Chapter 7

Once the settlement was agreed I set about closing all the financial accounts relating to the marriage and opening new ones in my sole name. I also reviewed the standing orders and direct debits. Those relating to my own outgoings, I moved to the new account. The others I allowed to lapse.

One of the terms of the settlement was that there would be no child maintenance paid in either direction. It was one of the conditions Milla had inserted to use as a bargaining chip. Diane had initially protested. Milla simply asked how much she wanted and agreed. Diane was very smug about that until she discovered that she was expected to pay the same amount to me while I had the children with me. Since I would have them for the greater part of the year, Diane would suffer a net loss, so that was hurriedly reversed.

I set about establishing the routine for the children, using my position in work to allow me to be at home as much as possible for them. Diane would take them for part of the weekend and I would use this to make up time in work. After the children went to bed I spent much of my time doing the household duties. These posed no problem to me. I had learned to look after myself in the Navy and was practised at "personal admin". Unfortunately while ironing or cleaning I had plenty of time for introspection. I could find no reason for Diane to reject me except for Peter. Georgie clearly didn't like him but that appeared to be more to do with him providing a focus for her anger. Harry regarded him as a decent person who seemed to hold Diane in as much affection as I once had.