(difford/tilbrook)

She was married and then divorced
Things seemed to happen that way
The children were confused, sometimes they’d fight
Sitting in their toys and games
To them she’s mother and I am their friend
Who sits with them on his lap
And sleeps on the sofa on alternate weekends
No substitute for their dad
She’s a very good mum
As she tries to explain
Everything that she can
But a child’s mind is sharp
They imagine the worst
Sometimes can’t understand
That there’s so much to learn
When you open a can of worms

So to the park to play on the swings
To give their mother a break
When I saw their father walking down the path
Heading down towards the gate
I froze on the spot, heart in my throat
I hoped he’d not see us there
He soon disappeared and the kids on the slide
Were happy and unaware

I read the papers and made scrambled eggs
The kids got ready to leave
Their father was taking them for the weekend
With pocket money and sweets
They were excited as they waved goodbye
And I went straight back to bed
Their mother stood and watched as they drove away
Standing on the front door step