (5) after a weekend visit with him, the police would not intervene even though I had a letter from his solicitor promising he would return him. This forced me to take court action, the judge ordered Social Services to write a report but allowed him to keep James with him for the interim. (the older 2 were not his biological children)

* The report was lengthy as during this period James exhibited unexplained sexualised behaviour when he was in my care, which was really alarming. Things were said to both me and his brother and sister which were disturbing and also drawings were done.

* Whilst waiting for our case to come to court we were served an eviction notice as the landlord wanted the house back for his family. We were given temporary accommodation by the local authority while a new house was being built and we would eventually become eligible for.
However this was yet another nail in the coffin of our defence to get James back. It wasn't looking good, I had to give up my 'high powered job' to show 'commitment' said the barrister.
As at that time I was on an extremely good salary I was not entiltled to Legal Aid and had to fund all the legal costs myself which ran into thousands of £s. He on the other hand was entitled, as when we were together I was the breadwinner of the family as he refused to work. Obviously he was then able to employ a barrister from the very beginning as he wasnt paying!!
The irony of it is that I was probably penalised for having a well paid job to support my children because he wouldn't or couldn't......

* When we eventually got back into court 7 months later, as James had made no ‘disclosure’ to an independent witness , the sexualised behaviour was basically ignored and the judge decided that it would be too upsetting to up-root James again, and he should stay with his father during the week and with me at weekends! (Even though Social Services were very concerned , and didn’t want the siblings to be separated)It was surely a case of possession is 9 tenths of the law, although nobody would have the balls to admit that.

* Tony was really upset that the courts wouldn't allow him or his sister to speak up in court as they were considered to be minors. None of the evidence that they provided was taken into account My now small family were trying to adjust without James living with us when Tony was taken ill, it was only a matter of weeks after the courts decision, and this often makes me wonder if the upset and worry helped bring it on…

* My father decided to up-root with his wife and live in Spain just weeks after the court case. Not that he was any support, as since he married Judy whom he met within weeks of Mum dying and getting married 4 months later we had little contact with him.

* Tony was admitted to hospital for what they thought was Hepatitis , but sadly turned out to be cancer, he was 15 years of age ..

* So here we were , days before Christmas , 125 miles from home in a hospital. Tony about to commence chemotherapy, Laurrie trying to study for exams and James living with his father against my wishes.

So there we are dear readers, are you ready for some more?