My TV show has been commissioned for a second series. Ratings through the roof and all that......
Yet my joy was soon to be shortlived, as the doorbell went.
Bollocks! Just as I thought, it's Basil the Bastard! Mary giving birth and Mrs Slagg doing the rough, I have to be the one to let him in. The visit I have been expecting for some time.
Basil wafted in: "Done very well for yourself, old chap. TV show and all the rest. Think the servants watch it at home. Bit tacky for me and the wife."
I cut to the chase:
"What do you want, Basil?", I said coldly, knowing the answer.
I cut to the chase:
"What do you want, Basil?", I said coldly, knowing the answer.
"Simply what's mine, old boy", he shrugged
"Marjorie?", I stalled
"Oh no. I warmed her up nicely for you. Done my bit with her !"
"It's my daughter, I've come for."
"Marjorie?", I stalled
"Oh no. I warmed her up nicely for you. Done my bit with her !"
"It's my daughter, I've come for."
My blood turned to ice. And I found myself finally standing up to the school bully.
"I take it you are referring to Lavinia," I said coldly, "who is in fact our daughter."
"Oh come, Paul mate. I think a simple DNA test can sort that little detail out."
"Marjorie and I have brought Lavinia up. You cannot just take her away like some package! You cannot have everything you want! Old Chap!" And the hatred spilled out of me.
"I take it you are referring to Lavinia," I said coldly, "who is in fact our daughter."
"Oh come, Paul mate. I think a simple DNA test can sort that little detail out."
"Marjorie and I have brought Lavinia up. You cannot just take her away like some package! You cannot have everything you want! Old Chap!" And the hatred spilled out of me.
Then the light of my life appeared with her suitcase packed.
"Perhaps it is best I go with him, Papa"
A lump caught in my throat:
"My Pet, you cannot hurt us like this."
"A new start might be better", my little girl said tearfully.
"Perhaps it is best I go with him, Papa"
A lump caught in my throat:
"My Pet, you cannot hurt us like this."
"A new start might be better", my little girl said tearfully.
I fought back tears. My life would be worthless without my child.
"I was there for you, Lavinia, when your mother bore you into the world. This Father cannot just reclaim you. I beg you to reconsider."
"I'll always love you and Mama, Papa. But I need a clean slate."
"I was there for you, Lavinia, when your mother bore you into the world. This Father cannot just reclaim you. I beg you to reconsider."
"I'll always love you and Mama, Papa. But I need a clean slate."
Then Marjorie entered the room:
"You're not going anywhere, Lavinia", she said quietly but firmly, "You see, Basil, Lavinia is not your child!"
"You're not going anywhere, Lavinia", she said quietly but firmly, "You see, Basil, Lavinia is not your child!"
"Whaaat?!", the three of us cried.
To be continued.... Don't touch that dial!!!!
To be continued.... Don't touch that dial!!!!