Larry, I don’t want to harm you or hurt your feelings, darling… but I’m telling you, I’m not treating you kindly!

So, picture this. Oliver’s sitting on the windowsill, gazing outside, waiting for his dad to come home. Its been two years since his mum left. She went off and started a new family, Dad said once, sounding really sad. Oliver never understood why she walked away from him. Hes almost forgotten her now.

His dads been doing everything he can for him. I mean, Olivers ten, right? Practically grown up. Theres no point hiding anything from him. Dad taught Oliver how to wash up, put things away properly, and hes stopped playing with toys. Hes just lonely though, really misses having a dog, but Dad keeps saying no.

Look, whos going to look after it? Ive got work, youre at school, youre not old enough.

Instead of a pet, Dad turns up with a woman. Her names Emily. She moves in with them. Oliver keeps his distance, thinking she doesnt belong. But Dad calls her his wife now, and hopes Emily could be a mother to Oliver.

I dont want her, Oliver says straight out. He goes back to staring out his window. Thats how they carry on. He watches Dad and Emily laughing together, joking and hugging, and he just feels angry.

Dad, I wish she would leave. Oliver, you cant say that. Its tough for us living without a woman in the house a wife and a mum.

Then spring arrives and Olivers out playing footie in the garden with other boys. His new mates tell him his dad and Emily are planning to put him in care.

Oliver gets scared. What if they actually do? If theyve got another baby, hed be in the way. So he decides to be ready, just in case.

He overheard a snatch of conversation, something like, “Hell be alright there, maybe we should send him.” That was enough to send him into a panic.

He barely slept that night, and next morning he made up his mind: Emilys got to go, shes just making everything worse. He started playing trickslike putting loads of salt in her tea or turning the cooker on under an empty pan. He was pretty cheeky about it. Emily soon figured out who was behind it, so she called him in to have a chat.

Oliver, lets talk. Youre angry about something. Im not angry, he says, trying to wriggle out of it. Oliver, Im not here to hurt you, love Im not your love! Look, weve rented a cottage for the summer, wanted to surprise you, but I guess we should be honest now. Your dad found a dog, and were going to pick him up today. You can come with us. Honestly? Oliver was shocked, almost wanted to believe her, and ended up hugging her so tightly.

Emily was nearly crying herself. Come on, you should be happy. Everythings going to be alright, no need to get upset, she said gently, stroking his hair.

When Dad got home, they all piled into the car to fetch the puppy. Olivers whole attitude changed; he didnt see Emily as the enemy anymore. They made up. The new dog curled up sleepily in Olivers arms, and honestly, everyone felt properly happy for the first time in ages.